LS2 Acrux boots review | I’ve walked almost as far as I’ve ridden in these boots

4 out of 5

LS2 Acrux Boots

from Sportsbike Shop
£114.00 View offer
Updated: 31 July 2024

I was surprised to learn that LS2 were making riding gear as well as the excellent-value helmets they’ve previously been known for, and thought I’d bag a pair of these Acrux boots to see what the deal was. Like the firm’s lids, they’re on the cheaper end of the market, but they don’t lack features either, so I was curious to see how they’d stack up in the real world against other urban boots. It’s safe to say I’ve been impressed… read on to find out why.

If you’re unsure whether casual boots are the best choice for you, MCN’s motorcycle boots buying guide can help you to decide which style of boots is best for you.

Expert rating:

4.0
Tried and tested by Gareth Evans for six months and 2,500 miles

Pros

  • Comfortable to ride and walk in for extended periods
  • Very light and breathable
  • Handy lace strap and gear change protector

Cons

  • They're not waterproof
  • Pricing puts the up against better boots that are discounted to the same price
  • Not fully CE rated to level 2
  • Comfort
    4.0
  • Looks
    3.0
  • Quality
    4.0
  • Protection
    3.0
  • Value
    4.0
  • Verdict
    4.0
Contruction Cordura Fabric
Type Light casual street boot
CE rating 1 2 2 1
Armour Hell, ankle, toe box
  • Sweat absorbing insole
  • Velcro and lace closure
  • Soft mesh construction

Are the LS2 Acrux boots comfortable?

I feel like I’ve walked almost as far as I’ve ridden in these boots, because I often wear them for work days, commuting on the bike and then spending 8-9 hours treading around the office, out on photo shoots, lunchtime walks, and I’ve also used them as my sole (pun intended) footwear on a bike launch, navigating airport, launch, hotel and evening out.

Suffice to say they’ve really impressed me as far as comfort goes, because I simply wouldn’t have done that otherwise.

I think it’s a ringing endorsement of boot if you’re happy to wear it regardless of whether you’re riding or not. They’re very light, which definitely helps, and I like the comfortable mesh liner, but they’re nicely supported too, with a reinforced heel and ankle.

LS2 Acrux Boots lace and velcro

One feature I’m a big fan of when riding is the lace strap, which keeps my laces away from footpegs, gear and brake levers. The laces themselves are easy to tighten and strong, with no fraying evident during my test.

There’s also a gear change protector patch on the left boot.

Do the LS2 Acrux boots look good?

These urban-style boots aren’t going to win any fashion contests, but they’re not a bad-looking item and I’ve been happy enough to wear them day to day. They’re definitely on the casual side of the spectrum, but worn with a pair of jeans, few people will recognise they’re riding boots at all. I’ve had comments to that effect.

Are the LS2 Acrux boots good quality?

These boots haven’t put a foot wrong (pun also intended) in many senses. They look like they’ll do another 2.5k miles easily enough, with minimal wear on the sole considering how much I’ve walked in them, and all the fastenings are showing zero signs of fatigue.

The only negative here is that I can emphatically say they’re not waterproof, despite the ‘spring, summer and autumn’ classification that LS2 give them. I’ve ridden in rainstorms in them and had to dry them out afterwards.

LS2 Acrux Boots toe pad

Do the LS2 Acrux boots offer good protection?

At this price point something’s got to give, and indeed while they’re well supported in the ankle, heel and toe box, these boots carry a CE rating of 1 for height and transverse rigidity, meaning they could be better in both respects. However, they do have a rating of 2 for abrasion resistance and impact cut, so I can’t mark them down too heavily in this regard, particularly given their casual, everyday nature.

Are the LS2 Acrux boots good value for your money?

The pricing of these boots seems pretty fair to me. While you can certainly get superior boots discounted to roughly the same price, they slightly undercut their direct rivals, including the £129.99 Falco Airforce and the £124.99 Forma Milano. The other competition comes in the form of the £129.99 Eleveit Town (although they do claim to be a waterproof boot, putting them a step ahead).

These are the first of this particular style of boots that we have reviewed so far but we have considered the comparable products for you.

Price: £194.74 (was £204.99)
Tested by Carl Stevens for 18 months

"In all my years of riding, I have yet to find a riding shoe as comfortable as the Speedforce from Alpinestars. They are modelled on a running shoe and they certainly feel like it, offering a similar level of contour and cushioning (with an 8mm drop) to a standard shoe. Although it sounds like
a gimmick, this truly does make them an absolute must if I’m going for a ride and a full day out, where I know that I’m going to be doing a load of walking too."

"Not only do the Alpinestars look great, but they’ve also held up well, with the bottom of the shoe (which is impressively grippy thanks to the design of the lugs) taking tens of thousands of miles of abuse both on foot and on two wheels, without wearing out excessively and losing any grip.
My pair of Speedforce shoes have been through just about every element and offer decent levels of ventilation on a toasty day, although there is absolutely no water resistance if you get caught in a shower."

"They have even been subjected to multiple washes yet they haven’t faltered once, while the additional Softprene slip sock construction, which makes it quick and easy to get your foot in and keep it secure, hasn’t sagged at all. Although the shoes feel sturdy on my feet and come equipped with a Transversal Protection Frame (basically a metal bar and midsole reinforcement) alongside reinforced toe and heal protection it is evident that they don’t offer the same protection as a full-length boot – instead they offer what I believe is a cracking trade-off between comfort and safety.
My only niggles come from the laces which could do with a little compartment to tuck in the excess (they’re a bit long) while the internal shifting pad feels a bit too soft and I’d like a bit more support on upshifts."

"Aside from that, they’re a cracking little pair of boots that tick all the right boxes for me, in terms of style, substance and protection. Oh, and as an extra bonus if you’re a bit shorter they also offer a few extra millimetres of height for tiptoeing on taller bikes!"

Pros

  • Most comfortable boots i've tried so far
  • Hardwearing grippy soles

Cons

  • Not at all waterproof
  • Could use somewhere to keep the laces away from footpegs
  • Quality
    4.0
  • Value
    3.0
Type Casual urban boots
Armour Ankle, toe and heel
Construction strong abrasion and tear-resistant textile
  • Internal gear shifting pad
  • OrthoLite insock
  • TPU shanks and a PU Midsole
  • TPF (Transversal Protection Frame) forefoot front transversal metal bar
  • High grip sole lugs
The Forma Milano boots are a textile boot with air mesh lining. These boots have TPU ankle protection an a reinforced heel and toe area. PP Mid-Dual Flex with anti-shock EVA midsole with a replaceable antibacterial footbed and rubber sole. There is a gear pad to protect the boot and the boot has eyelet lace up closure.
These causal boots are made from a durable fabric outer with E-Dry waterproof membrane lining. They have a lace up closure and feature a very light sole with a groove pattern tread to ensure good grip. The Eva midsole provides maximum lightness and shock absorption.

So what’s the overall verdict?

If you are after some great-value, modern-looking lightweight casual summer riding boots that you can wear all day long, on and off the bike, then these are definitely worth a shot.

Expert rating:

4.0
Tried and tested by Gareth Evans for six months and 2,500 miles

Pros

  • Comfortable to ride and walk in for extended periods
  • Very light and breathable
  • Handy lace strap and gear change protector

Cons

  • They're not waterproof
  • Pricing puts the up against better boots that are discounted to the same price
  • Not fully CE rated to level 2
  • Comfort
    4.0
  • Looks
    3.0
  • Quality
    4.0
  • Protection
    3.0
  • Value
    4.0
  • Verdict
    4.0
Contruction Cordura Fabric
Type Light casual street boot
CE rating 1 2 2 1
Armour Hell, ankle, toe box
  • Sweat absorbing insole
  • Velcro and lace closure
  • Soft mesh construction

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