Riding Pants Protection
Motorcycle Riding Pants Protection, Armor, and Ratings
How motorcycle pants protect you: EN 17092 garment classes (AAA to C) vs EN 1621-1 knee and hip armor levels, what the tests check, and their limits.
Motorcycle pants protect you in two ways: the outer material and seams resist abrasion in a slide, and armor at the knees and hips absorbs impact. Two European standards measure these separately. EN 17092 rates the whole garment in classes AAA, AA, A, B and C, while EN 1621-1 rates the limb armor itself at level 1 or level 2.
So "CE armor" in the pockets and a CE-rated pair of pants are not the same claim. This hub explains both and links to the detailed guides.
Two standards, two jobs
EN 17092 was published in March 2020 and replaced the older EN 13595, which was withdrawn by March 2023.
| Column 1 | EN 17092 | EN 1621-1 |
|---|---|---|
| What it rates | The garment: jackets, trousers, one- and two-piece suits | Impact protectors worn on the limb joints |
| Grades | Classes AAA, AA, A, B, C | Level 1 and level 2 |
| Main tests | Abrasion, seam and zip strength, fit and movement | Force passed through the protector on impact |
| Better result | AAA sets the highest requirements | Lower transmitted force is more protective |
EN 17092 classes for riding pants
What an AA rating means in practice is covered in what CE AA-rated motorcycle pants mean, and the top class in what AAA-rated motorcycle pants mean.
| Class | Impact protectors | What it means for pants |
|---|---|---|
| AAA | Knee and hip protectors required | Highest requirements; the only class whose trouser test treats the seat as a high-risk zone |
| AA | Knee and hip protectors required | Lower requirements than AAA; seat not a high-risk zone |
| A | Knee required, hip optional | Lower requirements than AA |
| B | None required | Abrasion protection of class A, no impact protectors |
| C | Protectors only | Impact protection only where the armor sits; no minimum abrasion; worn with an AAA, AA, A or B garment |
What the garment test checks
The abrasion test simulates an average rider of 165 lb (75 kg) and 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) sliding on real concrete. Removable waterproof or thermal liners are taken out, the weakest material combination is tested, and the layer closest to the body must show no hole of 0.2 in (5 mm) or more.
Every seam type, zip and armor-pocket seam is strength-tested, and a tester must be able to make all the essential riding movements in the garment at its labeled size. For two-piece suits, the jacket and pants are joined and pulled with 100 N for 60 seconds, then checked for gaps or a failed connection.
Knee and hip armor
EN 1621-1 armor is tested by dropping a 5 kg (11 lb) impactor onto it over a hemispherical anvil and measuring the force that passes through. To pass, the average peak force must stay below 35 kN with no single hit over 50 kN. Level 2 sets a tighter average limit, below 20 kN, according to a published summary of the standard.
Back protectors have their own standard, EN 1621-2, with separate limits. Armor also has to be in the right place: it should cover the joint in the riding position without sliding. Armor types, and where knee and hip pads should sit, are the subject of motorcycle riding pants armor: types and placement.
To see how armor pockets look inside a leather pair, read what motorcycle leather pants look like inside.
What the ratings don't tell you
According to Wikipedia's summary of the research, one study found motorcycle armor was not linked to fewer fractures, and another argued the force allowed by EN 1621-1 may be too high. The same source notes the A, AA and AAA classes had no peer-reviewed independent validation, and the AA test speed was lowered from 75 to 70 km/h (about 47 to 43 mph).
Australia and New Zealand run a separate program, MotoCAP, which scores gear on impact, burst and abrasion protection and gives a breathability score.
Checking a pair before you buy
- Find out what is rated: the whole garment (an EN 17092 class) or only the armor (an EN 1621-1 level).
- If the garment has a class, note which one; for pants, only AAA treats the seat as high-risk.
- Check the armor covers your knees and hips when you're seated on the bike.
- Make sure the pants sit high enough at the back that no gap opens to your jacket.
- Ask the maker for proof of any rating for that exact item.
Chaps, jeans and leather pants
Not every leg cover is built for a crash. Leather Collection says its chaps carry no armor and don't replace armored riding pants. Regular denim isn't strong enough for a slide, while riding jeans add polymers for abrasion resistance and can take armor. Styles are compared in the types of motorcycle pants hub, and fit, which keeps armor in place, in the motorcycle pants sizing and fit guide.
Where to look at armored leather pants
In the Leather Collection leather motorcycle pants range, the touring styles carry removable knee and hip armor and replaceable knee sliders; the leather jeans don't. This site has not reviewed test certificates for these products, so ask the store which standard, class or level applies to the exact pair before relying on a rating.
Related guides
- How we weigh ratings against wear tests is set out in how to choose motorcycle riding pants.
FAQ
Which motorcycle pants have the highest safety rating?
Under EN 17092, class AAA sets the highest requirements, and for trousers it is the only class that treats the seat as a high-risk zone. Check the label of the specific pair.
What is the difference between AA and AAA motorcycle gear?
Both classes require knee and hip protectors in pants. AAA sets the higher requirements, and only AAA trousers treat the seat as a high-risk zone. The AAA guide linked above goes into detail.
Motorcycle Leather Pant Editorial Team
Motorcycle Leather Pant articles are researched from published sources, cited in the text, and reviewed before publication.