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Motorcycle Boots
If your mate can pull off your motorcycle boots then imagine what would happen when you come off doing 40 mph?!! Riding Boots protect your feet from
the elements, notibly wet weather, they protect your shins and feet from knocks and bumps, but most importantly they offer you additional
protection if you have an accident. Motorbike boots look like your average boot, with the main difference being the shorter heel to allow
the rider to maintain control on the bike.
Learn all about motorcycle boots in the following sections:
- The types of motorcycle boots
- Motorcycle boot buying tips
- Where to buy motorcycle boots NOTE: You can actually buy your boot in this section!
- How to find that perfect fit
- Boot size Conversions
Types of Motorcycle Boots
Boots come in three materials: leather, rubber and plastic. Leather is stronger than the other materials and so offers you more protection, but plastic and rubber boots are cheaper and they are more waterproof than leather. The boot is generally 10-14 inches in height and this high design can be tightly wrapped around the riders calves and feet. Velcro is normally used on a lengthwise shaft to allow the rider to close the boot over the foot, ankle and calf. Some motorcycle boots also include an internal lacing system between a soft inner leg and the harder outer shell of the boot shaft for comfort and fit. There are also many types of boots that have been designed around the type of riding you are going to be doing (or the type of bike you're going to have):
Racing and Sportbikes
Racing boots are specifically designed for three things: the hard pavement; maximum flexibility for racing control and added protection and resistance to crush in the danger of injury at the high speeds needed for racing. The armoured protection on the boot is greater than other motorcycle boots and this extra padding can be found on all impact areas. The boot’s heel is not more than 1/2-inch, and the sole of the heel and foot is generally smooth.There is usually some kind of shin guard in the shin of the boot. Racers or street riders generally prefer black, otherwise riders generally opt for a color combination that matches the rest of their riding gear.
GET GEARED have two sportbike boots on sale:
- The PROBIKER Speedstar Boots are REDUCED by £60, going for £69.99
- The
SIDI Vertigo Corsa Professional Race Boots
are REDUCED by £10, going for £196.99.
TIP: look for boots with replaceable parts like toe sliders. A worn (but replaceable) tip from corners may prevent you having to fork out for a new pair of boots!
Touring and Commuting
When you are riding through exquisite country side, free as a bird, hanging out with your mates at stops on the open road, or even making the daily trip to work - the last thing you want to be concerned about uncomfortable feet! The most important factor to consider when buying motorcycle boots for touring or commuting is on and off bike comfort. Touring boots are designed to be form fitting and comfortable. These boots also come with added protection around high impact areas but are not as extreme as the racing boots. Like all good motorcycle boots they are designed to prevent accidents while riding and so for example, do not have laces that could get caught around the gear shifter. The heel and foot is usually smooth, but not to the extent that the racing boot is. Unlike racing boots that come in a wide variety of colours, touring motorcycle boots are typically black.
GET GEARED have quite a few touring boots on sale:
- The CS Touring II Long Boots are REDUCED by £20, going for £60.00
- The
CYCLE SPIRIT Woman Motorcycle Touring Boots are REDUCED by £30,
going for £39.99. (Very few remaining)
- The
PROBIKER Sport RFX Boots are REDUCED by £20,
going for £79.95. (Very few remaining)
- The
DAYTONA Voyager GTX Boots are REDUCED by £40,
going for £139.99. (Very few remaining)
Cruising and Custom
If you are going to cruise, do it in style and find a pair of motorcycle boots that match your personality – and if you have had a custom bike built – well then even more reason to maintain that individuality! Most boots designed for cruising are black, but if you look hard enough you will find something more unique with your name all over it! In the past, cruisers wore a variety of multi-functional boots but there are boots specifically designed for cruisers these days. Unless custom built, cruisers generally have limited performance and turning ability because of a low slung design. As a result, cruiser boots are not built with as much extra protection as racing or touring boots, and the most important thing to consider when buying boots for cruising is comfort and style.
Motocross Boots
This boot is specifically designed for off-road, motocross (MX) or all-terrain vehicle riding. It is most like the racing boot in that it is highly technical and designed for protection at high speeds, but otherwise the motocross boot is much stiffer than the others to offer further protection to the riders feet and legs. The boot is nearly knee high and the uppers are set at an unusual angle for the riding position- these boots are certainly not built for a comfortable off-bike experience! Again, to help the rider get these snugly fit boots on and off the shaft is designed to open lengthwise. Usually multiple straps line the side of the boot so that the rider can tighten the boot futher once on. Most boots have a metal plate on the sole to protect it from rough terrain. There is also a shin pad at the front of the boot to protect the riders shin’s from injury. Motocross boots come in a variety of colours to match the rest of a riders gear. You may have noticed however, that trick riders often wear white boots to make their feet more visible.
GET GEARED have two motocross boots on sale:
- The SET UP Uno Motocross Boots are REDUCED by £30, going for £119.99
- The
SET UP Professional Motocross Boots are REDUCED by £30,
going for £139.99.
Motorcycle Boots Buying Tips
- The boots should have the following mark on them if they are from Europe: EN 13634 indicating that they have met the European safety standards
- Motorcycle oots are usually quality leather or man made Lorica. Leather offers better protection but Lorica are much more water resistent
- Get boots that are above ankle height to protect your ankle from injury from impact, pressure or burns. If you are serious about protection, find boots that are at least 160 mm high from the inner sole
- Make sure your boots fasten securely. This is a PRIORITY – if you can just pull them on, then think of how quickly they can just be pulled off in an accident
- Ensure that the boot has a shifter pad on the sole or heel shifts
- Look for a shoe that offers reinforced support for the ankle and shin area. These should be protected by a Carbon Kevlar material
- Armour in the way of foam padding and plastic shields absorb impact to protect your ankle bone and shin
- Try find motorcycle boots with thick abrasion resistant uppers where the leather is at least 2.5 mm thick
- Make sure that the sliders are secure and check how easy it is to get new ones
- Wear against gear levers damage the boots, so look for a pair that have extra layers on the main upper section
- Soles should be flexible lengthways but rigid width ways to protect your feet in the case of your bike falling on them
- Check the grip of the sole – make sure it is suitable for the terrain that you re going to be riding in
- Soles that are sewn rather than bonded onto the boot are stronger
- Soles should be at least 4mm thick (not including indents)
- Some motorcycle boots are hinged at the ankle which provides better protection and ease of movement off and on the bike
- Be wary of laces – if the boot does have them, check that they have been designed in a way that they will not get stuck in the gear shifter
- I would strongly suggest that you always buy highly water resistant gear, and although leather is also waterproof, don’t shy away from overboots in extremely wet weather if you are wearing leather! (I'm speaking from experience here :-)
- You could also buy a waterproofing treatment in winter to apply to the uppers to keep them dry
- Sliders are available on some waterproof motorcycle boots, so you could wear them all year round instead of having a winter and summer pair of boots
- Check that your boots are comfortable when worn with your normal riding gear
- Boots cost about £30 - £250
Where to Buy Motorcycle Boots
- SPORTS BIKE SHOP have a great selection of sport boots and you can search their product listings by make
- Sidi (Prices range from £134.99 - £206.99)
- Alpinestar (Prices range from £119.99 - £189.99)
- RST (Prices range from £69.99 - £89.99)
- GET GEARED also have a diverse selection of boots. They offer the following makes; CS, PROBIKER, DAYTONA, SIDI, STREETFIGHTER and SET UP. You can search their product listings by the following categories:
- Touring Motorcycle Boots (Prices range from £49.95 - £224.99)
- Sports Motorcycle Boots (Prices range from £129.99 - £206.99)
- Custom Cruiser Bike Boots (Prices range from £59.95 - £69.95)
- Streetfighter Urban Boots (Prices range from £24.99 - £49.95)
- Off Road Motocross Boots (Prices range from £119.99 - £139.99)
- You should also try eBay's listings
How to Find that Perfect Fit
- Motorcycle Boots generally mould to your foot, so don’t buy a boot that is too lose fitting or too tight, as this could make your feet go numb when it is cold
- You should be able to walk normally in the boots (motocross boots are the exception), climb stairs and pick things up from the floor. An inability to do this will mean that you will not be able to operate the controls effectively
- Your foot should never hang over from the edge of the sole. There should be at least 10mm clearance from the edge to the upper
- Good Foot design will grip your ankle and heel and prevent them from lifting in the boot, ensuring maximum control on the bike
- Feel inside the boot for any intrusions (especially the toe sliders) that could irritate or distract you during the ride
Motorcycle Boots Size Conversions
| Motorcycle Boot Size Conversions | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | Euro | US (men) | US (women) |
| 4 | 37 | 4.5 | 6 |
| 5 | 38 | 5.5 | 7 |
| 6 | 39 | 6.5 | 8 |
| 6.5 | 40 | 7 | 8.5 |
| 7 | 41 | 8 | 9 |
| 8 | 42 | 8.5 | 10 |
| 9 | 43 | 9.5 | - |
| 9.5 | 44 | 10 | - |
| 10.5 | 45 | 11 | - |
| 11.5 | 46 | 12 | - |
| 12 | 47 | 12.5 | - |