Even before I got my first motorcycle, I placed a lot of research into what bike I should get and what type of gear I would need. Motorcycle boots were the first thing I considered (after a helmet) because if my feet were comfortable and safe, it would give me much more confidence in riding, in turn, making me a better rider.
One of the things I was wondering was if motorcycle shoes are worth the money. They seem to be a hybrid version between regular shoes and motorcycle boots. In my opinion, motorcycle shoes are worth it if you don’t want to use boots. They give you extra safety compared with regular shoes, but they still have the comfort of a normal shoe which makes you wear them on every ride.
Just like any motorsport, or any sport for that matter, motorcycle riding requires its own set of equipment specifically designed for the activity. The five most important pieces of gear include the helmet, jacket, pants, gloves, and boots.
Why wear motorcycle shoes?
Riding motorcycles, like most sports, comes with risks. Appropriate safety equipment is needed to ensure that riders don’t get injured, or at least get minimal injuries when they get into trouble. Motorcycle boots provide protection for the rider’s toes, heel, ankles, and some even protect the shin.
Motorcycle shoes are also specified for motorcycle riding not only in crash protection but also in ergonomics. Regular shoes might have laces or parts that could snag in a bike’s foot controls. Also, regular shoes don’t have shift pads that protect the shoe from wear. Finally, there’s always the added benefit of style. This is a personal opinion but I think motorcycle shoes add a lot of style to a rider and the ride. They’re pretty cool.
Do motorcycle shoes add safety?
I was in a red light one time and I started to lose balance. The bike started leaning to the right so I had to put my right leg down. Unfortunately, my laces got tangled in the brake lever and what ended up happening was one of the most embarrassing tumbles I’ve ever experienced.
Another time I went to swing my leg over my bike and my laces got snagged onto the bike’s rear passenger grab handles. I too fell to the ground along with my bike.
Both incidents could have ended up with me getting pinned under the weight of my bike but luckily the worst I got was a few scratches. Now, what would have happened if I had been cruising ar 50 km/h and had to brake or downshift for an emergency only to find out that my foot couldn’t reach the brake or shift lever in time because it was tangled in the bike’s foot controls? Something much worse could have happened.
Furthermore, motorcycle-specific boots also help with certain types of bikes and certain styles of riding. For example, you won’t see anyone wearing a pair of Air Jordans on a dirt trail. They’d be hearing knee-high or shin-high dirt boots!
The same goes for street riding, track riding, commuting, or touring. Motorcycle shoes come in a huge array of different styles, functions, and capabilities so riders would have no problem finding a pair that would suit their preferred riding style.
What protection do motorcycle shoes provide?
Motorcycle shoes differ from shoe to shoe but share a lot of features. The shared features are what make them motorcycle-specific gear. These features usually include:
- Protection for the heel to prevent the foot from being crushed,
- A toe box with reinforcements, sometimes steel is used,
- Protection for the malleolus or the ankle bone from abrasion and impacts, and
- Reinforcements on the sole, some motorcycle shoes have steel shanks for soles.
A motorcycle shoes’ protection isn’t limited to these four features but these are the most common. Some shoes add much more protection and comfort features like waterproofing. Other high-end motorcycle shoes can even be used for a round-the-world trip.
The hands and feet are usually parts of the body that receive the most damage when in an accident mainly because they are extremities that fling about when you get thrown off. That’s why wearing motorcycle shoes could potentially save you from scratches, broken bones, or even a missing limb.
Best motorcycle shoes
There over a thousand pairs of motorcycle boots on the market, maybe even more. There’s no possible way of finding the best among the bunch but here are a few good candidates. I’ve taken the liberty to include a somewhat wide range of motorcycle boots that riders of all types might like.
TCX Rush Boots
If your rides consist of spirited weekend rushes through canyons or winding roads, then the TCX Rush Boots are for you. If you like carving corners on weekends or cutting through traffic on your sportbike, these boots will see to it you get the job done.
The Rush boots have low profile toe sliders for those who like to occasionally abuse their boots on those knee-dragging corners. Heel and toe counters and ankle reinforcements bolster protection. Injected molded air intakes are formed into the suede and soft-touch microfiber upper to maximize breathability. These boots are also waterproof ensuring that your feet remain comfortable even after a surprise cloud burst. There’s also an Air version for those hot summer rides.
Ergonomic appointments including durable yet flexible soles and VELCRO® brand closures at the ankles that also serve to retain the laces make the TCX Rush WP Boots ideal for commuting, urban and sport riding. From the rush hour to the weekend rush, the TCX Rush Boots will get you to your destination in style and comfort.
TCX X-Blend WP Boots
Now, what if you want a classic pair of leather motorcycle boots? What if you’re looking for a pair that would look great on and off the bike? Look no further than the TCX X-Blend WP Boots.
The TCX X-Blend WP Boots would go great with almost any motorcycle from cruisers to standard bikes to cafe racers and retro bikes. These would also not look out of place in your shoe closet with all the other shoes as they’re actually a pretty good lifestyle piece. Nothing beats a good old pair of leather boots.
These boots have all the bells and whistles of a good motorcycle boot like ankle, heel, and toe protection. The soles are also reinforced wear-resistant rubber but are also reasonably flexible for walking around.
The TCX X-Blend WP Boots are constructed from genuine full-grain vintage leather ensuring maximum protection and durability. There is a waterproof component as well and the boot comes up to the middle of the shin so you’d have no problem getting wet. It also comes with a grip-style off-the-bike sole so these would be great under a pair of regular jeans on any day.
Overall, the X-Blend boots are a good pair of classic vintage leather motorcycle boots that will look stunning on and off the bike. From commuting to a night ride out to your favorite bar, the X-Blend will definitely have heads turning. You could never go wrong with a classic pair of leather boots.
Are they worth it?
So we should go back to the question this article desires to answer: Are motorcycle shoes worth it? Yes, motorcycle shoes are indeed very much worth it. You shouldn’t ride with your regular shoes, so at least upgrade your shoes to motorcycle shoes. Motorcycle boots might add extra protection, but I think that the comfort of a shoe also gives value to me. And with a wide range to choose from, I see no reason why every rider shouldn’t have a pair.