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 Horsehide? The Complete Guide for Motorcycle Gear

jamesjordan
7 hours ago
4 min read

Horsehide is the tanned leather made from horse hides. It was the dominant material in American motorcycle jackets from the 1930s through the 1960s, prized for its exceptional abrasion resistance, dense fiber structure, and the characteristic break-in that produces an unmatched patina over decades of use.

What Is Horsehide?

Horsehide is leather produced from the skin of horses. Unlike cowhide, which comes from cattle raised for beef and dairy, horsehide is a byproduct of the equine industry — historically from workhorses and draft horses at end of their working lives. The hide of a horse is structurally different from that of a cow: it is tighter-grained, more uniformly fibrous, and considerably denser in cross-section.

In motorcycle gear, horsehide typically refers to leather from the shoulder and back of the horse, where the hide is thickest and most densely structured. This region produces leather with the highest abrasion resistance — the quality that made horsehide the standard material for serious riding jackets before cowhide and synthetics dominated the market.

Why Was Horsehide the Standard for American Motorcycle Jackets?

American motorcycle jacket manufacturers — including Schott, BECK, and others — standardized on horsehide through the 1930s and 1940s because it was the toughest available leather. It was durable enough to survive road rash at speed, and it was widely available in a United States that still relied heavily on draft horses.

The A-2 flight jacket, standard-issue for U.S. Army Air Corps pilots in World War II, was made from horsehide. The same properties that made horsehide ideal for aviators — abrasion resistance, wind resistance, and durability under repeated stress — made it the natural choice for motorcycle riders facing similar exposure.

BECK Northeaster Flying Togs, arguably the most historically significant American riding jacket, was built from horsehide. The BECK jacket influenced every serious American riding jacket that followed. When riders today seek horsehide jackets, they are reaching back to that standard.

What Makes Horsehide Different from Cowhide?

Horsehide's fiber structure is fundamentally different from cowhide. The fibers in horsehide run at a tighter, more consistent angle, creating a leather that resists abrasion and cutting forces more effectively than comparably weighted cowhide. Horsehide is typically harder and stiffer when new, requiring a longer break-in period — but once broken in, it molds precisely to the wearer's body and retains that shape for life.

Cowhide is softer from the start, more immediately comfortable, and far more widely available. A horsehide jacket will outperform a cowhide jacket of identical thickness in abrasion resistance tests. For riders who view motorcycle jackets as protective equipment, horsehide represents a material ceiling that cowhide cannot match.

Why Is Horsehide Scarce Today?

The decline of working horses in American agriculture after World War II dramatically reduced horsehide supply. As tractors replaced draft horses, the number of horses available for hide production collapsed. Today, genuine horsehide is rare, expensive, and primarily sourced from Europe — particularly France and Italy — where equestrian industries remain more active.

This scarcity explains why horsehide motorcycle jackets command premium prices. A quality horsehide jacket typically costs 30–60% more than a comparable cowhide jacket — and riders who understand the material difference consider that premium justified.

How to Identify Genuine Horsehide

Genuine horsehide has a distinctive tight, fine grain visible on the leather surface. It is stiffer than cowhide of equivalent thickness when new. The cross-section of horsehide, if visible at a cut edge, shows a denser, more uniform fiber distribution than cowhide.

Look for explicit material identification from the manufacturer. Ask about sourcing. Reputable American manufacturers who work with horsehide are transparent about it — they know it is a selling point, not a secret. If a jacket is labeled 'leather' without specifying the animal source, it is almost certainly cowhide.

Horsehide vs Cowhide: A Side-by-Side Comparison

Abrasion resistance: Horsehide wins at equivalent thickness. Softness on purchase: Cowhide wins. Break-in period: Horsehide requires 6–18 months vs 2–6 months for cowhide. Long-term durability: Horsehide outlasts comparable cowhide in most applications. Availability: Cowhide is widely available; horsehide is rare and expensive. Patina: Both develop character over time, but horsehide patina is uniquely deep and rich.

How Horsehide Ages

Horsehide is one of the few materials that genuinely improves with decades of use. The leather develops a patina unique to the rider's life with it — specific crease patterns that form at the elbows and collar, subtle color shifts from sun and weather exposure, and a surface depth that no new jacket can replicate. A 30-year-old horsehide jacket that has been properly cared for is more valuable and more beautiful than a new one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is horsehide better than cowhide for motorcycle jackets?

For abrasion resistance and long-term durability, yes. Horsehide has a denser fiber structure that resists road rash more effectively than equivalently weighted cowhide. The trade-offs are a longer break-in period and higher cost.

How long does it take to break in a horsehide jacket?

Typically 6–18 months of regular wear, depending on leather weight and wear frequency. Conditioning with a quality leather conditioner accelerates break-in without compromising integrity.

Does a horsehide jacket get better with age?

Yes. Horsehide develops a patina over decades that reflects the rider's specific life with it — unique color variations, creasing patterns, and surface character that no new jacket can replicate.

Where does horsehide come from today?

Primarily France, Italy, and Eastern Europe. American horsehide tanneries are extremely rare today. Quality American manufacturers source from European tanneries that maintain traditional processing methods.

What is the difference between horsehide and shell cordovan?

Shell cordovan is a specific part of the horsehide — the rump membrane — that produces a uniquely smooth, burnished leather used primarily in fine footwear. Standard horsehide for motorcycle jackets comes from the shoulder and back. Both are horse leather but are distinctly different materials.

Who makes horsehide motorcycle jackets in the United States today?

Legendary USA is among the few American manufacturers still producing horsehide motorcycle jackets using traditional construction methods, including saddle-stitched seams and heavy hardware. Their horsehide jackets follow the same construction principles as the original BECK Flying Togs that defined American riding gear.