Two steps on the water: Best waterproof motorcycle boots

A decent pair of waterproof motorcycle boots should be essential kit in every biker’s armoury. There’s nothing worse than riding with wet feet, regardless of how far you’ve got to go, as not only can it make you feel pretty miserable, but it can also rob you of vital elements of concentration. That lack of focus could make all the difference in dealing with a situation, especially when conditions are less than ideal.

Thankfully there’s a waterproof version of every type of boot on the market, from lightweight urban sneakers to track ready sports footwear and year-round touring boots. Deciding which is the best depends on the kind of riding you do, for example a pair of ankle high commuter boots may keep your feet dry on a short ride to work, but they certainly won’t cut the mustard if you’re on tour and run the risk of being in the rain and spray all day.

Here’s what MCN’s testers are currently wearing

What makes a boot waterproof?

Leather boots were traditionally treated to a liberal coating of dubbin, a concoction of natural wax, oil and tallow, for weather protection. It actually works pretty well in keeping water out, after all it’s been around for almost as long as shoes have, but does need regular application and its use is limited to leather. There are various other coatings and treatments on the market designed to waterproof, however the most effective solution is to utilise a technical membrane during construction.

The technical membrane sits sandwiched between the outer upper of the boot, the sole and the inner lining. Its job is to act as a ‘one way valve’, preventing moisture from getting in, whilst allowing condensation to escape. This is achieved through hundreds of thousands of microscopic pores which are smaller than water droplets but larger than vapour molecules, making the material both waterproof and breathable. There are almost as many different membrane manufacturers as there are bootmakers, including such registered names as Gore-Tex, Hipora, Drystar, D-Dry and so on.

It should also be noted that the effectiveness of a membrane’s breathability is reliant on what you wear beneath it – that is to say, if you don’t wear socks made of a wicking material, your feet will be more prone to stay damp due to condensation build up next to the skin.

More waterproof boots to consider

How MCN tests products

At MCN, our team of expert journalists have decades of experience gained over hundreds of thousands of miles. We don’t test our kit to destruction; we use it exactly how you do, in the real world and in all conditions. That means we can deliver impartial buying advice you can rely on.
Each of our writers has an in-depth understanding of the needs of today’s biker… because they are one. If you can’t see a review against an item on this page, it’s because we haven’t tested it yet. These items will only be included if we think they’re important and relevant in the market, and rest assured, we will be working on bringing you a review as soon as we’ve done the miles.
To find out more, head to our dedicated page explaining how we test motorcycle products

Justin Hayzelden is a Commercial Content Writer at MCN Products. He has extensive industry experience, having spent over 10 years as a freelance road tester and journalist.

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