With all of the different types of leather on the market, it can be confusing to decide which is the best. We did research on two different types, kangaroo and cowhide, and wrote up a summary of each to help take the guesswork out of it.
Cowhide Leather
As the name suggests, cowhide leather is made from the skin of cows. Long used by motorcyclists for its protection during crashes, it’s no wonder why cowhide is one of, if not the most popular choice for leather motorcycle jackets, suits, and gloves. Another big draw to cowhide leather is the price to quality ratio. Although typically not the cheapest option on the market, cowhide leather is considered a great value in relation to the quality of protection and comfort it offers motorcyclists.
Kangaroo Leather
If you’ve never purchased leather before you could be asking yourself why you would ever want leather made from kangaroo skin. Don’t be fooled, though. Kangaroo leather is considered one of the best types of leather you can buy, and some of the best racing suits in the world like the Alpinestars GP Tech 1 are made of it. Since kangaroos do not have as much fat as cows or some other animals that are used for leather, the skin does not have to be shaved as much, if at all. This means that the integrity of the skin remains in tact. Kangaroo skin is also naturally lightweight and flexible. The special tanning process required for making kangaroo leather makes the leather less likely to lose its shape over time, as well as more water resistant.
No matter what type of leather you select for your riding gear, the most important thing is that it is in good condition (sewn properly, not too worn) and is abrasion resistant. There are many factors that come into play when selecting the right leather for you: riding style, temperature, and cost are all things to consider. One thing is certain: some type of protection is necessary when riding. AGVSPORT said that “Research conducted by MAIDS (Motorcycle Accidents In-Depth Study) has revealed that, after the examination of over 900 motorcycle accidents in five different European countries, the riders that wore PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) not only had a bigger chance of surviving the accident, but often survived the accident without injury as well.” Protect yourself so that one ride doesn’t become your last ride.
Riders Discount provides a vast variety of leather gear to suit your riding needs. Our leather gear is available at a variety of prices and leather types. As always, Riders Discount is here to help you make every ride the perfect (and safest) ride. Visit our website to find the right gear for you. Our expert sales team is here for you by phone 10AM-6PM ET M-F 1-866-931-6644 or email at support@ridersdiscount.com.
ALPINESTARS MENS GP TECH 1 PIECE LEATHER SUIT 2015 – Click Image to Purchase
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