Overlooking your footwear is a mistake riders should definitely avoid making. A pair of Chucks or your favourite Vans might look great, but they offer little protection. Considering your feet are mere inches from the ground as you carve up a corner, it makes sense to cover them up with capable, purpose-built motorcycle boots. The good news is that these days motorcyclists are spoilt for riding boots options. Whether you want to ride in footwear that looks like sneakers or tough-as-nails leather boots, today’s riding gear brands have you and your feet covered. Here are 5 of our favourite motorcycle boot options for 2023.
Best high-top motorcycle boots: REV’IT! Cayman Shoes
All day on and off the bike comfort and convenience. The Rev’it! Cayman Shoes are the ultimate riding shoe for fashion and safety-conscious riders. The Cayman shoes seamlessly blend a modern streetwear aesthetic with tried and tested safety technology.
From the outside, the all-black Cayman high-tops could easily pass as a pair of Nike’s from their latest catalogue. Sleek and understated there’s nothing about them that gives away their true purpose as a riding boot.
The Cayman shoes lack traditional laces. In their place is a quick lace system. Using an elasticated tension cord and slide adjuster it makes fitting and removing the shoes hassle-free. The shoe’s outer shell is constructed from a combination of ripstop nylon and nubuck leather. Ripstop nylon is a tech fabric designed to resist tears and bursting while the nubuck provides additional strength in hard-wearing areas. For a touch of added style, the boot’s grippy recycled rubber sole has a speckled finish that resembles a starry night sky.
On the inside, the Rev’it! Cayman shoes use a gusseted tongue to keep road debris at bay. Since you’ll likely wear these shoes all day, Rev’it! has maximised comfort by adding an OrthoLite X40 insole. Designed primarily for the warmer months ventilation on the toe, sides and tongue allow a steady flow of cool air to your feet and a 3D mesh liner helps wick any moisture.
Most importantly the Rev’it! Cayman shoes contain fortification in high-impact and vulnerable zones. Inner and outer injected malleolus cups protect the ankle from hard knocks. Both the toes and heel are reinforced for additional protection and the shoes PP insole features an integrated shank. For an added touch of safety, the shoes also feature reflective details for improved nighttime visibility. These features combined have earned the Cayman shoes an EN 13634 Level 2 safety certification and illustrate why Rev’it! are at the top of their game when it comes to rider safety.
RRP: $210 USD
Best tall motorcycle boots: Stylmartin Rocket Boots
These rugged-looking, classic military-styled leather boots by Stylmartin are ready for battle. The Rocket Boots are a timeless tall boot that’ll look right at home on just about any style of ride. Thanks to their full-grain all-leather construction, the Rocket boots will stand the test of time and, like a fine wine, they’ll improve with age.
The Rocket boots are available in either a pre-distressed brown or classic matte black leather. For ease of fitment and removal, there’s a full-length side entry zipper on the inside edge of each foot. The lace’s primary function is to fine-tune the fit so you won’t be needing to untie the laces once you have the fit dialled in. With that in mind, Stylmartin’s added a buckled leather strap at the top of each boot where you can stow the remainder of the laces. Not only does this look neat but it also improves safety by preventing the chance of tangling.
Both toes of the Rocket boots have shifter pads sewn onto them for additional strength and a symmetrical finish. The hardwearing sole is made from an anti-slip, anti-static and oil-resistant rubber guaranteeing firm footing in all conditions. And although the sole of the boot is thick and sturdy, it can be replaced should you manage to wear it out during the boot’s lifetime.
Summer riding in the Rocket boots may prove a tad warm depending on your location. However, in winter, these boots come into their own thanks to their waterproof construction. A breathable liner and footbed help prevent moisture and odours from building up and the footbed is anatomically shaped for comfort.
As we’ve come to expect from Stylmartin, safety has not been overlooked during the design of the Rocket Boots. The integration of PU moulded ankle protectors and the boot’s tough construction have earned it a CE-certified EN13634:2017 safety rating.
RRP: $299.95 USD
Best motorcycle sneakers: Dainese Metractive Air Shoes
Sneakers aren’t what an ATGATT rider would consider suitable for motorcycle footwear, but the ‘Metractive Air Shoes’ from Dianese set out to prove them wrong.
These hi-cut sneakers are designed primarily for the warmer months and come with features tailored toward comfort. The upper portion of the Matractive shoes is constructed from a highly ventilated knit material which maximises airflow to the feet. The remainder of the shoe’s outer layer is made from an artificial suede which has been positioned strategically to provide protection from wear and impacts.
For the creation of the Metractive Air Shoes, Dainese teamed up with outer sole experts Groundtrax. Engineered for traction and longevity Groundtrax soles provide superior performance both on and off the motorcycle. Designed specifically for motorcyclists they have a dedicated shift area integrated into their design which improves resistance when down gearing. The hi-tech soles also feature a tread pattern which is self-cleaning, offering maximum wear resistance and all-day walking comfort.
On the toe of each Metractive Air shoe, you’ll find a hardwearing PU leather shift panel which ties in well with the shoe’s angular styling. The specially designed tongue features a ‘lace garage’ which allows the laces to be stashed away. Branding is subtle with Dainese demon emblems wrapping around the heels and an embossed logo on each heel guard. The boots come in either a green/brown, black/white or grey/black colourway.
As for safety, Dainese has kitted the Metractive Air Shoes out with rigid malleolus armour backed by D-Foam internal padding. Each heel is reinforced and all the seams are double-stitched for superior burst resistance.
RRP: $199.95 USD
Best MX style motorcycle boots: Icon Elsinore 2
If you’re looking to make a statement with your choice of riding footwear nothing compares to the aggressive look of Icon’s Elsinore 2 boots.
These boots are the second generation of the Elsinore design with the first appearing on the scene in 2012. For this new version, Icon has made a series of well-thought-out updates to improve both the comfort and practicality of the Elsinore offering.
Despite looking like off-road-ready gear the Elsinore 2 boots are designed specifically for the street. The big difference is in the flexibility and movement they offer compared to an ADV boot. Although not as all-day comfortable as the other selections in this list, the Elsinore 2 does a decent job of keeping your feet comfy. This has been achieved with the use of flexible concertina panels on the ankles, the integration of a highly breathable mesh liner and a hi-rebound EVA foam inner sole.
The Elsinore 2 boots are constructed entirely from premium cowhide leather. The stitching on the boots works twofold as both a design feature and to improve the overall strength and burst resistance. A large shin panel replaces traditional laces and has a revised buckle design for improved strength. The buckles are used to fine-tune the fit while fitting them is accomplished using large side entry zips on the inside of each leg. As for the boot’s chunky sole, it’s both oil and slip resistant.
Along with all of that tough leather, the Icon Elsinore 2 Boots feature D30 malleolus armour on both the internal and external sides of the ankle. Additional protection comes in the form of a TPU panel built into the shin which is something you won’t find on many boots designed for the street.
The Icon Elsinore 2 Boots come in either an all-black or a tan brown with a contrasting white sole. Along with these boots being a better overall design than the outgoing model, Icon has somehow managed to reduce their price by $20 which makes this motorcycle boot offering even more appealing.
RRP: $225
Best waterproof motorcycle boots: Icon Alcan WP Boots
Why let a little rain ruin your ride? In Portland, the home of riding gear manufacturer Icon, it rains on average 164 days a year. As a result, the Icon catalogue features a wide selection of tried and tested gear designed to keep you dry in a downpour. Take for example the Icon Alcan WP Boots.
Again focusing on footwear that seamlessly blends streetwear style with riding gear protection, the Icon Alcan WP Boots offer the best of both worlds with the added benefit of waterproofing. On the outside, these boots blend modern sneaker design aesthetics with rugged boot functionality. The tough-as-nails tech material used to create them allows them to function as protective riding gear while smart design features add convenience and comfort.
A core feature of the Alcan WP Boot design is the use of TechTuff leather. This modern tech fabric is abrasion, scuff, water and oil resistant and has been proven to last 10 times longer than natural leather. Here it forms the majority of the Alcan WP Boots outer shell and is perforated in key areas to assist with breathability. Two standout features of the exterior of the Alcan boots are the BOA lacing system which allows quick fitment, removal and adjustment via a ratchet dial on the shin. The second is the reinforced shin guard that secures using a hook and loop panel on the side of the leg.
The Alcan’s steadfast ability to prevent water ingress can be attributed to the boots lining. Running from toe to top the waterproof liner keeps you dry twofold thanks to a breathable design. The sole of each boot provides additional wet weather support due to its slip-resistant material and grippy tread pattern.
Riding in the wet is inherently more dangerous than on dry roads. So along with the reinforced shin guard the Alcan boots sport a reinforced sole shank which lies beneath a hi-rebound cushioned insole. Where most boots only protect the ankle bones the Alcan boots pack wrap around D30 armour to offer an impressive 180 degrees of ankle protection.
RRP: $245 USD
