The present invention relates to abrasive composites having improved abrasive particle retention due to unique coating designs. The present invention describes coated abrasive particles having tortuous surface topography, a process for producing such coated abrasive particles, and products comprising such coated abrasive particles. The coated abrasive particles have an outer layer coating with highly tortuous surface comprising about 5 spikes and have a tortuosity of at least about 1.1. The coated abrasive particles may be used in composites including metal/metal alloy matrix composites, ceramic/glass matrix composites, and polymer based matrix composites.