Motorcycle Boots Buyers’ Guide

Having the right motorcycle gear is essential in keeping yourself, from your feet to your head, safe from the harsh elements you may experience during a ride. When you make sure you’ve got the proper gear, you’re not only ensuring your safety, but you’re making an investment that will (and should) last you for years to come.

Here are some tips on how to buy the best motorcycle boots for you:

1. Material – There’s a reason why bikers prefer leather: it’s got high abrasion resistance that’s essential in keeping your feet protected and won’t disintegrate quickly when/if it’s exposed to pavement at a high speed. You can also find boots with double layers of leather, textile, or even plastic sliders. For maximum weather resistance, choose treated leather.

2. Protection – Make sure the boots you choose have adequate padding to protect your foot on the inside as well. Choose boots that have padding along the side of the foot or on the outside of the ankle. It’ll be useful for those times when you’re leaning on your side during the ride. If you’re worried about clean up, some boots offer removable padding inserts that can be taken out if/when need be. Padding is also great for absorbing vibration from the bike transferred to your legs and feet. Constant vibration from the ride causes rider’s fatigue. Make sure your boots have a good heel to keep your feet anchored onto the bike for balance. They’ll hook onto your bike’s foot pegs and will keep them from sliding off when you’re shifting or breaking.

3. Length and height – The higher the cuff on the boot, the more protected your feet and ankles will be. The longer cuff also means you’ll be ready for any type of weather – from floods to snow. Adequate height offers better support for your ankles and is especially effective in protecting them from getting scraped up in case of a slide.

4. Comfort – Don’t get stuck on style. While biker boots may look ultra cool, remember, they still need to be comfortable too. When it comes to motorcycle boots, comfort can take on different meanings. Remember that these are meant for riding and not for walking so don’t expect it to be a great pair of walking shoes when it performs well on your bike. Motorcycle boots are designed to be stiff and tough so it provides comfort when you are on your bike and stuck in one position for hours.

5. Weather protection – It’s no secret that wearing leather in hot weather isn’t fun, so make sure your have motorcycle boots are good for the summer by purchasing ones that provide sufficient ventilation on the sides or tops of the feet that can be opened or closed depending on the climate. If you are buying motorcycle boots for wet terrain, get those that have waterproof membranes like Gore-Tex or SympaTex. Different motorcycle boots exist for different riding conditions and different uses, so get ones that fit your specific need.