CE Armored Jackets: Level 1 vs Level 2 Explained
Two numbers decide how much force reaches your body. Here is what Level 1 and Level 2 really mean for riders.
Every serious motorcycle jacket advertises CE armor, but almost nobody explains what the rating means. The short version is that CE armored jackets have been tested against a European standard that measures how much force passes through the armor when it takes a hit. Less force reaching you is better, and that is essentially the whole test.
What Level 1 gives you
Level 1 armor allows more force through than Level 2, but it is usually thinner, lighter and more flexible. For city commuting and warm weather riding, that flexibility is a genuine advantage, because gear you actually enjoy wearing is gear you actually wear.
What Level 2 gives you
Level 2 armor lets significantly less force through. It is typically thicker and a little stiffer, which is why touring and adventure riders gravitate toward it. If you ride fast, ride far, or ride on roads you do not know, Level 2 is worth the extra bulk.
Both beat no certification at all
The biggest jump in protection is not Level 1 to Level 2. It is uncertified foam to certified armor. A jacket with no rated motorcycle armor is protective motorcycle clothing in name only.
Where the armor sits
Good armored motorcycle jackets place armor at the shoulders, elbows and back. Our Gravlok Premium Mesh Riding Jacket covers all three zones, and the Gravlok Premium 3 Season Jacket adds reinforced impact panels for rougher terrain. Pair either with certified Expedition Riding Leather Gloves to protect the part of you that hits the ground first.
On a custom build you can specify armor zones and protection levels yourself. Browse CE armored jackets in the Gravlok store, made at 375 A1 Township, Lahore, Pakistan and shipped all over the world.
