What Motorcycle Riders Should Know About ASTM Standards for Gloves
- jamesjordan
- Jun 26
- 3 min read
What Motorcycle Riders Should Know About ASTM Standards for Gloves
ASTM International has developed standards for motorcycle gloves, but they operate differently from the CE EN 13594 most riders know. Here is what riders need to understand.
ASTM F2878: The US Motorcycle Glove Standard
ASTM F2878 is the standard most directly relevant to motorcycle rider handwear in the US context. It addresses abrasion resistance, impact protection, and seam strength with laboratory test methods. However: ASTM F2878 has not achieved the market penetration of CE EN 13594 — most US-sold motorcycle gloves with protection certification reference CE EN 13594 rather than ASTM F2878, even for domestically manufactured products. CE EN 13594 was established first and became the de facto global standard.
ASTM F2878 vs CE EN 13594
Both standards test abrasion resistance, impact protection at knuckles, and seam strength. Both produce protection level designations. Test methodologies differ in specifics: abrasion test machinery, impact test drop parameters, and performance thresholds differ between standards. Neither standard is clearly 'higher' or 'lower' — they are parallel frameworks from different standards bodies with different market adoption histories.
US motorcycle riders evaluating leather motorcycle gloves with certification markings: CE EN 13594 Level 2 is the more universally recognized and market-proven certification framework with the most developed third-party testing ecosystem and consumer verification pathway. ASTM F2878 certified gloves are legitimate when genuinely third-party tested. Evaluate both certifications on the same criteria: third-party testing documentation from a recognized laboratory.
Which Certification to Seek
CE EN 13594 Level 2: more universally recognized globally, more developed testing infrastructure, stronger consumer verification pathway (notified body number system). ASTM F2878: legitimate when genuinely third-party tested. Practical advice: CE EN 13594 Level 2 as baseline certification — evaluate ASTM F2878 claims on the same third-party documentation criteria. Ask for testing laboratory name and documentation availability from any certification claim.
Why US Manufacturers Don't Widely Use ASTM
No mandatory US certification requirements for street motorcycle use (unlike some EU jurisdictions), reducing business incentive for ASTM investment. Global market orientation makes CE EN 13594 more market-valuable — covers more markets than ASTM alone. Consumer awareness of CE EN 13594 is higher in the US market than ASTM F2878, giving CE more marketing value for US manufacturers.
FAQs
Does ASTM have a motorcycle glove standard?
Yes — ASTM F2878 addresses motorcycle rider handwear with abrasion, impact, and seam testing. But it has not achieved CE EN 13594's market penetration — most US-sold certified gloves reference CE EN 13594 even if domestically manufactured.
How does ASTM F2878 compare to CE EN 13594?
Both test abrasion, impact protection, and seam strength with protection level designations. Test methodologies differ in specifics. Neither is clearly 'higher' — parallel frameworks from different standards bodies with different adoption histories.
Which certification should US riders seek?
CE EN 13594 Level 2 as baseline — most universally recognized, most developed testing ecosystem, strongest consumer verification pathway. ASTM F2878 legitimate when genuinely third-party tested. Evaluate both on third-party documentation.
Why don't more US manufacturers use ASTM?
No mandatory US certification requirement (reduces business incentive). Global market orientation makes CE EN 13594 more market-valuable. Higher US consumer CE awareness gives CE more marketing value than ASTM for domestic manufacturers.
Know Your Certification
Our American-made leather motorcycle gloves carry CE Level 2 certification — the globally recognized standard with verified third-party testing. Shop the collection with confidence in what the certification actually means.
