Almost every sport today carries the risk of accidents, whether it's hiking, running, or riding. To address this, riding gear was developed with the aim of minimizing the occurrence and severity of accidents in the sport of riding.
Riding gear is safety garments expected to be worn by riders that protect them from potential harm and they include motorcycle jackets, gloves, biker chaps, helmets, and motorcycle boots.
Meanwhile, as the world becomes more fashion-conscious, it has become a common sight to see fashion seep into almost every facet of human endeavors. So much so that it is no longer out of place to have style adapted to a garment that was originally designed for protection.
Hence today, people talk of motorcycle jackets, biker chaps and leather motorcycle boots in terms of their protection and aesthetics. Now, riders view their riding garments as a means of self-expression and they are not wrong about this notion.
What are Motorcycle Boots?
Motorcycle Boots are part of the riding gear that a rider is expected to wear on his feet. The boots are designed to provide needed protection for a rider’s feet, by insulating him from harm, unfriendly weather conditions and heat from the motorcycle’s engine or exhaust pipe.
They come in a variety of styles and lengths but oftentimes, the boots are designed to cover the rider’s feet up to the area just below his knee so they can provide adequate protection.
And to further ensure the rider’s safety, most boots are made from thick, heavy leather and may include waterproof membrane lining and energy-absorbing padding.
One of the notable features of moto boots is their low heels, which help the rider to control the motorcycle.
Do I need Motorcycle boots?
You know that guy that dons a pair of sneakers or loafers when going for a ride? Don’t be that guy. Motorcycle riding is not a sport that you want to go at nonchalantly; you need to be on an appropriate and complete set of protective gear. The garment that you choose to wear for riding is just as important as your riding ability because while you might be an excellent rider, you can’t say the same for other road users. You are thus exposed to all kinds of potentially dangerous situations.
Consequently, a sturdy pair of men's motorcycle boots are a must-have for every rider. Aside from serving as a means of crash protection, motorcycle boots also serve as impact protection. Crash protection helps to ensure that a rider is not injured in the course of a crash, so the boots function as a barrier between the rider’s skin and the pavement. In essence, they help to prevent the unfortunate instance of a rider suffering deep injuries, cuts, and abrasions.
Boots also provide impact protection in the sense that they help to break a rider’s fall, thereby receiving all the impact or shock that would otherwise have been felt by the rider when he crashes onto the road or pavement.
Another function that motorcycle boots provide is shading a rider from unfriendly weather conditions and debris. This protective gear is particularly useful for riders who live in countries with extreme weather or extreme changes in weather.
Besides, a good pair of motorcycle boots is a worthy addition to any man’s wardrobe. You not only get to boast of adequate protection when riding on the back of your two-wheeler but also of top-style fashion when you are off your motorcycle. So what’s to lose?
Best Stylish Motorcycle Boots for Men
Quite contrary to popular belief, there are motorcycle boots that provide a fair amount of protection and style and here are our picks for the best stylish motorcycle boots for men:
BRUNO MARC MEN’S MOTORCYCLE COMBAT OXFORD BOOTS
If there’s any brand of motorcycle boots that should stand out for excellently incorporating style, fashion and practicability in one footwear, then it should be a pair of Bruno Marc Men’s
Motorcycle Combat Oxford Boots. This attractive pair of boots is not only stylish and sleek, but it also conveniently stands at the forefront of men’s fashion.
With a pair of Bruno Marc Men’s Motorcycle Combat Oxford Boots, the question of having to pick between practicality and style when purchasing motorcycle boots does not arise, as it gallantly embraces both seemingly distinct features.
With a 1-inch heel, a 0.5-inch platform, and a durable rubber sole, Bruno Marc Men’s Motorcycle Combat Oxford Boots provide a little lift and a good amount of grip to aid the rider. Styled as combat motorcycle boots, the interior of these boots boasts a plush faux fur lining which helps to keep the rider’s feet and ankles warm and relaxed even in cold weather. They are also flexible and can withstand wet weather situations like mud, rain and sleet.
DINGO MEN’S CHOPPER HARNESS BOOTS
Effortlessly combining style, quality and protection, the Dingo Men’s Chopper Harness Boot is made purely of genuine leather motorcycle boots and it boasts of an anti-slip rubber sole and an oil-resistant outsole.
Having this pair of boots in your arsenal as a rider will make you certain of your comfort when riding and will also make you unbothered about spills and falls. It is also highly durable as even frequent riding has got nothing on it.
For the stylish and protection-conscious rider, a pair of Dingo Men’s Chopper Harness Boot is a must-have.
BATES MEN’S 8" TACTICAL SPORT SIDE ZIP
If what you’re going for is confidence and comfort when riding, then a pair of Bates Men’s 8” Tactical Sport Side-Zip should be your call. This pair of timeless beauty is not only lightweight but can also withstand the most unfriendly of weather; rain, snow, and hot weather without inconveniencing the rider.
Being one of Bates’ most popular styles, they appeal to almost any rider’s fashion and sense of style. These boots also boast certain features that are desirable by riders; a side zipper for easy on and off, boot toes made of non-metallic composite to ensure extra safety and protection and durability among other features.
TCX FUEL WP BOOTS
The TCX Fuel WP Boot caters to riders who like their motorcycle accessories to have boasts classic and vintage styles. Made with full-grain leather, the TCX Fuel WP Boot has a waterproof lining, adjustable steel buckles, a lateral zipper and a replaceable insole among other properties. It is also largely convenient majorly due to its lightweight.
FORMA RIDING BOOTS
A renowned brand for motorcycle-related products, Forma produces a wide range of handcrafted motorcycle boots for all kinds of riding; urban riding, adventure riding, touring, racing etc.
The Forma Adventure Riding Boots made with a vintage-looking leather design, are known for their protection, flexibility and comfort. They also house a waterproof lining, double-density sole, ankle reinforcements, impact-absorbing TPU inserts and a soft polymer padding with memory foam.
This pair of boots is comfortable to be walked in and is easy to put on and take off.
What to watch out for in Motorcycle Boots
Meanwhile, when you are looking for the best motorcycle boots for riding, it is important to bear in mind that there are more pressing factors to consider that transcend the matter of style and fashion.
The only instance where it will be forgivable to overlook the consideration of some of these factors is if the main purpose of purchasing the boots is not for riding.
Primarily, before purchasing a pair of motorcycle boots, you must make sure that they will serve your purpose. There are different kinds of riding and of course, the type of boots that’d be suitable for each kind differs.
For instance, it would be ill-advised to purchase a pair of motorcycle boots that are specifically made for urban riding, for track riding. Each type of biker boots serves different functions.
Street boots are made to be worn for urban riding. Some brands are waterproof. Because of the non-severity of urban riding, street boots cannot boast of as much protection.
Track boots meanwhile are meant to be worn for riding at high speeds. Due to the seriousness of what it’s used for, the track boot has highly protective features. These boots are however not suitable for off-the-motorcycle business, and they tend to be a bit on the expensive side.
Touring boots on the other end are designed for long-distance rides, and so they are big on providing all-day comfort and protection. While they are less protective than track boots, they boast of a higher degree of protection than street boots.
Another thing to cross off the list when purchasing a pair of motorcycle shoes is to ensure their protective capacity, at least for the riding style they are supposed to be used for. There is not so much to a pair of motorcycle boots if it cannot ensure a rider’s safety, irrespective of how stylish it is.
Conclusion
To this end, style and protection are not mutually exclusive as is often the common belief. And fashionable motorcycle accessories are something every rider should explore because riding is not only a sport; it is an expression.
