Leathers

Leathers are specialized protective suits made primarily from thick leather that motorcycle racers wear to shield their bodies from serious injuries during crashes and falls.

In motorcycle racing, riders face the constant risk of sliding across pavement at high speeds if they fall off their bikes. Regular clothing would shred instantly, causing severe skin damage called "road rash." Leathers solve this problem by providing a tough, durable barrier between the rider's skin and the road surface.

Most racing leathers are made from cowhide leather because it offers excellent abrasion resistance at a reasonable price. Professional racers often prefer kangaroo leather, which is lighter and even more resistant to tearing, though it costs more. The leather used in these suits is much thicker than what you'd find in a fashion jacket—typically around 1.3 millimeters thick—giving it the strength needed to withstand extreme friction.

Modern leathers come packed with additional safety features beyond just the leather material itself. They include built-in armor or padding at critical impact points like the elbows, shoulders, knees, and spine. This armor, often certified to European safety standards, helps absorb the force of impacts and prevents broken bones. The armor only works properly if the suit fits snugly, which is why racing leathers are designed to fit tight against the body.

Riders can choose between one-piece suits that cover the entire body or two-piece sets with separate jackets and pants that zip together. One-piece suits are more common in professional racing because they offer better protection with no gaps, while two-piece sets provide more convenience for riders who need to remove part of their gear between sessions.

The construction quality of leathers matters enormously for safety. The seams are reinforced with double or triple stitching to prevent them from bursting open during a crash. Some advanced suits even include airbag systems that inflate automatically during a fall, providing extra cushioning for the rider's body.

While the term "leathers" traditionally referred only to leather materials, modern protective riding gear sometimes incorporates high-tech synthetic fabrics like Kevlar or Cordura in certain areas. These materials can offer similar protection while adding features like better ventilation or weather resistance. However, traditional leather remains the gold standard for abrasion protection in professional motorcycle racing.

When riders talk about their "leathers," they sometimes include their leather gloves and boots as part of the complete protective system, since these items protect the hands, wrists, feet, and ankles using the same principles of abrasion resistance and impact protection.