Riding your motorcycle and feeling the wind in your hair as the sun sets may seem like a scene from a Hollywood movie. However, it's important to be aware of the dangers involved. The open road can be a breeding ground for accidents if you're not cautious. Even if you're careful, one mistake by someone else could turn a joyful ride into a lifetime of being confined to a bed. It's unpleasant to say, but the truth is as harsh as the physical injuries you could sustain if you fail to adequately protect yourself while riding.
According to a study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were over 92,000 motorcycle-related injuries across the country in 2014 alone. We can only imagine the current number. Thankfully, you can avoid joining this unfortunate group. Make the choice to wear your helmet, protective jacket, and spine protector every time you ride your motorcycle. By doing so, you'll reduce the chances of suffering long-term injuries to your head, back, and spinal column. However, what about protecting your lower body?
Adding a pair of reliable, albeit expensive, motorcycle boots to your list of protective gear will do you more good than harm. The Center for Disease Control studied the 1,222,000 people who were treated in U.S. emergency rooms for non-fatal, motorcycle-related injuries between 2001 and 2008, and they found out that 30% of these injuries happen to the legs and feet. Need a little more convincing? Here are 6 reasons why you must adhere to the war cry of every safety-conscious motorcyclist, “All The Gear, All The Time.”
1. Impact buffer and open wound protection
If you don’t wear a good pair of protective boots while riding your motorcycle, your lower extremities are exposed. This would render your feet vulnerable to injuries resulting from other vehicles running over or falling on them. You can avoid this by opting to wear steel-reinforced shoes that are specifically designed to protect all the bones in your feet from sudden impact or unbearable weight. So if you happen to crash into something, you can mitigate the damages with a pair of steel-reinforced boots as opposed to regular sneakers.
2. 360-degree ankle and foot support
If you think you have enough lower body strength to support your own weight on top of the 450-pound bulk of your bike, you have another think coming. Having sufficient ankle support is always the safest way to go. Plus, if you get into an accident, you are more likely to twist your ankle. Protective motorcycle biker boots prevent this from happening and – most importantly – help your feet come out completely unscathed.
Want to know a really good way of finding out if your motorcycle boots will live up to its promise? Grab the toe in one hand and the heel in the other, then twist and push as hard as you can. If it retains its shape, it can keep your foot in one piece.
3. Great traction
Getting a pair of reliable motorcycle boots will make the difference between getting good traction while trying to regain balance in the midst of a near fender-bender and whirring uncontrollably on your motorcycle out on the open road. In the case of a heavy downpour, the right boots will also help you stabilize yourself while riding on slippery surfaces.
4. Weatherproof
The best biker boots in the market will help your feet adapt to the ever-fickle weather. In warm climates, they will allow your feet to breathe and relax. In cold temperatures, they will protect your feet from moisture and nasty frostbites.
5. They make you look cool
While style is never the main reason why riders are drawn to the biker life, it is (to some extent) a factor. Plus, looking good makes you feel good — no harm in a little ego boost. Imagine riding your Harley Davidson with your leather jacket on while wearing the most stylish motorcycle boots you ever saw, like one of these badass pairs from American Legend Rider. What could be better?
6. The good outweighs the bad
We understand how uncomfortable wearing chunky motorcycle boots can become. But can you really discount the fact that it protects your feet from all the possible injuries you could get if you don’t wear them?
