The Difference Between CE Level 1 and Level 2 Motorcycle Gloves
- jamesjordan
- Jun 26
- 2 min read
The Difference Between CE Level 1 and Level 2 Motorcycle Gloves
Both carry CE certification. The difference in what they protect against is real and significant.
The Technical Distinction
CE EN 13594 defines the two levels by transmitted force through knuckle protection in standardized impact testing. Level 1: transmitted force must be below 9 kN. Level 2: transmitted force must be below 6 kN. Level 2 allows only 67% of the peak force permitted by Level 1 — and requires additional protective zones and a higher standard for palm impact protection.
What the Difference Means in a Real Crash
In a knuckle impact scenario, Level 2 transmits significantly less force to the underlying bone structure. The practical difference is most meaningful in moderate-energy impacts — the range where Level 1 reaches its margin and Level 2 continues to manage the energy. Very low energy impacts may not injure at either level; very high energy may injure at both. The moderate range — the most common scenario — is where the Level 2 advantage matters most.
For riders who take their protection seriously, leather motorcycle gloves certified to CE Level 2 provide the higher standard of knuckle impact protection that moderate-energy crash scenarios demand.
Who Should Use Level 2
Level 2: sport and track riders, highway and touring riders, any rider treating gloves as primary crash protection. Level 1 may be acceptable for: very low-speed urban-only short-trip riding, or riders specifically accepting reduced protection for other trade-offs. For the majority of riders, Level 2 is the appropriate minimum specification.
Is the Upgrade Worth It?
Yes. The premium between Level 1 and Level 2 in quality leather gloves is typically $30-80. For riders spending $150-400+ on quality leather gloves, this additional investment provides approximately 33% reduction in peak knuckle impact transmission — meaningful protection improvement for a small fractional additional cost.
FAQs
Technical difference between CE Level 1 and Level 2?
Level 1: transmitted force below 9 kN. Level 2: below 6 kN. Level 2 allows 67% of the peak force permitted by Level 1. Level 2 also requires additional protective zones.
Practical crash difference?
Level 2 transmits significantly less force to knuckle bone structure. Difference most meaningful in moderate-energy impacts — the most common crash scenario range.
Which riders should use Level 2?
Sport/track riders, highway/touring riders, any rider treating gloves as primary crash protection — i.e., virtually all riders who ride beyond very low-speed urban scenarios.
Worth the additional cost?
Yes — the Level 1 to Level 2 upgrade in quality leather gloves typically costs $30-80 for approximately 33% reduction in peak knuckle impact transmission. Small cost for meaningful protection improvement.
Level 2 Is the Standard
Our American-made leather motorcycle gloves are certified to CE Level 2 — the right protection standard for riders who ride seriously. Shop the collection.
