The best motorcycle leathers for track or road use as chosen by MCN testers

The one piece leather suit is considered the pinnacle of sportsbike kit, there’s a reason motorcycle racers wear leather suits; it’s considered the most abrasion-resistant material there is, so it makes sense to use leather for motorcycle gear.

It’s durable and protects the skin when sliding along the tarmac in the event of an accident and of course, when layered with the latest impact-resistant armour or airbags, will help to protect you from impact as and when you hit the ground as well.

Jump to:

• Things to consider
• Safety standards
• Best one piece suits
• Best two piece sets
• Frequently asked questions
• How we test motorcycle leathers

Things to consider when buying motorcycle leathers

There are two main choices when looking at race derived leathers, either a one-piece suit or a two-piece set with a separate leather jacket and trousers that have a connection zip to attach them together. The one piece offers a complete and seamless outfit, maximising aerodynamics and ensuring that there is no gap between jacket and trousers should the rider have an off. Primarily designed for track use, a one piece suit is not particularly practical for more casual road riding, especially if you are planning to stop for a coffee and a chat, as to feel more comfortable you have to drop the top half and have it hang around the waist.

The two piece option is more practical for road use as the jacket can be removed when you stop, but as mentioned above, needs to be zipped together, creating a slightly less aerodynamic form than an all in one; for most riders this will only be an issue if you race and chase lap times.

When it comes to the fit of a one piece suit, initially it will feel alien, until you sit on your sports bike. This is because they have pre curved limbs and are designed to be worn in the folded over position required to ride a sportsbike. You want them to be snug but neither too tight or too loose. They generally won’t be waterproof, so if you’re doing a trackday and you’re riding there and back in your leathers, you might want a pair of waterproofs in a rucksack with you.

Different forms of leather can be used in the construction of motorcycle leathers, but it will likely be cowhide (around 1.2-1.3mm thick) as its strength and abrasion resistance are excellent, with potentially some elements in kangaroo for its flexibility and grip. There should be some flex panels for additional comfort while on the bike, and the leather may also be perforated, as riding on a circuit is hard work, and the body needs cooling air.

Safety standards

Most motorcycle leathers will be CE rated to AAA and will include armour that is rated as per all other garments, so ideally, look for CE Level-2 armour at the shoulders, elbows, back, knees and hips, while you might also want it at the chest and possibly protection for the coccyx as well.

Alternatively, you may want to add the latest airbag protection for additional peace of mind. You should also look for external impact protection, such as TPU plastic sections on the outside of the shoulders and elbows and replaceable plastic knee sliders.

The best one piece leathers that we’ve tried

The best two-piece leathers we have reviewed

Frequently asked questions

How do I clean and care for my motorcycle leathers?

It’s best to use warm water on a cloth to clean your leathers and then once dry use a leather conditioner to keep the leather supple.

Do I need to get a made to measure suit?

Some people may find it tricky to find a suit that fits them off the peg, so may consider a made to measure custom suit. This will be a significantly more expensive option but will ensure that the fit is perfect for your shape and height.

Can I wear a two piece on a race track?

Yes, you can wear a two piece set on track, provided that it has a full connection zip, not a partial and that it is made of leather, with a full length back protector fitted.

---

How MCN tests motorcycle leathers

At MCN, our team of expert journalists have decades of experience gained over hundreds of thousands of miles in order to provide you with opinions and evaluations you can trust, alongside news of the most significant developments in motorcycling safety gear. We want you to stay safe, enjoy your riding and hopefully look great while doing so! 

We don’t test our kit to destruction; we use it exactly how you do, in the real world and in all conditions.

That means we can deliver impartial buying advice you can rely on. To make it onto this list, motorcycle leathers must have been worn for thousands of miles by our team of experienced testers, show no major flaws, and meet modern safety standards as well as offering decent value for money. 

Each of our expert reviewers tests their motorcycle leathers for a variety of things, both subjective and objective. Factors assessed include what level of protection they provide, what armour comes fitted as standard, how comfortable they are from the first wear, does it look good and if they include details such as a removable liners, pockets or any additional weatherproofing properties.

We cover thousands of miles in these leathers and regularly compare them with one another in the office, so collectively we’ve built the sort of knowledge base you can trust.

If you can’t see a review against a set of motorcycle leathers on this page, it’s because we haven’t tested them yet or because it did not earn a score of four stars or above. Only four and five star rated motorcycle leathers will make an appearance in our best of buying guides. These will only be included if we think they’re important and relevant in the market, and rest assured, we will be working on bringing you a review as soon as we’ve done the miles.

---

Here’s a brief run-down of the star rating system we use, and what each score means:

• 1 star – Poor performance in this category or overall. A product with a single star rating has fallen below the expected standard and should be avoided.
• 2 stars – Basic performance in this area or overall. A product with a two-star rating has managed to perform to a barely acceptable level and there is room for improvement. It might be lacking safety features, be poorly built or far too expensive to recommend.
• 3 stars – An average performance in this area or overall. A product with a three-star rating has achieved a basic level of performance and is deemed adequate.
• 4 stars – A product has performed over and above the accepted averaged in this category or overall. A product with a four-star rating has surpassed expectation and delivered in a particularly impressive way.
• 5 stars – A product has performed at the highest possible level in a particular category or overall. A product with a five-star rating has delivered to the highest possible level, impressing the tester with its performance. We would happily spend our own money on it.

To find out more about our kit testing, head to our dedicated page explaining how we test motorcycle products.

- Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us.