You're gonna go far... Best motorbike touring boots as chosen by MCN

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For riders who want to go any distance – whether it’s a long day-trip, a hefty commute or for a longer, multi-day tour – a pair of sturdy touring boots is essential. They should offer decent comfort as well as waterproofing to keep your feet dry – there’s nothing worse than getting wet feet on the first day of a long tour – and keep your feet protected as well.

In comparison to sports boots, touring boots will probably be a little more supple to allow you to not only operate the bike’s controls easily but also, move around off the bike comfortably, particularly useful if you’re on a tour and want to get off and explore en route. You may end up sacrificing a little outright feel for the controls but it’s a small price to pay for day-long comfort.

Ideally, you’ll be looking for a pair of boots with a membrane – Gore-Tex is the obvious one but manufacturers may have their own. You’re also likely to see less external bracing, toe sliders or huge areas of TPU armour on touring boots as you are on sports boots.

The thinking is if you do have an accident, you are likely to be travelling at a slower speed than in sports boots, where you may be on a track for example. However, you should still expect strong heel and toe cups, and shin and heel armour of some description.

Just like other boots in fact, you should also look at the protection. They should be CE rated to either a 2015 or a 2017 standard. Basically, each will rate several areas and give either a score of ‘1’ or ‘2’. Look for as many 2s as possible for an indication of higher levels of protection.

A selection of the best motorcycle touring boots – tested by MCN

Rrp: £189.99

Price: £180.00
Amazon

Description

Tested by Michael Guy, two months, 1500 miles. Quality 4/5, Value 4/5. These have proved 100% waterproof regardless of what winter has thrown at them. They are easy to put on, relatively lightweight and comfortable for walking. They are considerably shorter than the race or adventure boots I normally wear, which means I remain a little concerned about the lack of shin and leg protection.

But the protection they do offer is good, with reinforced toe, shin and ankle areas. There are advantages to them being short as they are easy to put on, with the winter Cordura trousers I’m wearing easily going over the top of the boot. Feel through the sole is good and the slim design means you have a good connection with the controls.

Read our in-depth review here
web

Best value waterproof touring boots

Description

For £70 I was expecting to find some compromises in this fully featured pair of waterproof touring boots. But I've been pleasantly surprised by them - they're comfy, light, dry in all weathers and look more attractive than leather alternatives. Slim and flexible enough to wear on a cramped sports bike and casual enough to wear off it too. Read the full DXR Skoga boots review here.

dxr
MCN Rated
Price: 184.99 (was £249.99)

www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk

Description

Tested by Jordan Gibbons, two months, 2000 miles. Quality 3/5, Value 5/5. Lightweight boots with a waterproof Gore-Tex membrane. I was surprised by how dainty they are. To that end, it makes them very easy to put on under jeans and comfortable to walk in. But I could never get away from the impression that they just felt a bit thin. I’d spend an extra £40 and go for Sidi’s Performer Gore, which is a waterproof proper sports boot.

sidi
MCN Rated
Price: 199.99 (was £269.99)

www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk

Description

Tested by Alison Silcox, three months, 2000 miles. Quality 4/5, Value 4/5. With a Gore-Tex membrane these textile boots are waterproof and breathable including a clever venting system that allows air to circulate through the sole. They are lightweight and have reinforced shins, toes, heel and a gear-change pad.

They’re ideal for long riding days and are comfortable both on and off the bike. I’ve put the waterproofing to the test on numerous rides and they’ve not let any rain through. They come to mid-calf and fit comfortably under riding jeans and textile kit, while the velcro adjuster leaves enough room for leathers to tuck in.
tcx
MCN Rated
Price: 215.97 (was £269.99)

www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk

Description

Tested by Alison Silcox, six months, 3700 miles covered. Quality 4/5, Value 4/5. These are a great pair of boots and in six months they’ve been subjected to all kinds of conditions. I’ve ridden in torrential rain and near-freezing temperatures on a trip to the Shetland Islands, in scorching Italian summer heat as I toured to Venice and am now wearing them for my winter commute.

They’re made from synthetic leather with stretch panels for comfort and have a combination of zip and Velcro closure. Unlike other waterproof boots I’ve worn, the Drystar membrane is watertight and my feet haven’t overheated in warmer weather.
stella

Description

Tested by Richard Newland, two years, 9000 miles. Quality 4/5, Value 3/5. Most adventure boots are getting bigger, bulkier, heavier and more complex, so this pleasingly simple offering from TCX is a breath of fresh air. Not only are they skinny enough for you to be able to slide riding jeans over the top of them, but they’re relatively light, the styling is rugged, classy and understated, and they’re comfier than a pair of trainers.

There’s a Velcro closure at the top and a simple trio of clasp closures that are all micro-adjustable. The lining is sumptuous, soft and welcoming, and nothing rubs or irritates. It’s sandwiched to the outer with a Gore-Tex layer included – and so far they’ve proven completely waterproof.

tcx
MCN Rated
Price: 119.99 (was £159.99)

www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk

Description

Tested by Simon Brown, three months, 900 miles - Quality 3/5, Value 4/5. If you aren’t after sliders and squeaky bits around your armour, these touring boots could be for you. Comfortable from the word go, they are made from full-grain leather with suede areas to stop them damaging paintwork. They use a non-Gore-Tex waterproof lining called E-Dry and it has done the business in some pretty heavy downpours.

They weren't too hot in summer either. Protection wise, there is internal reinforcement at the shin, ankle and toe. The sole is rubber and grips well in the dry but they don’t grip brilliantly on the metal pegs of my Ducati Scrambler. They may do better on other bikes and that is my only real criticism so far. Value isn’t bad.
elevit

Description

The Zenith from Richa is remarkable value for a waterproof touring boot that scores a 2 in all areas of the CE rating. They feature leather uppers with a Hipora membrane to keep water out and the foot comfortable and warm but not sweaty. When I tried these, I found them tricky to get on and do the zips up, a consequence of chunky calves - but when on, they were very comfortable and kept almost all water out on a particularly nasty wet ride.

Price: 199.00 (was £235.99)

www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk

Description

A modern-looking boot that has zip access on both sides, making getting them on and off easy. They are a relaxed fit, so thin and thick socks are accommodated, useful for cold conditions. I've also used these and found them to be comfortable, flexible, warm when cold and vice versa, thanks to the OutDry membrane that allows the foot to breathe. They have kept all water out on the bike, gaining a RiDE Recommended award. Seal of Approval - We've tested this product and have found it performs well.

Price: £95.99
Amazon

Description

I've used these boots through two winters and they have been impressive. There's a touch of sportiness about them but superbly comfortable and fit well with good levels of confidence, the strong toe and heel cups and shin armour see to that. They have kept my feet warm and dry in all but one several-hour-long ride in torrential rain where virtually nothing remained dry. Read our in-depth review here.

Price: 316.07 (was £434.99)

www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk

Description

A slim, subtle-looking boot, the Roadstar uses a Gore-Tex membrane inside a leather upper and was given a Recommended award by RiDE. They feature two entry zips to make putting them on and off simple and there are two Velcro tabs to get the right fit at the calf. There is plastic ankle protection and on the shin, and they are available in standard, wide and extra-wide fittings for various feet profiles.

Price: 69.99 (was £99.99)

www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk

Description

A pair of short touring boots (the Tracker at the same price is taller), the Warriors are formed in microfibre with Oxford's Dry2Dry membrane for breathability and waterproofing. They have a padded shin and ankle with a reinforced heel and toe box and an anti-torsional mid-sole. Double-entry zips make them easy to get on and off.

Description

The Joblins from Held are leather boots fitted with an internal Outdry membrane to keep the weather out. They are a short design, with lightweight materials partnered with leather for a flexible and lightweight boot. There is padding over the shin and protection to the ankle and internal padding ensures they are comfortable.

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