Magnetic recording tape media having low abrasivity and reliable media performance

A magnetic recording medium including a non-magnetic substrate and a magnetic coating. The non-magnetic substrate defines a front side and a backside. The magnetic coating is formed over the front side and is characterized by an Abrasivity Index of not greater than 350 microinches. In one preferred embodiment, the magnetic coating includes a lower layer formed on the front side of the substrate, and an upper layer formed over the lower layer. In this regard, the upper layer includes a magnetic metal particle dispersed in a binder and otherwise provides the Abrasivity Index. In another embodiment, the magnetic recording medium is a DLT tape.