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%.

The Complete History of Motorcycle Safety Standards: From No Standards to CE

jamesjordan
2 hours ago
4 min read

For most of motorcycle gear's history, there were no safety standards. The rider who bought a leather jacket in 1940 had no independent verification that it would protect them in a fall — they relied on brand reputation, material specification from the manufacturer if available, and the judgment of the dealer who sold it. The development of independent protective standards — and the CE certification system that verified compliance — transformed motorcycle gear from an unregulated craft product into a verifiable safety system.

The Pre-Standard Era: 1900–1970

The first decades of motorcycle gear were entirely unregulated. There were no government standards, no independent testing bodies, and no certification marks. Quality was determined by material and construction — riders who understood leather grades, tanning methods, and construction quality could evaluate gear intelligently. Those who did not had to rely on brand reputation and price as proxies for quality.

The gear of this era was frequently excellent in quality, produced by manufacturers who built for a riding audience that understood materials and demanded genuine performance. The BECK Flying Togs and the original Schott Perfecto of the 1930s and 1940s were built to genuine protective specifications not because regulations required it, but because the manufacturers understood the use case and the riders they served demanded it. Quality without certification was possible because the market was smaller and the connection between manufacturer and riding community was direct.

The 1960s–1980s: Helmet Standards First

The first motorcycle safety standards addressed helmets — the most obviously critical protection item and the one most clearly linked to fatal injury statistics. The US Department of Transportation (DOT) established the FMVSS 218 standard for motorcycle helmets in 1974, requiring all helmets sold in the US for motorcycle use to meet minimum impact protection thresholds. The Snell Memorial Foundation had been developing and testing helmet standards since 1957, following the death of racing driver William "Pete" Snell in 1956.

Helmet standards established the conceptual framework for motorcycle protective equipment certification: independent testing against specified performance thresholds, with a certification mark indicating compliance. This framework would eventually extend to body armor and protective clothing, but the extension took decades.

The 1990s: European Standards Development

European standardization bodies — operating through the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) — began developing standards for motorcycle protective clothing in the 1990s. The European market had significant motorcycle use and growing recognition that unregulated protective gear left riders without a reliable quality framework. The EN 13594 standard for protective gloves was published in 1999; standards for jackets, pants, and other gear followed through the 2000s.

The European approach established testing methodologies for abrasion resistance, impact force transmission, seam burst strength, and dimensional stability — the physical properties that determine how well a garment protects in a motorcycle accident. Independent accredited testing bodies verified products against these standards, and the CE mark indicated compliance.

The 2000s–2010s: International Adoption

European EN standards became the global reference for motorcycle protective gear quality, adopted in markets well beyond Europe. Manufacturers worldwide sought CE certification for products sold into European markets, and the certification became a recognized quality indicator globally — including in the United States, which had no equivalent mandatory standard for motorcycle protective clothing.

The armor standards (EN 1621 series) evolved through this period as new materials and designs required updated testing protocols. D3O, Poron XRD, and other advanced materials created armor that could achieve Level 2 certification in much thinner, lighter configurations than older foam-based designs — expanding the range of gear that could achieve premium certification without significant bulk penalty.

EN 17092: The Updated Standard

EN 17092, published in 2020, replaced the older EN 13595 standard for protective jackets and pants. The new standard introduced a clearer classification system (AAA/AA/A) and updated testing methodologies to better reflect real-world crash scenarios. EN 13594 for gloves was also updated. These standards represent the current state of the art in motorcycle protective clothing certification.

The Gap That Standards Don't Close

Even with comprehensive CE standards, a significant portion of motorcycle gear sold globally remains uncertified or self-certified without independent verification. The CE standards are mandatory in the EU for personal protective equipment, but enforcement at the import level has been inconsistent. Riders in all markets continue to encounter gear marketed with vague protective claims unsupported by actual certification.

The appropriate response for riders is to look for specific standard references (EN 13594, EN 17092, EN 1621-2), certification levels (Level 1 or Level 2 for armor; AAA/AA/A for jackets), and the name of the certifying body — not just the CE mark, which can be misappropriated. Quality manufacturers provide all of this information proactively.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't the US have mandatory motorcycle gear standards?

The US regulatory approach to motorcycle gear has historically relied on market forces and voluntary standards rather than mandatory certification. Helmet standards are the primary exception. Industry groups and safety advocates have periodically pushed for mandatory protective clothing standards, but the US has not implemented them at the federal level.

Are older jackets without CE certification unsafe?

Certification did not exist before the 1990s — that does not mean pre-certification gear was unprotective. A genuine horsehide jacket at 1.4mm from the 1950s provides real abrasion resistance regardless of certification status. Certification is a verification system, not a prerequisite for protection. The material and construction determine protection; certification verifies it independently.

What is the newest motorcycle gear safety standard?

EN 17092:2020 for protective jackets and pants (replacing EN 13595) and the updated EN 13594:2015 for protective gloves are the current standards. These standards are reviewed and updated periodically as new materials and understanding develop.