Frequently disregarded by other drivers on the road, motorcycle riders face a high danger of accidents. According to BITRE, there has been a total of 2081 motorcycle fatalities in Australia in the last couple of years.
After your hands, your feet are the most crucial point of interaction with your motorbike and are in charge of braking and gear shifting, which is why most accidents can cause injuries to the feet and legs. So, having the right pair of boots is crucial to protect your lower extremities.
Why Are Motorcycle Boots Important?
You will be surprised to hear that more and more motorcyclists spend thousands on a good riding jacket or helmet but when it comes down to boots, they just simply run Adidas Sambas or Jordans. So short-sighted right?
Don’t be such a person and invest in premium quality motorcycle boots for utmost comfort and safety while riding! Unlike regular daily boots, motorbike boots are built very differently. The business uses a lot of Kevlar, as well as tough leather and abrasion-resistant fabrics. To safeguard your ankle, feet, or calves in the case of an accident, motorcycle footwear is also featured with armour.
As most regular footwear isn’t designed to be sent at high speeds down a highway’s rough tarmac, when riding with a regular shoe, you run the risk of burning a hole through the sole and your foot, if you accidentally put your foot down. And do you want to have your soles sandpapered at 80 mph? We don’t believe so!
What to Look for in the Perfect Pair?
Given there are a lot of motorcycle-riding disciplines, not all motorcycle boots are created equal, plus there are so many different styles and brands available. To give you a better insight into what you’re looking for, we have rounded up all the important factors you should keep in mind when shopping for the perfect pair.
Boot Styles
Although manufacturers have modified their boots to meet the various needs of riders, it all comes down to your preferences and the type of moto riding. In general, there are four fundamental categories that we use to categorize motorcycle footwear: touring boots, sport boots, biker or city boots, and off-road or enduro boots.
True all-rounders, touring boots are essentially appropriate for every biker. They are used on tours for both weekend getaways and multi-day motorbike trips. Since they are typically made of leather, black is their most common colour. Any type of motorcycle pants will readily suit your touring boots.
Sports or racing footwear as their name implies are usually worn for track racing. Since moto cycling like this requires extremely high speed and particularly bad falls, racing boots are usually made of leather or Lorica which is a high-tech microfiber.
They have many different reinforcements made of extremely stable carbon or plastic compound, with a large part of the shoe covered with them. In addition, almost every racing design features Velcro and zipper fasteners to open and close easily.
The bikers boots, on the other hand, have different names such as urban, city or chopper boots. These come in a range of styles, most of which feature a pointed heel. Some extend just above the foot while others reach halfway up the shins. To have a greater grip on the pedal, many biker boots also feature short heels with a slight vintage cowboy vibe to them. They are typically made of black or brown leather.
Off-road or enduro models are specially developed for uneven terrain with stones, dirt and mud. Typically, they are constructed of more than just leather and include a variety of other materials. Manufacturers emphasize durability above anything else, so they also give them plastic or carbon supports.
Reinforcements
When shopping for the best motorcycle boots Australia-wide check out their reinforcement at the heel, toe, ankle, shin, and outer areas for improved safety. Various reinforcements guarantee low abrasion and minimal shock in the event of an accident.
Additionally, we advise shifting reinforcement to prevent damage to the relevant area of the boot during gear changes. Moreover, if you are riding a sports cycle, check to see if there is an additional metal reinforcement near the little toes. This will shield your toe fingers from any impacts when you make tight bends while contacting the ground.
Quality
High-quality motorbike boots for sale will help you avoid having to replace them after each cycling season. Given that they are the primary weak spots in all boots, the seams can tell you a lot about the quality of a pair of boots. They should be tightly stitched, carefully finished, and free of any loose threads.
Additionally, the zippers, reinforcements, and soles must all be seamlessly merged with the boot. Before making a purchase, if you detect a small flaw, return that version and switch to a different model.
The zips and Velcro fasteners should be simple to open and shut as well. It is of no use to you if you rip one side of the Velcro tape off when you unzip it. Therefore, before purchasing, thoroughly test the boots’ functionality and pay close attention to how they act.
Breathability
It’s of crucial importance to get moto boots with a decent level of breathability, especially when riding on hot summer days. Otherwise, perspiration can rapidly make your feet wet. This has an impact on both your ability to ride and the durability of your footwear.
After wearing your boots for a few days, if they begin to scent, you might decide to replace them. Of course, there are some simple home remedies you can use to get rid of the smell, but treating your boots after each journey is not the point. When purchasing your ideal pair, check to see if they come with a decent ventilation system.
Waterproofness
Now that you have chosen your breathable motorbike boots it’s time to see whether they are weather resistant. This refers both to sunlight and rainfall. Even in the most gorgeous sunlight, your biker boots shouldn’t become too warm because it’s bad for the temperature of your feet. They should also be water-resistant so that your feet won’t get wet in the weather. Additionally, the dirt must be simple to wash off because it frequently sticks to the boots in the downpour.