I need a new winter riding jacket - lined and warm and all that good stuff.

I was looking at the various jackets and I wondered is it worth getting a jacket with armor in it. How much protection does is really confer over and above a thick leather jacket without armor.
Is it better to consider getting a non-armored leather jacket over a armored textile jacket.

I'm not into going very fast, I mostly ride around town with the odd trip on the superslab. Even then, I won't go faster than 70. I want clothing to give me protection. I wear an armored mesh jacket in the summer, with jeans. But if I had a crash and I'd get the same injuries with a leather jacket or with an armored textile, then I wouldn't bother searching for an armored jacket.

Thanks everyone
Eva

I need a new winter riding jacket - lined and warm and all that good stuff.

I was looking at the various jackets and I wondered is it worth getting a jacket with armor in it. How much protection does is really confer over and above a thick leather jacket without armor.
Is it better to consider getting a non-armored leather jacket over a armored textile jacket.

I'm not into going very fast, I mostly ride around town with the odd trip on the superslab. Even then, I won't go faster than 70. I want clothing to give me protection. I wear an armored mesh jacket in the summer, with jeans. But if I had a crash and I'd get the same injuries with a leather jacket or with an armored textile, then I wouldn't bother searching for an armored jacket.

Thanks everyone
Eva

My belief is that its one or the other...

I PREFER leather, myself...as there is more protection overall....the down side is the bulk and heat factors....

Armor provides excellent protection....WHERE THE ARMOR IS....

The ouchies don't always come where we expect them to...BUT, comfort is an under-appreciated concern, too...

Confused?

:)

I have Armored Leather. The armor is in the shoulders, elbows, forearms, and the middle of my back. and the leather is a 1-2 and 3-4 grade thickness buffulo hide leather. a little stiff at first and a little heavy. But I love feeling safe.

confused, quite a bit.

Let me add to that.

Here are my jumbled thoughts on jackets.
Leather, heavier, not waterproof, extremely expensive
warmer, better for sliding accidents, more durable

Tex/Armor - not as safe all over, not as warm
waterproof, more varied temp usage, lighter, more comfortable, cheaper

I want to be warm, comfy and safe. Not have to worry about carrying extra rain gear in case of a downpour. I don't have a ton to spend, so an armored leather jacket probably is out of reach for me.

confused, quite a bit.

Let me add to that.

Here are my jumbled thoughts on jackets.
Leather, heavier, not waterproof, extremely expensive
warmer, better for sliding accidents, more durable

Tex/Armor - not as safe all over, not as warm
waterproof, more varied temp usage, lighter, more comfortable, cheaper

I want to be warm, comfy and safe. Not have to worry about carrying extra rain gear in case of a downpour. I don't have a ton to spend, so an armored leather jacket probably is out of reach for me.

Well, there IS always a trade-off.....

I find my heavy leather to be REASONABLY water-resistant....I also use a waterproofing on it...that helps...

When I ride in the rain, I find its my pants that take the lion's share of wet...

You have the variables right...you just have to decide what's right FOR YOU....

If your looking for warmth go with the Leather, You can get a good leather jacket for a good price at a Indy!!! Nylon type armor jackets won't keep you very warm..

I have a Mesh Jacket with Armor for the warmer weather, I love it. I have a heavy leather for the cold weather with a Thinsulate zip in liner, padded in all the right area's. I have chaps..........................

Just purchased my first pair of textile pants from Fieldsheer, with full array of pads, hard and soft. I love these pants, the best thing since apple pie if you ask me. The comfort factor is a 10 ! And the first time you go down you will appreciate the armor......................

Got them new off eBay for a steal.................................

* 600 Denier Pu coated Carbolex® nylon
* Anatomically fit for the riding position
* FS Rainguard 100% waterproof/breathable liner
* Nylon taffeta lined
* External CE armor pockets for knee/shin protection
* Ballistic knees with padding
* Extra long side zipper
* Ballistic covered hip protectors, with padding
* Ballistic reinforced double seat
* Elasticized back and waist
* Padded kidney area
* Gusseted front zipper, with flap
* Velcro adjustable waist, with buckle
* Fieldsheer reflective PhosLite on gusseted leg zip
* 2 front patch pockets
* 2 front zippered pockets
* Waist zip connectors (for attaching to Fieldsheer Jackets)
* Color: Black
* Men's Sizes: S-3XL

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/paxman1/fieldsheerhighlandpant.jpg

.....This question could very well open up a whole world of debate.
Fact: Most accidents happen at slower speeds and turns. Where helmuts and armor will do ya the MOST good. High speed motorcycles crashs are a different animal of sorts. Quality top grain cowhide used to be rated for 90 feet of slide, I remember reading somewhere.
Fact: Leather by itself does little to provide warmth... but it does wonders for cutting wind and wind chill. Yer still gonna have to layer up. But the modern synthetics do an equally if not better job.
Once ya settle into the ride ya wont really notice the bulk and wieght of the armor, leather or whatever.... at least I dont.
Theres good arguments for both...
I prefer the feel of leather.

I have Armored Leather.
same here! I remember I fell a couple of winters ago when I was wearing my riding jacket for some reason or another...I slipped on the ice and fell hard right on the armor...didn't do squat for the impact of falling 5 or 6 feet but it's not really designed for impact anyway so that goes to show you...body armor doesn't work on ice falls...there's one data point :D ...seriously though I really like armored leather with the exception of the bulk factor...everything else I really like about it and feel like it's the best of both worlds but that's just my opinion and I'm sure there will be many on this subject

I have a Mesh Jacket with Armor for the warmer weather, I love it. I have a heavy leather for the cold weather with a Thinsulate zip in liner, padded in all the right area's. I have chaps..........................

Just purchased my first pair of textile pants from Fieldsheer, with full array of pads, hard and soft. I love these pants, the best thing since apple pie if you ask me. The comfort factor is a 10 ! And the first time you go down you will appreciate the armor......................

Got them new off eBay for a steal.................................

* 600 Denier Pu coated Carbolex® nylon
* Anatomically fit for the riding position
* FS Rainguard 100% waterproof/breathable liner
* Nylon taffeta lined
* External CE armor pockets for knee/shin protection
* Ballistic knees with padding
* Extra long side zipper
* Ballistic covered hip protectors, with padding
* Ballistic reinforced double seat
* Elasticized back and waist
* Padded kidney area
* Gusseted front zipper, with flap
* Velcro adjustable waist, with buckle
* Fieldsheer reflective PhosLite on gusseted leg zip
* 2 front patch pockets
* 2 front zippered pockets
* Waist zip connectors (for attaching to Fieldsheer Jackets)
* Color: Black
* Men's Sizes: S-3XL

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/paxman1/fieldsheerhighlandpant.jpg
I just tried my fieldsheer jacket tonight with temps at 42 and I love it...just ordered my pants online tonight for winters in Georgia.Plus I like the waterproof factor.

....I love my Field Sheer Leather..... 13 years and still going strong.

I got a teknic hurricane jacket that is textile and has kevlar skids on the outter shell and armor on the inner shell. It is by far the most comfortable jacket i've ever owned. I just wish it didn't look like i just walked out of a Japanime cartoon!

I got a teknic hurricane jacket that is textile and has kevlar skids on the outter shell and armor on the inner shell. It is by far the most comfortable jacket i've ever owned. I just wish it didn't look like i just walked out of a Japanime cartoon!

Dude...we need pictures...

You can't get away THAT easy....:laugh

I just tried my fieldsheer jacket tonight with temps at 42 and I love it...just ordered my pants online tonight for winters in Georgia.Plus I like the waterproof factor.


You like the jacket ? If it is anything like the pants I bet the jacket is great too!
The comfort of these pants is great ! Is the jacket a 3/4 length?

Thanks,,,,,, Mark

You like the jacket ? If it is anything like the pants I bet the jacket is great too!
The comfort of these pants is great ! Is the jacket a 3/4 length?

Thanks,,,,,, Mark
My jacket is XL tex with armour, it goes to my waist, I was had a hard time deciding between the booster or overpants,than I went with the booster pants. pants 118.00 cost

My jacket is XL tex with armour, it goes to my waist, I was had a hard time deciding between the booster or overpants,than I went with the booster pants. pants 118.00 cost


What is the diff between the booster and the highland pants? They look alike to me, maybe the pockets?

Mark

What is the diff between the booster and the highland pants? They look alike to me, maybe the pockets?

Mark
Yea....it was hard for me to tell,except I saw the flapper over the side zippers,maybe the other had the same but didnt say,I want to be dry if it rains.

Yea....it was hard for me to tell,except I saw the flapper over the side zippers,maybe the other had the same but didnt say,I want to be dry if it rains.

Give em a good ride and get back to me and tell me what you think. I have not had to yet but I think in the 40's and below I would wear a pair of long johns under the pants. I have just been wearing good old Jockey's under and been plenty warm. The lining inside is soft. The side zippers on mine do have a flap and snaps plus velcro for around the boot. The only downside is trying to take a leak...................:roflblack Velcro,button,zipper................not good for speed


Mark

I bought long johns tonight and Im would like to do a 5 hour one way trip for the holidays or 10 hours total,Im going to ride this weekend and try to get a feel for the new clothing and the cold....I will write back but I hope my pants come before wed before I leave..

Go to http://www.leatherup.com and check out their armored leather jackets and you can get a really nice one for under $175 maybe even less. I'm seriouse check it out and they deliver for like $12 bucks and it comes to your door and if you want to carry your rain slicker you can get a cheap pair there. Ride on and enjoy your ride.

http://www.leatherup.com/zoom_img/9111_1126295932.jpg

This one is only $119

http://www.leatherup.com/zoom_img/Y-03-Mas-Motorcycle_1097104773.jpg

This ones only $179