Riding on the back of a motorcycle and seeing the open road in front of you is an indescribably amazing sensation. However, that sentence contains an important word: seeing. Seeing the open road from a bike is one thing, but riding a motorcycle brings with it undeniable risks—and one of those risks is feeling the open road beneath you in the event of a crash instead of just seeing it safely from astride your bike.
The distinction between the two words is an important one—that's why it's vital to find the right pair of motorcycle shoes or boots to fit your riding style and desired comfort level. Experiencing an accident while riding a motorcycle is very dangerous, even potentially fatal. Wearing motorcycle boots or shoes while you ride is the best way to safeguard your ankles, feet, and legs from the unforgiving pavement.
Buying a cheaply made, uncomfortable pair of boots leaves your mind focused on your painful feet rather than the road in front of you, your bike, and other cars. That's why investing in exceptional quality boots or riding shoes is so critical to your safety and comfort.
What's the Difference Between Motorcycle Boots and Motorcycle Shoes?
Finding the best motorcycle shoes and protection can be difficult if you don't have all the pertinent information. For instance, shoes for riding motorcycles and motorcycle boots are two completely different things, though they may sound similar.
What's the difference, you ask? Well, it's dependent on a few different factors. The first is their relative size. Proper motorcycle boots tend to be taller and can reach mid-shin or up to your knee. The best motorcycle boots have thick, durable leather that will protect your legs and feet from dragging on the pavement or being crushed under your bike.
Motorcycle riding shoes are much lighter than biker boots, and some people find them more comfortable to wear. However, saying the term "riding shoe" can be confusing. It does not refer to basic tennis shoes, hiking boots, work boots, running shoes, etc. It refers to a specialized shoe specifically designed and created for motorcycle riders. Shoes for riding motorcycles are on average more sturdy than regular shoes.
Sportbike shoes are comfortable enough to be worn for everyday use while still offering a modicum of protection for your feet and legs. Some bike shoes look like they have laces, but instead, they're cleverly hidden underneath the tongue. This is for safety reasons—you don't want a long shoelace getting stuck in the moving pieces of your motorcycle, which is incredibly dangerous.
Motorcycle Boots vs. Motorcycle Riding Shoes: Pros and Cons
Pros of Wearing Boots
A significant advantage of wearing motorcycle boots is that they offer a critically important torsion control system. This cutting-edge system prevents your ankles and feet from becoming twisted if you are ever in an accident. Torsion control protects you by keeping your ankles, joints, and bones at the correct angles, even if your feet are being dragged along the pavement. That kind of safety feature is invaluable, especially considering the hazardous road conditions facing modern bike enthusiasts in America's current uncertain climate.
Sportbike boots also contain stopping points to protect your fragile joints from injuries. Though a new pair of boots might be a little stiff when you first start wearing them, the leather will eventually stretch and flex for a perfect custom fit. Finding a great pair of leather motorcycle boots also offers water protection for your feet, which is a great feature to have when you get caught in an unexpected rainstorm on a ride.
Motorcycle boots offer far more protection for your feet than riding shoes. Since they come up to your knee (generally), they offer a greater surface area to protect your skin from rashes, burns, cuts, and other road scrapes. They also provide a bolder, more aggressive look that's appealing to many riders. They offer the stability and support necessary to maintain comfort on a long ride and to allow you to shift gears with ease.
Cons of Wearing Boots
Proper riding boots are generally more expensive than a pair of riding shoes. Still, they contain much more material, are far more complex to create, and are typically of superior quality due to the excellent products (usually leather) used to make them. However, most people feel they're worth the extra money for the extra safety they provide.
Another disadvantage of wearing a heavy pair of motorcycle boots is that they tend to be a little uncomfortable on long rides. However, the level of protection and safety they offer is worth the tradeoff, particularly if you're worried about safety or you're going to be riding on the highway.
Pros of Wearing Motorcycle Riding Shoes
One of the most attractive benefits of using sportbike shoes rather than boots is the lightweight comfort they offer riders. Most come available in the hightop style to provide more protection to your ankles. Though they often look like regular footwear, they are actually quite versatile and come with all sorts of upgraded safety features to offer protection to riders.
Wearing specialized riding shoes when you take out your motorcycle means you will be in comfort on and off your bike. They also have enhanced and reinforced areas in common trouble spots, like the soles, ankles, and toe area. Wearing riding shoes on a bike trip means you can just hop off your bike and enjoy your day. It eliminates the need to bring extra shoes or clothes to change into when you reach your destination. You can also find waterproof motorcycle shoes that will keep your feet warm and dry even on wet rides or rainy days.
Cons of Wearing Riding Shoes
The only disadvantage of motorcycle shoes vs. motorcycle boots is that they offer less safety and protection in the event of a crash. However, it's important to point out that they only provide less safety when compared to the superior design and protective abilities of a high-end riding boot. When you compare riding shoes to everyday tennis shoes or even flip flops (everybody has seen that jerk on the road, usually with no helmet, either), they offer a higher level of protection. It comes down to how much comfort you are willing to sacrifice to protect your feet. Either way, though, some type of protective footwear is mandatory, no questions asked.
Why do Bikers Need to Motorcycle riding shoes and motorcycle boots?
Riding a motorcycle is a thrilling and exciting experience. However, it is not without risk. That's an unavoidable fact that comes with riding next to other cars, trucks, and unexpected road hazards. According to the NHTSA, there were 4,985 fatal motorcycle accidents in 2018, a sobering number. That high number is the main reason why every biker needs to wear motorcycle boots or biker riding shoes.
When you buy a pair of motorcycle riding boots, they should be very comfortable and fit you properly. They need to provide superior protection from road rash, your bike's scorchingly hot exhaust pipe, extreme weather, road debris, and the moving parts of your motorcycle. Finding the right pair of boots for your riding style means that you will be far more comfortable and much safer, too.
Invest in a Quality Pair of Motorcycle Boots or Shoes for riding motorcycles to Protect Your Feet
Whether you enjoy long rides or only occasional ones, investing in high-quality motorcycle boots and riding shoes is vital to your comfort and safety when you take your bike out. Look for a pair that fits you properly and provides a high level of protection for your feet. They should also be exceptionally comfortable when you go on long rides. Invest in a quality pair of motorcycle boots or sportbike shoes today and give your feet the comfort and protection they deserve.
