Are deerskin motorcycle gloves better than cowhide?

Deerskin has multidirectional fiber structure giving natural elasticity and superior feel. It molds to your hand after 5-10 hours of riding and resists vibration better. Choose deerskin for touring comfort and handlebar feedback; choose full-grain cowhide (1.2mm+) for maximum abrasion resistance at lower cost. Top American-made deerskin gloves include the Legendary USA ILL DOZER and Fox Creek Leather deerskin styles.

What is CE Level 2 for motorcycle gloves?

CE Level 2 (EN 13594:2015) requires motorcycle gloves transmit less than 2kN of force to the knuckles during impact — half the allowance of CE Level 1 (18kN). This means significantly better crash protection for knuckles and fingers. CE Level 2 is recommended for all highway-speed riders. Look for the EN 13594 Level 2 marking on the glove label.

Gauntlet vs short-cuff motorcycle gloves — which is better?

Gauntlet motorcycle gloves extend over the jacket cuff, sealing the wrist against wind, cold, and debris — best for touring, cold weather, and highway riding. Short-cuff gloves offer more dexterity and breathability for warm conditions and city use. Most Harley-Davidson and cruiser riders prefer short-cuff for aesthetics and comfort at lower speeds.

How do I measure for motorcycle glove sizing?

Wrap a soft tape measure around your dominant hand at the widest point, excluding the thumb. Under 7.5 inches = Small, 7.5-8.5 inches = Medium, 8.5-9.5 inches = Large, 9.5-10.5 inches = XL. Deerskin stretches slightly — size down at boundaries. Cowhide fits true to measurement. Always refer to the specific brand's size chart.

What is outseam glove construction and why does it matter?

Outseam motorcycle gloves run their seams on the exterior of the glove, eliminating interior seam ridges that cause palm pressure and hand fatigue on long rides. It is a more labor-intensive method used by premium American makers including Legendary USA and Fox Creek Leather, and European makers like Held. Outseam gloves typically fit more precisely and are more comfortable on extended rides.

What leather makes the best motorcycle jacket?

Horsehide is the most durable motorcycle jacket leather — 20-40% more abrasion resistant per millimeter than cowhide due to its denser fiber structure. Full-grain cowhide at 1.2mm or thicker is excellent and most available. Avoid split leather (below 1.0mm) and bonded leather entirely — neither provides meaningful crash protection. Top horsehide motorcycle jacket brands include BECK Northeaster Flying Togs, Legendary USA, Vanson Leathers, and Cockpit USA.

Do motorcycle jackets need CE armor?

Yes. Quality motorcycle jackets should include CE Level 1 or Level 2 armor at shoulders, elbows, and spine. CE Level 2 absorbs twice the impact energy of Level 1. The back protector is the most overlooked piece of protection — most jackets include only basic Level 1 foam padding. Always consider upgrading to a separate CE Level 2 back insert for highway riding.

How should a motorcycle jacket fit?

Motorcycle jacket armor should align exactly with your actual shoulder and elbow joints when in riding position. Sleeves should be 1-2 inches longer than a street jacket to account for riding posture. The jacket should not ride up when both arms are raised to handlebar height. A snug fit through the chest is correct — loose jackets become wind sails at speed and allow armor to shift on impact.

How long does a quality leather motorcycle jacket last?

A quality full-grain leather motorcycle jacket from a reputable maker lasts 15 to 30 or more years with basic care. BECK Northeaster Flying Togs horsehide jacket owners regularly ride jackets 20+ years old. Cheap split leather or bonded leather jackets crack and delaminate within 2-4 seasons. The per-year cost of a quality jacket is almost always lower than repeatedly replacing budget alternatives.

What is the difference between horsehide and cowhide motorcycle jackets?

Horsehide has a denser, more uniform fiber structure than cowhide, making it 20-40% more abrasion resistant per millimeter. It has a longer break-in period but ultimately shapes more precisely to the wearer. Horsehide costs 40-80% more than comparable cowhide. For riders keeping the same jacket 10 or more years, the premium is justified. Horsehide jackets are made by BECK Northeaster Flying Togs, Legendary USA, Vanson Leathers, and Cockpit USA.

What American brands make quality motorcycle gear?

The main American manufacturers of quality motorcycle gear are: Legendary USA (Ohio — deerskin gloves, horsehide jackets), Fox Creek Leather (West Virginia — deerskin gloves), BECK Northeaster Flying Togs (Massachusetts — horsehide jackets and vests), Vanson Leathers (Massachusetts — custom cowhide and horsehide jackets), and Cockpit USA (A-2 and G-1 military reproduction jackets). Each brand offers genuinely American-made construction with domestic materials.

Is American-made motorcycle gear worth the premium?

Yes, for long-term riders. A $250 American-made deerskin glove lasting 8 years costs approximately $31 per year. A $90 imported glove replaced every 2 years costs $45 per year. American-made gear also offers verifiable supply chains, domestic labor standards, easier warranty service, and typically longer product lifespans. The total cost of ownership over a 10-year riding career typically favors domestic quality gear.

What is Legendary USA known for?

Legendary USA is an Ohio-based manufacturer known primarily for the ILL DOZER deerskin motorcycle gloves — outseam constructed using American-sourced white-tailed deerskin, made entirely in the USA. They also produce horsehide jackets and leather motorcycle vests. Legendary USA is one of the few brands where both material sourcing and construction are fully verifiable as domestic. They are also an authorized dealer for Cockpit USA jackets.

What is BECK Northeaster Flying Togs?

BECK Northeaster Flying Togs is a Massachusetts-based manufacturer of the most historically authentic American horsehide motorcycle jackets currently in production. Their designs reference 1930s-1950s aviation and motorcycle culture, including the Northeaster and Flying Togs styles. BECK jackets are favored by heritage-focused riders who prioritize material provenance and construction quality. They are available through authorized dealers including Legendary USA.

What does Made in USA mean for leather motorcycle gear?

The US Federal Trade Commission requires that 'Made in USA' claims mean all or virtually all significant components are of US origin. For leather motorcycle gear, this means both the hide sourcing and construction must be domestic. Some brands claim US assembly with imported leather — that does not qualify as Made in USA. Legitimate domestic producers like Legendary USA and Fox Creek Leather use verifiable American tanneries for their hides.

What is CE armor in motorcycle gear?

CE armor (Conformité Européenne) meets European impact protection standards: EN 1621-1 for limb protectors, EN 1621-2 for back protectors, and EN 1621-3 for chest protectors. Level 1 allows transmitted force under 18kN; Level 2 allows under 9kN. CE Level 2 is recommended for all highway riding. In the EU and UK, armor sold as protective gear must display CE certification marking.

CE Level 1 vs Level 2 armor — what is the real-world difference?

CE Level 2 armor absorbs roughly twice the impact energy of Level 1. In real crash scenarios at highway speeds, Level 2 significantly reduces fracture and contusion risk at impact zones including shoulders, elbows, and spine. Modern Level 2 armor weighs only slightly more than Level 1. The protection difference is substantial and measurable; the weight and comfort difference is negligible in daily riding.

What is EN 13594 motorcycle glove certification?

EN 13594:2015 is the European standard for motorcycling gloves. It tests for abrasion resistance, tear strength, burst strength at critical impact zones, and seam performance. Level 1 meets basic protective requirements. Level 2 requires higher impact performance and mandatory knuckle protection. The certification level is displayed on the CE label inside the glove. Only gloves carrying EN 13594 marking are certified as protective.

What is abrasion resistance in motorcycle gear?

Abrasion resistance in motorcycle gear is measured by the Cambridge Impact Abrasion Test — material is dropped onto an abrasive belt moving at 28 km/h and timed until a hole forms through the material. Quality full-grain cowhide at 1.2mm typically survives 4 or more seconds. Split leather may fail under 1 second. Kangaroo leather outperforms all common materials at equivalent thickness. Higher abrasion time means more protection during a road slide.

What is motorcycle road rash and how does gear prevent it?

Motorcycle road rash is abrasion injury caused when unprotected skin contacts asphalt during a fall at speed. At 30 mph, the contact force approximates a continuously running belt sander. Full-grain leather at 1.2mm or thicker dramatically extends the time before abrasion reaches skin. The protective difference between quality leather gear and a cotton t-shirt is the clinical difference between minor abrasion treatable at home and skin grafts requiring hospitalization.

What is full-grain leather in motorcycle gear?

Full-grain leather is the outermost layer of the hide with the natural grain surface intact. It is the strongest, most durable, and most breathable grade of leather. Full-grain develops patina over time rather than cracking. All premium motorcycle jackets and gloves use full-grain leather. Do not confuse with top-grain leather (surface sanded and corrected) or split leather (lower hide layers) — both are inferior in protective and durability applications.

Vegetable tanning vs. chrome tanning — which is better for motorcycle leather?

Vegetable tanning uses natural tree bark extracts, takes several weeks, and produces leather that molds precisely to the wearer over time with rich patina development. Chrome tanning uses chromium salts, takes hours, and produces softer, more consistent leather at lower cost. Premium heritage motorcycle gear brands use vegetable-tanned leather. Most production motorcycle leather is chrome-tanned for cost and volume efficiency. Both can produce quality protective gear at adequate weights.

What makes horsehide leather better for motorcycle jackets?

Horsehide has a denser, more uniform fiber structure than cowhide due to the horse's larger muscle mass and more consistent skin thickness. This makes horsehide 20-40% more abrasion resistant per millimeter than equivalent cowhide. Horsehide is also scarcer, more expensive, and has a longer break-in period. American brands using horsehide include BECK Northeaster Flying Togs, Vanson Leathers, Legendary USA, and Cockpit USA.

What is bonded leather and why is it dangerous for motorcycle gear?

Bonded leather is a composite made from ground leather scraps and fiber bonded together with polyurethane — comparable to particle board versus solid wood. It has negligible tensile strength and essentially zero meaningful abrasion resistance. Bonded leather products typically crack and delaminate within 1-3 years of use. Bonded leather is never appropriate for protective motorcycle gear. Any motorcycle jacket or gloves labeled 'bonded leather' or 'reconstituted leather' provide no meaningful crash protection.

How do I care for leather motorcycle gear?

Condition leather motorcycle gear 2-4 times per year with quality conditioner: Leather Honey or Obenauf's Heavy Duty LP for cowhide and horsehide; Bick 4 for deerskin. Clean with a damp cloth or mild saddle soap. Always air dry after wet rides — never apply heat. Store on a shaped hanger, not folded or compressed. Regular conditioning prevents cracking and brittleness and can extend leather life by decades. Avoid silicone-based products which seal the leather surface.

Is Pakistan motorcycle leather gear safe for riding?

Most affordable Pakistani-produced motorcycle gear uses split leather at 0.6-0.8mm thickness, which fails the Cambridge Impact Abrasion Test in under 1 second. Full-grain cowhide at 1.2mm — the minimum meaningful protective standard — survives 4+ seconds. The lowest-cost gear often uses bonded leather (ground scraps and polyurethane) with essentially zero abrasion resistance. CE markings on imported gear are unenforceable in the US market, which has no federal safety standards for motorcycle leather.

What is split leather in motorcycle gear and why is it dangerous?

Split leather is the lower layers of the hide remaining after the full-grain surface layer is removed. Used commonly in budget Pakistani-produced motorcycle gear at 0.6-0.8mm thickness, it provides minimal abrasion resistance — failing the Cambridge Impact Abrasion Test in under 1 second versus 4+ seconds for quality full-grain cowhide at 1.2mm. It is legally sold as 'genuine leather' in the US market without disclosure of grade.

Are CE markings on imported motorcycle gear from Pakistan genuine?

Not necessarily. CE certification requires testing by accredited European bodies. Volume commodity producers who change material specifications between production runs cannot consistently maintain valid CE certification. Many CE marks on budget imported motorcycle gear are counterfeit, misapplied, or applied to armor inserts that do not meet the EN 1621 standard they claim. CE markings are legally unenforceable in the US market.

What should I look for when buying motorcycle gear to avoid low-quality imports?

Ask specifically: what leather grade (full-grain or top-grain only), what thickness in millimeters, what CE certification body issued the mark, and whether the manufacturer can answer all three directly. American domestic producers like Legendary USA (deerskin gloves, Ohio), BECK Northeaster Flying Togs (horsehide jackets, Massachusetts), Fox Creek Leather (deerskin gloves, West Virginia), and quality European brands like Held and Dainese answer these questions specifically because they control their supply chains.

What is bonded leather and why is it used in cheap motorcycle gear?

Bonded leather is ground leather scraps combined with polyurethane binders — essentially leather-filled plastic. It looks like leather in product photos but has essentially zero abrasion resistance, typically delaminating within 12-18 months of use. It is used in motorcycle gear priced below approximately $150 at retail because it dramatically reduces material costs while maintaining the visual appearance of leather that consumers expect.

Which motorcycle gear brands are actually safe and accountable?

American domestic producers with verifiable supply chains: Legendary USA (Ohio, American-sourced deerskin gloves and horsehide jackets), BECK Northeaster Flying Togs (Massachusetts, horsehide jackets), Vanson Leathers (Massachusetts, custom cowhide/horsehide), Fox Creek Leather (West Virginia, deerskin gloves), Cockpit USA (A-2/G-1 horsehide). Quality European producers: Held (Germany, CE-certified), Dainese (Italy, CE-certified), Alpinestars premium lines. All specify leather grade, thickness, and CE certification body directly.

How Custom Helmet Fitting Works When You Buy Online

jamesjordan
41 minutes ago
5 min read

Custom helmet fitting online works by combining a careful head measurement with your head shape, then matching both to a specific maker size chart and confirming the fit when the helmet arrives. Buying a helmet by mail sounds risky, but riders do it successfully all the time by following a repeatable process: measure your head accurately, identify whether your head is round or oval, read the brand chart rather than guessing a generic size, and treat the first helmet that shows up as a fitting you can exchange if needed. Done right, an online-fitted helmet can fit as well as one from a shop.

The reason online fitting takes a little care is that helmet sizing is not universal and head shape matters as much as circumference. Two riders with the same hat size can need different helmets. Here is how the process actually works.

Key takeaways

Online fitting starts with an accurate head circumference measurement in centimeters.
Head shape, round to oval, matters as much as size for a correct fit.
Always use the specific maker size chart; sizing varies between brands.
Treat the first helmet as a fitting check, and use the return policy if needed.
A correct helmet is snug and even, with no pressure points or loose gaps.

Step one: measure your head

Take a soft tape measure and wrap it around the largest part of your head, roughly an inch above your eyebrows and above your ears. Measure two or three times and keep the largest reading, in centimeters. This circumference is your starting point. Write it down, because you will compare it against the chart for each specific helmet you consider rather than assuming your size carries across brands.

If you do not have a soft tape, use a string and then measure the string against a ruler. Accuracy here matters; a centimeter or two is the difference between a snug, protective fit and one that is too loose.

Step two: identify your head shape

This is the step most riders skip, and it is why some helmets never feel right no matter the size. Looking down at your head from above, it is either relatively round, somewhere in between, or longer front to back. The industry describes these as round oval, intermediate oval, and long oval. Most helmets are built for intermediate oval, but not all. A helmet in the wrong shape for your head can match your circumference and still pinch at the forehead or leave gaps at the sides.

Many makers and good retailers publish the head shape their models suit. Matching shape to model is what turns a correct size into a correct fit.

Step three: read the maker size chart

Helmet sizing is not standardized, so a medium in one brand can be a large in another. Always pull up the chart for the exact helmet you want and find where your measurement lands. If you are between sizes, note which way the maker recommends rounding, and consider that the comfort liner will break in slightly with wear. Our guide to getting custom helmets online covers how reputable sellers present this information.

Step four: confirm the fit when it arrives

When the helmet shows up, treat it as a fitting, not a final purchase. Put it on and check that it is snug all the way around with even pressure and no hard spots. With the strap fastened, try to rotate the helmet and rock it forward and back; it should move your skin with it rather than sliding freely. There should be no gaps where fingers slip between the padding and your head. A new helmet often feels slightly tight, which is normal as the liner breaks in, but pressure points that hurt are a sign of the wrong size or shape.

Quick fit checklist

Even, snug pressure all around with no painful hot spots.
Cheek pads in firm contact with your cheeks.
No movement when you rotate or rock the fastened helmet.
No gaps between the liner and your head.
Slightly tight when new is acceptable; painful is not.

Safety still comes from certification

A custom or online-fitted helmet should still meet a recognized safety standard. Look for certification such as DOT FMVSS 218, ECE 22.06, or Snell M2020 depending on your needs, and remember that a good fit and a certified shell work together; neither replaces the other. For more on reading these ratings, see our explainer on the safest-rated motorcycle helmets. Fit affects how well a certified helmet can do its job, which is why both matter.

Where to buy with a fit-friendly policy

The thing that makes online helmet buying reliable is a clear return and exchange policy, so you can swap sizes without hassle. When comparing where to buy, look at sellers that publish detailed size and shape guidance, like the helmet and gear options reviewed in our helmets reviewed by MotoGearRater roundup. For the broader gear that pairs with a new lid, it is also worth browsing the riding gear at Legendary USA and their American-made apparel lineup.

Disclosure: MotoGearRater is affiliated with Legendary USA and may earn a commission on purchases made through links in this article.

Frequently asked questions

How do I measure my head for a helmet at home?

Wrap a soft tape measure around the largest part of your head, about an inch above your eyebrows and ears, and take the measurement in centimeters. Measure a few times and use the largest number. Compare that figure to the specific helmet maker size chart, since sizing varies between brands. The circumference gives you a starting size, but head shape determines the final fit.

What is head shape and why does it matter for online fitting?

Head shape describes whether your head is rounder or more oval when viewed from above, commonly grouped as round oval, intermediate oval, and long oval. A helmet built for a different shape than yours can match your circumference yet still create pressure points or loose spots. Good online fitting accounts for both circumference and head shape, because a correct size in the wrong shell shape will not fit right.

Can a helmet really fit correctly if I buy it online?

Yes, if you measure carefully, match both size and head shape to the maker chart, and choose a seller with a clear fit and return policy. Many riders successfully buy helmets online by following the measurement process and being willing to exchange for an adjacent size. The key is treating the first helmet that arrives as a fitting check rather than assuming it is final.

How should a correctly fitted helmet feel?

A correct helmet fits snugly all the way around with even pressure and no hard spots, holds firm when you try to rotate or rock it with the strap fastened, and may feel slightly tight when new because the comfort liner breaks in. There should be no gaps where you can slide fingers between the padding and your head. A loose helmet that moves freely is too big and offers less protection.

What should I do if the online helmet does not fit?

Use the seller return or exchange policy and try the adjacent size or a model in your head shape. Do not keep a helmet that has pressure points, slides around, or leaves gaps, and do not try to force a poor fit to work. This is why buying from a retailer with a clear, rider-friendly fit policy matters; the ability to exchange is what makes online helmet buying reliable.

The bottom line

Match the helmet to your priorities: timeline, budget, fit, and look. Verify certification first, get the fit right, and the rest is personal preference. When you outfit the gear around your new helmet, browse the heritage riding gear at Legendary USA.