When it comes to motorcycle gear, durability isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Every stitch in your suit, jacket, gloves, and boots plays a role in protecting you from the elements, road debris, and, in worst-case scenarios, the pavement itself. That’s why the thread holding your gear together is just as important as the outer materials.
Two of the most common options in high-performance motorcycle gear are nylon thread and Kevlar thread. While Kevlar has a reputation for strength, we feel that nylon brings a set of advantages that make it the better choice for motorcycle apparel. Let’s break it down.
Elasticity
At first glance, Kevlar seems like the stronger choice—it’s used in bulletproof vests, after all. But when it comes to motorcycle gear, raw strength isn’t the only factor; flexibility and elasticity matter too.
Kevlar thread is incredibly strong but also stiff and prone to breaking under repeated flexing. Over time, the natural movement of your gear—bending at the elbows and knees, gripping the handlebars, shifting in your seat—can cause Kevlar thread to weaken and fray. Worse yet, a high-torque crash (such as a high-side or getting run over by another rider) which puts a ton of stress on the seams of your gear, could result in a seam failure on any suit, jacket or glove. But in the case of Kevlar stitching, the lack of elasticity can result in the leather being torn by the thread, as opposed to the thread stretching some or simply popping altogether. What does that mean? Well, aside from the obvious less-than-ideal situation where a seam opens up, if the leather or fabric shell of your gear is torn, repair isn’t as simple as just stitching a new seam. You may have to replace entire panels to safely and effectively repair the damage!
Nylon, on the other hand, maintains its tensile strength while offering a crucial bit of elasticity. It stretches and moves with your gear, making it more resistant to breakage over time - especially in high-torque impacts - and protecting the shell of the garment. This means your gear stays intact longer, giving you better protection in bigger crashes while also allowing for easier repairs should they be necessary.
Abrasion Resistance
Motorcycle gear needs to withstand high-speed abrasion in case of a slide. While Kevlar is famous for its abrasion resistance, Kevlar thread doesn’t perform as well under friction as people might expect.
Kevlar’s weakness? Heat.
Under extreme friction—like sliding on asphalt—Kevlar thread can become brittle and prone to breaking. You may be surprised to learn that Nylon has a higher melting point than Kevlar thread and can withstand abrasion more effectively in real-world motorcycle accidents that involve long slides. Crashes that commonly occur on a race track, for instance!
Water & UV Resistance
Weather conditions can make or break your riding experience. From sun exposure to unexpected downpours, your gear needs to handle it all.
Kevlar thread is highly absorbent, meaning it soaks up water and can degrade over time with repeated exposure. It’s also highly sensitive to UV rays, which weaken its fibers and cause it to lose strength.
Nylon, on the other hand, is naturally water-resistant and holds up far better against UV exposure. It won’t degrade as quickly under the sun, and it won’t absorb moisture that could weaken its structure.
For all-weather riders or those who push their gear to the limit, nylon is the smarter long-term choice.
Stitching That Holds Up
Your gear’s stitching is only as good as the thread that holds it together. Even the most durable materials—like leather or Superfabric —are useless if the seams fail.
Since Kevlar thread is stiffer and more prone to fraying, it can actually create weak points in gear over time. Nylon’s flexibility and strength make for stronger, longer-lasting seams, ensuring that your jacket, gloves, or pants stay together when you need them the most.
COLORS!
The final benefit to Nylon thread? It’s available in many more colors! Whereas Kevlar thread is generally only available in yellow or black, nylon thread can be had in almost any color of the rainbow!
In fact, most people forget that during the design phase of your Bison gear, you can actually specify what color thread you’d like used! It’s a cool little touch that can be customized but don’t worry - if you don’t select a specific thread color, we’ll match all the stitching as best we can in all areas of your motorcycle race suit, jacket, gloves or boots.
Final Verdict: Nylon Thread Gets the Nod At Bison
While Kevlar has its place in protective gear, we feel nylon thread is the superior choice for motorcycle apparel. As such, we use genuine Coats nylon thread in the construction of all Bison gear. The properties that make nylon thread ideal for motorcycle gear: elasticity, resistance to heat and abrasion and the way it handles weather - ultimately keep your gear stitched together longer.
When choosing riding gear, look beyond just the outer materials—pay attention to the stitching. Because when the pavement tests you, you want every seam on your side.
Still want Kevlar thread on your Bison gear? Simply let us know during the design process! We’ll make sure to use it.