What is a better riding jacket?

Question

What do you like better as a riding jacket? Textile or leather? Which one is better for protection? and Which one is cooler?

Answer 1

Owning both is the way to go. I have a leather for winter, and a mesh for summer. My summer jacket has 3 layers that are held together by zippers. Outer layer is a mesh with pads in the elbow and shoulder areas. Second layer is for rain protection. Third is a liner to keep you warm in the winter. Cost me $150 at FBC in San Diego. Putting the layers together and apart is a pain in the rear, so I just use the mesh in the summer and leather in the winter.

Answer 2

definetly leather

i have a vanson perf

awesome

Answer 3

I have both, I have an ICON leather, and a Joe Rocket Ballistic mesh, both have removable body armor...

The mesh is a must on 90 degree days, who wants to sweat all over the inside of a leather jacket?

Leather is a must for those cool night when the temp in the low lying areas is down in the 60's.

The answer is, own both... if you cant afford to own both, buy mesh, you can always put on a sweatshirt under it. Nothing is going to protect like a heavy leather jacket... but as long as you have a mesh with shoulder, elbow, and spine pads... it sure beats flip flops and a tank top!!!

Answer 4

leather offers the best protection ,but the textile jackets have better ventilation for  warm weather as well as most textile jackets have the armor plates and pads built into them already ,for the summer a mesh with removable liner

Answer 5

leather protects better but mesh is comfier, more weather friendly and with better graphics...    CHEAPER TOO

Answer 6

I have a leather one with perforations all over the chest and arms. It's hot when standing still, but once I get moving I don't feel any heat. Leather is the best, plus having elbow, shoulder, and back armor provides the best protection.