Leather is still the benchmark for abrasion resistance in motorcycle racing — nothing else matches its combination of slide time, tear strength and puncture resistance. AT1 offers two leathers, and the choice is about how you ride, not which is 'better'.
High-density cowhide
The standard. Top-grain cowhide is thick, durable and proven across decades of racing at every level. It's the more affordable option and handles the abuse of regular track days, club racing and the occasional slide without complaint.
- Proven abrasion and tear performance
- More affordable — the default for most riders
- Slightly heavier and stiffer when new; breaks in over a few sessions
Kangaroo Elite
Kangaroo hide has the highest tensile strength-to-weight ratio of any leather used in racing. That means equivalent abrasion protection at significantly lower weight and thinner profile — which is why it's the choice in professional paddocks.
- Higher tensile strength at lower weight
- Thinner profile — better feel and mobility, less fatigue on long sessions
- Premium price — selected in the configurator as the Kangaroo Elite option
The parts that aren't leather
Neither leather stretches — so both builds rely on Keprotec Kevlar-based stretch panels at the inner arms, crotch, backs of the knees and along the torso sides. That's what lets a snug race fit move with you instead of fighting you, and it's the same on cowhide and kangaroo suits.
Which should you choose?
Track days and club racing on a budget: cowhide does everything you need. Racing competitively, riding in heat, or chasing every gram and every millimetre of feel: kangaroo earns its premium. Both are CE-certified — you're not trading safety either way.