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Pakistan leather gets a second chance

Pakistan leather gear

We panned a leather jacket we received from Pakistan in August 2016 and warned riders against buying cheap motorcycle goods over the internet.

Read our scathing report here.

Pakistani leather jacket
The “offending” Pakistani leather jacket

However, another Pakistan motorcycle leather goods company then got in touch with us and pleaded to give the country’s goods a second chance.

They also said they would soon be starting a line of chrome-free “green” leather goods made without using toxic chromium in the tanning process.

Meanwhile, they pressed us for sizes to send samples of their goods.

I tried to explain that it would not be a fair review if they knew they were sending gear to a journalist for review as they would make an extra-special high-quality product.

Your average punter may not get the same treatment.

But here’s the thing; even considering they knew the goods would be reviewed by a professional “moto noter”, it’s simply not up to standard.

The company sent boots ($US56), gloves ($US18) and a two-piece leather race suit ($US98 jacket and $US93 pants). All prices are delivered to Australia.

Even before I opened the small cardboard box I realised it was not great quality from the size and weight of the package.

There is no getting around the fact that genuine leathers are weighty and bulky.

When I opened the box, the next hint was the distinct smell of rubber rather than leather. It just did not smell right.

Next was the fit. Despite giving my measurements, they just don’t fit right.

For example, the pants are too tight, yet the jacket is too loose around the same waist measurement!Pakistan leather gear

The jacket is also baggy everywhere, but at least the sleeves are long enough, unlike the previous Pakistan leather jacket.

They promised that all their armour is “CE approved as per international safety standard”, yet I could not find any CE labels.

I pressed them for certification and they emailed two testing documents that were too small to read. I asked for bigger copies, but they never complied.

Even if there was a label, there is nothing stopping them from simply counterfeiting them.

However, the foam back, shoulder and elbow protectors are skimpy and far too thin to be CE approved.

The only labels we could find were brand labels and a sticker that says “genuine leather”, but it doesn’t say what sort of leather. It feels very soft and thin.

They told us everything was “full-grain cow leather” except the gloves which were “drum dyed aniline cow leather”.

We believe it is more likely goat leather. We gave it a tear test with our hands and it seemed to hold, but stretched quite a bit.

But here is the most ridiculous thing about the leathers; the knee sliders are right around the side of the shins. They look ridiculous and, unless you have a radical style, totally ineffective.

Besides, the protectors are pieces of brittle plastic that would just melt on contact with the road.

Leather bootsPakistan leather gear

The boots have no support and collapse at the ankle and in the middle of the foot.

They are so ill-fitting they are loose everywhere, except across the toes where they dig into my little toes. I don’t have super-wide feet, either. They are just badly designed.

The inner sole is like a piece of paper and are only stuck in with a small piece of glue on the heel, so they came out first time I removed my feet.

Also, the ankle protector and toe sliders are anchored with screws pointing directly at your foot. Ouch!Pakistan leather gear

Leather gloves

Best of a bad lot is the gloves which seem reasonably well made and are styled like race gloves with a velcro wrist fastener and had plastic “protectors” on the knuckles.

We’re not sure how long the protectors they would last in slide down the road, but we gave them a wood and metal file test and they held up well.

Behind the back of the knuckles there is some soft foam, so they feel soft and comfortable.Pakistan leather gear

Conclusion

Many motorcycle manufacturers have products made in Pakistan and other Asian countries.

In fact, even Indian-owned Royal Enfield in “enemy territory” has their gear made in Pakistan, much to the chagrin of many Indian riders!

However, these known manufacturers have strict quality control and usually abide by European approval standards.

A lot of Asian companies make knock-off products that look identical to the brand-name goods, but they simply don’t stand up to the test.

We haven’t mentioned the company name, but once again, we do not recommend buying directly from any Asian manufacturers.

  1. I bought my leather jacket, made in Pakistan, from Bikers World because it was the cheapest & the thickest leather I saw in any shop in Briz
    & it fits OK too.

  2. I have nothing but great things to say about Pakistani racing leather products. I have used them for the past 12 years with no issues and I went down once, my one piece suit held up well, gloves tore but protected my hands from serious injury. All major Italian brands that cost 50 times more use Pakistani leather, their stiching is just a tad better. Good work Pakistan! I hope to visit Sialkot where they are made.

  3. I just recently purchased a leather jacket in Japan made in Pakistan. Except for the size wc was LL and I am a medium all else is great. Leather is remarkably well made–pls see other products of Rookie leather.

  4. Well Mark,
    Your review is similar to what i expected from you after reading your last post about receiving jacket from Pakistan by paying pennies and expecting quality of high end store.

    We have more than 5000+ companies all across Pakistan working from past 6 decades producing high class leather items and jackets for top retail outlets in the world ,
    Brands like MANGO, CHAMPION and many similar brands have years long contracts, yet people like you look out of no where look out for options top degrade the hard work that craftsmen put in to deliver the best in your given pennies.

    Perhaps you should always buy from that retail store which provides you funds for your write ups. will help you and your family too.

    Pakistani leather and leather jackets aren’t made for you.

    If you have any doubts be my guest, pay a visit to my factory and i ll show you the standard and will also show you how high end brands in other parts of the world exploit local business owners here in Pakistan.

    Makes them to wait for payment for months.
    Pay in pennies and ask for high-end items.

    And i would appreciate if you publish my comments.

    1. Hi Ali. Appreciate your comment. Would it be possible to get in touch and visit your factory to have a look at your products as I am looking for some good quality products and would appreciate if you could assist.
      Thank you

  5. I’m living in japan and selling leather jacket, which i import from pakistan. Every buyer who bought i never received negative comments

    Maybe you contacted to wrong person

  6. I am amazed to see you always buy the wrong jacket. These are surely cheap stuff and I am sure you always buy keeping in mind the price factor. I wish I would have an option here and would share heaps of immaculate leather motorcycle jackets with protective gear all made in Pakistan 🙂

  7. do not buy from any asian manufacturer and pay triple the price of same quality goods in Australia? right? Peter Stevens does this too.

  8. I loved your article Mark. You are so correct. Never buy direct from these places. I would like to add an amendment though. “Unless you have tried and tested the products somehow and can be certain of the fit and quality. To be fair this goes for any garment manufacturer. The expensive brands don’t fit me well as I was blessed with a different shape and due to my work as a carpenter, my arms are overly large. I also have a long neck and abnormally wide shoulders. I got onto a Pakistani jacket manufacturer and drew what I wanted and sent the body armour I wanted installed in the jacket. He made me the jacket I wanted for 35 bucks AUS. I paid him $150 as the jacket was so good and he was very pleased. The jacket is solid heavy cow hide and buffalo which is bovine anyway and very thick. I have 4mm thick shaped leather shoulder and forearm plates double stitched to the jacket. I sent him the zips and the pure nylon thread which are both engineered by an Australian company. The jacket is supremely strong, and I’ve worn it now for 4 years. Looks as good as the day it arrived smelling of leather. All good work takes effort I suppose.

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