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%.

How to Read a Motorcycle Gear Label: Decoding CE Certification and Leather Specs

jamesjordan
2 hours ago
3 min read

QUICK ANSWER: A motorcycle gear label that specifies genuine protection will include: a leather grade (full-grain or top-grain — not "genuine" or "premium"), a leather weight in millimeters, a CE mark with a specific EN standard number (EN 13594 for gloves, EN 17092 for jackets), and a performance level or class (Level 1 or Level 2 for armor; Class A, AA, or AAA for jackets). Any label that uses vague language about "premium materials" or "protective padding" without these specifics is not providing verifiable protection claims.

The CE Mark: What It Means and What It Doesn't

The CE mark (Conformité Européenne) on motorcycle gear indicates the product has been assessed against applicable European safety standards. In the EU, CE marking on personal protective equipment is legally required and must be backed by independent testing. In the US, CE marking is voluntary — manufacturers can seek CE certification for products sold globally, but it is not mandated.

What the CE mark alone does NOT tell you: which standard was tested, which performance level was achieved, or which testing body certified it. A CE mark without accompanying standard numbers and performance levels provides minimal useful information. Look for what follows the CE mark.

Reading Glove Labels: EN 13594

A properly certified motorcycle glove label reads: "CE / EN 13594:2015 / Level 1" or "CE / EN 13594:2015 / Level 2." The standard number (13594) tells you this is the motorcycle glove standard. The year (2015) tells you which version was tested. The level (1 or 2) tells you the performance threshold achieved. Level 2 means the glove transmits no more than 6 kN at the palm on average — approximately 33% less force than Level 1's 9 kN limit.

Reading Jacket Labels: EN 17092

The current motorcycle jacket standard is EN 17092:2020, which replaced EN 13595. Labels read: "CE / EN 17092-3:2020 / Class A" (or AA, or AAA). The number after the hyphen (17092-3) refers to the specific part of the standard for jacket type. Class AAA requires the highest abrasion resistance and seam burst strength. Class A is the minimum class that qualifies for protective use.

Reading Armor Labels: EN 1621

Armor in motorcycle jackets is certified separately from the jacket. Each armor piece has its own label: "CE / EN 1621-1 / Level 2" for shoulder or elbow armor; "CE / EN 1621-2 / Level 2" for back protectors. The "1" in 1621-1 refers to limb armor; the "2" refers to back protection. Level 2 at the back transmits no more than 9 kN on average — half the Level 1 limit of 18 kN.

Leather Label Language: What's Honest and What's Not

Honest leather labels specify species and grade: "Full-grain horsehide," "Full-grain cowhide," "Top-grain cowhide," "Full-panel deerskin." These are specific, verifiable claims. Dishonest or vague leather labels say: "Genuine leather" (legally means only that some leather is present), "Premium leather" (no defined standard), "High-quality leather" (no defined standard), "PU leather" (polyurethane — not leather), "Eco leather" (not leather), "Bonded leather" (leather fiber scraps in adhesive — not protective leather).

Red Flags: Labels That Signal Problems

Warning labels: No leather weight specified. "Armor" or "padding" without CE standard number. "CE approved" without EN standard number and performance level. "All leather" without species or grade. "Protective" without certification basis. Any of these signals that the manufacturer cannot or will not provide verifiable protection specifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if a jacket has no CE certification label at all?

Uncertified jacket armor is unverified — its protective properties are unknown. The leather grade and weight still determine abrasion protection (which can be evaluated independently), but the armor's impact protection cannot be assessed without certification. Uncertified armor may provide some protection or none; you cannot know from the label.

How do I verify CE certification is genuine?

Ask the manufacturer for the testing report and the name of the notified body (the independent testing organization that certified the product). Legitimate certifications have documentation from accredited testing bodies. If the manufacturer cannot provide this, the CE mark may be self-declared rather than independently tested.

What does "certified leather" mean?

"Certified leather" is not a standard term with a specific meaning. It may refer to CE certification of the overall garment, Leather Working Group (LWG) certification of the tannery's environmental practices, or REACH compliance for chemical safety. None of these tell you the leather's grade or weight for protection purposes. Ask specifically for leather grade and weight.