The definitive European standard for protective motorcycle footwear is EN 13634:2017. This standard classifies motorcycle boots as Category 2 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), meaning they must pass a series of independent tests to verify their protective qualities before they can be legally sold as such in Europe.
Understanding this certification is not just about compliance; it's about knowing precisely how a boot is designed to protect you. The EN 13634 standard ensures footwear has been rigorously tested for abrasion, impact, and structural integrity in crash-specific scenarios.
What is EN 13634:2017?
A Mandate for Rider Safety
The EN 13634:2017 standard is a key part of the European Union's requirements for CE (Conformité Européenne) marking on protective motorcycle gear.
It is not an optional guideline. For a manufacturer to legally claim a boot offers protection for motorcyclists, it must be tested and certified to this standard by an independent body.
Category 2 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
This classification is reserved for equipment designed to protect against "medium" risks.
Unlike simple Category 1 PPE (like gardening gloves), Category 2 products require independent testing to verify their protective claims, giving you a high degree of confidence in the product's safety performance.
The Core Tests: What Certification Actually Means
Certification is a guarantee of performance. To earn the EN 13634:2017 label, footwear must pass a battery of tests that simulate the forces involved in a motorcycle accident.
Resistance to Abrasion
This critical test measures how long the boot's outer material can withstand being scraped against an abrasive surface, simulating a slide on asphalt. This determines how well the boot will protect your skin from being worn away in a crash.
Resistance to Impact Cutting
A blade is dropped onto the boot from a set height to test its ability to resist penetration. This test evaluates the boot's capacity to shield your foot from sharp objects you might encounter on the road or from parts of the motorcycle itself.
Transverse Rigidity
This may be the most important test. The boot is compressed laterally across the sole to measure its resistance to crushing forces. A high level of transverse rigidity prevents your foot from being crushed under the weight of the bike in an accident.
Sole Integrity
Two separate tests are performed on the sole. One measures its resistance to abrasion, while the other checks how securely it is attached to the upper part of the boot (delamination). This ensures the sole won't wear through or be torn off during a slide.
Internal Durability
Even the inner lining is tested for its resistance to abrasion using the Martindale method. This ensures the inside of the boot can withstand prolonged use without wearing through, maintaining comfort and structural integrity.
Understanding the Ratings: Level 1 vs. Level 2
Passing the standard isn't a simple yes-or-no result. For most key tests, there are two levels of protection.
What the Numbers Mean
A Level 1 rating signifies that the boot meets the minimum required safety standard for protection.
A Level 2 rating indicates a higher level of performance, offering more protection in that specific test. For example, a Level 2 abrasion rating means the material survived the test for a significantly longer duration than the Level 1 requirement.
How to Find the Rating
Certified boots have a permanent label, typically sewn inside the tongue or ankle. This label includes a pictogram of a motorcyclist and a series of four numbers (e.g., 2 2 1 2). Each number corresponds to a specific test result, showing you exactly how that boot performed.
Making the Right Choice for Your Riding
Use the certification label to match the boot's performance to your needs.
- If your primary focus is maximum safety for track or aggressive street riding: Seek footwear with Level 2 ratings across all categories, especially for abrasion resistance and transverse rigidity.
- If your primary focus is urban commuting or casual touring: A boot with a solid Level 1 rating provides essential, certified protection that is vastly superior to non-specialist footwear.
- If your primary focus is validation: Always look for the permanent label inside the boot that explicitly states EN 13634:2017 and shows the performance ratings.
Choosing certified footwear is one of the most critical gear decisions you can make.
Summary Table:
| Key Aspect | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Governing Standard | EN 13634:2017 |
| PPE Category | Category 2 (Independently tested) |
| Core Tests | Abrasion, Impact Cutting, Transverse Rigidity, Sole Integrity |
| Protection Levels | Level 1 (Minimum) and Level 2 (Higher Performance) |
| How to Verify | Look for the permanent label with the standard and performance numbers inside the boot. |
Ready to Equip Riders with Certified Safety?
As a large-scale manufacturer, 3515 produces a comprehensive range of certified safety footwear for distributors, brand owners, and bulk clients. Our production capabilities encompass all types of protective shoes and boots, including models designed to meet and exceed the EN 13634:2017 standard.
We ensure your products deliver the highest levels of protection, quality, and reliability that riders depend on.
Contact us today to discuss your manufacturing needs and let's build safer gear together.
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