What Boots Should You Wear on a Motorcycle?

Safety is paramount when it comes to motorcycle riding. While helmets often steal the spotlight, your choice of footwear is equally crucial. The right pair of boots can make a significant difference in both comfort and protection. This blog post will guide you through the essential factors to consider when choosing motorcycle boots, with a particular focus on summer boots.

Why Are Motorcycle Boots Important?

Motorcycle boots are designed to offer protection, support, and comfort while riding. Unlike regular shoes or sneakers, they come with features that can prevent severe injuries in case of an accident. Here are some reasons why investing in good motorcycle boots is essential:

1. Protection: Motorcycle boots provide robust protection for your feet, ankles, and lower legs. They often come with reinforced toes, heels, and ankle guards.
2. Grip: The soles of motorcycle boots are designed to offer excellent grip on the footpegs and the ground.
3. Comfort: Long rides can be taxing on your feet. Good motorcycle boots offer comfort features like cushioned insoles and breathable materials.
4. Durability: These boots are built to withstand harsh conditions and last longer than regular footwear.

Key Features to Look For

When shopping for summer motorcycle boots, there are several features you should prioritise:

1. Ventilation

Summer rides can get incredibly hot, making ventilation a critical feature for summer motorcycle boots. Look for options that incorporate breathable materials like mesh panels or perforated leather to ensure adequate airflow.

2. Protection

Protection should never be compromised, even in hot weather. Opt for boots that offer reinforced toe caps, ankle guards, and heel protection without sacrificing breathability.

3. Comfort

Comfort is key for long summer rides. Look for padded insoles and adjustable straps or laces that allow you to customise the fit.

4. Waterproofing

While seeking waterproofing in summer boots may seem counterintuitive, unexpected rain showers can occur anytime during your ride. Waterproof yet breathable materials are ideal.

5. Grip

The sole should provide excellent grip on the bike's footpegs and various surfaces when you're off the bike.

Types of Motorcycle Boots

There are several types of motorcycle boots available in the market, each catering to different needs:

Touring Boots

Touring boots are designed for long-distance rides and offer balanced comfort and protection. They usually have good ventilation, making them suitable as summer motorcycle boots.

Racing Boots

Racing boots focus heavily on protection with added armour around critical areas like ankles and shins but may lack ventilation compared to touring options.

Cruiser Boots

Cruiser boots often have a more casual look but still offer essential protective features like reinforced toes and heels.

Adventure/Off-road Boots

These are built for rugged terrain and offer high levels of protection, but they may not be as comfortable or ventilated as other types suitable for summer riding.

Top Picks for Summer Motorcycle Boots

Here’s a list of some top-rated summer motorcycle boots that combine safety with comfort:

Alpinestars SMX-1 R Vented Boots

These Alpinestars UK shorty-style racing-inspired vented shoes provide excellent airflow while maintaining high levels of protection around critical areas like ankles and toes.

TCX Street Ace Air Shoes

These TCX motorcycle boots casual-looking shoes feature perforated leather uppers, ensuring maximum breathability without compromising on the safety standards required by motorcyclists.

Dainese Urbactive Gore-Tex Shoes

Though slightly heavier due to their waterproof nature, these Dainese motorcycle clothing shoes still manage decent ventilation thanks to their smart design, which incorporates breathable materials where possible while ensuring full waterproofing capabilities—perfect if you’re caught in an unexpected shower during your ride!

How To Care For Your Summer Motorcycle Boots?

Proper care extends the life span of any gear, including your beloved pair(s)of summer-specific motorcycling footwear! Here’s how:

1. Cleaning: Regularly clean them using mild soap & water solution, avoiding harsh chemicals which could damage delicate fabrics/materials used, especially those promoting breathability!
2. Drying: Always air-dry naturally, avoiding direct sunlight exposure, which could cause fading/cracking over time!
3. Storage: Store them away from damp/humid environments, preferably inside cool/dry places, ensuring they retain shape/structure throughout usage periods!

Race Leathers Motorcycle Gear

Choosing appropriate footwear isn’t just about style; it’s about ensuring maximum safety combined seamlessly with utmost comfort, especially during scorching summers! Prioritise key aspects such as ventilation alongside robust protective elements when selecting ideal pairs suited perfectly towards enhancing overall riding experiences regardless of whether embarking upon short commutes or extended tours across varied terrains! Remember to always prioritise quality over cost since investing wisely today ensures safer/more enjoyable journeys tomorrow!

Check out our full range of products, such as motorcycle clothing, motorcycle boots, motorcycle helmets, motorcycle gloves, motorcycle suits, motorcycle jackets and motorcycle trousers, which are available online or by visiting our Darwen store today. If you have any questions regarding any of our ranges, please call our customer service team at Race Leathers Motorcycle Gear store on 01254 704 000, and we will be more than happy to help.