Feet are important; really important. They allow us to walk, run, jump, and stand; more importantly though they allow us to shift our motorcycles and balance them at stops. Without feet which are tightly encased in the proper footwear, it is difficult for any motorcyclist to be safe on their bike. Motorcycle boots are designed to keep your foot firmly planted on the ground and allow you to operate your motorcycle without worry of it sliding out from under you.
There are many different types of motorcycle boots that will fulfill this need, but they all come with tradeoffs. Some offer more protection than others while still being lightweight and easy enough to operate a motorcycle with while other times a rider will want something more heavy duty in order to get the strength needed from their footwear. What matters most is finding the right balance between how much protection you’ll need and how well they’ll work for operating your bike.
Table of Contents
Best Motorcycle Track Boots
1. ICON Tarmac Ventilated Boot
ICON has teamed up with many professional riders such as Jason Britton, Ethan Barkley and more to produce riding gear for the street. ICON is a company known for creating unique motorcycle gear and accessories stressing the rider’s safety and comfort on the street. To that end ICON’s introduced a new piece of gear for 2009 called the Tarmac Ventilated boot.
Built on a grip enhanced rubber sole, the Tarmac is a lightweight leather/nylon construction boot that feels more like a sneaker than a boot. This is a good thing as when you have to walk around in them when you’re not riding, your feet won’t feel like they’re being brow beaten into submission. As a matter of fact I wore the Tarmac’s for 9 hours straight one day and had no problems what so ever with my heels, toes or ankles hurting.
If you were 5 and went to Sears Roebuck & Co. to buy sneakers without laces because you couldn’t tie your shoes yet (hey it happens to the best of us) then you’ll be ultra-familiar with the Tarmac’s binding structure. Putting on the Tarmac’s couldn’t be easier as they have two straps combined with a tension lacing system which is simple to use and avoids inadvertently snagging shoe laces in your shift or brake levers.
This quick-fit system worked great as it literally took me less than a minute to put these boots on. And every minute in the morning saved is another minute used for sleeping so I’ll take them where I can get it.
Comfort is all fine and dandy but obviously the reason why we don’t wear sneakers when we ride (shame on you if you do) is because we want more protection. Those that think of protection as secondary should think again. ICON realizes this and has put floating ankle armor, plastic toe/heel guards and a full length steel shank for reinforce in the Tarmac’s.
Although none of us wants to ever test all of these protection mechanisms just knowing that our tootsies are well protected should give us all piece of mind.
Sizing should be equal to what you wear in a regular work boot or sneaker and since I have big feet (to go with my big hands) it’s good to know that ICON carries sizes up to 14 US. If you’re in between sizes and need a half size I’d go with the bigger size just to make sure you have enough room. I’d also mention that these boots slightly flare out past the midpoint which give your toes plenty of room to breathe.
As for ventilation (these are being advertised as ventilated after all) it’s certainly noticeable but unless you’re moving at a good clip your feet are going to sweat on a hot summer’s day. I think the mesh panels do indeed help but I think it’s best to wear these when the temp’s are between 60 and 80 degree’s.
During my use I found the Tarmac’s to be a nice alternative to a pure race boot and certainly better than a steel toed work boot since it’s much easier to shift with the Tarmac’s. Speaking of shifting, something that you won’t get with some other non-motorcycle related footwear is a dedicated shift pad. The Tarmac’s include this on the left boot which made out of little square rubber bumps works extremely well.
These boots are lightweight (~ 1.5 lb/boot measured by the tremendously accurate bathroom scale) so you won’t feel like you’re wearing concrete shoes while you’re trying to walk to or from your motorcycle. If you work in an office environment you could easily wear these on dress-down Friday’s plus not having to keep a second pair of shoes at the office is an added bonus.
2. ICON Accelerant Waterproof Boot
Ride long enough and you will, at some point, get caught in the rain. Ask anyone who’s been stuck in the rain and the worst part about it is dealing with wet feet. Well suffer no more my fellow Two Wheel Freaks as ICON has designed a boot that not only looks great but is also waterproof.
The Accelerant Boot is made with a leather and nylon upper and meets the European Union Standard EN 13634:2002 for being waterproof. There is also a internal steel shank for support as well as internal ankle armor for protection.
Sticking with the protection angle ICON has also included a shin deflection strap. This strap not only helps protect your shins from rocks and other roadside detritus, but also covers the laces so you don’t have any mishaps with loose laces getting stuck in places they don’t belong.
The Accelerant Boots are very lightweight; I’d venture a guess and say that are close to the weight of a decent pair of hiking boots and much lighter than mid-height work boots. Even more important than being light is being comfortable and they are. Comfortable that is. When I first put them on I was very impressed with how they felt without any break-in period. They feel more like a pair of high-end high-top sneakers than boots. More comfortable than most hiking boots I’ve worn.
One fitment issue did crop-up though that is a first for me and footwear; sizing. I usually wear a size 10.5 shoe and I’ve learned that when getting motorcycle boots to always go with an 11 as they usually run a little small. When I first put them on they were a little snug in the toe area and I just assumed that a little break-in would see that eliminated.
Well after a full day of wearing the boots I realized that it wasn’t a break-in issue it was a size issue. It seems that the ICON Accelerant boot runs really small and should be ordered in a 1/2 size bigger than you normally order your boots in. Good to know beforehand as most companies won’t take a boot back that has been worn outside.
Since the Accelerant boot is made to be waterproof don’t expect breath-ability in hot weather. I’ve not had any real issues with my feet getting hot but I could see that happening if I stood around on asphalt all day.
ICON built the Accelerant with a wide and stable rubber sole. The sole flairs out near the toe to the outside of your foot which is a running shoe trick to help keep you from overpronating.. While the Accelerant isn’t designed for running, the wider sole gives you a confident feeling of a wide footprint on slippery wet pavement; both when walking and when putting your foot down at stops.
Once again ICON has taken “From the Street, For the Street” to heart and designed a waterproof boot that not only keeps your feet dry but looks good doing it.
3. Alpinestars S-MX R Boot
These boots are from Alpinestars and they are called S-MX R boot. Alpinestars says that the boot seamlessly blends classic Alpinestars racing performance, flexibility and protection with real world practicality, lightweight and comfort. The S-MX R is the ultimate performance/road riding boot that is every bit at home on the street as it is on the racetrack.
I haven’t worn them yet but they do feel lightweight. I decided to weigh them on our handy little postal scale and they weigh 2 pounds, 4.5oz. Now I haven’t weighed any other boots so I really have no frame of reference, but the boots feel pretty light.
The shin protector is thick and does have some venting, both streamlined scoops and ventilation holes. I wouldn’t think that there would be much air movement that high on the boot, but we’ll see when I start riding with them.
Moving to the zipper, we find that it has some heft to it and operates smoothly without snagging like some zippers do. There is velcro on the side of the boot that the velcro on the zipper can attach to when in the “up” position. This is a nice touch and should keep the zipper from wandering into the “down” position by itself.
While we are on this side of the boot, please note the venting facing both fore and aft. Again, we’ll have to wait and see how well these work. I plan on telling the newbie riders that the vents facing aft are actually jet propulsion outlets. I’ll do it just to see the look on their faces. Hehehe.
On the other side of the boot is a very nice soft, round ankle bone protector. It seems to sit very close to where my ankle bone actually is when the boot is on my foot, so apparently Alpinestars got their measurements right.
If you look up top on this side you can see the expansion area that corresponds to a pretty thick piece of leather on the inside of the boot. This piece of leather has velcro on it and is adjustable for different calf sizes. I tried playing with it and there is some adjustment but not a lot. At this point I am not sure how effective this would be in adjusting the boot to fit better if your calves looked like Arnold’s.
Since I don’t have calves that look like his (well maybe both together look like one of his) I may not be the best person to comment on this. If you are well endowed in the calf area I would suggest trying before buying.
The view from the rear gives us a little more feed back on the dual-purpose aspect of this boot. Back here you’ll notice the chrome buckle for the top ratchet system. You’ll also notice that the boot has an accordion type panel on the back. This is one of the areas that shows the boot is made with a street bias more than a hardcore track boot.
With all the protection this boot offers I wouldn’t have a problem doing the occasional track day (or motorcycle test) while wearing them. If however I was looking to be a real racer and test my skills in CCS or Wera (not to mention AMA) races, then this is not the boot I would choose.
The bottom of the boot has nice thick tread on it and seems to have decent grip to it.
All in all, the boot shows a good level of workmanship and quality control.
Over the coming weeks I will let you know how I like the boot and how it is holding up to the abuse that I dish out. I’ll ride with them in the rain, snow, sleet, and hail, and I’ll report back on their durability. OK, so there won’t be any snow, sleet, or hail, but rain I can promise.
Will these boots be worth their $259.95 retail price? We’ll see. So far so good though. If first impressions are the most important impressions then Alpinestars has done well with this boot.
4. SIDI Vortice Boot
The Vortice (pronounced “Vor-tee-chay”) is the newest track boot from SIDI and draws upon their years of R&D, testing, and evaluating crashes. Quite simply it is a boot at the top of the food chain.
Let’s look into how the SIDI is built with your safety in mind.
The Vortice is made out of Lorica with a Teflon mesh liner. The Teflon mesh is important as Teflon doesn’t absorb water or sweat like most other linings will thereby preventing mold and other smelly things from forming after a long day at the track. Never ones to forget the comfort factor, the toe area is lined with Chambrelle, a soft yet strong lining.
The Vortice has what SIDI calls a “Tecno Calf Tensioner” placed in the back of the boot upper. Without getting all technical it basically works on a ratchet system to tighten the top of the boot around your calf. Have calves like Gov. Arnold?…..The calf tensioner is available in different sizes so the boot can be custom fit to you specific size. Oh and of course the whole thing is also replaceable.
A little lower and on the front of the boot upper is the “Tecno Shin Tensioner”. This tensioner helps the calf tensioner close the boot securely around your lower leg.
On either side of the Vortice are the “Ankle Support Basis”. These are two nylon braces that are attached with screws and reinforced with fiberglass to allow front to back movement, which is natural, while being firm and not allowing much side to side movement, which is unnatural. Once again this is an easily replaceable part.
Quite a few injuries to riders’ feet happen when the back of the heel is driven hard into the ground. To combat this the Vortice has a shock absorbing heel cup on the lower back side of the boot. A polyurethane shell that is screwed into the boot, allowing 3mm of movement, holds the shock absorbing insert in place.
Because a hot foot is an unhappy foot (which also makes the foot’s owner a little grumpy too) SIDI has incorporated not one but two vents into the Vortice boot. Both vents are dual position (open or closed) with one located on a brace by the ankle and the other right on the front of the toe slider for maximum ram-air effect. If two vents aren’t enough for you SIDI does build the Vortice in a ventilated model as well.
Anyone even remotely fast on the track has touched a toe down once or twice. To make sure you get maximum protection the Vortice not only has a toe slider made of nylon reinforced with fiberglass but they also put a neat alloy insert right in the middle. I haven’t had the chance to try it yet but I’ll bet it will make some neat sounds being dragged along the track surface.
The sole of the Vortice is made of a polyurethane and rubber blend for good wearability and traction. There is also a replaceable insert right where your feet contact the rough surface of the brake pedal and shift lever since this is where the most wear occurs.
At first glance the Vortice looks incredibly intimidating due to all the ratchets, clips, and thick nylon wire used to adjust the Vortice to your foot. Once you read the instructions (yes I recommend you read the instructions the first time) you realize that it is actually very simple and pretty darn easy to loosen and tighten the tensioners.
By the way, raise your hand if you keep pronouncing the name of the boot “Vor-tiss” instead of “Vor-tee-chay”. Go ahead, raise them up, nothing to be ashamed of…….I do it myself….constantly…..OK put them down and let’s get back to the boot.
Putting the boots on for the first time I was impressed by how comfortable they felt right out of the box. I usually wear between a 10 1/2 and 11 so I got the Vortices in the 11 as I’d rather have a boot be a little too big than a little too small (no half sizes avaliable). It turned out to be a non-issue as the 11’s fit spot on.
To put the boots on all you need to do is loosen the tensioners, unzip the zipper, and pull down and out on the back half of the boot upper. This opens the boot up quite a bit and even those with super-high insteps should run into zero problems putting the Vortice on their feet. After your foot is in just tuck each flap back where it belongs, zip up the side, and adjust the tensioners starting from the instep tenshioner and moving up to the shin and then calf tenshioner. Repeat for the other foot. You are now the proud owner of two of the best protected feet on the track.
Like all good things in life the SIDI Vortice boots are not cheap but like the old saying goes – you get what you pay for. Retail price is $475.00 and you can buy the Vortice and Vortice Air at Motonation.com
5. Daytona Evo Boots
There’s a mystical quality about the original Daytona Security II boot. It’s a boot worn by some of the top riders in our sport (even if they have been relabeled to appease other boot sponsors). The construction is pretty revolutionary with it’s custom fit inner Kevlar and Carbon fiber hard shell with a baby soft Kangaroo leather outer boot. What’s not to be liked about them? Sure the price is high, but what price quality?
Helimot have come to the rescue for the self sponsored street rider with limited budgets, they now offer an alternative that is cheaper, more comfortable but offers all the good looks and protection that we demand.
Introducing the Evo Sports. The Evo Sports are less expensive than the Security, less bulky, and more upright. The inner shell is high tech ABS plastic and since it can be made by machine, instead of by hand like the Security II, it costs less to produce. The outer shell can be replaced. Other features: include replaceable toe sliders, reflective trim, calf adjustment, and titanium inserts at heel and calf.
Best Street & Commuting Motorcycle Shoes & Boots
1. SHIFT Kicker Street Shoes
As a motorcyclist you want to wear the most protective footwear possible. The problem with all highly protective footwear is that, though they work great while riding, they don’t work so well while walking around. This is where footwear like the new Shift Racing Kicker Street Shoe comes into play.
While Shift’s other shoe, the Fuel Street Shoe, is extremely comfortable it does go lightly on the protective features. Shift’s new Kicker Street Shoe kicks those safety features up a notch while sacrificing very little to its lighter built brother in terms of “walkability” (new word and you’ll have to pay me to use it).
The Kickers have what I would call a retro design (especially in the all black version) with a perfectly flat sole and perforated cut-outs in the uppers; as a matter of fact I had a flashback to my old Converse Cons high-tops I had back in the 80’s when I first took the Kickers out of the box.
However, unlike sneakers (either retro or modern), the Kicker shoe has added foot protection in the form of medial and lateral plastic ankle protectors; of course you can’t see them as they are all covered over by leather.
Shift also added a reinforced midsole for better strength and less flexing while your feet are on the foot pegs. A rubbery feeling insert covers the toe areas on the shoes to reduce wear through abrasion from the shifter. Since they did the same treatment to both the left and right side and made it part of the design, there is no need for tacked-on bits of rubber or leather. This of course makes the shoes look less like Mad Max riding shoes and more like regular old shoes that won’t scare small children.
At the very top of the Kicker shoe is a decidedly motorcycle oriented item; an alloy buckle closure. This closure not only snugs-up the top of the shoe but also keeps your laces from flopping around. As for height, the Kicker shoe, at its highest, is about 1.5 inches higher than my ankle bone so they should offer good protection in case of a crash.
I’ve been wearing the Kicker shoes for about 2 weeks now and I can report that they do hit 2 out of 3 criteria in what I look for in a street biased riding shoe/boot:
- Comfortable on the bike; The reinforced midsole keeps the footpeg from “pressing through” the sole of the shoe while the rubberized insert on the toe does a great job of keeping you from feeling the shifter.
- Comfortable off the bike while walking.
The 3rd on my list of things to look for in a riding shoe/boot I can’t comment on at the moment (and hopefully never will); how well they protect your foot in a crash.
I’d say that Shift has a real winner on their hands; good looks (more mature looking in all black than most motorcycle shoes), comfortable to wear both on and off the bike, and sturdy enough with built-in plastic armor to provide decent protection in the event of a crash.
Kicker Street Shoe Specs:
- Genuine leather/synthetic leather chassis for exceptional stability and protection.
- Non slip bonded sole provides optimal traction in all riding conditions.
- Medial and lateral plastic ankle protection for impact and abrasion resistance.
- Molded PU outsole for durability and comfort.
- Direct inject rubber atop the toe box provides additional strength and grip for shifting.
- Secure alloy buckle closure over the lace cover offers protection and a secure fit.
- A Speed-lace system ensures ease of use on and off.
- Breathable, moisture wicking interior materials offer exceptional comfort.
- Lace covers provide additional protection and strength.
- Reinforced midsole for additional strength on the foot pegs.
2. Talimena Motorcycle Boots
Thanks to its use of the newest technologies and use of high performance material, Bates is a forerunner when it comes boots. It’s no surprise that US military and US civilian uniformed services are equipped with their footwear. Also when it comes to motorcycles boots Bates does an excellent job. Their products have a reputation for being strong and durable. The Talimena
This motorcycle boot is just about the best you can get when it comes to all-round performance. As with all Bates shoes its equipped with Vibram soles which means they are oil, slip and abrasion resistant. It is also suited for any kind of surface. If you are more of an adventurer and want to use your motorcycle boots for more then biking alone, the Talimena would be an excellent choice.
The Talimena has the Goodyear Welt construction just in case something happens to the Vibram soles. The chances of that are not very likely but if they get damaged for some reason there is always the option to replace the outsole so you don’t have to buy a new boot.
As mentioned before the Talimena can be used in any kind of conditions. Its full grain leather upper gives a decent enough protection from the rain or snow. Because of the high quality material used this boots will ensure you keep your feet dry and warm.
Thanks to its locking inside zipper with Velcro closure this boot is comfortable to get in and out. Unlike most other motorcycle boots this one has a removable full length cushion sock lining. Because of this the Talimena will fit comfortable for everyone. The Bates Talimena is probably one of the best all-round motorcycle boots ever created and comes at a very reasonable price of around about $130.
3. Bates Tahoe
Motorcycle Boot
Bates is a company that has a long and rich history when it comes to designing boots. Once founded as a small dress footwear business, Bates now covers footwear for over military organisations in over 60 countries. It has done so for the US military forces for over 40 years. This says something about the quality of their work. And their motorcycle boots are no exception to that rule as you can see when you look at the Bates Tahoe
Bates motorcycle boots are known for their durability. Constructed via the Goodyear Welt the Tahoe is a shoe that can let it outsoles replaced at any time. Don’t let anything hold you back though, because the Vibram outsoles Bates uses are one of the strongest in todays market. They are also oil, slip, and abrasion resistant which is a nice extra.
Don’t worry on getting wet or cold feet in this boot. Thanks to the Welt construction and the waterproof full grain leather upper you can go through any kind of weather. Also because it’s a high boot, your ankles and the lower part of your leg will have maximum protection against possible accidents.
Not only is the Bates Tahoe one of the safest and good looking motorcycle boots for men available, it is also a very comfortable boot. There are little complaints over the fit and they have a nice inside zipper for easy entry and exit.
Considering for what you get, the Tahoe has a more then reasonable price, almost a steal comparing them to other boots. It looks awesome, is constructed for durability, safety and has a great fit as well.
4.FRYE Harness 12R Motorcycle Boots
FRYE was founded in 1863 in Massachusetts. Today it is the longest continuous running shoe company in the United States which says something about its legacy and quality works. Their motorcycle boots department is in a class of its own when it comes to stylish designs. It’s still based on the shoes they originally designed in the 1860’s. In this way they keep the heritage of the American culture alive. The Harness 12R
The Harness 12R has its upper made from vintage leather. This will keep the boots fairly well protected from bad weather and cold. Also the Goodyear Welt construction will make sure you can walk in wet surfaces without the water reaching the insoles. The neoprene oil resistant soles can be replaced at any given time when necessary.
A boot needs to feel comfortable, and the 12R Harness boot is made for comfort. It has cushioned shock-absorbing memory insoles and they have little to no break in time. The stacked heel is 2” high and the shaft is about 15 inches from the ground up. This will not only give you better protection on the road, but it will also keep you’re feet comfortable in any condition.
Because FRYE motorcycle boots are made in the USA they tend to be a little more expensive then other riding boots. The pricing on the internet is variable but if you don’t want to spend $200 or maybe even more these are not for you. On the other hand these boots could last a decade and look pretty awesome. Also they carry a lot of American history in them so there is something to say for the price.
5. Harley Davidson Steel Toe Motorcycle Boot
Every motorcycle brand has to come up with a cheap but still good looking variant. Harley Davidson thinks about all its customer needs and has designed a fairly cheap boot that still lives up to the expectations. The Steel Toe motorcycle boot
Harley Davidson Steel Toe motorcycle boots are designed by the cement construction. This means its outsoles and the upper part of the boot are being held together by a strong adhesive. Therefore if the soles gets damaged or worn out, the whole boot is pretty much useless. If you are planning to do more with your motorcycle boots then just biking and walking, you should think again before buying these. Other then that these are excellent boots.
Its upper is made from full grain leather. In theory this should mean the boots should be water repellent, but experience has proven that to be false. This has partly to do with the cement construction, which gives the water the chance to reach the insoles.
If you want these boots to last long, you should wear them for biking only. Of course you can walk in them, just don’t let them become your regular boots. Well, if you mind buying new ones every few years that is. If you don’t care, its entirely up to you. Also be prepared if you go out on a rainy day by buying some shoe rain covers. You want to feel comfortable in a boot right.
Although this review might have sounded a little bit negative, the Steel Toe is still a great boot. It beats most other motorcycle boots, especially in its price category. If you want to use your boots for biking and a bit of walking only, these are awesome. Its priced at approximately $95 online and they are definitely worth it.
