Motorcycle Leather Gear
Why Leather Is a Good Material for Motorcycle Gear, and Where It Falls Short
Leather resists abrasion better than most textiles in independent tests, but it needs armor for impact and runs hot. The case for and against, with sources.
Leather is good for motorcycle gear because protective riding leather holds up well when you slide along the road. In one round of Australia's independent MotoCAP tests, a Deakin University researcher said almost no textile pants matched leather pants for abrasion resistance. Riding leather is also thicker and stronger than fashion leather.
Leather has limits. It does little against impact without armor, it runs hot, and engineered textiles handle rain and cold better. This page sets out the case for and against, as part of our motorcycle leather gear guide.
Leather, textile and denim at a glance
These results come from a single test round on pants, as reported by webBikeWorld. Use them as a pointer, not a ranking of every product.
| Column 1 | Leather | Engineered textile | Riding denim |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abrasion | Leather pants led one MotoCAP round | Almost no textile pants matched leather in that round | Some denim pants tested as well as leather pants |
| Impact | Needs armor; leather pants were marked down mainly for impact | Needs armor | Needs armor |
| Weather | No built-in rain or cold advantage in our sources | Can protect better from heat, cold and water; often has waterproof liners | Not covered in our sources |
| Heat comfort | Leather pants scored half a star to two stars for thermal comfort | Not covered in that round's report | Not covered in that round's report |
1. Abrasion: what leather does in a slide
Abrasion resistance is where leather earns its place. Leather suits were the first riding garments tested on the Cambridge impact abrasion tester. MotoCAP still uses that style of test, as its testing page explains: a sample is dropped onto a moving abrasive belt and timed until a hole forms.
The European garment standard tests the same idea differently. In the EN 17092 test, a rotating arm drops samples onto a concrete tile to simulate a 165 lb (75 kg) rider sliding to a stop, and the layer nearest the body must not open a hole of 0.2 in (5 mm) or more. The test house SATRA describes the method in its EN 17092 overview.
Not all leather slides equally. Full grain, top grain, corrected grain and suede differ in abrasion, tear and burst resistance. Kangaroo is valued for being supple, light and strong compared with cowhide.
2. Impact: leather needs armor
Abrasion resistance is only half of crash protection. In the same MotoCAP round, leather pants lost marks mainly for low impact protection, not for abrasion. MotoCAP's advice is full-body cover in abrasion-resistant material plus impact protection at the joints.
That is why the higher garment classes require armor. EN 17092 classes AAA and AA need protectors at the elbows, shoulders, knees and hips, and class A at the first three.
Researchers do not all agree on how much armor helps:
- For. MotoCAP says riders wearing protective clothing, especially with impact protection, are less likely to be injured, and less likely to be hospitalised if they are.
- Against. A 2011 study cited on Wikipedia found motorcycle armor was not linked to a lower risk of fractures.
Our guide to understanding CE Level 2 motorcycle protection explains how armor is rated.
3. Seams decide whether the leather stays on you
A hide that resists abrasion is no help if the panels split apart. MotoCAP says studies show up to 30 per cent of motorcycle clothing fails in crashes, and its burst test pressurises a seam until it gives way. EN 17092 tests each seam type, zip and protector pocket by zone.
So the case for leather is really a case for well-built leather. Our guide on how to assess the quality of a leather motorcycle jacket shows what to check.
4. Where leather falls short: heat, rain and weight
Heat is leather's clearest weakness. Leather pants scored between half a star and two stars for thermal comfort in one MotoCAP round. MotoCAP notes that riders who cannot keep a stable core temperature can suffer slower reactions and fatigue.
Engineered textiles, such as 600–1000 denier ballistic nylon or Kevlar, can protect better against heat, cold and water, and often have waterproof liners. Leather makers answer heat with options such as perforated panels and removable or thermal linings. On weight, kangaroo is lighter than cowhide.
5. Leather is not protective by default
The word "leather" on a label tells you nothing about crash performance. In one 2019 MotoCAP round, only two of six leather jackets scored three of five stars for safety, and one scored a single star. Fashion leather is thinner and more flexible than the leather made for riding.
Look for a garment class instead. EN 17092 rates the finished garment from AAA down to C. Our page on what CE approval means for motorcycle gear explains how to read the mark.
Is leather the right choice for your riding?
| Rider | Leather fits when | Consider textile when |
|---|---|---|
| Track-day rider | One UK organizer requires a full leather one-piece, or a two-piece zipped all the way round | Check your organizer's rules before choosing anything else |
| Sport or fast road rider | Abrasion resistance is the priority | You ride mostly in heat |
| Commuter or tourer | Your climate is mild and you add armor | You face rain and cold often |
Leather race suits made to order
Track riders who want leather can have a suit made to order: Leather Collection race suits are cut in 1.2–1.3 mm (about 0.05 in) cowhide, with kangaroo leather offered at order. Perforation and a removable or thermal lining are order options, which speaks to leather's heat problem. Each suit has armor pockets at the shoulders, elbows and knees.
The category page states no EN 17092 class and no CE level for the armor. If a rating matters to you, ask for the certificate for the exact suit and protectors before ordering.
FAQ
Are motorcycle leathers worth it?
They are worth it if they are built and rated as protective gear. Leather led for abrasion in one MotoCAP test round, but some leather jackets still scored only one or two safety stars. Check the EN 17092 class on the label.
Do you legally have to wear leathers on a motorcycle?
Not in the US: apart from helmets, no state requires any riding gear by law. In Europe, the rules cover the gear sold rather than what you wear: armor sold there must carry a CE mark.
What do bikers call their leathers?
"Leathers" is the usual word. It covers one-piece suits and two-piece jackets and trousers, worn mainly for protection in a crash.
LeatherGuru Editorial Team
LeatherGuru articles are researched from published sources, cited in the text, and reviewed before publication.