Motorcycle Leather Gear
CE Level 1 vs. Level 2 Motorcycle Protection: What the Numbers Mean
CE Level 2 limb armor must pass under 20 kN, Level 1 under 35 kN. See the test, back, glove and boot levels, and how levels differ from AA classes.
CE Level 2 armor lets less impact force through to your body than Level 1. For elbow, shoulder, knee and hip armor, the average force must stay below 20 kN at Level 2, against below 35 kN at Level 1. Both levels go through the same test; Level 2 simply has to pass a stricter limit.
Levels apply to armor, gloves and boots. Jackets, pants and suits are rated by class (AAA to C) instead. Part of our motorcycle leather gear guide.
Level 1 vs. Level 2 at a glance
Lower transmitted force means more protection. For scale, 20 kN is about 4,500 lbf and 35 kN is about 7,870 lbf.
| Item | Standard | Level 1 | Level 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Limb armor (shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, lower leg) | EN 1621-1 | Average below 35 kN, no single hit over 50 kN | Average below 20 kN |
| Back protector | EN 1621-2 | Average below 18 kN, no single hit over 24 kN | Average below 9 kN, no single hit over 12 kN |
| Gloves | EN 13594 | Knuckle protection not required | Knuckle protection required |
| Boots | EN 13634 | "1" in a zone: basic level | "2" in a zone: higher threshold |
How the armor test works
The test drops a 5 kg (11 lb) weight with a 40 x 30 mm (about 1.6 x 1.2 in) striking face onto the protector. The protector sits on a rounded anvil with a 50 mm (about 2 in) radius, and the impact energy is capped at 50 J (about 37 ft-lbf). The result is the force that passes through the protector, averaged over nine hits.
The standard covers protectors for the shoulder, elbow and forearm, hip, knee and lower leg. Hot (+104°F / +40°C) and cold (14°F / -10°C) impact tests are optional. Because they are optional, many labels will not mention them. For a test-house summary of all parts of the standard, see SATRA's EN 1621 overview.
Back, chest, gloves and boots
Back protectors come as full back, central back or lower back (lumbar) types, each at Level 1 or 2. The force limits are about half those for limb armor. Chest protectors follow EN 1621-3, where Level 2 is for rigid protectors that must also spread the force.
Gloves are certified to EN 13594 at Level 1 or Level 2. The visible difference is knuckle protection: Level 2 requires it, Level 1 does not. Our guide to choosing CE-approved motorcycle gloves covers fit and materials.
Boots are rated zone by zone. The label shows four numbers for ankle height, abrasion resistance, transverse rigidity and heel energy absorption, and each one is 1 or 2. A boot reading 2 2 2 2 meets Level 2 everywhere, and mixed ratings such as 2 1 2 1 are possible.
Levels are not classes: CE Level 2 vs. class A or AA
People often compare "CE Level 2" with "class A" or "class AA", but they rate different things. A level rates one protector. A class rates the whole garment under EN 17092.
The class requires protectors that meet EN 1621, and each protector's level is printed on its own label. Check both. For the classes in depth, see EN 17092 garment classes explained.
| Column 1 | Armor level | Garment class |
|---|---|---|
| Rates | One protector's force transmission | The finished jacket, pants or suit |
| Scale | Level 1, Level 2 | AAA, AA, A, B, C |
| Armor needed | It is the armor | AAA and AA: elbow, shoulder, knee and hip; A: hips optional |
Is there a CE Level 3?
No. An early draft of EN 1621-1 had three levels, tested at 40, 50 and 60 J, but Level 3 was removed before the standard was finished. A product sold as "CE Level 3" is not using a level the standard defines.
Which level should you choose?
Makers and researchers do not agree on when Level 1 is enough.
- The maker view. A boot maker that sells Level 1 boots says Level 1 is the right and sufficient choice for road riding, and that Level 2 is designed for sustained high-speed track riding.
- The research view. A 2017 study cited on Wikipedia found the force EN 1621-1 allows may be too high to reliably reduce impact injuries. On that reading, the stricter Level 2 limit gives more margin.
How to decide by rider type:
For what Level 2 armor feels like to wear and how it fits in a jacket, read understanding CE Level 2 motorcycle protection.
| Rider | What to weigh |
|---|---|
| Commuter or tourer | Comfort over long hours; viscoelastic armor gives more impact reduction with less bulk than hard foam laminates |
| Track-day rider | The boot maker reserves Level 2 for sustained track riding, and the research note argues for the stricter limit in general |
| Rider replacing old armor | Hard foam is good for one impact only and must then be replaced |
How to read the label before you buy
- Find the standard number: EN 1621-1 for limbs, EN 1621-2 for back, EN 13594 for gloves, EN 13634 for boots, EN 17092 for the garment.
- Find the level (1 or 2) or the class (AAA to C). The CE mark alone tells you neither. A notified body runs the type-examination, and the manufacturer then adds the mark.
- For boots, read all four numbers, not just the first.
- On a product page, look for the level of each protector. "Armor pockets" or "armored" tells you where armor sits, not how it performed.
Our guide on how to assess the quality of a leather motorcycle jacket covers hide, seams and panels.
Where armor sits in a made-to-order race suit
Leather Collection race suits are made to order in 1.2–1.3 mm cowhide, with kangaroo leather offered at order. Each suit has armor pockets at the shoulders, elbows and knees. The category page gives no CE level for the armor, so ask for the level and the certificate for the protectors in your exact suit before ordering.
FAQ
What does CE-2 mean?
CE-2 is shorthand for CE Level 2. On armor, it means the protector kept the average transmitted force below 20 kN for limbs or 9 kN for the back. On gloves, the clearest difference is that Level 2 gloves must have knuckle protection.
What is the difference between AA and AAA motorcycle gear?
These are garment classes, not armor levels. Both require elbow, shoulder, knee and hip protectors. AAA sets the highest requirements, and AA is abrasion-tested at 70 km/h (about 43 mph).
Is CE/AA enough for a highway?
The standard rates the garment, not the road you ride on. Class AA is abrasion-tested at about 43 mph (70 km/h), and AAA sets the highest requirements. Compare those numbers with how fast you usually ride, and check the armor level separately.
LeatherGuru Editorial Team
LeatherGuru articles are researched from published sources, cited in the text, and reviewed before publication.