Despite what you’ve seen in movies, cowboy boots and sneakers are impractical when it comes to motorcycle riding. Motorcycle boots are designed to handle the daily wear and tear of operating a bike, with features such as steel-toe boxes, leather uppers, and more to protect your feet.
To help you find your next kicks, our review team has tested and rated our top picks for the best motorcycle boots on the market. We break down everything from the materials of their soles, fit, ride height, and more to ensure you can make an informed purchase. Above all, safety should be your first priority when selecting a pair of motorcycle boots.
5 Best Motorcycle Boots
- Most Protection: O’Neal Rider Boots
- Best Touring Boots: TCX SP-Master Gore-Tex (Men’s/Women’s)
- Best Off-Road Boots: Alpinestars Tech 7 Enduro
- Best Racing Boots: Alpinestars Supertech R
- Best Casual Riding Boots: Harley-Davidson Men’s Beau/Women’s Marconi
Motorcycle Boots Buyers Guide
Before your next purchase, consider the following information regarding motorcycle boots to help you make an informed decision.
Motorcycle Boot Key Features
When purchasing your pair of motorcycle boots, it is important to understand their key components:
- Height: Boot height is essential for the type of motorcycle you are riding. Boots that fit higher above the ankle offer better protection from burns and scrapes, and can even affect the amount of control you have over your bike. Boots with a higher profile are better for sport bikes and off-roading, while lower ones can be suited for casual riding.
- Materials: Some motorcycle boots are made of hard plastics or metals to prevent rocks and dirt from damaging your legs. Full-grain leather boots work great for casual riding, as they allow for greater comfort without sacrificing protection.
- Strap, lock, and lacing: Motorcycle boots with locking straps or latches have a more snug fit than lace-up boots. Lace-up boots, however, offer greater movement and are commonly found on casual riding boots.
What Does A Motorcycle Boot Offer?
Listed below are some of the features that can make a motorcycle boot stand out:
- Ankle protection: Most motorcycle boots are designed to fit above the ankle and have reinforced plastic or metal support around the ankle. This is to help riders support the weight of their bike while stationary and to protect their ankles in the event of an accident.
- Reinforced soles: When standing still, the weight of the motorcycle rests on the rider’s legs and feet. Motorcycle boots are designed with reinforced rubber soles to help riders bear this weight with ease. They also help prevent the rider from slipping if they’re riding on wet or oily roads.
- Ventilation and water resistance: Because they’re worn for extended periods of time, motorcycle boots are designed to be breathable to maintain proper foot health. The best boots are also equipped with waterproof lining for use during any season.
Different Types Of Motorcycle Boots
Depending on what type of motorcycle you ride, there are various boot options available to accommodate your needs:
- Sport and race boots are designed for use with high-performance motorcycles and sports bikes. These have a higher fit and are padded with extra-strength plastics or metals for enhanced durability.
- Touring and adventure (ADV) boots are similarly designed to sport and race boots but with more flexibility. They’re designed to be worn for extended periods of time and feature materials such as leather, suede, and rubber.
- Cruiser and Harley boots are rugged, tough leather boots that can be worn casually or as work boots, too. Their most distinctive feature is their soles, which are sturdier than other motorcycle boots so riders can handle the weight of their bikes more confidently.
- Motorcycle riding shoes are designed with style in mind over functionality. These shoes have the least amount of foot protection of any model and typically only wear up to the ankle. However, these shoes are the easiest to wear day-to-day.
Our Review Standards
To select the motorcycle boots featured in this buyers guide, our team first combed through dozens of resources such as DIY mechanic and auto enthusiast forums, manufacturer and motorcycle-specific websites, instruction manuals from manufacturers, and reviews from online retailers. We pay particularly close attention to quality reviews and recommendations that highlight the quality of warranties, customer service support, build quality, materials, and overall reliability.
We also factored in the quantity and quality of online retailer reviews from websites such as Amazon, RealTruck, Advance Auto Parts, and more. We looked at factors such as standout customer reviews, prices, meaningful superlatives, and discount shipping eligibility.
Why You Can Trust Us
Since 2020, we have published over 200 auto product reviews in an effort to make shopping for auto products easier. Our team of writers, editors, researchers, and product experts collaborates to thoroughly vet top products. We try to perform in-house testing on real vehicles whenever possible before making our recommendations.
When testing is not feasible, however, our aim is to make your life easier by doing all the online research for you and presenting that research in the form of easy-to-read product comparisons and buyers guides, rather than outright recommendations. For more information on our testing methodology and how we evaluate every product, check out our methodology page here.
#1 Most Protection: O’Neal Rider Boots
Key Features
- Unisex fit
- Metal shank reinforcement insert
- Adjustable four-buckle snap-lock closure system
- Moderate grip
- Anti-slip sole
What Customers Are Saying
RevZilla Review Score: 4.3 out of 5 based on over 50 ratings
Most customer reviews recommend getting a full or half size up for the most comfortable fit. Some customers also say these boots break in after only a few wears. A few wearers claim the screws on the buckles are loose and will fall out if not tightened properly.
What Is It Good For?
The O’Neal Rider boots are ideally suited for those who want the best ankle and foot protection regardless of what kind of motorbike they’re riding. They’re not the most comfortable for walking around town in, though, so be prepared to bring a backup pair of sneakers if you wear these on your daily commute.
#2 Best Touring Boots: TCX SP-Master Gore-Tex (Men’s/Women’s)
Men’s:
Women’s:
Key Features
- Men’s/women’s models
- Shin plate reinforcement
- Mesh interior
- Microfiber upper
- Elastic zipper
What Customers Are Saying
RevZilla Review Score: 4.8 out of 5 based on around 10 ratings
While not the most well-reviewed boots on this list, those who review the women’s model say it fits true to size and fits comfortably. These reviews also say this adventure boot helps with ankle support while holding up larger bikes.
What Is It Good For?
We recommend checking out the TCX SP-Master Gore-Tex boots if you’re going for a longer road trip and need lightweight yet durable riding shoes. Their high-quality design is perfect for a snug fit.
#3 Best Off-Road Boots: Alpinestars Tech 7 Enduro
Key Features
- CE-certified
- Heavy-duty sole
- One-piece design
- Microfiber interior
- Hard toe protector
What Customers Are Saying
RevZilla Review Score: 4.6 out of 5 based on over 70 ratings
A few negative reviews from customers say these boots fit well on their feet but are too narrow in the leg. Besides this, most reviews commend the Tech 7 boots for having a wide toe-box and adjustable buckles.
What Is It Good For?
The Alpinestars Tech 7 Enduro boots are great for motocross and any sort of trail riding. Their cushioned midsole is great for maneuvering heavier bikes, and they’re easily the most waterproof boots in our review, as well.
#4 Best Racing Boots: Alpinestars Supertech R
Key Features
- Shin plate and slider
- Front-flex area
- Rubber soles
- Low toe-box
- Lightweight rubber compound material
What Customers Are Saying
RevZilla Review Score: 4.4 out of 5 based on around 10 ratings
The Alpinestars Supertech R racing boots are not widely reviewed anywhere online, however, the feedback that is available is mainly positive. While some complain about them taking some time to break in, others praise their sturdiness and mobility.
What Is It Good For?
If you’re going to wear the Alpinestars Supertech R racing boots, wear them only for track racing. Unlike most day-to-day riding gear, these boots are designed specifically for operating racing bikes.
#5 Best Casual Riding Boots: Harley Davidson Men’s Beau/Women’s Marconi
Men’s:
Women’s:
Key Features
- Rubber outsole
- Goodyear welt construction
- Oil-resistant
- Mesh lining
- Full-grain leather upper
What Customers Are Saying
Amazon Review Score: 4.6 out of 5 based on over 1,000 ratings
Most customers have positive things to say about each boot, claiming they both fit comfortably. Marconi customers recommend buying a size down, as the boots run large. A few customers complain about the leather on the Beau boot cracking after moderate wear but not with the Marconi.
What Is It Good For?
Both the Harley-Davidson Beau and Marconi moto boots make for great commuter footwear. With their durable construction and stylish appearance, these boots can be worn to and from the store or for a road trip down the highway.
Motorcycle Boots: Bottom Line
The best motorcycle boots are built for durability and longevity, while making it easy to ride your bike. They should fit comfortably and feel secure, while still providing your feet and ankles with good range of motion. Motorcycle gear, including boots, should hold up over daily wear and tear, with the most important factors to consider being comfort and safety. The best motorcycle boots should check all your boxes and fit you perfectly.
Best Motorcycle Boots: FAQ
*Data accurate at time of publication.