CE Armor Levels Explained: Level 1 vs Level 2
Updated: Sep 2
CE Level 1 and Level 2 are printed on armor tags and mentioned in gear specs constantly, but most product pages treat them as interchangeable marketing terms. They're not. There's a real performance difference between them, and knowing which level covers which part of your body — and why — will change how you evaluate a jacket or pair of gloves.
What the Numbers Actually Mean
The levels come from European standards, and which standard applies depends on what you are looking at. Limb armor (shoulders, elbows, knees) is rated under EN 1621-1. Back protectors are rated separately under EN 1621-2. Gloves are rated under EN 13594, which has its own test and its own numbers. Garment abrasion performance for jackets and suits is a different standard again (EN 13595, now largely superseded for street gear by EN 17092). The general method is shared: a striker of defined mass drops onto the sample at a defined energy, and the force transmitted through to the other side is measured. What changes between standards is the striker, the energy, and the pass threshold — which is why you cannot carry a kN figure from one category over to another.
The thresholds, by category:
- Limb armor (EN 1621-1): Level 1 must keep mean transmitted force at or below 35 kN with no single strike above 50 kN. Level 2 must keep the mean at or below 20 kN with no single strike above 30 kN.
- Back protectors (EN 1621-2): Level 1 must keep mean transmitted force at or below 18 kN with no single strike above 24 kN. Level 2 halves that to 9 kN mean, no single strike above 12 kN.
- Gloves (EN 13594): a 2.5 kg striker delivers 5 J across four strikes, and the test is on the knuckle — not the palm. Level 1 requires a mean transmitted force of 7 kN or less with no single strike above 9 kN, and impact protection is optional at this level. Level 2 requires a mean of 4 kN or less, and impact protection is mandatory. That optional-versus-mandatory distinction is the single most useful thing to know about glove ratings: a Level 1 glove may legitimately carry no knuckle protector at all.
In every category the pattern is the same: at the same test energy, Level 2 lets roughly half as much force reach your body as Level 1. That is not a minor difference. A real elbow strike on pavement at speed generates considerably more energy than the certification floor tests for, which is why the gap between levels matters more, not less, as impact severity rises.
Critically, these tests are conducted by accredited third-party labs — not self-certified by manufacturers. That's a meaningful distinction compared to some other gear certifications.
Body Regions Covered
CE armor certification applies to specific impact zones depending on the garment type:
Jackets and suits:
- Shoulders (EN 1621-1)
- Elbows/forearms (EN 1621-1)
- Back (separate CE standard, EN 1621-2)
Gloves (EN 13594):
- Knuckles — the only impact-tested zone on a glove
- Palm and palm-side — assessed for abrasion, cut and tear resistance, not for impact absorption
- Seams — seam strength is a pass/fail requirement in its own right
- Cuff and closure — the glove must stay on the hand under a restraint test
Pants:
- Knees (EN 1621-1)
- Hips (EN 1621-1)
Hip protectors have their own designation and are often excluded from base jacket ratings. Back protectors are CE-rated separately, which is why a jacket can advertise full CE certification while shipping with a minimal back pad.
For the specifics of what CE standards mean in jacket context, see CE armor in motorcycle jackets explained.
Which Regions Get Hit Most
Crash data consistently shows elbows and shoulders take the highest frequency of primary impacts in slides and lowsides. Knees follow. This is where the level difference has the most practical significance:
Elbows — High impact velocity in even moderate speed slides. Level 2 is worth having here.
Shoulders — Primary contact point in many lowside crashes. Level 2 meaningful, though harder to fit in slim jacket designs.
Back — Statistically less likely to be the first impact point in a lowside, but catastrophic when it is. Most stock jacket back armor is Level 1 foam that barely clears the threshold.
Knees — High contact frequency in crashes. Level 2 knee armor in pants is a worthwhile upgrade for aggressive riding.
Why Most Stock Jacket Armor Is Level 1
Manufacturing and fit constraints drive most of this. Level 2 armor tends to be thicker, stiffer, or heavier than Level 1 — at least in traditional foam formulations. Jacket makers designing to a price point include Level 1 because it meets spec, adds minimal bulk, and keeps the jacket sellable at its target retail.
There's also a rider behavior factor: thick, stiff armor gets removed. Manufacturers have learned that riders pull out uncomfortable armor, making Level 1 flexible inserts a pragmatic compromise in some cases.
The arrival of softer Level 2 materials like D3O, SAS-TEC and Alpinestars' Nucleon series has started to close this gap — Level 2 protection no longer automatically means a rigid hockey puck on your elbow.
When to Upgrade to Level 2
Track days — No debate. Every impact zone should be Level 2. The speed differential in a track off is higher, and the runoff surfaces vary.
High-speed touring — Highway riding at sustained speeds means higher-energy impacts if you go down. Level 2 elbows and shoulders are a reasonable standard.
Aggressive street riding — If you're pushing pace on canyon roads or commuting in heavy traffic where a lowside is a realistic scenario, Level 2 at the primary impact zones makes sense.
Hand protection in gloves — Hands hit the ground first in most falls. If you want certified impact protection on the knuckle, an EN 13594 Level 2 glove is what to target, because at Level 2 the impact protector is mandatory rather than optional. Held and Racer both build genuinely EN 13594-certified gloves, and premium sport gloves from Alpinestars and Dainese are the usual track answer. Our guide to motorcycle glove safety covers this in full detail.
D3O vs Knox vs Alpinestars Nucleon vs Foam Inserts
D3O — Rate-sensitive polymer that's soft and flexible at low stress, stiffens on impact. Available in both Level 1 and Level 2 formulations. Extremely popular as an OEM insert and aftermarket upgrade. Thin profile makes it comfortable.
Knox Micro-Lock and Flexiform — Knox has been engineering motorcycle armor longer than most brands. Their Flexiform back protectors and Micro-Lock limb armor are well-regarded for combining Level 2 certification with reasonable flexibility. Used in a wide range of mid-to-premium jackets.
Alpinestars Nucleon — Alpinestars' proprietary armor line, available in Level 1 (Bio Armor) and Level 2 (Nucleon KR-2i and related). The back protector versions are among the most tested and trusted standalone options.
Standard foam inserts — The baseline CE Level 1 foam pads included in most budget jackets. They meet the standard; they don't exceed it. Easy to swap out for any of the above.
Aftermarket upgrades are straightforward in most cases: pull out the stock insert, check the jacket's armor pocket dimensions, order a compatible Level 2 replacement. D3O's Ghost and T5 EVO back pads fit most standard jacket back pockets. If you would rather buy the protection as a garment than retrofit it, the Bohn Airtex mesh armored riding shirt at Legendary USA is $229.99 and ships with Bohn's own CE Level 2 pads at the shoulders, elbows, forearms and back, worn as a base layer under whatever jacket you already own. Legendary also lists the pads on their own as a CE Level 2 shirt and jacket armor kit at $136.99 for a jacket that already has armor pockets — though that kit is out of stock at the time of writing, so it is one to watch rather than buy today. Knox and Alpinestars sell equivalent Level 2 replacement sets that are available now, so shop on pocket fit rather than brand loyalty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CE Level 2 armor significantly better than Level 1?
Yes. Across every category Level 2 roughly halves the force that reaches you at the same test energy — for back protectors that is 9 kN mean against 18 kN, for limb armor 20 kN against 35 kN, and for gloves 4 kN against 7 kN. In a real crash that difference is meaningful, particularly at the elbows and shoulders which absorb primary impact in most lowside crashes.
Can I upgrade jacket armor to Level 2 aftermarket?
In most cases, yes. Jackets with armor pockets at the elbows, shoulders, and back accept aftermarket inserts. D3O, Knox, Alpinestars and Bohn all sell compatible Level 2 replacement pieces. Measure the pocket dimensions before ordering.
What is the difference between CE Level 1 and CE Level 2 motorcycle gloves?
Gloves are rated under EN 13594, and the impact test is on the knuckle: a 2.5 kg striker delivering 5 J, four strikes. A Level 1 glove must hold mean transmitted force to 7 kN or less with no single strike above 9 kN, and at Level 1 an impact protector is optional — so a certified Level 1 glove may have no knuckle armor at all and still pass on abrasion, tear, cut, seam strength and cuff restraint. A Level 2 glove must hold the mean to 4 kN or less, and the impact protector is mandatory. Level 2 also applies tougher abrasion and restraint requirements, which is why it is the norm on sport and track gloves from Held, Racer, Alpinestars and Dainese and rare on relaxed cruiser gloves.
One caveat worth stating plainly, because it is the most common misreading of this topic: an uncertified glove is not the same thing as an unprotective one, but it is also not a substitute for a rating. American-made deerskin gloves such as the Legendary Double-Diamond deerskin touchscreen gloves ($135, 87 reviews, 4.92/5) carry no CE rating at all — neither Level 1 nor Level 2 — and no impact armor. What they offer is the abrasion resistance of the leather itself, a glove-like fit with real dexterity, and durability over years of wear, which is why riders buy them for street and cruiser use. If your priority is certified knuckle impact protection, buy a Level 2 rated glove instead. If your priority is feel on the controls and a glove that lasts, the deerskin makes sense — just do not let anyone tell you the two things are equivalent. The rest of the range is in the Legendary motorcycle glove collection, and none of it is CE rated.
Does CE Level 2 armor add significant bulk or weight?
It depends on the material. Traditional foam Level 2 armor is noticeably thicker. Modern soft-impact materials like D3O Level 2 are only marginally bulkier than their Level 1 equivalents — the difference in everyday wear is minimal.
Why do some jackets advertise CE certification without specifying the level?
Because "CE certified" is a minimum compliance claim, not a performance claim. If a product listing doesn't specify Level 1 or Level 2, assume it's Level 1 or check the armor tag directly. Reputable manufacturers specify the level clearly.
