The Best Motorcycle Boots in 2023 – By Experts

Wearing specialized gear while motorcycling is a no-brainer, but people don’t seem to know how important it is to wear specifically-designed motorcycle boots until they ride their motorcycle with their regular boots.

They are a necessity, not a luxury because there are many vulnerable bones in your feet that only this type of boots can protect. Also, when the weather gets too extreme or slippery, only weatherproof motorcycle boots with grippy outsoles can keep you comfortable.

All that said, choosing the right pair isn’t easy since there are many types that serve different purposes, and it can get overwhelming to choose one pair. So, consider my list of the best motorcycle boots for men and women to get yourself closer to your new riding companions.

List of the Best Motorcycle Boots for Men:

Preview	Boots	Features	Price
Best for Touring	Ad Tec Men’s 11″ Harness Motorcycle Boot	Rating: 4.6/5	View On Amazon
Best Hybrid Design	Under Armour Men’s Stellar Tac Boots	Rating: 4.6/5	View On Amazon
Best for a “Bad Boy” Look	Harley-Davidson Men’s Brake Buckle Boots	Rating: 4.8/5	View On Amazon
Budget Pick	Bruno Marc Men’s Motorcycle Combat Oxford Boots	Rating: 4.3/5	View On Amazon

List of the Best Motorcycle Boots for Women:

Preview	Boots	Features	Price
Best for Off-road Riding	O’Neal 0325-709 Women’s Rider Boots	Rating: 4.7/5	View On Amazon
Premium Off-road Choice	Alpinestars Women’s Stella Tech 3 Boots	Rating: 4.8/5	View On Amazon
Best for Cruising	Harley-Davidson Women’s Talley Ridge Motorcycle Boot	Rating: 4.6/5	View On Amazon
Most Stylish	FRYE Women’s Veronica Short Boots	Rating: 4.1/5	View On Amazon

The 4 Best Motorcycle Boots for Men in 2022

These four motorcycle boots for men have various advantages like style, protection, durability, and support. I’ll also go over the cons to help you form a better idea on the boots and make it easier to finalize your buying decision.

1. Ad Tec Men’s 11″ Harness Motorcycle Boots – Best for Touring

Not every pair of motorcycle boots functions as a touring one. It can be challenging to find the necessary combination of style, comfort, durability, and waterproof abilities everywhere. I had to do some serious research to find the affordable yet excellent Ad Tec Men’s 11″ Harness Motorcycle Boots.

Let’s start with the looks. The luxurious look of the full-grain oiled leather is unbeatable. Also, the O-ring harness straps look classy and enable you to rock these boots anywhere, not just on the bike. These boots will definitely get your compliments.

The construction is pretty solid, as well. The uppers are made from heavy-duty, full-grain oiled leather. Besides looking classy, the thick leather ensures the sturdiness and durability of the boots.

In addition, the Goodyear welt construction ties the whole boots together, which means that they won’t come apart in time like cheaper ones do. What else do you need from touring boots?

Plus, the boots are waterproof because you always want to be prepared when you’re traveling, and nobody wants their feet soaked on the pegs. The oil-resistant outsoles ensure that you won’t slip off the pegs no matter what, and you can ride confidently at all times.

Traveling or riding for long distances can get pretty uncomfortable with the wrong pair of boots. However, the Ad Tec Harness Boots provide cushioned insoles for maximum comfort.

Despite all of the advantages, these boots have their disadvantages. First, the boots only come in black, and as attractive as it looks, I would have liked to see some other options. Second, the sizing isn’t accurate and runs large. Finally, since they’re touring boots, they’re not focused on protection, so don’t wear them where you need your toes, ankles, and heels protected.

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2. Under Armour Men’s Stellar Tac Boots – Best Hybrid Design

Are you looking for footwear that has a bit of a hybrid design? The Under Armour Men’s Stellar Tac Boots have a sneaker-boot hybrid design that has all the benefits of both. They’re affordable, stylish, practical, lightweight, sturdy, water-repellent, and breathable.

At first look, these boots may look like chunky black sneakers to you because of the front lacing system, but they’re no sneakers. They’re minimalist boots with polishable toes that enable you to go from riding to socializing to doing outdoor activities in no time.

The construction of the uppers is interesting because they’re made from a combination of the obviously popular leather and the highly resilient yet lightweight 900D nylon textile. This combination results in a durable and rugged yet lightweight pair of boots that looks more expensive than it is.

In addition, the leather is coated with a quick-dry DWR finish to make the boots water-repellent, which is a feature that riders and outdoorsy athletes will appreciate. Moreover, the boots are lined with an antimicrobial, breathable material that keeps your feet dry and fresh all day.

These boots are a must-have on my list because of the protection they provide, as well. The molded EVA midsoles are lightweight, supportive, and shock-absorbent. Also, the reinforced TPU shank offers abrasion resistance and strength to the boots. Plus, I love the high-traction rubber lug outsoles because they protect bikers from slipping.

I’m still not done yet with the advantages. The front lacing system enables you to control the tightness of the boots, while the side zippers make it easier to slip in and out of the boots.

As expected, these boots have their downsides. Like the Ad Tec, they offer no color options, aside from black. Also, the sizing isn’t accurate either; it runs small, so you have to order a size up, or else they’ll be too tight. You don’t want your motorcycle boots to be too tight, trust me.

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3. Harley-Davidson Men’s Brake Buckle Boots – Best for a “Bad Boy” Look

The first thing that comes to mind when someone says “motorcycle” is a bad boy with a black leather jacket and a black pair of leather boots with metallic detail. If that’s a look that you’re into, Harley-Davidson Men’s Brake Buckle Boots will help you achieve the look and more.

Let’s talk about the bold design. The black leather boots have logo metal eyelets for the lacing, a front cross strap with logo buckle, logo metal tabs on the toes and heels, and a Harley Bar & Shield V-Wing logo on the sides. To sum up, you wear them when you really want to show off your Harley-Davidson boots to the world.

Now, I want to discuss the construction. These boots have leather, which is what you expect from a premium pair. Also, the Goodyear welt construction strongly binds the soles, insoles, and uppers. The fact that they’re resoleable makes these boots a worthy investment that is in it for the long haul, which is excellent if you’re done with disposable footwear.

The rubber outsoles are both oil-resistant and slip-resistant. So, no matter what comes your way, your feet will be secure and confident. What about comfort? These boots have a full-length cushion sock lining that is breathable. Also, the rubber outsoles and heels are pretty easy on the feet.

You can tell that Harley-Davidson put a lot of thought into the closure system of the boots. They have a front lacing system that lets you customize the fit, while the front cross straps with buckles keep your feet secured. Also, there are YKK locking inside zippers that keep your boots zipped.

The Harley-Davidson Men’s Brake Buckle Boots have disadvantages, just like they have advantages that we discussed. Like the Ad Tec and Under Armour boots, these boots only come in black. While it looks good with every outfit, a color or two more wouldn’t hurt.

Also, the price tag of these boots is higher than the Ad Tec and Under Armour ones. They’re not expensive, but they’re not the cheapest either.

Another disadvantage is that the toe box can be wide for some. It’s not wide for me, but it’s because I have wide toes. Plus, the “full-grain” leather on these boots is appreciated, but it could have been thicker, for the sake of protection.

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4. Bruno Marc Men’s Motorcycle Combat Oxford Boots – Budget Pick

Sometimes bikers want basic motorcycle shoes that don’t cost much but worry that nothing that is cheap is good. The incredibly affordable Bruno Marc Men’s Motorcycle Combat Oxford Boots are here to prove you wrong with premium style, comfort, and slip-resistance.

Starting with the design, these boots look really attractive, especially at their price point. Combat oxford boots are a must-have in every fashionable man’s closet. The combination of laces, zippers, and buckles makes the boots look expensive. 

Also, the Bruce Marc boots come in a wide selection of colors to match your sociable and riding outfits because you will definitely wear these for socializing, as well. My favorite color options are the black and gray ones.

The construction of these shoes is unique because it replaces leather uppers with rubber for good reasons. Rubber is a highly protective material that resists impact and abrasion better than natural materials. Also, its flexibility makes for pretty comfortable shoes. 

On the other hand, the rubber outsoles offer adequate slip resistance because nobody wants their feet to slip off the pegs every few minutes.

These boots are also comfortable. I love their choice of faux-fur for lining because it’s affordable yet pretty warm. Also, the insoles have arch support, which makes these boots better for your foot health than most. Plus, the laces and side zippers work together to make your boots fit just right.

As you probably expected, these boots have downsides. First of all, they don’t offer targeted protection for vulnerable areas like the toes, ankles, and heels. I appreciate the protection of the rubber itself, but I wanted more. Second of all, these boots won’t last you more than a year, which is expected from such an affordable price point, so keep that in mind.

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The 4 Best Motorcycle Boots for Women in 2022

My top four motorcycle boots for women are superior to others in terms of quality, flexibility, support, and water resistance. I will talk about their downsides, too.

1. O’Neal 0325-709 Women’s Rider Boots – Best for Off-road Riding

There are many reasons that encourage more women to ride off-road like improving balance, strengthening the heart, and engaging more muscles. Of course, you have to take quality boots like the O’Neal 0325-709 Women’s Rider Boots.

In terms of the look, the O’Neal Rider Boots stand out like race boots. The combination of synthetic leather with metals and plastics, along with the loud logo at the front, had to be attention-grabbing. I personally love the black and pink color scheme because it’s bold and feminine.

The construction of these boots is different from the other options on the list because it’s 100% vegan, which appeals to a newer group of bikers. The synthetic leather used in these boots is microfiber, to be exact. I like it because it’s water- and chemical-resistant, unlike real leather. 

Plus, you don’t have to take care of synthetic leather as you do with the real thing, so why not? Also, synthetic leather acts as a heat shield to prevent the possibility of heat damage.

In addition, the Goodyear welt construction ties all of the soles securely and ensures their stability and durability because no one wants to change their motorcycle boots every six months.

The insides of the boots also feel nice, thanks to the breathable, air mesh interiors and generous heel support. Moreover, the cushioned insoles provide much-needed comfort and relief for the feet. Plus, the outsoles provide a moderate amount of grip that suits track, trail, and ATV bikers.

The O’Neal Rider Boots are pretty generous with protection too. I love how much protection and support the metal shank insert provides. Also, you have the perfect amount of impact resistance in the form of injection-molded plastic plates. Furthermore, your toes are safeguarded from delaminating, thanks to the metal toe guards that also complete the look.

In terms of closure, these boots do an impressive job, thanks to the snap-lock adjustable four buckles that offer the feet a customized yet secure fit. There are replacements for the straps and buckles too.  Also, I love the placement of the rear pull tab because it gives extra leverage.

However, these boots aren’t 100% perfect. As much as I loved the color scheme, more color options would have been great to enable me to match my boots to more riding outfits. Also, these boots are a bit too stiff, which is expected with all of the protection that they provide. So, I wouldn’t recommend using them for anything other than off-road riding.

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2. Alpinestars Women’s Stella Tech 3 Boots – Premium Off-road Choice

Off-road riding is dangerous, bumpy, muddy, and uneven. You need a pair of premium boots that offer a high level of protection while keeping you comfortable and dry, which is exactly what the Alpinestars Women’s Stella Tech 3 Boots provide.

Like the O’Neal boots, these ones stand out. The combination of different materials like synthetic leather and plastics brings an incredibly loud look, which I personally don’t mind for dirt biking. These boots also come in two color options.

These boots are 100% vegan, which is great news for vegan female bikers and others who don’t care for genuine leather. The microfiber uppers are flexible, abrasion-resistant, water-resistant, and weight-saving. In addition, synthetic leather ensures a more consistent fit and ease of maintenance.

One of my favorite features in Alpinestars’ boots is how they pay attention to fitting. For example, these boots are specially designed for women’s calves, which can make all the difference in the world in how they fit. Also, these boots have an inner mesh liner for comfortable moisture-wicking. Plus, the removable anatomic footbeds ensure even distribution of the feet.

You won’t have to worry about flexibility with these boots. Alpinestars impresses once again with the Instep and Achilles accordion flex zones. I love how the low-profile medial and lateral pivot systems put you in control of your movements.

The Alpinestars boots are serious about protecting your feet from the dangers of off-road riding. Their one-piece injected dual compound foot shells are highly resistant to abrasion and impact. Moreover, co-injected hard toe protectors keep your toes safe, and the integrated steel shank protects the feet from impact.

In addition, one feature that stands out in these boots is their low-profile toes, which are more than helpful and practical when it comes to shifting gears.

I still haven’t talked about the closures yet. The boots come with an ergonomic buckle system that incorporates polymer and fiberglass buckle arms and high-impact aluminum bridge closures, which makes the buckles lightweight yet durable and tough.

While I clearly love the boots, they do have some not-so-serious flaws. Firstly, you can immediately tell that these boots come with a high price tag. If it weren’t for their price, I would have rated them above the O’Neal boots. So, prepare to splurge a little.

Also, while these boots have impressive flexibility, the microfiber needs some break-in time. So, they will feel stiff in the beginning. 

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3. Harley-Davidson Women’s Talley Ridge Motorcycle Boots – Best for Cruising

Cruising is a beginner-friendly form of motorcycling that every female biker should try sometime. However, you need to find boots that balance comfort and minor protection for this type of riding. Also, the boots need to be stylish to match the cruiser, which is what the Harley-Davidson Women’s Talley Ridge Motorcycle Boots are all about.

Let’s talk about how good they look because everyone you’ll meet will tell you about it. These mid-calf black leather boots are sassy as you’d expect a Harley-Davidson’s pair to be. The classic combat silhouette is accompanied by metallic logo lace charms and buckled straps. 

Another notable feature about these boots is how they make feet look smaller. So, if that sounds like something that you like or you have big feet, why look elsewhere?

The uppers of these boots are made from full-grain leather, which ups your fashion game and adds enough protection for cruising with these boots. In addition, these boots feature cement construction for uncompromised durability despite the reasonable price point.

Harley-Davidson isn’t messing around with the rubber outsoles, which are abrasion, oil, and slip-resistant. So, they really made sure that your feet will be secured in their place; there’s no slipping with these boots on.

The boots aren’t just durable and protective. They’re pretty comfortable too, thanks to the breathable mesh lining that works wonders on hot days when foot sweat gets really uncomfortable.

Like many Harley-Davidson boots, these boots are pretty out there with their closures. If you hate tying shoelaces, you can tie these once for a perfect fit and forget about them. Also, the buckled straps are a perfect and fashionable way to secure your feet. Furthermore, the YKK dual-locking inside and outside zippers are the final way to keep these boots shut.

Of course, I found some imperfections in the shoes. Like the O’Neal Women’s Rider Boots, these ones only come in one color. In addition, the sizing isn’t accurate, so order a size up to avoid the boots being too tight.

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4. FRYE Women’s Veronica Short Boots – Most Stylish

Female bikers that always want to be stylish and love classic-style motorcycle boots will love the high-quality FRYE Women’s Veronica Short Boots.

Let’s start with the washed and antiqued design, which I could talk about for hours. It is as classic as the 157-year old manufacturer, which is the oldest continuously operated American shoe company. 

These mid-calf boots are blessed with weathered Italian leather and polished buckles that make you stand out among cheap sneaker-wearers. Also, they come in a variety of colors and finishes to cater to different tastes. My favorite color options are black, cognac, and chocolate glazed.

FRYE boasts of its solid construction that suits motorcycling. The supple Italian leather’s quality speaks for itself, and it will definitely last you a long time. 

It has already been broken in for extra comfort, and its soft buttery texture will make you forget about all non-leather boots. Also, these boots have leather insoles that are cushioned to keep your feet comfortable for the longest time. Also, the leather outsoles have rubber foreparts that prevent your feet from slipping off the pegs.

The soles of the boots are connected with Goodyear welt construction, which promises and delivers the promises of making boots last longer and having a higher quality than others.

I also love the closure of the boots. The antiqued, polished, metal buckles are reliable closures, besides adding to the whole industrial vibe of the boots.

Of course, these boots have their cons, just like they have pros. For motorcycle boots, they don’t offer specialized protection that will protect your calves, ankles, toes, or heels. In addition, the sizing is inaccurate, and you have to get a size up to avoid the boots being inconveniently tight.

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How to Pick Motorcycle Boots

Whether you’re an amateur biker or a professional one, there are many aspects that you need to consider before you choose your next pair of motorcycle boots.

Materials

The materials used in the construction of the boots can dramatically affect your riding experience, and each of them has advantages that separate them from others.

Leather

Leather is the most commonly used material in motorcycle boots. Besides looking the best, leather boots protect the feet and keep them more comfortable than synthetic leather boots. Also, they have a longer lifespan. 

Look for full-grain leather for the highest durability and strength because the thicker, the better. Also, treated leather is great when you’re riding in the rain, and don’t want the leather to absorb the water.

Microfiber

Microfiber is the synthetic, vegan alternative to genuine leather. It replicates its look, although genuine leather ages more beautifully. Also, microfiber resists water and chemicals, which is great news for bikers who want to be prepared at all times. 

In addition, it is pretty low-maintenance when you compare it to leather, so you’ll love it if you don’t want to spend more energy taking care of your boots like me.

Kevlar

Besides the main upper materials, other materials play a part in the construction of the motorcycle boots to maximize the benefits. Synthetic fibers, like Kevlar, are corrosion-resistant, high-tensile, heat-resistant, and lightweight plastics that complement leather’s properties by adding maximum protection and comfort.

Kevlar and other plastics have a very different look from the classic motorcycle boots look that leather provides, but it is essential when you ignore the aesthetics.

Gore-Tex

Gore-Tex is a famous fabric in the world of outerwear and sportswear, and it’s for good reasons. It is lightweight and moisture-wicking, which makes wearing it in hot weather a blessing.

Also, it’s waterproof and windproof, so it prevents you from getting soaked in the rain or affected by the wind. So, these properties make Gore-Tex one of the most comfortable and practical fabrics out there.

Protection

Motorcycling is fun and thrilling. Yet, it is super risky, and you have to wear protective gear to ensure your own safety. One of the main reasons for getting a pair of motorcycle boots in the first place is the strategic protection that they provide, and despite what your non-biker friends may tell you, work boots don’t offer the proper protection that you need while motorcycling.

Most motorcycle boots have different kinds of armor, sliders, plates, molds, shanks, heat shields, and paddings to protect the knees, shins, calves, ankles, heels, and toes.

The level of protection differs from one pair to another. Plus, casual bikers and cruisers don’t need the same level of protection as racers and off-road bikers.

Waterproof

Nobody thinks of waterproof motorcycle boots as a necessity until they ride in the rain, and the water soaks the feet. Walking with soaked feet, in general, is terrible while riding a motorcycle with soaked feet is hell. 

You need your feet to be dry to be comfortable and safe. So, it is always best to look for waterproof boots because you can wear them in all seasons.

Design

If you google motorcycle boots right now, you’ll notice that they look very different from each other, which makes choosing a pair incredibly frustrating for beginners, but there’s a reason for that. Every style of riding needs different features in its specifically designed shoes, so you need to figure out what kind of riding you’ll do before you get them.

Race

Race boots are bold in their design, and if you wear them outside the race, you may look like a clown, no offense to racers who had to wear them off-the-bike for whatever reason. These boots incorporate different forms of protection to prepare for the worst. Also, breathability is essential in these boots.

Touring

Touring boots protect the toes, heels, and shins like racer boots, but they have more flexible ankles because bikers wear for really long rides, hence the name. Have you tried traveling in uncomfortable shoes? It’s horrible. So, touring boots offer less protection, but they’re more comfortable.

Off-road

If you’re looking for something different to accompany you on off-road biking, you need adequate footwear because you’re riding on uneven and muddy terrains. These boots are meant to balance rigidness that protects you from dirt, stones, and more while still being comfortable enough for you to jump or shift gears.

Fit and Comfort

It is really important for motorcycle boots to fit you perfectly, meaning that they’re neither too tight nor loose, and you may wonder why.

Tight boots will cause you to foot problems that you don’t need in your active life. On the other hand, boots that are too loose are basically unsafe when motorcycling. So, pay attention to the sizing of the boots you’re buying, and whether they’re true to size or not.

There are other factors besides the size that are equally important in making you feel comfortable. For example, you need breathable boots to wick away the sweat. Also, replaceable, anatomically shaped footbeds and heels are a blessing. Plus, cushioned insoles are a must because motorcycling needs comfort to be worth it.

Final Thoughts

Here are the top highlights of my list of the best motorcycle boots for men and women to help you choose the right pair for your purpose and taste.

My favorite pick for men is the Ad Tec Men’s 11″ Harness Motorcycle Boots; they are full-grain leather boots that are affordable, classy, waterproof, and oil-resistant. Next in line, the Under Armour Men’s Stellar Tac Boots impress with a minimalist, breathable, water-repellent, and protective design.

For women, there’s no pair that’s better than the O’Neal 0325-709 Women’s Rider Boots. They are breathable, supportive, and incredibly protective. Also, the Alpinestars Women’s Stella Tech 3 Boots also stand out because they’re comfortable, flexible, and also very protective.