Providing Gear for A Safer Ride

Extensive research has been poured into determining the type of material for a biker's clothing. Both comfort and protection have been taken into consideration. There are even preferences regarding the colour of a biker's clothing. Let us look at the different materials that are used in creating biking wear.

Leather Leather was a popular choice for bikers in the 1990s. It has even evolved to become the biker stereotype that one usually sees in films. Tough and strong, leather provides adequate protection from cuts and abrasions. However, it can be very uncomfortable for several reasons. Leather is heavy and, depending on its toughness, may not be so flexible. It is also not breathable, either. Sweating on the road is not a mere inconvenience; in long tours, it can lead to dehydration and a loss of concentration. The modern leather jacket for bikers contains shock-absorbing armour that protects key joints like the elbows, knees and other vulnerable parts of the body. Outer coats of titanium or high-density plastic are also applied, so that the rider slides along the road in a crash instead of tumbling and landing at dangerous angles.

Man-made textile This used to mean lightweight clothing that only had padding in key joint areas to protect the body. Nowadays, though, manufacturers have created better textiles, a few of which can even be tougher than leather. For instance, there are biking suits made of high density ballistic nylon. The synthetic cloth with highest quality is the kevlar, which can be even tougher than leather. It is flexible, breathable and lightweight but also dries quickly when drenched in the rain. It has highly resistance to heat and abrasion. However, most textile biker suits are worn over normal clothing. Aside from kevlar, these materials are usually inferior to leather when it comes to protection from cuts. A combination of two or several textiles will also work.

Colour is another consideration among manufacturers of biker suits. Many recommend bright clothing as opposed to the iconic all-black suit. This is because bright hues increase visibility, specially at night. This is important in highways, intersections and rail crossings.