Leather Jackets
w/thinsulate |
Nylon
Jackets w/waterproof barrier
and/or insulated liner |
| are resistant to: sharp objects,
sparks and fire, blunt trauma, water, wind, oil or blood
|
are resistant to: wind and are
waterproof, but do not have a no leak warranty |
| can be repaired, reconditioned,
redeye and reissued or sold. It is not unusual to see
leather jackets still in use that are 20, 30, and 40 years
old |
Are not resistant to sparks, fire,
sharp objects or blunt trauma. Cannot be repaired and
keep warranty. In most cases 3 to 5 year expectancy. |
| Leather jackets w/thinsulate thermal
insulation are 30% warmer than nylon jackets w/thermolite
and gore-tex barrier. |
Comparable thermal insulations
are not as warm. |
| Oil can be cleaned off leather
|
Oil cannot be cleaned off. |
| Taylor's uses 2 1/2 to 3 oz. Drum
dyed cowhide and 2 oz glove tanned goatskin. The cowhide
tanning process makes the leather water resistant (less
maintenance). The goat is tanned to military standards. |
3 ounce 2 ply Taslan nylon, no
federal standard. 5 oz heavy weight Taslan. |
|
| The linings, pocketing (wearnyl)
brass anodized sippers are much more durable than those
used in nylon jackets |
Less durable pocketing, molded
nylon zippers and lighter weight permanent linings. |
| Leather jackets are made one at
a time. Special sizes and styles do not take any longer
to make. |
Nylon jackets are made in large
quantities and specials traditionally take a long time.
|
| Leather is strongly recommended
for motorcycle, K-9, and mounted because of the extra
protection for the officer. |
Gore-Tex is a PTFE membrane. It
does not have any strength by itself. It is laminated
to a polyester fabric. The permanent inside lining. The
outer shell soaks. Liquid, clean or dirty is stopped by
the PTFE barrier. Some liquid stays in-side the jacket.
|
| Leather jackets are used by law
enforcement agencies in every environment, warm and cold,
rich and poor, city and suburban and rural towns. In every
kind of patrol and detail, including correctional. |
Not recommended for motorcycle,
K-9, or mounted officers. Offers little or no protection
in a fall or other rough wear. |
| Expensive, very long life span.
Does not cost, it pays when amortized over time. By far
the best value |
Expensive, short life span when
compared to leather. |
