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When looking for new motorcycle pants or a jacket, you have surely come across the following terms:
“A Certified”
“AA Certified”
“AAA Certified”
So, what do these letters really mean?
More importantly, should you always choose the highest level?
This is one of the questions we hear most often at trade shows, events, and in our conversations with riders.
Many people know that the AAA certification is the safest level. But is it realistic and practical for everyday use?
Because when choosing motorcycle gear, you need to consider not only the level of protection, but also comfort, freedom of movement, breathability, and the intended use.
In short, it’s not just about “the highest protection,” but “the right protection.”
In this article, we will discuss what the A, AA, and AAA safety levels used in motorcycle gear mean, which level is right for which rider, and why the AA level is considered the ideal balance for everyday use by many riders.
Let’s start with the most basic question:
Where do these A, AA, and AAA letters come from?
Where Do These Letters Come From?
Actually, the terms A, AA, and AAA are not names given by the brands themselves.
These levels refer to the safety classes obtained by motorcycle gear passing specific tests in Europe.
In short, if a pair of pants or a jacket is marked A, AA, or AAA, it means the product has passed specific abrasion, tear, and seam strength tests.
Of course, no piece of gear can protect you like an invisible shield. However, quality gear can significantly reduce the injuries your body may sustain in the event of an accident.
In SoHo Journal, we will occasionally touch on technical topics related to gear. However, our goal is not to confuse riders with technical terms, but to help them make informed decisions when choosing their gear.
This is exactly where the A, AA, and AAA levels come into play.
So, what is the difference between these levels?
Level A
Level A is the basic level of protection in motorcycle gear.
Although products in this class have passed specific safety tests, they meet lower strength requirements compared to AA and AAA levels.
Therefore, Level A does not mean “unsafe.” On the contrary, it offers much higher protection than ordinary everyday clothing.
However, the important point here is not how many cc the motorcycle has, but how much protection the rider wants.
After all, the asphalt does not distinguish between 125 cc, 500 cc, or 1250 cc.
Therefore, when choosing gear, many riders consider not only the minimum requirements but also how safe they want to feel.
A Note from the Rider
There is one sentence we hear often when chatting with riders at trade shows:
“I only ride in the city anyway.”
Yet, a significant number of motorcycle accidents occur at the places closest to our homes.
Therefore, when choosing gear, it is worth considering not only the distance you will travel but also the risks you may face.
Level AA
For many riders, this is exactly where things balance out.
Level AA offers a serious level of protection while maintaining everyday comfort.
You can use it both when commuting to work in the city and when riding hundreds of kilometers on the weekend.
Therefore, the level generally preferred by touring riders and many motorcycle users who travel long distances is Class AA.
This is also one of the questions we hear most often at the SoHo booth at trade shows:
“If AAA is safer, why doesn’t everyone use AAA?”
The answer is quite simple.
As protection increases, gear generally becomes heavier, thicker, and less practical for everyday use.
This is why, for many riders, Level AA represents the most balanced point between comfort, freedom of movement, and protection.
Level AAA
AAA is the highest level of protection within the standard.
It generally appears in gear where sporty riding, track use, or maximum durability is a priority.
Products at this level meet higher test requirements.
However, the level everyone needs in everyday life may not always be AAA.
The important thing is not to choose the highest level, but to regularly use the gear that suits your riding habits.
Conclusion
The right level of motorcycle gear is determined not by the motorcycle’s engine size, but by the rider’s expectations, riding habits, and acceptable level of risk.
While Level A may be a sufficient choice for some riders, others may prefer higher levels of protection. What matters here is knowing which standards the gear meets and making an informed choice.
SoHo Riders’ founding story actually stems from this very idea: to produce gear that means you do not have to choose between safety and everyday use.
As SoHo Riders, we believe that gear selection is not just about laboratory results.
Gear should protect you while also encouraging you to use it in everyday life.
Because the safest gear sitting in the garage cannot protect you as much as the gear you are wearing.
In our next article, we will touch on one of the topics riders are most curious about:
“What Does AA Certified Motorcycle Pants Mean?”
SoHo Journal Note
This article has been prepared for riders who want to make informed choices about motorcycle gear.
In SoHo Journal, we cover topics related to motorcycle life from a rider’s perspective, from safety standards and gear selection to long-distance riding experiences and real user stories.
Author: Soho Riders Team
An Example: Falcon’s Measured Values
To make the meaning of the classes more concrete, a real measurement is useful. SoHo Riders Falcon was tested by an independent laboratory under Class AA. The values below are taken from the technical assessment report in the annex of EU-Type Examination Certificate No. 88080717.
| Zone | Abrasion resistance | Seam strength (required / measured) |
| Zone 1 — highest risk | 412 rpm | 8 / 9 N/mm |
| Zone 2 | 265 rpm | 8 / 14 N/mm |
| Zone 3 | 147 rpm | 6 / 6 N/mm |
The measured values for tear strength across six samples ranged from 47.17 N to 69.34 N; the lower limit required by the standard for Zones 1 and 2 is 40 N, and for Zone 3, it is 30 N.
Related Product
You can see the construction described in this article in the Falcon: EN 17092-3:2020 Class AA certified, 13 oz denim with para-aramid panels and EN 1621-1 Level 2 knee and hip protection included in the price.
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