Kangaroo Leathers: Anyone have any ideas for best suit for the $

[holtjv]

I've been looking at Moto GP suits, which are priced between 650-1000 if you can get them.

I'm looking for something that's very good crash quality but light and cool under the Texas sun.

Any ideas???

Thanks..Jack

[dewolf]

Kangaroo Leather

Kangaroo leather is one of the most amazing natural materials in the world. The superior characteristics of kangaroo leather make it stronger, more durable, more supple and more water resistant than any of its more commercially known leather counterparts such as bovine, sheep or goat.

Most of these remarkable benefits derive from the fact that the kangaroo is a wild animal. All kangaroo leather originates from freely roaming herds that have adapted their hides to survive in one of the most diverse environments on earth - Australia.

With this in mind, no kangaroos are farmed or hunted for commercial purposes. Australia is currently vastly overpopulated with kangaroos, with their numbers steadily increasing. As a result, the Australian Government, with the assistance of world renowned environmental and species control associations, has developed a humane species control program.

Kangaroo leather has a structure quite different from that of bovine, sheep or any other animal hide in having a full fibre structure making it stronger and extra tough. The horizontal angle weave of the fibres create unique fibre bundles which, by the nature of their construction, produce unequaled strength and durability. The absence of various fat cells and glands allows kangaroo leather to be shaved to as little as 0.30mm from its original .90mm while still maintaining its resistance, endurance and suppleness.

No other leather has the ability to retain its strength and durability at thinness levels below 0.60mm.

Pittard sheepskin, by example, does not have the tough fibre structure of kangaroo ; in fact, it has a fairly open structure that contains a high level of fat cells. Once tanned, the result is a dramatic reduction in overall leather strength and endurance making the leather short lived and unsuitable for wet conditions

[bell]

That there is some good info thanks

[holtjv]

I've read that the fibers run horizontal rather than random for cow. I think this is why it is more supple out of the box.

It's also illegal to buy new in ca or ny.

[Noah930]

No FHE with any kangaroo leathers (other than in the palms of gloves). But whatever suit you go with, I'd suggest that perforation is the way to go to get good cooling in hot weather. It certainly makes a difference in the traditional bovine leather jackets/leathers I've had.

[Tobra]

My brother has some kangaroo boots that have been pretty bulletproof for the last 20 years

[dlockhart]

I had a set that lasted through 20+ crashes before my leather repair shop told me they were getting ground too thin and needed to be retired. I'd say they are a good value.
I upgraded to a set of Spidi roos, but they are at least 3X more expensive than the MotoGPs.

I also have a set of A*s, but I really liked the ligher weight feel of roo's and it is hard to go back to moo.