Has anyone binned it while wearing textile kit?

Draeger · 4 Jul 2014 at 20:22

Hello all,

I've sold my Dainese 1 piece leathers, they must have shrunk or something during my long layoff from biking.

I've now built up a little sneaky fund from selling them and some other unused bike kit I had lying around and I'm trying to decide whether to go the leather or textile route. I've got a set of Gericke textiles for all weather riding/commuting but I'm intrigued by the current crop of 'race cut' summer sports textile kit that's available. Quite keen on the Dainese Super Speed Tex which has been getting top reviews all over the shop:-

I am however, concerned over the question of durability in the event of a 'get off'. Obviously a decent set of leathers is going to offer up more protection than textiles but how much in the grand scheme of things?

Has anyone binned it in textile gear and how did it hold up? If you have done so, in your opinion would you have suffered less if you were wearing leathers instead?

Draeger · 5 Jul 2014 at 07:02

What was the issue you had with RST kit, pugheaven?

Draeger · 5 Jul 2014 at 16:10

I know RST kit is a 'budget' brand but I thought the quality of it had increased a bit lately. Perhaps not. I've never owned any RST kit although I was looking at their Ventilator III textile jacket. I might just score that one off the list.

Draeger · 8 Jul 2014 at 12:12

Thanks for the feedback folks. I think I'm going to head to a store nearby and have a closer look at the Dainese Super Speed. It's hard to tell from pictures and video reviews on YT what the jacket is like irl. My Dainese one piece leather suit was a seriously well put together bit of kit, it really did feel like it would protect very well during an off. I would say 80% of my riding time, what little I have managed to do in the past two years anyway, is spent in my textile waterproof kit. I usually only chucked the Dainese one piece on for sunny weekend runs.

@Wazza, the Weise kit does look good and having had a look around it is priced very competitively in comparison to some of the other top brands. I think I'll visit some retailers. Being a tight Scottish git my plan is to check the jackets out in the flesh and try them for size and then buy online to save a few quid.

I've no idea what size I'd be in a Dainese textile - 42-44" chest, 6'0 height and average build I think will put me in a Euro 54. My leathers were a Euro 50 and were far too tight. I think a 52 may be ok but slightly snug so 54 may be a better bet especially as I wear a separate back protector underneath as well. I'll try 'em on in the shops before pulling the trigger online.

Draeger · 10 Jul 2014 at 16:46

Finally decided to go for the Dainese Super Speed Tex as in the original post. Not easy to get hold of, rare as hens teeth apparently as they are being snapped up due to excellent reviews. Managed to track one down today in the right size/colour combo and ordered online. I'll do a little write up on it once it arrives.