How to Assess the Quality of a Leather Motorcycle Jacket: A Rider's Check

Judge a leather motorcycle jacket by how it is built to protect you, not by how it looks on a hanger. Check five things: the rating label, the hide, the seams, the armor and the fit in a riding position. Independent testers score riding gear on the protection side of that list: abrasion resistance, seam burst strength and impact protection.

Leather alone does not settle it. In one 2019 round of Australia's MotoCAP program, only two of six leather jackets earned three of five stars for safety, and one scored a single star. This check is part of our motorcycle leather gear guide. For the general hide, lining and hardware check on any leather jacket, see what to look for in a quality men's leather jacket.

The rider's quality check at a glance

1. Read the rating label first

The label is the fastest quality check because it records what a test lab measured. EN 17092 sorts riding garments into five classes: AAA, AA, A, B and C. The test house SATRA summarises the tests behind them in its EN 17092 overview. AAA sets the highest requirements. Classes AAA and AA must include shoulder, elbow, knee and hip protectors, while class A needs the first three. A class A jacket needs no abrasion resistance on the back, so check the class letter, not just the CE logo.

On a product sold in the EU, the CE mark is the maker's statement that the product meets EU rules (European Commission guidance). For riding clothing, that statement has to rest on third-party testing and certification. In the US, no state requires riders to wear anything but a helmet, and gear sold in North America does not have to meet the European standards. A jacket sold there may carry no class at all. If there is no label, ask the seller which test the jacket passed and for the certificate.

Our guide to what CE approval means for motorcycle gear explains the mark in more depth, and EN 17092 garment classes explained covers each class.

2. The hide: type, grain and thickness

Leather for riding clothing is thicker and stronger than fashion leather, and only moderately flexible. Kangaroo is valued for being supple, light and strong compared with cowhide.

Grain matters as much as the animal. Full grain, top grain, corrected grain and suede differ in abrasion, tear and burst resistance. Ask which layer of the hide the panels come from; our page on leather grain types explains the layers.

Ask for the thickness in millimeters. Leathercraft suppliers often quote ounces instead: 2 oz is about 0.03 in (0.78 mm) and 3 oz about 0.05 in (1.19 mm). None of the standards pages we read sets a minimum hide thickness for riding leather. EN 17092 tests the finished garment in an abrasion machine instead.

3. Seams: where a jacket has to hold

A tough hide only protects you if the panels stay joined. MotoCAP says studies show up to 30 per cent of motorcycle clothing fails in crashes. Its published test method clamps a sample that includes a seam and raises the pressure until the seam bursts. EN 17092 tests the strength of each seam type, zip and protector pocket, zone by zone.

You cannot burst-test a jacket in a shop, but you can ask how the seams in the shoulders, elbows and back are built. Stitch type is part of that answer:

• Hand saddle stitch. Two needles lock the thread at each hole, so one cut thread does not unravel the line.
• Machine lockstitch. An upper thread and a bobbin thread interlock inside the leather.

Our page on common leather stitching types compares them in detail. If the jacket zips to riding pants, EN 17092 also pulls that connection at 100 N (about 22.5 lbf) for 60 seconds to check it does not gap or fail.

4. Armor: pockets, protectors and how they sit

Armor pockets tell you where protection can go, not how well it works. Testers say protectors should cover the shoulders, elbows, hips and knees, and they score each protector's size, position and how well its fastening stops it moving.

Check each protector's own label. It shows the safety level and the area protected, such as CB for central back or FB for full back. Type B pads are larger than Type A, and a pad with a CE logo but no EN 1621 marking may be certified for another sport, such as cycling.

• Level. Level 2 limb armor must pass a stricter force limit than Level 1. Our CE Level 1 vs. Level 2 comparison sets out the numbers.
• Age and damage. Hard foam protects against one impact only and must then be replaced. Back protectors are generally single-impact too.
• What is in each pocket. A pocket and a protector are not the same thing, and the armor supplied can differ from style to style within one range. Ask what ships in each pocket, back included.

5. Fit in the riding position

A jacket that fits standing up can ride up on the bike. EN 17092 includes an ergonomic assessment, and every answer in it must be positive for the garment to pass. MotoCAP fits gear to a human model to measure where the protectors sit and how far they move.

Try the jacket in a riding crouch, with arms stretched forward. The elbow armor should stay on the point of your elbow, the sleeves should still cover your wrists, and the back should not lift above your waist.

6. Comfort and weather

Comfort is a safety point too. Riders who cannot keep a stable core temperature can suffer slower reactions and fatigue. Leather pants scored poorly for thermal comfort in one MotoCAP round, while engineered textiles can offer better protection from heat, cold and water. Some makers offer perforated panels and removable linings as order options on leather riding gear. Our guide on why leather is a good material for motorcycle gear weighs leather against textile.

Which checks matter most for your riding

What one made-to-order range states

One made-to-order range, Leather Collection motorcycle jackets, comes in race, touring and semi styles. Most jackets are cowhide and some sheepskin, about 0.03–0.05 in (0.8–1.3 mm) thick depending on style, with race jackets tending to use the thicker cowhide. Many styles have armor pockets at the shoulders and elbows, and some race and touring styles add a back pocket.

The category page states no EN 17092 class or EN 1621 level, and says the armor supplied differs from style to style. Run the five checks above on the exact product page, and ask for the class, the protector levels and the certificates before you order.

FAQ

How do you check a motorcycle jacket's quality?

Start with the label: look for an EN 17092 class and an EN 1621 level on each protector. Then check the hide, the seams at the shoulders and elbows, and whether the armor stays in place when you sit in a riding position.

What are the key factors to consider when buying a riding jacket?

For protection, the factors testers score are abrasion resistance, seam strength and impact protection. After that, weigh fit on the bike and comfort in your climate.