Key takeaways:
- Motorcycle clothing fabrics play a crucial role in providing both comfort and protection while riding.
- Knowing the differences between the most popular fabrics will help you make an informed decision when buying riding clothes.
- CE certification indicates that the gear has been tested and meets specific security standards.
Protective motorcycle clothing is one of the most hotly debated topics among riders, and for good reason. We want to feel good and look good while we're out there enjoying the ride. We also want to stay protected, and that starts with being well-informed about different fabrics, safety standards, and what they really mean during a motorcycle accident.
“WELL-PROTECTED STARTS AT WELL-INFORMED”
Motorcycle gear fabrics matter because they are the first line of defense in case of an accident. Moreover, if chosen wisely, riding clothes can make the ride more comfortable and enjoyable. Knowing what features different fabrics bring to the table will help you build a wardrobe that will protect you when needed the most.
As riders, we love fashion and style, but we're all about safety. To help you make the best decisions when it comes to your motorcycle clothing, we put together this simple explainer guide about the most common fabrics used in gear manufacturing.
Why Motorcycle Gear Fabrics Matter for Rider Safety
Motorcycle gear is designed using specialized fabrics that play an essential role in protecting riders in case of an accident. These materials don’t tear easily – they’re built to provide abrasion resistance in case of a slide, which often results in painful skin burns and various injuries.
Certified motorcycle gear can prevent broken bones by absorbing the impact in the most vulnerable parts, such as knees, elbows, and spine. Multi-layered textiles help ensure the gear doesn’t tear easily and can protect the rider in a road accident.
Regular denim shreds easily and can withstand only 0.6 seconds of sliding before tearing. Also, sliding can generate intense heat, which could melt or burn synthetic materials or regular denim.
Meanwhile, specialized protective apparel can protect the skin during sliding at 70 mph or higher. It’s also made from heat-resistant materials that withstand high temperatures, protecting the skin from burns.
The Most Common Motorcycle Gear Fabrics
Cordura, Kevlar, and Dyneema are the most popular fabrics used in protective motorcycle gear manufacturing.
While some riders still cruise around in their Levi's, top protective motorcycle gear brands now combine and blend several different fabrics when designing their gear. Protective motorcycle jeans appear like denim, creating that iconic look. However, the end result isn't just jeans – it's tough, military-grade, abrasion- and tear-resistant clothing that will protect you even if you end up sliding on the tarmac at 70 mph.
Cordura
Cordura is one of the most versatile fabrics out there, used in everything and anything from motorcycle jeans to tactical military jackets. The Cordura fiber technology allows the fabric to weigh less than the heavy-duty Kevlar, offering amazing durability and abrasion resistance.
The fabric is typically made from high-tenacity nylon and comes in various types, ranging from lightweight to heavy-duty. It’s not originally weatherproof, but it’s treated to be water-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about it in any weather.
At Pando Moto, we use Cordura denim fabric woven from blended nylon and cotton yarns, offering extra protection while retaining the feel of natural cotton.
Kevlar
Kevlar is a brand name for a fabric in the aramid family, a high-performance synthetic fiber used in bulletproof vests, cut-resistant gloves, and firefighter suits. These examples should give you an idea of Kevlar’s strength.
When it comes to protective apparel, it's essential to use the strongest materials in high-impact zones. Therefore, layers of Kevlar are typically placed under the outer Cordura layer to reinforce areas that are most likely to be affected during a crash, such as elbows, knees, and hips.
We also use Kevlar to reinforce the seams: abrasion resistance is crucial, but so is tear and burst resistance. We believe that no matter how abrasion-resistant the fabric is, it’s only as strong as its weakest seam.
Dyneema
Dyneema is an Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) fabric, which means it’s an extremely strong, lightweight, and abrasion-resistant material. Due to its high tensile strength and durability, Dyneema is used across different industries, including marine and defence.
If you're looking for protective motorcycle gear for hot weather, Dyneema-reinforced jeans are usually your best bet. Dyneema can be woven into another fabric, enabling the gear manufacturer to produce lighter, single-layer jeans that offer unmatched protection.
At Pando Moto, we use our signature double-face patented weaving method where two layers of different types of fabric, cotton, and Dyneema, are merged into one. Single-layer motorcycle jeans combine the best of two worlds: incredible abrasion, tear, and burst resistance, along with comfort and style.
Strength- and durability-wise, Dyneema can surpass Kevlar, as it's 15 times stronger than steel. If that wasn't impressive enough, Dyneema is lighter, does not absorb moisture like Kevlar, and is breathable.
Single-Layer vs Lined Motorcycle Jeans
Single-layer jeans are lightweight and therefore better for everyday commuting during warmer months. They come in various styles and often look like regular jeans. So if you’re a seasonal rider looking for jeans that look good and feel good both on and off the bike, check out single-layer jeans.
Lined jeans are perfect for riding in colder weather. Some jeans are fully lined, while others come with extra lining in key areas to ensure the highest abrasion resistance.
Generally, single-layer jeans may be more comfortable due to their lightness, flexibility, and breathability. Both types of jeans offer AA and AAA safety standards.
| Single-Layer Jeans | Lined Jeans | |
| Feel and Comfort | Lightweight, breathable, flexible | Heavier, thicker, with an inner layer |
| Protection | Full-coverage abrasion resistance throughout the jeans | High abrasion resistance in key areas, such as knees and hips |
| Fabrics | Usually Dyneema or Cordura | Kevlar or other aramid family fiber as an inner layer |
| Best for | Warm weather | Colder weather |
| Cons | Can be too thin for riding in cold weather | Heavy, so it may be uncomfortable during longer rides |
| Durability | Can have a slightly lower durability | Highly durable in a slide |
| Price | More expensive due to advanced fabric technologies | Generally cheaper |
CE Certification Explained (EN 17092 Safety Standard)
The CE (Conformité Européenne, meaning European Conformity) is a European motorcycle safety standard. If a gear piece has a CE label on it, it means that the gear has been thoroughly tested and either met or surpassed the safety standard regulated by the European Union.
It’s important to note that motorcycle armor and fabrics are regulated by separate CE standards. It’s because motorcycle armor handles impact from a sudden hit, and fabric handles abrasion from sliding. Fabric or garment abrasion and tear resistance is regulated by the EN 17092 safety standard.
In addition to the CE labeling, you should also know what the letters mean. Once the fabric has passed the CE test, it is then classed into four subdivisions: B, A, AA, and AAA. These are decided by the abrasion, tear, and burst tests.
- A level is the most basic, protecting you from road rash at up to around 28 mph (45 km/h);
- Level B is essentially the same, except impact protectors are not required;
- AA level will hold if you're traveling at around 43 mph (70 km/h) speed;
The AAA level will keep your skin protected at 75 mph (120 km/h).
With all of this in mind, how do you make the best choice when it comes to protective motorcycle gear and clothing? Here are some tips:
- Stay away from cheap motorcycle wear. This is among the top rookie mistakes motorcyclists make, and some end up paying very dearly for it. It’s better to invest money into quality riding clothes that are durable and tested to ensure proper protection.
- Make sure you understand the various fabrics used in motorcycle clothing. Browse some of the top protective motorcycle gear brands out there, compare the products, and go for the gear that is a great fit both design-wise and safety-wise.
- Pay attention to the safety labels. We highly recommend opting for CE AA level as this is the optimum safety standard for most motorcyclists, including urban commuters and weekend riders. It combines high-level protection without compromising comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the safest fabric for motorcycle gear?
High-performance synthetic fabrics such as Dyneema, Kevlar, or Cordura are the safest for motorcycle gear.
Is Dyneema better than Kevlar for motorcycle gear?
Generally, Dyneema is considered to be better than Kevlar for motorcycle gear. Dyneema is stronger, more abrasion-resistant, and lighter.
Are single-layer motorcycle jeans really safe?
Single-layer motorcycle jeans are safe. They’re a modern alternative to traditional lined jeans that are heavy and better suited for cold weather. Single-layer jeans are lighter, breathable, and offer the same or even better abrasion and tear resistance than Kevlar-lined motorcycle jeans.
What CE rating should motorcycle jeans have?
Motorcycle jeans should have a CE AA or AAA rating under the EN 17092 standard. This offers the best balance between comfort and protection.
What does CE AA and CE AAA mean for motorcycle gear?
The CE AA and CE AAA are safety ratings for motorcycle clothing, such as pants, jackets, and suits. The AA means the clothing is suitable for touring or everyday commuting. AAA offers the highest protection and is best for high-speed motorcycle riding or track racing.
