Racing suits
CE ratings on motorbike leathers, explained: EN 17092 and EN 1621
What AAA, AA and A actually mean, why the suit rating and the armour rating are two different things, and what to ask a manufacturer for.
22 September 2026
Two standards, two different questions
In Europe, protective motorcycle clothing is assessed under two separate families of standards:
- EN 17092 rates the garment — how well the whole suit, jacket or trousers resists abrasion, tearing and seam bursting in a slide.
- EN 1621 rates the armour inside it — how much impact force the protectors let through.
A suit's label should show both. One does not imply the other.
EN 17092 garment classes
| Class | What it means |
|---|---|
| AAA | Highest protection level — the class traditionally associated with one-piece race leathers |
| AA | High protection, suited to a wide range of riding |
| A | Lighter garments for lower-risk riding |
| B | Abrasion resistance without impact protectors |
| C | A carrier for impact protectors only |
EN 1621 armour levels
- EN 1621-1 covers limb protectors: shoulders, elbows, hips and knees.
- EN 1621-2 covers back protectors.
- Level 2 transmits less force than Level 1, at the cost of some bulk.
A Class AAA suit can carry Level 1 armour, and a Class A jacket can carry Level 2 armour — check both.
What to ask a manufacturer
- Which standard and class has this exact model been tested to, and by which lab? Ask for the test report or certificate, not a logo on a page.
- Which armour is fitted, and what is its own rating?
- Does the certificate cover my colourway and custom panels? Significant changes to materials or construction may need re-testing.
Our approach
We build leather suits to your specification and fit armour to your choice. Ratings depend on the exact build and testing, so we confirm what's available for your order and share the documents — we never mark a product as certified without them. Talk to us about a suit.
Have a project in mind?
Tell us what you need and we'll come back with options and pricing.
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