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 Abrasion Resistance? A Motorcycle Rider's Guide to Crash Protection

jamesjordan
6 hours ago
4 min read

Abrasion resistance is the capacity of a material to withstand wear and damage caused by friction against a rough surface. In motorcycle riding, it is the foundational protective property of any jacket, glove, vest, or pants. When a rider falls, the gap between serious injury and road rash depends on how long the gear survives contact with the road surface before wearing through.

What Is Abrasion Resistance in Motorcycle Gear?

Abrasion resistance in motorcycle gear refers specifically to the material's ability to resist being worn away by road contact during a slide. In a crash, a rider may slide across pavement, gravel, or asphalt at speeds ranging from 10 to 70+ miles per hour. The gear must remain intact long enough to allow the slide to complete without exposing the rider's skin to direct road contact.

Road rash — the skin abrasion and tearing that results from skin-to-road contact — is one of the most common serious motorcycle injuries. It ranges from superficial skin loss to deep tissue injuries requiring skin grafts. Gear with adequate abrasion resistance prevents or significantly reduces road rash by maintaining a barrier between skin and road for the duration of the slide.

How Abrasion Resistance Is Measured

European Standard EN 13595 (for jackets and pants) and EN 13594 (for gloves) specify abrasion resistance testing methods for motorcycle protective clothing. The primary test method involves pressing a standardized test specimen against a rotating abrasive drum under specified conditions and measuring how long the material resists wear-through.

Zone 1 areas — those most likely to contact the road in a fall — require higher abrasion resistance than Zone 2 areas. For jackets, Zone 1 includes shoulders, elbows, and the upper back. For gloves, Zone 1 includes the palm and knuckles. Materials must resist abrasion long enough to meet minimum time requirements at specified impact energy levels.

Which Materials Have the Best Abrasion Resistance?

Full-grain leather — particularly horsehide and heavy cowhide — provides the best abrasion resistance of any natural material used in motorcycle gear. The tightly interwoven fiber structure of the grain layer resists abrasion effectively, and the material's thickness means significant material must be worn away before the rider's skin is exposed.

Among synthetic textiles, Cordura nylon and ballistic nylon are the most abrasion-resistant options. They are significantly lighter than leather but provide competitive abrasion resistance in the highest-quality forms. Aramid fibers (Kevlar, Dyneema) are exceptionally abrasion-resistant and are used in both gloves and as liner materials in leather and textile jackets.

Materials with poor abrasion resistance in motorcycle applications include fashion leather (thin, corrected-grain), standard denim (fails quickly in a slide), and bonded leather (delaminates rapidly under friction). These materials provide minimal protection in a serious fall.

Leather Thickness and Abrasion Resistance

Leather thickness is directly correlated with abrasion resistance in practice. A 1.4mm cowhide jacket provides longer slide protection than a 0.9mm cowhide jacket of identical grade, because more material must be worn through before skin is exposed. For jackets, 1.2mm is a reasonable minimum for touring riders; 1.4mm or heavier is appropriate for riders who prioritize protection.

For gloves, leather weight matters particularly at the palm — the primary contact surface in a fall. A palm slider or reinforced palm panel in quality leather provides meaningful additional abrasion protection at the most critical zone.

Abrasion Resistance vs Impact Protection

Abrasion resistance and impact protection are distinct protective functions. Abrasion resistance protects against sliding contact with the road. Impact protection — provided by CE armor at the shoulders, elbows, knees, and back — protects against blunt impact with the road or other objects. Both are necessary for comprehensive crash protection; neither substitutes for the other.

A jacket that provides excellent abrasion resistance from heavy leather but includes no back protector leaves the spine exposed to impact injury. A jacket with excellent CE Level 2 armor but thin, low-grade leather may protect against blunt impact while failing quickly in a slide. Quality riding gear addresses both threats.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is leather or textile better for abrasion resistance?

At equivalent quality levels, full-grain leather in appropriate weight provides excellent abrasion resistance comparable to or better than high-quality textile. The comparison is better made by quality grade: quality leather vs quality textile both provide meaningful protection; budget versions of both fail.

How do I know if my motorcycle jacket has adequate abrasion resistance?

Look for CE certification to EN 13595, specification of leather grade (full-grain) and weight (1.2mm+), or certification to ASTM F1506 for textile. If the manufacturer cannot provide material specifications, the protection level is unknown.

Does abrasion resistance decrease with age?

For leather, aging typically maintains or slightly increases abrasion resistance as the leather develops a harder surface patina, provided it is properly conditioned and not allowed to crack. Cracked leather has significantly reduced abrasion resistance — conditioning is essential maintenance.

What is road rash and how does gear prevent it?

Road rash is skin abrasion and tearing caused by direct skin contact with road surface during a fall. Gear with adequate abrasion resistance maintains a barrier between skin and road for the duration of the slide, preventing or significantly reducing skin injury. Even a slide lasting less than one second at highway speed can cause serious road rash without adequate protection.