02-02-2015, 01:42 AM
Some jean maker (I forget the brand) did a hybrid Kevlar/Cotton/ who knows what because Kevlar by its' self had very poor abrasion resistance.
Then on Aerostich's web site you read where they have dragged a sand bag made from various materials and some of their nylon canvas (could be a different thread material - I really don't recall) did a wee bit better than leather.
But your synthetics can heat up and melt (mesh jackets came under particular fire in the jean companies website mentioned above because the mesh melts into your skin giving you and your doctors fits getting back out). Leather does not have this problem.
So in a get off, there is a lot of physics going on and what you choose to protect yourself may do well with some parts of the crash; may not do as well in other parts. It pays to step back a bit and look at all the problems one faces; especially in racing where flammable fluids can complicate your crash, and see just how the material you are interested in performs with all the insults tossed at it (with you inside it). I think you'll find that leather, so far, is the best bet.
But each material is a compromise between what you think you'll face in a crash and what your wallet can handle.
Then on Aerostich's web site you read where they have dragged a sand bag made from various materials and some of their nylon canvas (could be a different thread material - I really don't recall) did a wee bit better than leather.
But your synthetics can heat up and melt (mesh jackets came under particular fire in the jean companies website mentioned above because the mesh melts into your skin giving you and your doctors fits getting back out). Leather does not have this problem.
So in a get off, there is a lot of physics going on and what you choose to protect yourself may do well with some parts of the crash; may not do as well in other parts. It pays to step back a bit and look at all the problems one faces; especially in racing where flammable fluids can complicate your crash, and see just how the material you are interested in performs with all the insults tossed at it (with you inside it). I think you'll find that leather, so far, is the best bet.
But each material is a compromise between what you think you'll face in a crash and what your wallet can handle.