Motorcycle boots buying guide | MCN's top picks and pro tips to step up your ride in 2024

Motorcycle boots might be worn at the lowest part of your body, but that doesn’t make them the lowest priority thing to buy when considering your riding kit. Yes, they can make your feet feel like they’re in a vice grip at first, and they’re nowhere near as glamorous as a leather jacket, nor a legal requirement like a motorcycle helmet.

But your feet are one of the most vulnerable parts of your body while riding, and the stats don’t lie. Studies from the CDC and NHTSA have found that some of the most common motorcycle injuries happen to the lower legs and feet, and a good pair of riding boots go a long way to reducing that risk. Whether you’re learning to ride, or blazing around the track for the umpteenth time, riding boots should be a top consideration.

The Best Motorcycle Boots at a Glance:

• Urban – Forma Hyper Dry
• Touring – Daytona Roadstar Pro GTX
• Sports – Alpinestars Supertech R
• Adventure – Alpinestars Corozal Drystar
• Ladies Fit – Forma Ladies Eva

Though when you start looking, you realise there’s a dizzying amount of choice on the market if you’re after a pair of motorcycle boots. You can find them made for every style of riding imaginable; from urban scooter commuting to on/off road dual-sport adventures, racing on track days, and everything in between. But who’s tested them? What are they like to live with every day? And do they live up to the purpose they were designed for?

Here at MCN, we’ve tested hundreds of different boots for thousands of miles each, and our expert reviews help shed some light on what these boots are actually like, based on real life experiences. We’ve proven that many boots on the market aren’t nearly as good as they claim to be, and that the real gems can be hard to come by.

Best Deals at a Glance

• 25% off Alpinestars SMX-6 V2 Drystar Boots – was £269.99, now £202.49
• 10% off Sidi Adventure 2 Gore-Tex Boots – was £349.99, now £314.99
• 5% off Alpinestars Web Gore-Tex Boots – was £219.99, now £208.99

That’s why we’ve scoured through our expert reviews to bring you the best motorcycle boots, as rated by MCN. This guide is here to steer you in the right direction by showcasing some of MCN’s favourite boots, and providing helpful advice on what to look for in a good motorcycle boot. You can find more detail in our specific MCN buyer’s guides, and in-depth reviews from our expert testers.

So let’s get into our favourite boots, as tried and tested by MCN:

Jump to:

• Urban boots
• Touring boots
• Sports & track boots
• Adventure boots
• Ladies fit boots
• What to look for when buying motorcycle boots
• Frequently asked questions
• How MCN tests boots

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Urban Boots

Urban motorcycle boots offer a relaxed, casual style that’s designed to look and feel great – both on and off the bike. Undeniably safer than a set of trainers but just as comfortable, they’re a winning combo for riding out in the city streets, and suburban sprawl. You should expect less protection compared to full-sized boots, but urban boots are a practical and versatile choice for casual riding. You’ll often find waterproofing on offer too, which makes it quite tempting to replace your regular trainers with them in the winter months. Here’s some of our favourites:

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Touring boots

Nobody likes wet feet, especially when there’s over a hundred miles to go before reaching camp for the night. That’s when you’d want to reach for a good touring boot. They can make a world of difference when the weather takes an unexpected turn, keeping the heat in and the water out, and offering a higher level of protection for higher road speeds. They’re highly practical, protective boots that will keep you comfortable during long days in the saddle, or for cold winter commutes. If you want to kick wet feet to the curb once and for all, these are some of the best options right now:

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Sports & Track boots

If you plan on riding fast, especially for track days, good sportsbike kit is a must. More speed means more danger, and sports or track boots are designed to give you the maximum possible safety. You can’t ignore the restriction of movement that comes as a result, but they can turn a potentially serious injury into a lucky break if you’re caught in a high-speed slide. That’s why if you feel the need for speed, these are some of the best boots to consider:

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Adventure boots

If you’re heading out for the likes of the Sahara or Siberian, you’re going to be looking for some quality adventure kit to see you through. Good adventure boots combine the all-day-comfort of touring boots with the protection of motocross boots, offering a good balance of both that’s ideal for a mix of riding trails and cruising motorways. If you’re riding from tarmac to turf on the regular, these are some of the best adventure boots to consider:

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Ladies fit boots

If you wish there was more choice for good kit in ladies fit, you aren’t alone. You can always try your luck with a unisex pair of boots, but very few will fit as well as a dedicated version designed for women. That’s why we’ve put together our list of the best motorcycle boots in ladies fit, as tested by MCN’s female road testers:

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Protection

As with all kits designed to offer protection, motorcycle boots are subject to CE approval and undergo a series of tests in order to be certified. The three main tests are for abrasion resistance, impact cut and transverse rigidity, where a boot can score either Level 1 for a basic pass or, if they exceed that, Level 2. These results will be printed on the label in that order, along with a pictogram of a bike and rider to show that the item is intended for use on a motorcycle.

Abrasion resistance – The ability of a boot to survive during a slide
Impact cut – how well the construction holds up to penetration by a sharp object
Transverse rigidity – the structural strength when subjected to a sideways crushing force

There are currently two CE standards for motorcycle boots, EN 13634:2015 and EN 13634:2017. The main difference between the two is that the more recent includes a separate provision for boot height. Any boot certified to EN 13634:2017 will show four scores on the label, with the first being either 1 (for short boots) or 2 (full height).

Manufacturers can also request that their boots are subjected to additional tests in order to receive further accreditation. If a pass is achieved, the relevant marking codes from the following list will appear on the label.

IPA – ankle impact protection
IPS – shin impact protection
WR – resistance to water penetration
FO – resistance to fuel oil
WAD – water absorption/desorption of the insole/sock
B – upper permeability to water vapour (breathability)
SRA, SRB or SRC – slip resistance

Ventilation

Keeping your feet cool can be paramount to comfort on a hot day. There are two methods of encouraging airflow around a boot-enshrouded foot, either by engineered intake and outlet ports or perforated panels. Both are effective, even more so when combined.

Waterproofing

There’s nothing worse than wet feet, so if you’re likely to ride in the rain a lot, waterproof boots are a must. Thanks to technologically advanced membranes such as Gore-Tex, Hipora, Drystar and the like, waterproofing and breathability are not mutually exclusive, so it is possible to have the best of both worlds. Many boots don’t live up to their waterproof ratings though, so make sure to read some reviews on the boots you’re considering if that’s important to you.

Fastenings

Zips, clasps, laces or Velcro? It’s mostly down to preference which kind you go for, but most boots feature a combination of different closure methods. Each type has its perks; Velcro and zips are by far the easiest to use, laces are highly adjustable, and clasps offer the most protective fit.

Gear change pad

If you’re riding a manual bike, some kind of reinforcement on the top of the boot for up-changes can be a good feature to look for – you might get sore toes without them, or you could find a nice hole in the boot after a few thousand miles of riding. This could be a dedicated gear change pad, or a double-layer of material over the toe section of the boot. Some of the urban styles may not feature one as they’re more suited to scootering, so bear this in mind before you buy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I ride a motorbike with normal shoes?

Of course, how you ride is up to you, and that includes whether you want ride with motorcycle boots or not. It can be tempting to go without, and if we’re honest many of us start out riding in normal shoes. But it shouldn’t be a surprise to hear that they won’t protect you while riding – that’s the main reason to wear motorcycle boots, but it’s a damn good one. You only need to suffer road rash once before you’ll swear by your protective kit, and good motorcycle boots can save you from years of ankle rehabilitation should the worst happen. In our books, it’s just not worth the risk to go without.

Even besides safety, normal shoes can be more uncomfortable to ride in compared to a good pair of motorcycle boots. Shifting up gears can wear your toes out pretty quick, and you won’t have any protection from the cold rainy weather either – few things will suck the joy out of riding quicker than wet feet.

Do I need steel-toe cap boots for motorcycling?

They’re often nicknamed “safety boots”, but steel toe cap boots aren’t designed to protect against motorcycle related injuries – they’ll work well enough if you run over your foot while wheeling your bike into the garage, but not if it traps your leg in a high speed slide down the motorway.

Safety boots are tested to a different CE standard, and that means they aren’t rated for abrasion resistance, impact cut, or transverse rigidity, which makes them more dangerous to ride with than a dedicated pair of motorcycle boots.

Lots of motorcycle boots today borrow protective elements from safety boots, such as steel toe caps, non-slip soles, water resistance, and more. But, they aren’t the same thing, and shouldn’t be used interchangeably.

Should motorcycle boots be tight?

Motorcycle boots need to fit snugly in order to protect you, and the additional protective elements mean they can feel a bit tight at first – especially when they haven’t been broken in yet. This is normal for a lot of motorcycle boots though; as long as they’re not restricting blood flow, it’s nothing to worry about. They should feel secure, without strangling your toes, when the fit is just right.

If your motorcycle boots feel more like ski boots at first, try adjusting the laces and/or straps a bit – that might be all they need to start feeling comfortable. In our experience, riding trainers are very comfortable, and make a great starter boot if you can’t get used to the feel of full size motorcycle boots.

Should I size up or down in motorcycle boots?

As a general rule, you shouldn’t need to size up or down in your motorcycle boots. However, different boots fit differently for different people, so it’s always worth checking. Sportsbikeshop offer advice from their customers, reporting whether a certain boot tends to fit smaller or larger than usual, and we always mention it in our expert reviews if it’s relevant too. But if all else fails, try before you buy, and make sure you’re wearing the right size before putting lots of miles in them.

Can I use motorcycle boots for other activities?

Motorcycle boots are designed for motorcycling first, but they’re often just as practical and stylish off the bike too. We always mention this if it’s relevant in our boot reviews, as many motorcycle boots work great for casual use – once you’ve tried fully waterproof riding trainers, it’s hard to go back to your regular ones when winter comes.

However, they shouldn’t replace your work boots; anti-slip soles and steel toe caps are both key features found in many motorcycle boots, but they aren’t designed for use in kitchens, or construction sites, and they could put you at risk if you wear them there.

How do I look after motorcycle boots?

Looking after your motorcycle boots depends on the specific boots you have, so the best way to know for sure is to read the instructions in the box – they’re always there, and they’re always accurate. As a general rule though, leather boots are the only ones to watch out for, since they’ll need periodic treatment with some conditioning cream to keep them performing at their best. A bit of waterproof spray can help when boots rated for waterproofing start to get a bit leaky too.

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How MCN tests boots

Here at MCN, we make it our mission to help you find the right kit for you, at the right price for your budget. We don’t crash test (on purpose), nor lab test; there’s no substitute for just putting in the miles with them. We test our boots the same way you’ll use yours, by riding. And, we make sure to put at least 1000 miles in them before sharing our findings. Our word is backed by hundreds of thousands of miles in the saddle collectively, but our recommendations come from each tester individually.

While testing, we predominantly focus on comfort, looks, build quality, protection, and value. When we write up our full reviews, we’ll give each pair of boots a rating out of five stars in each of these categories, and offer a final verdict too. This page is only for the best riding boots, so every pair you’ll see has been awarded at least four stars overall – that’s the passing grade – but here’s what each score really means:

• 1 star – Poor performance in this category or overall. A boot with a single star rating has fallen below the expected standard and should be avoided.
• 2 stars – Basic performance in this area or overall. A boot with a two-star rating has managed to perform to a barely acceptable level, and there is much room for improvement.
• 3 stars – An average performance in this area or overall. A boot with a three-star rating has achieved a basic level of performance and is deemed adequate.
• 4 stars – A boot has performed over and above the accepted averaged in this category or overall. A boot with a four-star rating has surpassed expectation and delivered in a particularly impressive way.
• 5 stars – A boot has performed at the highest possible level in a particular category or overall. A boot with a five-star rating has delivered to the highest possible level, impressing the tester with its performance. We would happily spend our own money on it.

To find out more, head to our dedicated page explaining how we test motorcycle products.

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