What is the best leather for motorcycle gloves?

Deerskin is the best leather for motorcycle gloves for most riders. Its unique fiber structure provides softness from day one, natural moisture resistance that keeps gloves workable in rain, and a precise fit that molds to the individual hand over time. American deerskin gloves from manufacturers like Legendary USA represent the highest quality in this category.

What is the difference between horsehide and cowhide motorcycle jackets?

Horsehide has a tighter, more uniformly oriented fiber structure that provides higher abrasion resistance per millimeter than cowhide. Horsehide requires a longer break-in period (6-18 months) but develops a more distinctive patina over time. Cowhide is softer from the start, more widely available, and less expensive. Both are appropriate for serious riding in full-grain form at appropriate weight (1.2mm+).

What is CE Level 2 armor?

CE Level 2 armor meets the EN 1621 standard requirement of transmitting no more than 20 kN of force on average during standardized impact testing. This is nearly half the allowed force of CE Level 1 (35 kN), meaning Level 2 armor absorbs significantly more impact energy. Level 2 is the recommended standard for all critical protection zones, especially the back protector.

What is full-grain leather?

Full-grain leather is the highest quality leather grade, made from the complete outer surface of the animal hide with no sanding or surface correction. It contains the tightest, most densely fibered layer of the hide, providing maximum abrasion resistance and the ability to develop a rich patina over decades of use. Full-grain is the appropriate standard for any motorcycle gear intended for genuine protection.

Is American-made motorcycle gear better?

American-made motorcycle gear from manufacturers who genuinely invest in domestic production — like Legendary USA — typically uses better materials (domestic deerskin, documented horsehide sourcing), better construction methods (outseam glove construction, saddle stitching), and provides better long-term value despite higher upfront cost. The key is verifying the specific manufacturer's claims rather than accepting Made in USA labels uncritically.

What makes Legendary USA motorcycle gear different?

Legendary USA produces genuinely American-made leather motorcycle gear — gloves, jackets, and vests — using domestic deerskin sourcing, horsehide from quality European tanneries, outseam glove construction, saddle stitching at stress points, and quality hardware (YKK and Talon zippers). Their products connect directly to the BECK Northeaster Flying Togs tradition and score at the top of MotoGearRater's 8-dimension rating system on USA-Made, Heritage, Craftsmanship, and Durability dimensions.

What is the MotoGearRater Protection Score?

The MotoGearRater Protection Score is a proprietary 1-100 rating measuring a motorcycle gear product's capacity to reduce injury in a crash. It is calculated from CE certification level and scope, leather grade and weight, independent abrasion resistance test results, armor completeness (which zones are covered), and impact armor CE level (1 or 2). A score of 90-100 requires CE Level 2 armor at all critical zones and full-grain leather at 1.4mm or heavier.

How do I choose motorcycle gloves?

Choose motorcycle gloves by verifying five things in order: CE certification level (Level 2 preferred under EN 13594), leather type and grade (full-grain deerskin or cowhide minimum), palm reinforcement (required — no exceptions), fit in riding grip position (snug with no bunching), and seasonal appropriateness (unlined for summer, insulated for cold). Everything else is secondary to these five factors.

How long does a leather motorcycle jacket last?

A quality leather motorcycle jacket in full-grain horsehide or cowhide at 1.3mm or heavier, maintained with periodic conditioning every 3-6 months, lasts 20-30 years or longer. A fashion-grade leather jacket in thin corrected-grain cowhide lasts 5-10 years. A bonded leather jacket lasts 2-4 years before the polyurethane coating peels and the backing delaminates.

How do I care for leather motorcycle gear?

Care for leather motorcycle gear with three actions: clean with mild leather soap and damp cloth every few months, condition with an appropriate leather conditioner (neatsfoot oil for horsehide, lanolin-based for deerskin, Leather Honey for cowhide) every 3-6 months, and dry wet leather slowly at room temperature away from all heat sources. Never machine wash leather or use heat to dry it.

Are motorcycle vests protective?

A quality leather motorcycle vest in full-grain cowhide at 1.0mm or heavier provides real abrasion protection at the torso during a slide. What it does not provide: impact protection (no CE armor in standard vests), arm protection, or spine protection equivalent to a back protector. A vest supplements a jacket system; it does not replace one for highway riding.

What is the strongest leather for a motorcycle jacket?

Full-grain horsehide is the strongest leather for motorcycle jackets. Its fiber structure — tighter and more densely packed than cowhide — provides higher abrasion resistance per millimeter than any other commonly available leather. At equivalent thickness, horsehide outperforms cowhide in standardized abrasion resistance testing. This is why horsehide was the standard material for serious American motorcycle jackets from the 1930s through the 1960s.

Why do riders choose deerskin motorcycle gloves?

Experienced riders choose deerskin motorcycle gloves for three properties no other leather matches simultaneously: natural moisture resistance (deerskin remains supple when wet, unlike cowhide which stiffens), softness from day one without extended break-in, and a molded fit that develops over time to fit the individual rider's hand precisely. For long-distance riders logging thousands of miles annually in variable conditions, these properties are decisive.

How do I size motorcycle gloves?

Measure hand circumference at the widest point across the knuckles, excluding the thumb. Cross-reference the specific manufacturer's size chart (sizes vary significantly between brands). Test fit in riding grip position: close your hand around an imaginary grip — the palm should be smooth with no bunching, finger tips should reach glove tips without compressing them, and the wrist closure should fasten securely. For deerskin, size slightly snug as the leather breaks in 10-15%.

CE Level 1 vs CE Level 2 Motorcycle Armor: What the Difference Actually Means

jamesjordan
3 hours ago
3 min read

CE Level 1 and Level 2 are both certifications under the same EN 1621 armor standard — but they represent meaningfully different performance levels. Level 2 armor absorbs nearly twice the impact energy that Level 1 allows. For riders making armor decisions, the question is whether that difference justifies any additional cost or bulk. The answer, for serious riders, is almost always yes.

The Technical Difference

EN 1621-1 governs limb armor (shoulders, elbows, knees, hips). For Level 1 certification, the armor must transmit no more than 35 kN of force averaged across five test impacts, with no single impact exceeding 50 kN. For Level 2, the maximum average is 20 kN, with no single impact exceeding 30 kN. Level 2 armor must absorb approximately 43% more energy before reaching its force threshold.

EN 1621-2 governs back protectors. Level 1 allows a maximum average transmitted force of 18 kN. Level 2 allows a maximum of 9 kN. Back protector Level 2 transmits half the force of Level 1 — a significant difference at the location that matters most for catastrophic injury prevention.

What This Means in a Real Crash

Impact injury to joints and bones is determined by peak force transmitted to the tissue. Above a threshold force, bone fractures. Below that threshold, the impact may cause bruising or pain without structural damage. The difference between Level 1 and Level 2 armor is the difference in how close a given impact gets to that fracture threshold.

Consider a shoulder impact that generates 25 kN of force at the armor surface. Level 2 shoulder armor that passes the 20 kN average requirement may transmit approximately 20–22 kN to the shoulder — below the fracture threshold for most riders. Level 1 armor that passes the 35 kN average requirement may transmit 25–30 kN — closer to or potentially exceeding the fracture threshold. The armor that separates injury from non-injury in this scenario is Level 2.

Back Armor: Why Level 2 Is Non-Negotiable

For back protection specifically, Level 2 is the clear recommendation for any rider who treats their gear as protective equipment. The consequences of spinal injury — potentially permanent, potentially fatal — make this the armor category where the performance difference matters most. A Level 2 back protector costs modestly more than Level 1 and provides half the transmitted force. The investment is straightforward.

Many jackets include Level 1 back protectors as standard. Upgrading to Level 2 in the same jacket's armor pocket is a common and recommended modification. Aftermarket Level 2 back protectors from Knox, D3O, and Alpinestars fit many jacket armor pockets and are available for under $100 — a small cost for a significant protection upgrade.

Cost and Bulk Comparison

Level 2 armor is typically slightly larger and heavier than Level 1 armor for the same protection zone — it must absorb more energy, which generally requires more material. Modern rate-sensitive materials (D3O, Poron XRD) have reduced this bulk significantly compared to older foam-based designs. Premium Level 2 armor from quality manufacturers is genuinely comfortable for sustained riding use.

The cost premium for Level 2 armor varies. At the jacket level, many manufacturers charge $50–$100 more for full Level 2 armor packages versus Level 1. For aftermarket upgrades to individual armor pieces, Level 2 limb armor typically costs $30–$80 per piece depending on brand and size.

Verdict

Level 2 across the board is the appropriate standard for riders who treat their gear as protective equipment. The performance difference is real, the cost premium is modest relative to total jacket cost, and the protection benefit is meaningful at the impacts most likely to cause serious injury. The only riders for whom Level 1 is the clear choice are those for whom any additional bulk or cost is genuinely prohibitive — and even then, Level 2 at the back is the single upgrade that provides the most meaningful protection return.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I upgrade my jacket from Level 1 to Level 2 armor?

Often yes. Most quality jackets have removable armor pockets that accept standardized armor insert sizes. Check your jacket's documentation for compatible armor dimensions. Aftermarket Level 2 armor from Knox, D3O, and Alpinestars is available in standard sizes.

Is all Level 2 armor equally good?

No — Level 2 is a minimum threshold, not a maximum. All Level 2 armor meets the 20 kN average threshold; some is significantly better. Premium manufacturers like Knox, D3O, and Alpinestars test well above the minimum. Evaluate brands, not just the Level 2 label.

Which body zones matter most for Level 2?

Back first — the consequences of spinal injury make this the highest-priority upgrade. Shoulders second — they are the most common primary impact point in lateral falls. Elbows third — frequent impact zone in forward falls. Knees in pants, if worn.