A, AA, AAA: THE MOTORCYCLE CLOTHING APPROVAL CLASSES EXPLAINED

Not all motorcycle jackets are created equal. And not all CE certifications guarantee the same level of protection.
When you buy a motorcycle jacket, trousers, or gloves, you often find labels with codes like A, AA, AAA followed by EN 17092. But what do these letters really mean? And why should you care?
This article explains everything you need to know about motorcycle clothing homologation classes: what they are, what they entail, what tests they must pass, and how to choose the right level for your riding style.

WHAT IS THE EN 17092 STANDARD?

EN 17092:2020 is the European standard that regulates the certification of protective clothing for motorcyclists. Coming into effect in 2020, it replaced the previous EN 13595, introducing stricter and more realistic standards.
This regulation establishes minimum requirements for:
  • Abrasion resistance (how long the fabric can withstand sliding on asphalt)
  • Tear resistance (how difficult it is to tear the fabric)
  • Puncture resistance (how difficult it is to pierce the fabric)
  • Seam strength (how strong the seams are under stress)
  • Placement of the protective gear (where the shoulders, elbows, back, knees, and hips should be positioned)

PROTECTION CLASSES: A, AA, AAA, B, C

The EN 17092 standard divides motorcycle clothing into 5 classes , from the lightest to the most protective:

CLASS C (EN 17092-5)

  • Minimal protection : Only impact protection, no abrasion resistance .
  • Example : Vest with back and shoulder protection, worn over normal clothing.
  • Use : Not suitable for road riding—only as an additional layer.

CLASS B (EN 17092-4)

  • Light protection : Minimal abrasion resistance (approximately 1 second of sliding at 45 km/h ).
  • Example : Ultra-lightweight summer mesh jackets.
  • Use : Low-speed urban driving, hot climate.

CLASS A (EN 17092-6)

  • Basic protection : Abrasion resistance higher than Class B, but still limited.
  • Definition : "Lightweight" (light).
  • Use : City driving, short trips, warm weather.

CLASS AA (EN 17092-3)

  • Average protection : Abrasion resistance significantly higher than Class A.
  • Definition : "Mediumweight" (middleweight).
  • Use : Mixed driving (city + highway), touring, daily use.

CLASS AAA (EN 17092-2)

  • Maximum protection : The highest level of protection against impact and abrasion.
  • Definition : "Heavyweight" (maximum weight).
  • Use : Sport driving, long journeys, track, maximum safety.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A, AA AND AAA? TECHNICAL TESTS

The main difference between the classes concerns abrasion resistance —that is, how long the fabric resists sliding on the asphalt before tearing.

ABRASION TEST (Cambridge Abrasion Test)

The test simulates sliding on asphalt at a controlled speed. The fabric is rubbed against an abrasive surface until it is perforated.
Approximate results:
  • Class A : Withstands approximately 2-4 seconds of slippage.
  • Class AA : Withstands approximately 4-7 seconds of slippage.
  • Class AAA : Withstands more than 7 seconds of slippage (some materials reach 10+ seconds)
Why is it important?
In a real accident at 50-70 km/h, you could slide on the asphalt for 5-10 seconds or more . A Class A garment could tear quickly, exposing your skin to abrasion. A Class AAA garment continues to protect you for the entire duration of the slide.

TEAR RESISTANCE TEST

It measures how much force is needed to tear the fabric. AAA garments must withstand much higher forces than A and AA garments.

PERFORATION RESISTANCE TEST

Simulates impact with sharp objects (debris, sharp edges, rough asphalt). Here too, AAA offers superior resistance.

SEAM TEST

Seams are often the weak point of a garment. The EN 17092 standard requires that seams withstand high tensile forces without breaking. AAA garments have reinforced seams using thicker threads and advanced stitching techniques.

IMPACT PROTECTION: LEVEL 1 AND LEVEL 2

In addition to abrasion resistance, EN 17092 certified garments must include impact protection (shoulders, elbows, back, knees, hips) certified according to EN 1621 standards.

Level 1

  • Standard protection
  • Transmits ≤35 kN of residual force through the protector.

Level 2

  • Superior protection
  • Transmits ≤20 kN of residual force through the protector.
Important note: The EN 17092 standard does not require back protection, even in AAA-rated garments—but many manufacturers include it anyway for safety.

HOW TO RECOGNIZE THE APPROVAL CLASS

Look for the internal CE label on the garment. It must state:
  • Abbreviation EN 17092-X:2020 (where X is the class number)
  • Class A, AA or AAA
  • Level of protection (Level 1 or 2)
  • Position of the protective gear (shoulders, elbows, back, etc.)
Example of a label: 
 CE EN 17092-2:2020 Classe AAA
 Protezioni: Spalle (Livello 2), Gomiti (Livello 2), Schiena (Livello 2)

WHICH CLASS SHOULD YOU CHOOSE? IT DEPENDS ON YOUR DRIVING STYLE

Choose CLASS A if:

  • Use the motorcycle mainly in the city at low speeds.
  • Take short daily trips.
  • Looking for lightness and comfort in hot weather.
  • Do you want certified basic protection?

Choose ENERGY CLASS AA if:

  • Do mixed driving (city + highway)
  • Cover medium distances
  • You want a good balance between protection and comfort.
  • Looking for versatile clothing for everyday use.

Choose CLASS AAA if:

  • Do you engage in sports driving or high-speed driving?
  • Travel long distances (touring)
  • Go to the track or do track days.
  • You want maximum protection without compromise.
  • Safety is your absolute priority.

COMMON MATERIALS FOR EACH CLASS

Class A

  • Lightweight technical fabrics
  • Denim reinforced with Kevlar or Dyneema
  • Mesh with reinforced zones

Class AA

  • Medium thickness leather (1.0-1.2 mm)
  • Reinforced technical fabrics
  • Denim with high-density aramid fibers

Class AAA

  • Thick skin (1.3-1.4 mm or higher)
  • Multilayer composite fabrics
  • Kevlar, Dyneema, high-density Cordura
  • Reinforced constructions with double layers

MOTORCYCLE CLOTHING: NOT JUST JACKETS

The EN 17092 certification applies to:
  • Jackets and coats
  • Motorcycle pants and jeans
  • One-piece and two-piece jumpsuits
  • Gloves (certified separately according to EN 13594)
Note: The gloves have a different certification (EN 13594) with levels 1, 2 and 3 (KP), but the principle is similar: higher levels = higher protection.

WHY CERTIFICATION IS IMPORTANT

1. REAL SECURITY

A certified AAA helmet can make the difference between superficial abrasions and serious injuries in a high-speed accident.

2. QUALITY GUARANTEE

The CE certification guarantees that the garment has been tested by independent laboratories according to strict standards.

3. VALUE OVER TIME

An AAA garment costs more, but it lasts longer and offers superior protection—an investment in your safety.

PRACTICAL TIPS

✅ Always check the CE label before purchasing.
✅ Don't just trust the price – an expensive garment isn't automatically AAA.
✅ Check the positioning of the protectors – they must cover the shoulders, elbows, and back (if included).
✅ Try the head in the driving position – the protections must remain in the correct position.
✅ Replace the protective gear after an impact – even if they seem intact, they may have lost their effectiveness.

CONCLUSION: THE RIGHT PROTECTION FOR EVERY RIDER

There's no single "best" class—there's the right class for your driving style . If you mainly drive in the city, a Class AA may suffice. If you enjoy long journeys or sporty driving, Class AAA is the wiser choice.
But remember: any certified protection is better than no protection . Even a Class A garment is infinitely safer than a normal jacket without certification.
Because the road is freedom, but freedom requires responsibility.
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