Best Motorcycle Boots!

John Burns
by John Burns

Because walking is highly underrated

It’s all fun and games riding around in your Chuck Taylors or work boots, until Old Granddad turns left across your bow or you come up short on a double. Sometimes, even the most talented among us wind up layin’ `er down – and if you lay her, or him, down on top of your ankle, well, then you might suddenly and painfully appreciate what a wondrous and complex organism the human body is; things like ankles and wrists and knees, once mangled, take a lot to put back together again. Good boots aren’t always going to save your underpinnings, but motorcyclists who’ve been around the block a few times like our chances much, much better with some serious soles and ankle protection – and a little (or a lot) of protection over the easily-injured tibia is never a bad idea either.

Bear in mind that, like when buying a helmet, fit is critical to comfort. If you have wide feet, you probably already know it. Shop accordingly. If the boots you love don’t love you back, a happy marriage just isn’t in the cards. If you can’t try them on first, be sure to check the fine print in the return policy.

Let us scratch the surface, shall we? In no particular order at all, here are a bunch of our, and our experts consultants’, favorite motorcycle boots…

Dainese Axial D1 Air – $530.

A couple of our most highly experienced gear professionals agree, these are probably the safest things you can put on your feet for riding an asphalt-going motorcycle. As of course they should be for $530. Certified CE Category II, these use tough D-Stone fabric, cowhide and microfiber, and are designed to be worn inside your leathers or pants legs. The D-Axial system uses carbon and aramid fiber metal inserts to ensure your ankle can only twist the way nature intended. Some feet complain that many Dainese boots run too narrow, including these – so be sure you try them on or get a good return policy before you click Buy.

Bottom Line

  • When you care enough to rend the very best

FORMA – Terra Evo Low WP – $219

Updated and now CE-rated for 2019, these offer good protection for ADV riders, and since they’re Low, they’re suitable for street use too. Full-grain oiled leather uppers, Enduro/Adventure compound rubber soles. Injection molded plastic ankle and heel protection, TPU shin and ankle  armor, replaceable aluminum buckles and Velcro for a secure fit.

Bottom Line

  • Great all-purpose boots without breaking the bank

Daytona Road Star GTX Gore-Tex – $399

Highly recommended by Gabe Ets-Hokin himself, and several other longtime riders, these are hand-gemacht in Germany and address your weird fit problems by coming in five widths and ten Euro sizes (36 to 46). They offer calf adjustment, dual zippers, good ankle protection, shin protection, reinforced innersoles with steel inlay on a non-slip rubber sole. Black or nothing. Some say these are the most popular, most all-around delicious motorcycle boots in the history of the world.

Bottom Line

  • Old school Deutsche cool and watertight too

Alpinestars Tech 10 Supervented – $650

When you’re intent on airmailing yourself over the triples and/or barging through the boulders on a treacherous single-track, our in-house dirt gear groupie Ryan A. says the A’Stars 10 is the way to go if it’s maximum bipedal protection you’re after, along with light weight and comfort. And if you’ve got $600. For $50 more, “the Supervented T-10 has been designed for maximum airflow through the boot’s front and effective heat exchange. The new mesh inner bootie boasts a 3D Higher Spring insole which uses air channels within the sole for optimal levels of ventilation, while also creating a cushioning effect for enhanced levels of comfort.” Sounds lovely.

See also Sidi Crossfire 3, says Ryan.

Bottom Line

  • Ne plus ultra off-road footwear

Sidi Arcadia – $150

Sidi is another Italian manufacturer who can’t seem to make a bad boot. My Sidi Canyons are still fine and comfy after 20 years use, and I’ve been wearing these bargain Arcadias on all sorts of street rides since I got them a year or two ago. Mostly because the zippers on the inside make them so easy to get in and out of, and they’re just as comfortable off the bike as on it. Double-stitched leather, suede and cordura panels cover padded interiors lined with a breathable air mesh polyester. There’s a rain-proof version too.

Bottom Line

  • Fantastic all-round boots for $150

Alpinestars Stella Valencia WP – $180

One for the ladies. The low-cut design and front and rear accordion flex zones provide excellent range of motion, with an instep buckle closure and wide aperture entry that make for easy in and egress. They’re CE Cat 2-certified, with anatomical foam backed dual-density TPU ankle disk protection on both sides. WP means waterproof, and the final selling point would be the 1.25-inch heels that make the ground that much easier to reach.

Bottom Line

  • Be stylish, safe, dry and tall

Fluevog 7th Heaven Pyro – $250

Well, they don’t have to be motorcycle-specific to be good boots. Any heavy, well-constructed boot is way better than your Sperry Topsiders. And for more casual cruiser-style riding, it’s just as important to look good as it is to be safe. Made in Portugal, these Fluevogs include a rubber midsole, bonded leather welt, air pockets for extra lightness, and flex grooves for added comfort. Those recycled rubber soles are reheelable and resolable, and are said to resist alkali, water, acid, fatigue and Satan. Available in men’s and ladies’ sizes in several outstanding flaming color comboes.

Bottom Line

  • Ask your doctor if your psyche is healthy enough to wear flames

We are committed to finding, researching, and recommending the best products. We earn commissions from purchases you make using the retail links in our product reviews and other articles. Learn more about how this works.

Become a Motorcycle.com insider. Get the latest motorcycle news first by subscribing to our newsletter here.

John Burns
John Burns

More by John Burns

Comments
Join the conversation
2 of 8 comments
  • Atrius Atrius on Aug 27, 2020

    I have 20 years and around 75k miles on my aerostich CBTs, I wish they were still made, but I doubt I'll ever need to replace them

  • Russ_T Russ_T on Aug 28, 2020

    The Chippewa Rally boots have been discontinued for quite a while and are not available in common sizes. I wonder why they're included in this list.

Next