Motorcycle boots buying guide | MCN's top picks and pro tips to step up your ride in 2025

Shoes, or in this case, boots, are foundational to any rider. They are your 3rd and 4th wheel whenever they touch the ground. They are exactly as important as a leather jacket or a motorcycle helmet. Whether it’s confidence when riding or a worst-case scenario, the right boots make a big difference.

Studies from the CDC and NHTSA have found that some of the most common motorcycle injuries happen to the lower legs and feet. It can take up to a year for a broken ankle to fully heal. But a Grade 2 ankle sprain? About 3-6 weeks. Case closed.

The Best Motorcycle Boots at a Glance:

• Riding – Forma Hyper Dry
• Touring – Daytona Roadstar Pro GTX
• Track & Race – Alpinestars Supertech R
• Adventure – Alpinestars Corozal Drystar
• Womens’ – Forma Ladies Eva

Like all gear, boots are made for every style of riding, from urban scooter commuting to on/off road dual-sport adventures, or even racing on track days. Needs will vary, but the important thing is to wear something better than flip flops or gym shoes.

Urban boots can pull double duty at a bar rail or club, while sportbike boots can be tough to wear just walking to the pits. Adventure boots need to withstand brush and occasional rocks, and touring boots should be tall enough to fit pants into. But they all have their place and riding application. Let’s check out some of the best deals currently out there.

Best Deals at a Glance

• 25% off Alpinestars SMX-6 V2 Drystar Boots – was $360.00, now $260.00
• 10% off Sidi Adventure 2 Gore-Tex Boots – was $465.00, now $418.50
• 5% off Alpinestars Web Gore-Tex Boots – was $280.25, now $295.00

Want to dig a little deeper?

Here’s a guide to some of MCN’s favorite boots, with solid advice on what to look for in a good motorcycle boot, plus in-depth reviews from our expert testers at 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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Riding Shoes

Riding shoes, Urban Boots or Street Boots? Whatever you call them, they offer casual, street style with abrasion protection that’s at home on — and off — a bike. Safer than gym or athletic shoes, but just as comfortable, they’re perfect for city streets and suburban sprawl. Expect less impact protection compared to taller, full-sized boots, but they’ll often feature waterproofing, which makes them a solid choice for anything but cold weather or track riding.

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Touring Boots

When touring, moisture anywhere besides the pavement is the enemy. A good touring boot can make a world of difference in rain, keeping heat in and water out while offering great abrasion and impact protection for higher road speeds. They’re tall enough to accommodate pant hems and generally use only velcro and zippers to help get them on or off when wearing bulky gear. They’re highly practical, protective boots for long days in the saddle, or for cold winter commutes.

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Track & Race Boots

If you have a need for speed, track and race gear are a must. Greater risk and speeds mean track and race boots offer maximum possible safety. They’re less comfortable and more restrictive than other riding boots, but they offer the best protection for ankles, shins and feet from impact and abrasion. Basically, they’re much more comfortable than a cast. Check out our favorites.

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Adventure Boots

Whether you’re heading to the Sahara, Siberia or just Sonora, you need quality adventure gear to see you through. Good adventure boots combine the all-day comfort of touring boots with the protection of motocross boots, suitable for some trails and all of the open road. Whether you’re riding tarmac or turf, these are some of the best adventure boots to consider:

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Womens’ Boots

If you’re a woman rider who’s been riding for 15-20 years, you remember the “bad old days” with few good gear choices designed for women. Today, it’s a golden age when it comes to good gear for women. Like jackets (or almost all gear), boots fit best with a dedicated version designed for women. Here’s our list of the best motorcycle boots in womens’ fit, as tested by MCN’s female road testers:

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Things to consider when buying motorcycle boots

Protection

Like other motorcycle gear, 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. Boots are rated Level 1 or Level 2, the latter being the safer of the two. Ratings will be printed on the label along with a bike/rider logo approving 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

Besides familiar CE standards, some boots feature stringent European EN 13634:2015 and EN 13634:2017 safety ratings. The latter, more recent rating (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 vapor (breathability)
SRA, SRB or SRC – slip resistance

Of course, you’re free to choose boots with no safety rating whatsoever. But given the style and assortment of properly rated boots available today, there’s no need to choose between style and safety.

Ventilation

Keeping feet cool on a hot day is key. Modern boots encourage airflow around a boot-enshrouded foot, with engineered intake and outlet ports or perforated panels. It’s all about cool air in, hot air out.

Waterproofing

Wet feet make for miserable riding. If you’re an all-weather rider, waterproof boots are a must. Thanks to advanced membranes such as Gore-Tex, Hipora and Drystar, boots can be both waterproofed while still providing. Be advised: some boots don’t live up to their waterproof ratings, so read some reviews and make sure the style you want is back up by solid reviews.

Fastenings

Zips, clasps, laces or Velcro? Riders have their preferences, but each has its advantages. Velcro and zips are by far the easiest to use, laces are highly adjustable, and clasps offer the most protective fit.

Gear change pad

DCT or automatic transmission motorcycles aren’t uncommon. But most of us still ride with a manual transmission, quick-shifting or not. A reinforced top of the boot is a big help and helps longevity and comfort. Some urban styles meant for scooters or even electric bikes don’t feature a reinforced pad so be aware.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I ride with normal shoes?

You are free to ride your motorcycle with the unsuitable footwear of your choice. But you’re only an accident away from the best reason not to. And given the countless options of cool, safe and stylish boots out there, there’s no reason not to gear up properly. We’re biased, but we believe dressing for danger is part of the allure of motorcycling.

Safety aside, regular shoes can be really uncomfortable to ride in. Shifting can give you a blister on top of your big toe, and most street shoes are sponges for rain and cold. Best to get yourself a pair of reliable riding boots.

Do I need steel-toed boots for motorcycling?

No. Steel-toe boots are designed to protect you from objects falling directly on your foot from above. Unless you drop your bike directly on your toe, they’re not much help in most road incidents. In extreme cases, an impact or weight can collapse the steel enclosure, injuring toes and feet. 

Note: Work boots are tested to a different CE standard, meaning they don’t offer the abrasion resistance, impact cut, or transverse rigidity of motorcycle boots.

Motorcycle boots borrow some protective elements from work boots, such as toe caps, non-slip soles, water resistance and more. But they’re designed to be safe on the road, not the shop.

Should motorcycle boots be tight?

Motorcycle boots should fit snugly. Protective elements can make boots feel tight at first, especially when not broken in yet. As long as they’re not restricting blood flow, you should be fine. Try adjusting the laces and/or straps a bit to suit. If larger boots are uncomfortable, try riding shoes.

Should I size up or down in motorcycle boots?

You shouldn’t need to size your motorcycle boots up or down. However, the proof is in the ride. Boots that bind mean all day riding discomfort. Sizing will vary a bit from each manufacturer, so check out our expert reviews. For cold weather riding, you may want to leave enough room for thicker socks or long underwear.

Can I use motorcycle boots for other activities?

You certainly can. We always go over style and flexibility in our boot reviews. Plus, we‘ve got a pro-tip: Once you’ve fully waterproofed your riding shoes, it’s hard to go back to regular ones when winter comes.

Note: Motorcycle boots shouldn’t replace work boots; anti-slip soles and steel toe caps are both key features found in many motorcycle boots, but they’re not designed for use in kitchens, or construction sites. Plus, they’ll get dirty and you’ll wear them out quicker.

How do I look after motorcycle boots?

Always read the instructions in the box or on the inside label – they’re always there, and they’re always accurate. Leather boots need periodic treatment with conditioning cream to keep them 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

The MCN team of expert journalists have decades of experience over hundreds of thousands of miles. We don’t torture test anything. We use it just like you do in the real world and in all conditions to deliver impartial jacket buying advice.

MCN covers countless miles each week and tries lots of options in a short space of time. We quickly discover which boots feel great, which ones don’t and why.

We only feature boots we’ve extensively tested. Comparison boots will be included if deemed important and relevant. Testing is ongoing and we will continually add gear and products to our site.

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

Scoring explained: Products are given a score from 1 to 5 stars. Beyond the ratings tab, you’ll find in-depth info on product and gear performance and attributes.

• 1 star – Avoid at all costs.
• 2 stars – Barely acceptable.
• 3 stars – Average or adequate.
• 4 stars – Above average.
• 5 stars – Excellent performance.

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

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