Leathers

Leathers usually means a leather motorcycle suit, either a one-piece race suit or a two-piece jacket and trousers that zip together. The term can also cover leather jackets, trousers, gloves and boots in general.

Good leather, typically cowhide around 1.1 to 1.4 mm thick or kangaroo, resists abrasion very well when sliding on tarmac. Quality suits add CE-approved armour at the shoulders, elbows, hips and knees, stretch panels for movement, knee sliders and a pocket for a back protector. In Europe, riding clothing is certified to EN 17092, with class AAA giving the highest protection.

Leathers should fit snugly so the armour stays in place. Clean and condition them regularly and let them dry naturally if they get wet.