It's important to ensure your motorcycle garments and armor are up to the demands of your riding. Whether you're a casual commuter, long-distance tourer, off-road adventurer or thrill-seeker on the track, there are different types of motorcycle garments and armor to suit all disciplines. Make sure whatever armor you choose is CE or UKCA certified to the relevant standard.
Make sure you're getting the right type of armor, and check it's certified to the right level before you start your engine. Having CE/UKCA-certified armor and motorcycle gear is just one part of getting the best safety set-up possible for your ride.
You've probably seen the label inside your jacket, helmet or pants, but not thought much about what the CE/UKCA mark means. First, let's look at the two different ones:
CE markings are much more likely to be seen than UKCA markings, but they both essentially mean the same thing. The motorcycle garment and armor has been assessed in line with EU and UK health, safety and environment laws, and certified fit for sale and purpose.
When looking at your D3O® impact protection or the label in your motorcycle armor, you're likely to see EN (European Norm) numbers. EN standards are used to help demonstrate that a product meets the requirements of the PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425 or PPE Regulation (2016/425) as brought into UK Law and amended.
EN1621 relates specifically to motorcycle armor. EN1621-1:2012 relates to limb protection, EN1621-2:2014 to back protection, and EN1621-3:2018 to chest protection. All of these can be tested to meet Level 1 or Level 2 protection. Level 1 offers a good level of impact protection, and Level 2 meets the criteria for racing, and can therefore withstand higher force impacts.
EN13594:2015 is specific to motorcycle glove protection. To pass, the product must meet the following criteria: Innocuousness, ergonomic requirements, sizing and cuff length, restraint, tear strength, seam strength, impact abrasion resistance, cut resistance, and impact protection of knuckles.
EN13634:2015 applies to motorcycle footwear. The criteria that needs to be met includes: protection, ergonomic characteristics, innocuousness, mechanical properties, marking and information for users.
Whole garment testing is reviewed against EN 17092:2020. This is separate from the EN standards indicated above. While impact protection is necessary to meet EN 17092:2020, the armor also needs to be tested on its own to ensure it's fit for purpose and meets Level 1 or Level 2 requirements.
EN17092 is tested to 5 levels of criteria. The testing looks at the different zones on the body and how well the armor protects those areas under force. Garments certified to EN17092 and featuring D3O® impact protection are therefore some of the safest and most well-tested motorcycle armor items available on the market. You can be guaranteed regulated, independent testing when looking for these EN standards.
The AAA-A garment classification is important to check and understand so you make sure you're getting the correct level of protection.
AAA-A classes are certified in accordance with EN 17092:2020. The materials are tested under lab conditions to assess how much speed and force they can withstand before tearing - this is the measure of abrasion resistance. This then allows the AAA-A classification to be assigned.
The main difference between the classes is the abrasion, seam strength and cut resistance of the garment. The more you go towards AAA, the better the materials and construction.
D3O works with many partner brands to provide market-leading impact protection armor in motorcycle clothing. As a result of implementing D3O®, many of our partner brands are able to increase the classification of their products and provide better and safer gear to bikers.
D3O® motorcycle impact protection is offered in two levels, Level 1 and Level 2. Choose the right level of protection depending on the type of riding you're doing, as well as taking into consideration the technical features you prefer to have while riding.
D3O offers a range of CE/UKCA armor to protect your chest, back and limbs whilst riding to minimize the likelihood of injury from riding accidents.
Explore the full D3O® impact protection range and partner brands for exceptional gear that can take on any challenge.