Stretch Textile Education

[spyderchick]

As we're seeing more and more of this stuff come through here rashed up, I thought y'all might like a little primer on what stretch fabrics are acceptable.

So what precipitated this little lesson? Way too many suits using inferior fabric in impact areas, and there are more 'brand name' suits doing it.

I'm currently working on a repair where a non aramid fabric was used in the sleeve. What's an aramid fabric or fiber? Nomex, Kevlar and carbon fiber all all considered to be aramids. Aramid fibers and fabrics are abrasion and heat resistant, and can be easily shaped.

Keprotec is the industry standard for use in racing suits, and it's made by the Swiss company Schoeller. RS Taichi and a few other brands use another brand of stretch Kevlar that's as good as Keprotec.

The panel I removed from the repair suit looks like this:
Next to it is a small piece of Keprotec, top side. As you can see, you can't tell the difference at a glance.



This is the back side of the same pieces. Note the lighter color of the Keprotec? That's the Kevlar fiber. Note the 'stretch' fabric is black.



Close up of the Keprotec back side:



Keprotec will 'shred' upon impact and abrasion, but it won't readily open up as seen in this example before repair on an A*s suit:



The problem is that some lower end, well known, brand suits are going to the cheaper stuff. Real Keprotec does not have any ribs, it looks like a tightly woven fabric. It should feel like it has a bit of bulk, and if you are looking at gear that has a removable liner, pull the liner away and check out the back side of the material, it should have a creamy or pale yellowish look.

Suits that I know use Kevlar aramid fabrics (in no particular order) are the RS Taichi, Hein Gericke, Shift, Rev 'It, Dianese, Komodo and most custom builders, Barnacle Bill, NJK, Vanson, Syed, etc.

Joe Rocket, Teknic, Alpinestars and Fieldsheer have gear that's built for all kinds of riders from Pro racers to recreational  riders, and so they have suits featuring the the Kevlar fabric are suitable for track/race use, but also suits with the  stretch fabric that is not as impact resitant. Be aware of what you're getting. Ask questions. The vendor should know what a suit is made up of.

Hope this is of help.

[APP_Racing]

Thank You so much for posting this.  Its little things like this that help keep us safe and secure.  Especially in a world where you can't know everything when trying to make a well informed decision.

Thanks Again!!!!!!!

[catman]

Yea -IF that info doesn'y make a great case for folks spending their leather cash your way, nothing could- Add great artwork to ACTUAL great protection- what else is there? I won't be needing any leather soon(hopefully) but will always prop the spydy one's work! She has likely saved a few pounds of skin with her attention to racer's needs.

[Supergirl]

Great info!

Thanks Alexa!!

[catman]

Yea -IF that info doesn't make a great case for folks spending their leather cash your way, nothing could- Add great artwork to ACTUAL great protection- what else is there? I won't be needing any leather soon(hopefully) but will always prop the spydy one's work! She has likely saved a few pounds of skin with her attention to racer's needs.

[funsizeracing]

Good to know 
When I first read "stretch textile" I was a little afraid to find a picture of some 600lb man in spandex!

[spyderchick]

Good to know 
When I first read "stretch textile" I was a little afraid to find a picture of some 600lb man in spandex!

I'm tempted to google 600 lb man in spandex and post the image just for the fun of it! 

[dylanfan53]

The are 309,000 replies to "Fat women in Spandex", and 4,960,000 replies to "Fat Jessica Simpson".

It's a weird world. 

[skiandclimb]

Sorry....it had to be done.

[fz6rider]

I check this during breakfast! Ugg.  Now I'm gonna have to call in sick.

[fz6rider]

Alexa, this is a valuable and interesting topic. I have returned to study it... what do you suggest for touring/street riders?  Jeff

[spyderchick]

Alexa, this is a valuable and interesting topic. I have returned to study it... what do you suggest for touring/street riders?  Jeff

The best stuff you can afford. I personally prefer to have the real Kevlar fabric in my everyday riding gear, although the Cordura textile jackets do fairly well in a street crash. However, then you'll probably need to retire it and buy a new one.