Picking a pair of boots to ride in is a very personal choice, and the variation in technologies and price can be quite surprising to say the least. Multiple different outer material types, different kinds of waterproofing and differing kind of crash protection can be quite confusing, so this guide will aim to take you through a few different boots that suit various budgets and riders. We ourselves stock a vast array of boots, and unless you’ve specifically bought boots before there might be some brand names that you simply haven’t heard of.
To kick off our recommendations it’s worth going for a boot that is many things to many people. You’ll be looking for something that’s not too garish to look at with a mid-range price, solid crash protection, and maybe weather protection. Our pick in this segment is the Alpinestars SMX-6 because of its range of excellent features and reputation for quality, alongside the fact there are versions for both men and women. Unlike many boots you’ve got a fair number of different kinds to choose from that can suit different budgets and uses. In its basic form the SMX-6 costs £189.99, with the Stella version suited to women. Stepping up a notch you can include Alpinestars’ own waterproof membrane, Drystar, at £219.99, and, if you want the granddaddy of waterproofing, a Goretex version is also available at £239.99. Some people will be content with the lack of proper waterproofing (either they won’t ride much in the wet, or are content wearing carrier bags on their feet!) while others will absolutely believe the extra cash for bombproof waterproofing is justified (I fall in this camp – soggy feet are truly miserable). Alongside the membranes, the SMX-6 includes a hefty lateral ankle brace system to reduce ankle twisting, a large side-zip for easy access alongside shin armour and replaceable toe sliders.
Taking things back to basics, some people are more concerned about sheer bang for their buck. As is common with other gear RST takes the crown by a wide margin. It doesn’t look the most fancy, nor does it have the latest and greatest tech, but it will look after your feet in the event of a spill with some tried and tested methods. The Tractech Evo 3 is the pick of the bunch here, and there’s even a waterproof version available for a tenner more. The vanilla version comes in at £129.99, with the waterproofing bringing it up to £139.99 - as you can see this is a significant chunk less than the SMX-6 which is very similar in its use-case. A similar feature set of a lateral ankle brace system, replaceable toe slider, large zip and shin armour makes this a solid boot. Sure you won’t get the Alpinestars logo, but you’re getting most of the features and quality.
Maybe the idea of going for a boot purely because of how well it suits your budget isn’t for you, and you want a boot to really be worth its money – enter Daytona boots. World renowned for making boots that will last forever, Daytona boots are favourites of serious tourers and commuters. The Roadstar GTX is their best seller and for good reason. Coming in at £399.99 this is a cut above the last two sets we’ve looked at, but its real value is in how well this boot will weather the test of time. Doubled-up waterproofing (a water repellent treatment on the cowhide contruction and a Goretex membrane), a long zip on either side for super easy access and calf adjustment set this apart from the average boot, while strategically placed foam and plastic armour will not only protect from impacts, but also the droning vibration of a footpeg. If you do the miles – this is the boot for you.
If looking presentable both on and off bike is important to you then none of the above would really cut it, especially now since you can get boots that ape footwear that wouldn’t look out of place in a high street fashion retailer. You used to have to choose between decent protection or frumpy footwear – not so anymore. A wide range of manufacturers have got in on the act with competition getting fierce. These boots offer crash protection close to their conventional counterparts, but quite often they’re supremely comfortable for walking around in too. My pick of the bunch is the TCX X-Groove, sold at £159.99. They look like a decent pair of high top trainers, but not only do they pack full grain leather for abrasion resistance unlike a normal pair of trainers, they incorporate impact protection around the ankle, side-zips to avoid lacing faffery, and even a Goretex membrane. This is a pair of boots that you could potentially wear year-round on and off the bike. They’re particularly suited to a pair of aramid fibre jeans, and if you’re planning to take them out in the wet you might want to check out the fully waterproof Rokker Revolution jeans (or just bring some waterproof overs if you’re worried about getting soggy).
Finally, if you’re simply looking for a boot that’ll do the absolute best at looking after your feet and ankles in the event of an off you’re going to need to look at race boots. Suffice to say, these are not cheap as they contain the latest and greatest tech available for keeping things intact, but if you’re going anywhere near a track on a regular basis they’ll pay for themselves if you come off. Naturally they also work on the road, just be aware they’re often lacking waterproofing while not necessarily being the most convenient to put on. My pick in this category is split depending on what gear you’re wearing – if you’re wearing recent Dainese leathers then look no further than the Dainese Axial D1 boot. Unlike other boots this doesn’t intend to sit on the outside of your trousers and instead opts to sit underneath on the shin snugly, retaining the full length boot protection you’d expect, while not allowing the trouser to slip upwards thanks to its velcro attachment. Hitting £419.99 in both its normal and perforated Air guises, this is one of the best race boots available.
If you’re after a more conventional alternative, or don’t have the right Dainese gear to go with it then the Alpinestars Supertech R is where it’s at – just look at them, they scream race boot. An internal ankle brace, extensive armour on the shin and heel, and a PU/aluminium toe slider round things off nicely on the crash protection front, while an adjustable ratchet system around the shin allows for the perfect fit. Coming in just under the Axial D1 at £399.99 this remains a premium product that gives you some of the best crash protection possible.
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