We know that motorcycle riding boots should be sturdy enough to protect you from tough road conditions and vibrations from your motorbike. The sturdiness should also keep your feet safe in event of an accident.
We also know that steel toe boots are built for durability and they, therefore, feature steel and other durable materials such as plastics, composites, and aluminum for reinforcement to guard the feet against falling and rolling objects. Their sole plates are also known to resist punctures. But are the shoes good for motorcycle riding?
The answer to this question is, no. Steel toe cap boots are not good for motorcycle riding. While the boots have several characteristics similar to those of motorcycle boots, they are designed to serve a different purpose. Steel toe boots, commonly known as safety boots, work boots, or industrial boots, are designed to protect the toes from falling objects. Thus, manufacturers make them with tough leather and tough-toe steel plates.
On the other hand, motorcycle riding boots are made of rubber sole plates, heavy leather, and composite materials that allow easier movement of the legs to control the gear and brake shift levers while offering adequate comfort and protection.
Some of the Things that Make Steel Toe Boots a Bad Choice for Motorcycle Riding
Unlike motorcycle riding boots, steel toe boots do not offer any ankle protection and their sole plates are not reinforced to protect your feet from bending. They are therefore not as protective as boots designed specifically for motorcycle riding. Here are some other things that make steel toe boots a bad choice for motorcycle riding.
- Steel toe boots are less comfortable and heavier than boots and shoes designed for motorbike riders. While some motorbike riding boots are heavy, you will not encounter any problems when riding in them.
- Unlike motorcycle boots, steel toe cap boots are known to cause discomfort if they are not broken in and when they do not fit properly.
- The toe box can be painful when rubbed against the toes.
- The toe cap can make gear shifting hard if it is very close to the gear shifter peg. That can give you problems when starting and slowing the bike.
- Unlike motorcycle riding boots, steel toe boots are not waterproof. So, you cannot wear them when riding in the rain.
- Work boots only protect the toes from vertical crashes if something accidentally drops on your feet. Unfortunately, different forces originating from different directions arise in event of a motorcycle crash. The forces can bend the soleplate, therefore, damaging the steel toe box and cutting your foot.
- Steel cup boots are designed to provide maximum protection for the toe area. However, they do not protect the back of your foot.
- Work boots come with long laces that can easily get tangled in the brake and gear lever pegs or the chain of your motorcycle. You do not want that to happen because it can make stopping the bike hard.
The Characteristics of Good Motorcycle Riding Boots
Knowing the characteristics of motorcycle riding boots before starting your shopping journey is important. Here are the main characteristics to look for when shopping.
The Height
For your motorcycle boots to protect you adequately, they should cover your feet at least up to the ankles and have enough stability at the top for adequate support. High-top motorcycle boots are known to be stiffer and lesser comfortable than low boots, which cover up to the ankles. However, the high boots offer more protection.
One of the commonest injuries that arise during motorcycle crashes occurs when the foot gets trapped. The motions can sprain, break, and even injure the ankle if the boot does not offer adequate support. Even more, the ankle bone can be scraped easily into the ground if your motorbike slides because it is outside your leg. A full-height boot will cover your ankle and keep the foot protected.
Material
Most manufacturers use soft leather or canvas to make ordinary walking shoes. Unfortunately, the materials will not offer adequate protection if you happen to hit the asphalt. It is for that reason suppliers of motorcycle riding boots use thick leather as the main material because it is highly resistant to abrasion. Recently, some manufacturers started using textile materials because they are both breathable and abrasion-resistant.
The boots should be reinforced in the high-wear areas such as double layers of textile, leather, and plastic sliders. If you ride or commute in varying leather, you will require some form of weather protection, and motorcycle boots manufacturers already know that. If the boots are made of leather, ensure that the leather is treated because untreated leather can absorb water and make your rides uncomfortable.
Closures
From Velcro to laces, how the motorcycle riding boots open and close is a personal choice. Laces are the most popular because they provide a precise fit and allow the user to remove the boots easily. On the downside, laces are known to come undone easily while riding and the hooks. Most laced boots will also feature hooks that can snag on the bike when dismounting or mounting. Other closure systems include buckles that strap down the laces and Velcro.
Soles
The sole should give you adequate grip depending on the type of riding you plan to do. Softer soles tend to grip the footpeg in a better way but they wear down very fast. On the other hand, harder soles are durable but offer lesser grip. Either way, ensure that the soles are oil-resistant, particularly if you are buying boots for street riding. Motorcyclists find it hard to ride on roads with oil build-up when they are not wearing boots with oil-resistant soles.
Construction
The construction of motorcycle riding boots is another important consideration. The best motorcycle riding boots will feature triple- or double-stitching so that they can stay together including after a severe accident. Soles glued to the boot are not strong or as long-lasting as the triple-stitched boots.
The Fit
This is more important when shopping for motorcycle riding boots online. Check the sizing guide that the manufacturer provides because most manufacturers size their boots differently. When buying from European manufacturers, you will have to start by converting your US size to the EU size.
And considering that EU boots are narrower than those made in the United States, you will have to consider the socks you will be wearing when riding the bike. Thick socks are known to affect how the boot fits and therefore trying the boots on with the pair of socks is important after receiving them.
Motorcycle riding boots are tougher to get on and off compared to normal shoes. That might be a pain but the boot will unlikely fly off in event of a crash and expose your foot.
Armor and Protection
Extra padding and armor will make your boots more protective. Most motorcycle racing boots come with inbuilt armor made of carbon, Kevlar, or plastic placed in the fragile and high-impact areas to offer more protection. When it comes to street boots, manufacturers add steel plates around the toe area to protect the toes in event of an accident.
Replaceable Parts
Motorcycle boots also come with fitted booties so that the racer can get a better fit and also take them out for cleaning and airing out. Some boots will come with other replaceable parts, such as toe sliders to allow replacement after they get chewed out. That eliminates the need of buying a new pair of riding boots after the parts are worn out.
The Various Types of Motorcycle Riding Boots
Perhaps, you already know that the market offers many types of motorcycling footwear. Each type has its purpose and advantages. Here are the main types.
- Cruising Boots: These are the best choice for safety-oriented motorcyclists. The boots feature-heavy paddings to protect your legs from harsh elements. They also come with soles that are slip-resistant and flexible.
- Touring Boots: Touring boots are a good choice for motorcyclists who love long tours because they are ideal for all weather conditions. They are also among the safest boots.
- Commuter Boots: These boots are a good choice for people who use their motorcycles for commuting. They feature slip-resistant soles, a strong toe-box, tough material, and ankle support.
- Racing Boots: These motorcycle boots are made specifically for racing on tracks and they, therefore, offer more foot, leg, and ankle protection.
- Off-roading Boots: Off-roading boots are a good choice for motorcycle riders who love going off-road. The boots will cover you from the toes to the knees and offer extra safety features.
Conclusion
Motorcycle boots are designed to offer maximum protection. Manufacturers, therefore, make them from heavy-weight leather and various composite materials such as metal, hard plastic, and energy-dissipating and impact-absorbing padding. Their height ranges between 10 inches and 38 inches so that they can protect the foot, ankles, and legs.