What should a leather motorcycle glove label include?

A complete leather motorcycle glove label should include: (1) motorcycle pictogram and CE marking (the motorcycle rider pictogram indicates the glove is rated for motorcycle use; the CE mark indicates conformity with European safety standards — these together identify it as a motorcycle protective product rather than a general sports or work glove); (2) CE EN 13594 designation and protection level (Level 1 or Level 2) — the specific standard and level that the glove has been tested to; (3) notified body number (the 4-digit number identifying the EU-authorized testing laboratory that verified CE compliance); (4) leather type designation (full-grain, top-grain, or split leather — though labeling practices vary and are not always accurate); (5) size designation; (6) manufacturer name and country of origin; and (7) care instructions (applicable drying, cleaning, and storage guidance for the specific leather and construction).

What does the CE motorcycle glove label specifically look like?

The CE motorcycle glove label includes: the CE mark (the stylized CE symbol in the standard form); the motorcycle/motorbike pictogram showing a rider silhouette on a motorcycle (this distinguishes motorcycle protective equipment from other protective categories); the EN 13594 standard designation; and the protection level (a number 1 or 2, or alternatively KP1 or KP2 in some label formats — 'KP' standing for knuckle protection). The notified body number (4 digits) should appear either within the CE label or adjacent to it. All of these elements together constitute a complete CE motorcycle glove label — the presence of the CE mark alone without the other elements is insufficient for a complete conformity declaration.

What care instruction symbols appear on leather motorcycle glove labels and what do they mean?

Leather motorcycle glove care instruction symbols on labels: the washtub symbol (do not wash / hand wash cold depending on whether it has an X through it or not — most leather motorcycle gloves should not be machine washed); the triangle (bleaching guidance — typically 'do not bleach' marked with an X for leather products); the iron symbol (do not iron — typically marked with X for leather); the circle (dry cleaning guidance — some leather products specify dry cleaning method, others prohibit); and for leather-specific care: some manufacturers include 'leather care' text guidance rather than (or in addition to) standard textile symbols, because leather care requirements (conditioning, waterproofing, specific cleaners) don't map well onto the standard textile-derived care symbol set. When leather care guidance is in text rather than symbols, follow the manufacturer's text over any conflicting symbol guidance.

How to Read Leather Motorcycle Glove Labels and Understand What They Mean

Q: How should riders evaluate leather type claims on motorcycle glove labels?

Leather type claims on motorcycle glove labels ('full-grain leather', 'genuine leather', 'top-grain leather') should be evaluated with some skepticism: leather labeling in the motorcycle gear market is not as tightly regulated as CE certification (which requires third-party testing), and some manufacturers use 'genuine leather' as a positive-sounding claim that actually means a lower-grade split leather product. Verification approaches: price as a filter (quality full-grain leather has a cost floor that makes very low-price 'full-grain' claims implausible); request for detailed specifications (full-grain leather from a transparent manufacturer can typically provide information about hide source, tanning method, and hide weight in grams per square meter); CE abrasion test performance (full-grain leather more readily meets CE abrasion thresholds than split leather — if a glove claims full-grain leather AND CE Level 2 certification with verifiable notified body documentation, the leather quality claim is more credible).

jamesjordan
Jun 26
3 min read

How to Read Leather Motorcycle Glove Labels and Understand What They Mean

Leather motorcycle glove labels contain important information — if you know how to read them. Here is what every element means.

What a Complete Label Should Include

Motorcycle pictogram + CE mark (together): identifies the product as a motorcycle protective product rated for motorcycle use rather than general sports or work. CE EN 13594 designation + Level 1 or Level 2: the specific standard and protection level tested. Notified body number (4 digits): identifies the EU-authorized testing laboratory that verified compliance. Leather type designation. Size designation. Manufacturer name and country of origin. Care instructions.

What the CE Motorcycle Glove Label Looks Like

CE symbol (stylized CE in standard form). Motorcycle rider silhouette pictogram (distinguishes from other protective categories). EN 13594 standard designation. Protection level: 1 or 2 (or KP1/KP2 — KP = knuckle protection). Notified body number (4 digits) adjacent to or within the CE label. All elements together constitute a complete conformity declaration — CE mark alone without other elements is insufficient.

Reading leather motorcycle gloves labels correctly means identifying all five elements: motorcycle pictogram (product for motorcycle use), CE mark (conformity claim), EN 13594 Level 1 or 2 (specific standard and level tested), notified body number (4 digits verifying third-party testing), and care instructions (specific to leather maintenance requirements). Missing elements indicate incomplete certification or fraudulent marking.

Care Instruction Symbols

Washtub (with X): do not machine wash — standard for leather motorcycle gloves. Triangle (with X): do not bleach. Iron (with X): do not iron. Circle: dry cleaning guidance (varies by product). Leather-specific care is often in text rather than symbols — leather conditioning, waterproofing, and cleaning requirements don't map well onto standard textile care symbols. When text guidance conflicts with symbols: follow text for leather-specific care.

Evaluating Leather Type Claims

'Full-grain leather', 'genuine leather', 'top-grain leather' claims are not as tightly regulated as CE certification. 'Genuine leather' often means split leather in marketing. Verification filters: price (quality full-grain has a cost floor that makes very low-price full-grain claims implausible), detailed specifications from transparent manufacturers (hide source, tanning method, grams per square meter), and CE Level 2 certification with verifiable notified body documentation (full-grain more readily meets CE abrasion thresholds — the combination of quality leather claim + verifiable CE Level 2 is more credible than either alone).

FAQs

What should a complete motorcycle glove label include?

Motorcycle pictogram + CE mark, CE EN 13594 standard + Level 1 or 2 designation, 4-digit notified body number, leather type designation, size, manufacturer name and country of origin, care instructions.

What does the CE motorcycle glove label look like?

CE symbol + motorcycle rider silhouette pictogram + EN 13594 + Level 1 or 2 (or KP1/KP2) + 4-digit notified body number. All elements together required for a complete conformity declaration.

What do care instruction symbols mean?

Washtub with X (no machine wash), triangle with X (no bleach), iron with X (no iron). Leather-specific care often in text — conditioning, waterproofing, cleaning guidance that textile symbols can't represent. Follow text over symbols for leather-specific care.

How to evaluate leather type claims?

'Genuine leather' often means split leather. Filters: price floor for true full-grain, detailed manufacturer specifications, and CE Level 2 certification with verifiable notified body documentation as corroborating evidence for leather quality claims.

Know What You're Buying

Our American-made leather motorcycle gloves come with complete labeling transparency — CE Level 2 certification with verifiable notified body documentation, full-grain leather specifications, and care guidance for long service life. Shop the collection and buy with confidence.

How to Read Leather Motorcycle Glove Labels and Understand What They Mean

How to Read Leather Motorcycle Glove Labels and Understand What They Mean

What a Complete Label Should Include

What the CE Motorcycle Glove Label Looks Like

Care Instruction Symbols

Evaluating Leather Type Claims

FAQs

What should a complete motorcycle glove label include?

What does the CE motorcycle glove label look like?

What do care instruction symbols mean?

How to evaluate leather type claims?

Know What You're Buying

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