Suppose you are riding, and your left foot operates the gear shifter by pressing it down. Suddenly, your feet slip at the wrong moment because your boots are not right. Yes, it might happen to you or anyone else if you don't invest time and attention in buying a quality pair of boots.
You need good grip and precision while riding your motorcycle with your foot on the foot pegs. So, what exactly should you look for while buying the best motorcycle boots?
In this blog, we will walk you through all the necessary factors to consider when buying motorcycle boots. Let’s begin with some essential aspects.
Also Read: Motorcycle Riding Boots: Short Vs. Long
Key Factors to Consider When Buying Motorcycle Boots
An ideal motorcycle boot comes with an extensive range of essential features, including ankle protection to safety certification. Let's explore them to make your next motorcycle boot investment worth it.
1. Premium Manufacturing
This is the first factor you should consider when buying motorcycle boots. Manufacturing material involves various other aspects, including safety, protection from wear and tear and weather. It decides how those boots feel on your foot.
Leather is the most popular among boots as a manufacturing material. It promises abrasion resistance and long-term durability, feels good on the skin, and protects from chilly Australian winters. However, there are different choices among leather itself. You can opt for full-grain leather, often combined with reinforced materials like Gore-Tex, TPU, or rubber.
Microfiber leather is synthetic and made from polyester fibres coated with polyurethane; it feels like real leather and provides a sturdy construction to your boots.
2. Safety Elements
Imagine investing a decent sum of money in your motorcycle boots, and they fail to protect your feet in a mishap. Save yourself from disappointment by looking at the safety features of your next boots.
- Double Stitching: What if you are trying to move your foot across the foot peg, and the stitching of your boots starts to tear? This is why you need tough and heavy stitching in all high-wear and high-pressure areas to withstand friction from movements.
- Ankle and Toe Protection: Impacts and abrasions are unexpected. Ankle and toe protection safeguards your feet from spraining or twisting during a crash. It provides the structural support, adds to comfort, and is designed to absorb shocks.
- Encapsulated Heel Cup: Proper heel protection can maintain your position on the foot pegs and give you good control of vital riding functions, like navigating turns or shifting weight. Moreover, the heel is a vulnerable region, and if it's properly supported, it can prevent strain during long-period rides and contribute to comfort.
- Reinforced Plastic Shin: Shin refers to the region between the knee and the ankle – a key area for balance and support during a ride. Look for the reinforced plastic shin to get protection in case of accidents and potential injuries. The high-quality reinforced materials, plastic or composite, behave as a protective barrier. This can deflect or divert the impact forces.
- CE-Certification: CE-certification is a must-check. Your motorcycle boots must comply with the required safety standards and criteria to handle accidents or any unfortunate situations. A CE-certified motorcycle boot has good abrasion resistance, provides tough, quality manufacturing material, and everything else you need to stay safe.
- Slip-Resistance: Whether you are stopping your bike, applying the rear brakes, or crossing challenging paths, your motorcycle boots need to have slip-resistance to get better grip and traction for your ride. In wet weather conditions or excessive heat where your feet can get sweaty, a good sole with slip-resistant properties can save you.
3. Size and Adjustability
The Brannock device can be used to measure your shoe size and compare it with a brand's size chart. This device can determine the size of your foot arch, width, and length. The main concern with a foot size is the width, while many people are confident with length and arch size. Excessive looseness and over-tight shoes can be problematic and be a possible obstruction in your adventure, causing stress and discomfort to your foot area.
4. Types of Boots
Based on what type of rider you are, what your upcoming riding plans are, or the purpose of your ride, you can decide on the type of motorcycle boots. Let's explore some of the most popular motorcycle boots that every rider should know.
Adventure Boots
If you want to explore the Oxley Highway or journey along the Great Alpine Road, adventure boots have got your back. They are usually made of full-grain leather or synthetic fabric with heavy stitching to endure tough riding situations. Equipped with solid features like reinforced protection, heels and toes encapsulation, and deep tread patterns, adventure motorcycle boots are made to bear all riding conditions.
Tuff Gear Motorcycle Waterproof Cowhide Leather Adventure Riding Boots are manufactured with full-grain oiled cowhide leather, offering high durability and comfort. It is equipped with a premium YKK zipper and a replaceable plastic buckle to adjust according to your size. Ready for any adventurous ride, these boots have reflective material at the back, suitable for night riding.
Touring Boots
Touring boots are everything you need to log long distances on your motorcycle, such as double stitching to prevent wear and tear, sturdy leather shift pads for long-term use, and a durable internal toe pull tab. They are made more practical than adventure boots and are helpful for daily commute and long-haul and steady tours. Flexibility is a must-have feature in a touring boot to increase foot mobility for long durations and allow freedom of movement for different foot actions.
Tuff Gear Motorcycle Cruiser Touring Waterproof Microfiber Leather Boots are super-flexible, set up with thermoplastic reinforced internal toe and heel, and internal ankle protection for all-around safety. They have an HD reflective strip at the back for low-visibility rides, and come with a waterproof construction to keep going during lengthy rides.
Racing Boots
If you are a racing enthusiast, get a pair of motorcycle racing boots designed for high-speed and competitive riding. Slightly different from sports boots, these offer strong grip and control over the ride, powerful slip resistance, and torsional support. Racing boots are ideal for the unexpected and sudden conditions.
Tuff Gear Motorcycle Waterproof Sport Racing Boots - Racing 4 features a removable metal toe slider and a wholly encapsulated heel cup for abrasion protection and comfort. These are waterproof and windproof to keep your competitive spirit high.
Short Boots
Short boots are easy to put on and take off, making them highly convenient. They are lightweight and flexible, ideal for long and short trips, daily commutes, or even walking during stops. If you don't have much time to get ready and are looking for something stylish, short boots can be an option.
Tuff Gear Leather Motorcycle Short Boots - TG3 is made with a powerful blend of high-quality cowhide leather with a polyester lining. It has an adjustable D-Ring Strap for easy wear and take off, reinforced ankle region for protection, and a nylon-infused sole for shock absorption.
5. Comfort Factor
Various factors come together to make a motorcycle boot comfortable. Flexibility, breathability, and ergonomic fit play the most crucial role, and everything else complements them. Whatever the weather is, allow your skin to breathe with a good quality, breathable fabric. High-quality leather offers optimal ventilation. Mesh panels can improve air circulation throughout the foot. Features like adjustable D-Ring straps enable wide flexibility to the wearer.
Key Takeaways
- The search for the best motorcycle boots begins with the right manufacturing material. You can opt for full-grain leather, microfiber, or any suitable textile material as per your requirement.
- From slip-resistance, CE certification, to encapsulated heel cup, and reinforced plastic shin, your boots need safety elements.
- Check if your motorcycle boots fit you well by measuring your foot size in a Brannock device.
- Choose your preferred style among adventure, touring, sports, and short boots. All of them offer some similar or niche-specific features.
- Prioritise comfort by considering breathability and ergonomic fit.
Mohammad Akhtar