Motorcycle Leather Gear: Construction, Hides and Safety Ratings

Motorcycle leather gear protects in two ways: the leather shell resists abrasion in a slide, and armor sitting in pockets reduces the force of an impact. Leather made for riding clothing is thicker, stronger and less flexible than fashion leather. Its protection can be rated under three separate CE systems: a garment class under EN 17092, an armor level under EN 1621, and a level for gloves (EN 13594) or boots (EN 13634).

This hub explains how riding leather is built and what each rating means, then links to the full guide on each topic.

What makes riding leather different from fashion leather

Three things separate a protective motorcycle leather jacket from a fashion jacket in the same color: the hide, its thickness and what it is backed with.

• Hide. Cowhide is the base hide for the race suits and gloves described below. Kangaroo is valued for being supple, light and strong compared with cowhide, and it is used for motorcycle leathers.
• Grain. Full grain, top grain, corrected grain and suede do not resist abrasion, tearing and bursting equally. Ask which layer of the hide the panels are cut from. Our guide to leather types and grades explains the layers.
• Thickness. Protective leather is thicker than fashion leather. Leathercraft suppliers measure it in ounces: 2 oz is about 0.78 mm and 3 oz about 1.19 mm. A seller who states the thickness of each garment gives you something to compare.

Thickness alone does not make a garment protective. The EN 17092 test checks the finished garment, seams included, and not just the hide.

Read more: why leather is a good material for motorcycle gear.

How leather riding gear is built

Good hide can still fail at a weak seam. When you inspect a jacket or suit, check these four points.

One-piece and two-piece suits are built differently. A one-piece runs from collar to ankle. A two-piece is a jacket and pants that zip together at the waist. Under EN 17092, the zipped connection of a two-piece suit is pulled at 100 N (about 22.5 lbf) for 60 seconds and must not gap or fail.

Read more: how to assess the quality of a leather motorcycle jacket and our leathercraft and construction hub.

The three CE rating systems at a glance

Each system rates something different. A jacket can carry a garment class, while the armor inside carries its own level.

Garment classes: AAA to C

Classes AAA and AA must include elbow, shoulder, knee and hip protectors. Class A needs the first three, with hip protectors optional. Class B is abrasion only, and class C is impact protection only, worn under or with another garment. The AA abrasion test runs at 70 km/h (about 43 mph), and class A jackets have no abrasion requirement on the back.

EN 17092 was published in March 2020. The older EN 13595 used an abrasive belt at 28 km/h (about 17 mph) and was withdrawn in March 2023.

Read more: EN 17092 garment classes explained and what an AAA motorcycle jacket rating means.

Armor levels: Level 1 and Level 2

For limb armor, Level 1 must keep the average transmitted force below 35 kN and Level 2 below 20 kN. Back protectors have tighter limits: below 18 kN for Level 1 and below 9 kN for Level 2. Lower force reaching the body means more protection.

Read more: CE Level 1 vs. Level 2 motorcycle protection and understanding CE Level 2 motorcycle protection.

What the CE mark itself tells you

In the EU, protective equipment has fallen under Regulation (EU) 2016/425 since 21 April 2018. Except for minor-risk items, a notified body must carry out a type-examination, and the manufacturer then affixes the CE mark. The mark on its own does not tell you the class or level. Look for the standard number and the class or level on the label.

Read more: what CE approval means for motorcycle gear. The EUR-Lex summary of the PPE rules gives the legal background.

Choosing jackets, gloves and suits

• Jackets. Decide on the garment class first, then the armor level. See how to choose a CE-approved motorcycle jacket and how to choose a motorcycle jacket with CE-rated armor.
• Gloves. Level 2 gloves must have knuckle protection; Level 1 gloves do not need it. See how to choose CE-approved motorcycle gloves.
• Suits. A one-piece suits the track. A two-piece can be split for road use.

For care, storage and style, look for guides that focus on those topics. This hub covers construction and ratings only.

Leather Collection riding gear: what the store states

Leather Collection motorcycle race suits are made to order in 1.2–1.3 mm cowhide, with kangaroo leather or Monaco leather offered at order. Each suit has armor pockets at the shoulders, elbows and knees. The store's riding gloves are 0.8–0.9 mm cowhide.

The store's category pages do not give an EN 17092 class or an EN 1621 level for these products. If a rating matters to you, ask for the certificate for the exact item before you buy.

FAQ

Are motorcycle leathers worth it?

They are worth it if they are built as protective gear. Riding leather is thicker and stronger than fashion leather, and EN 17092 tests the finished garment, seams included. Judge a jacket by the EN 17092 class on its label, not by its look.

What is the difference between AA and AAA motorcycle gear?

Both classes must include elbow, shoulder, knee and hip protectors. AAA sets the highest requirements, and AA is tested at 70 km/h (about 43 mph). The EN 17092 guide linked above covers every class.

Are motorcycle gloves CE rated?

They can be. Gloves are certified to EN 13594 at Level 1 or Level 2, and only Level 2 requires knuckle protection. Check the label inside the cuff, because a product listing may not say.