Biking is our way of life. It lets us explore new places, get exercise, and sometimes even provide a livelihood. But riding a bike can also be dangerous! What if you're involved in an accident? Better have some armor on before you go out there!
In this blog post we'll take a look at why it's so important to wear leathers when biking and what happens if you don't wear them.
Why people wear leathers when Biking
When biking, you're exposed to the elements. You want to make sure that you stay protected.
If you're going on a short, leisurely ride through the neighborhood, you can probably get by with some athletic clothing. But if you're going to be doing anything more extreme, like off-roading or racing, then wearing leather is absolutely necessary.
Well, there are several reasons for this. To begin with, leather is durable. It's so tough, it can't easily be destroyed by all sorts of different environments. Leather can resist damage from ultraviolet rays and will not rot or fade if you leave it exposed to the elements. Because of this, leather can last for years, even decades.
Another reason to wear leather when biking is safety. The material has been designed to minimize injuries in the event of a crash and to protect your body from bumps, jolts and dings. The great thing about leather is that it can absorb the impact of your fall. And it won't cause you any major damage either.
You'll receive only small bruises and scrapes while wearing it instead of breaking bones or being paralyzed or even losing a limb.
The benefits of wearing leathers while biking
1. Protection in case of an accident:
Leathers provide protection during an accident. That's right; your riding jacket can actually keep you safe during a crash. The armor in most leather jackets, depending on their size, will protect you from various injuries.
If you ride in a country that has potholes or poor roads, it may be worthwhile to invest in a better quality jacket than the one you already have.
2. It will help you in temperature regulation:
Let's face it -- biking can get pretty hot. But that doesn't mean you should stick to cotton clothes! Wearing leather helps regulate your body temperature. It keeps you cool when it's hot, and warm when it's cold out there.
If you happen to live in a place where it rains a lot, wearing waterproof leathers is the way to go. Since leathers help regulate your body temperature, they'll keep you warm and safe during those wet conditions.
3. They can keep you cool on long rides:
The best part about wearing leathers is that they'll keep you cool. It's true! If you're riding a bike with a good air-conditioning system, your armor can help keep you cool during those long extended trips.
Having a biker jacket with good ventilation will ensure that you don't get too hot even when the temperature outside is high.
4. Conserves your energy:
If you remember from the point, leathers help regulate your body temperature. This means that they'll help keep your core temperature cool and help you conserve energy.
It may seem obvious, but wearing a great leather jacket will make all the difference when it comes to conserving your energy.
5. It's more comfortable:
I know it sounds simple, but wearing a jacket that has inner linings will make you feel more comfortable as you ride. These linings will keep your stomach and your chest elevated, which makes you feel less tired as you ride. In addition, it will also help to keep you warm as the day goes on.
Leathers will also keep your arms and legs in place. But most importantly, they'll make you feel comfortable while riding your bike. It makes riding far more enjoyable.
6. It's stylish:
Leather jackets are finished off with a great design that can be worn with different types of clothing and styles of jackets. Think about it. If you don't have a leather jacket, you can always wear a nice shirt and pants combo.
Remember that you should choose a jacket that fits. The jacket should be loose enough to allow for a bit of freedom but narrow enough to give you protection. It should not be too tight or too loose, otherwise you may get uncomfortable while riding in it.
What happens if you don't wear leathers when biking?
Wearing leathers are a must when biking! That's right you should wear a top quality leather jacket while riding your bike. But what happens if you don't wear the right armor?
1. Scratches and abrasions:
If you get in a crash without wearing leathers, you're going to get injured. You can't protect yourself without some sort of biking jacket! And in most cases, the injury will be caused by scratches and/or abrasions.
If you get into an accident without wearing a leather jacket, you'll get some skin irritations and rashes on your chest, arms, or shoulders. This happens when the armor doesn't cover all areas of your body adequately, allowing for some pretty nasty cuts or burns.
2. Chafing:
If you don't wear leathers, your skin can get chafed. This happens when you're bike moves and rubs your body raw. If you don't wear some type of protection, this is a very common injury that can occur while biking.
3. Sunburn:
The sun's ultraviolet rays are extremely strong during the summer time. If you're not careful, they can cause sunburn on your chest and neck areas. This can be very painful and it's really important to wear a good quality jacket that can protect your chest and neck from the sun while biking.
3. You'll get colder:
Most leathers will have a liner or two in them. But if you're getting cold while riding, you'll want to make sure you have more than just that.
You'll need a jacket with some sort of inner lining to help keep your body temperature regulated. That way, you can ride safely and comfortable for up to 6 hours at a time.
4. You'll get wet:
Leathers will help keep you dry when it rains. But if you're not wearing a biking jacket, you're going to get wet. And that means you'll also get cold.
You'll be exposed to the elements for a long period of time if you don't have the right biking jacket. As well, you'll want to make sure that you're protected from the weather while wearing your leathers.
How to choose a suitable biking leather jacket:
What jacket should I choose?
Steer clear from the cheap ones, because they're not going to do you any good while you're biking. If you're looking for a great quality bike jacket, then it's important that you choose one that has a lot of protection. Here are some things you should look for in a leather riding jacket:
1. Protection:
Remember that it's very important to have adequate protection while biking. This is one area which makes or breaks the overall quality of your riding jacket. If there's no protection at all, then you're basically naked out there.
2. Good airflow:
The best jackets will have good ventilation in them. This is because your body gets a bit hot after riding for a while and you'll want to make sure that it doesn't get too hot inside your jacket. You'll need a jacket that can keep up with the heat or else you'll get uncomfortable while riding.
3. Comfort:
Wear a jacket that's comfortable and that can be worn over and over again. You have to make sure that you're not sacrificing the comfort of your jacket for safety. The best jackets will be both safe and comfortable at the same time.
4. Budget:
Budget is important when shopping for a new leather bike jacket. There are some pretty cheap ones out there, but they're not going to keep you as safe as a quality one will. You may want to do some comparison shopping if you want to get the best deal.
5. Skid proofing:
Your jacket should be able to slide on the road when you are moving your bike. It should have skid proofing on all of the main parts of your riding body, such as your legs and arms. This is very important because it can prevent any sort of injury from happening when you're out there in traffic.
6. Fit:
It's essential that you get a leather jacket that fits well, especially when biking. Otherwise, you're going to be uncomfortable and possibly even end up getting hurt while riding. You'll want to try a few on before you buy it, but the best place to start is by checking the sizing chart of your favorite brand.
7. Accessories:
One thing that I like to do when I'm out there riding is to keep a few accessories in my backpack. I'm talking about snacks, a little first aid kit, and some extra boots. All of these things are important to have while riding in a big city. They can help you out when something goes awry on the road.
Conclusion
As you can see, it's very important to wear leathers while biking. It'll help keep you protected while riding and it'll allow you to ride longer without getting too hot. These jackets are essential for all riders.
Look for a good leather jacket that's going to keep you safe, but also make sure it's comfortable enough to wear over and over again. As well, you want to choose a leather jacket that's going to last you a few years. Otherwise, it's just not worth the investment.
Make sure you do your research when shopping for your next riding jacket.