Totally depends on the brand. I think typically mesh will be least expensive, textile in the middle, and leather the most expensive, but it's going to depends on the brand, and the armour.

Mesh is super light weight, and actually so is textile (I actually think my textile is more comfortable than either of my meshies in that regard). Leather is heavier, and will vary GREATLY from one line to the next. My Joe Rocket leather was glove soft the day I got it, whereas Chris' A*'s leahter was really stiff and needed a lot of breaking in.

Yeah, apparently roo and stingray are supposed to be tougher, and more resilient in a slide.

Mesh will protect to some degree all over, but mainly the armoured areas. There've actually been people who claim mesh will melt and fuse with the flesh because it heats up in a long slide on asphalt, but I don't know how true that is, or how often it happens.

My rule of thumb is this: if I'm just commuting to work, my lil 12 mile commute where I'm not riding like a bat out of hell, and it's 90000 degrees out, I'm wearing mesh. On the other hand, if I know I'm going on a long sunday ride where I'll be riding HARD, then I might think twice and opt for something more protective.

WOW.... nope, no can do here. 80 is really about the limit and mine has LOTS of vents.

Yeah. I'm worried about the heat, I admit. I mentioned that to the CG guy and he said something that did make some sense. Something along the lines of, no matter what you wear, you're sitting with an engine between your legs and you're going to be hot no matter what. Might as well be protected, too. Or something?

when you're sitting, yeah, but when you're moving, your body stays cooler in something that breathes, be it mesh, or vents.

You could always start with a well vented textile for your first jacket, and then if it becomes too hot to bear, look into adding a meshie later. You're going to eventually build a gear wardrobe.

So does mine. :nee:

Some planning involved here. If I'm not going to have the best protection, I'll have to make sure I don't do any serious riding. Like no long trips, or high speeds, etc. I can do that....

You can wreck 100 feet from your house. I wear all of my gear all the time. I don't make considerations depending on the type/length of ride. The only exception is I don't wear my race style boots to work, but this season I plan on doing so.

Oh don't get me wrong - good textile DOES provide good protection. There's a company called Aerostitch that makes these really nice once piece textile suits intended for touring. You'll see people put 10's of thousands of miles on those, which I don't think they'd do if they weren't adequately protected. But you will want to invest in leather eventually, too.

Oh I know. But there is a big difference between wrecking on the highway at 80, and on a side road going 30. That's what I mean. I would always wear my helmet and gloves, this is really just about a jacket. But this may all change depending on what I can find that even fits!

Yeah, I'll get leather for sure. But it's just an unsafe to pass out on your bike from heat exhaustion, so I don't think I can wear leather all the time. I'll prolly only go as "low" as textile with vents though. For some reason mesh just doesnt sit right with me. no idea why, though.

A lot of people don't like it, and some people ONLY wear it. Get what fits you well and makes you feel confident and safe.

If i had one of these I wouldn't have to worry about falling off. :D