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%.

What Is a Motorcycle Safety Briefing? Gear Standards Every Rider Should Know

jamesjordan
3 hours ago
3 min read

Motorcycle gear safety standards are the measurable, verifiable criteria against which protective equipment is evaluated. Understanding these standards gives riders the ability to evaluate any gear claim — from a manufacturer's marketing to a retail sales pitch — against objective criteria rather than subjective impressions. This briefing covers the key standards every serious rider should know.

EN 13594: The Glove Standard

EN 13594 is the European Standard for protective gloves for motorcycle riders. It specifies testing requirements for abrasion resistance at Zone 1 (palm, knuckles) and Zone 2 (finger backs, wrist), impact protection at the knuckles and palm, seam burst strength, and dimensional stability. Gloves certified to EN 13594 Level 1 or Level 2 have been independently verified to meet minimum performance thresholds at each tested dimension. Level 2 requires higher performance than Level 1 — specifically, longer abrasion resistance at Zone 1 and lower impact transmission at the palm.

EN 17092: The Jacket and Pants Standard

EN 17092 (which updated and replaced EN 13595) specifies performance requirements for protective jackets and pants. It uses a AAA/AA/A classification system rather than the Level 1/Level 2 system used for armor. Class AAA requires the highest abrasion resistance at all zones; Class A requires minimum thresholds. Jackets certified to EN 17092 Class AA or AAA provide genuine verified protection. The classification is specified on the garment label along with the CE mark.

EN 1621 Series: Armor Standards

EN 1621-1 covers limb armor (shoulders, elbows, knees, hips). EN 1621-2 covers back protectors. Both use a Level 1/Level 2 performance classification. Level 2 back protectors transmit no more than 9 kN of force on average under standardized testing; Level 1 allows up to 18 kN. This difference is substantial and the reason Level 2 back protection is consistently recommended for serious riders.

What CE Marking Actually Means

The CE mark indicates that a product meets applicable European safety standards and has been assessed by an appropriate conformity assessment process. For personal protective equipment including motorcycle gear, this requires independent third-party testing by an accredited notified body. CE marking is not a guarantee of the highest available protection — it is a confirmation that the product meets the minimum threshold for the specific standard and class marked. A product marked CE Level 1 has met minimum Level 1 requirements; it has not been tested to Level 2.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum CE certification I should accept in a motorcycle jacket?

EN 17092 Class A minimum for a jacket intended for riding use. Class AA or AAA is preferable for serious riding. Separately, back protector to EN 1621-2 Level 2 is strongly recommended for any rider who prioritizes spinal protection.

Do American motorcycle gear brands follow European standards?

Many American motorcycle gear brands sell internationally and certify their gear to EN standards for the European market. Gear sold in the US may or may not carry CE certification. The CE standard is a useful reference even for US-purchased gear — many quality American manufacturers certify to EN standards voluntarily because they indicate genuine protective performance.

Is uncertified gear dangerous?

Uncertified gear may provide genuine protection — the absence of certification does not mean a garment fails to protect, only that it has not been independently verified. However, riders who choose uncertified gear are relying on manufacturer claims without independent verification. For the primary protective garments — jacket, gloves, pants — CE certification is a meaningful assurance worth seeking.