A Guide To Motorcycle Riding Boots
Riding a Harley-Davidson® motorcycle requires much more preparation than driving a car does. Not only do you need to have certain gear on board and follow different practices to stay safe on the roads, but you need to be appropriately dressed for it! So you’ve got your helmet, leather jacket or riding suit, your jeans and your riding gloves. Are you going to put on a pair of worn sneakers and call it a day? Not a chance!
With how often your feet contact the ground on a bike and how vulnerable they are when you skid out, it’s essential that you have the appropriate footwear on: a good, sturdy pair of riding boots. If you haven’t shopped for motorcycle boots before, read the following guide by your friends here at St. Charles Harley-Davidson®, serving the St. Louis area.
Why Buy Them?
You can absolutely wear sneakers when riding a bicycle or a skateboard — and in fact, that would be the most practical footwear for those modes of transport. But a motorcycle gets up to highway speeds on a regular basis and occupies the same veins of traffic as semi-trucks and cars. With this exposure to hazardous driving conditions and the potential for hitting the asphalt at many miles an hour, some more protective clothing is necessary.
Also, you need to wear shoes with good grip when riding your motorcycle to keep you balanced and upright. Sneakers — or worse, flip-flops or sandals — won’t serve you at all for this purpose. Your soles will slip right off the pedals or even out of your shoe completely, and you won’t be able to adequately balance when at a stoplight.
Some riders get by with wearing their work boots, which are certainly a more durable choice, but even this isn’t ideal. Motorcycle boots are designed with riding-specific features to improve your safety, like slip-resistant soles and reinforced toes. They are tailored precisely to your riding conditions, with tough materials used in their construction to offer you the most protection possible.
Consider Bike Type
The type of motorcycle you ride will have some influence on the type of boots you should buy. Different bikes have different riding styles, which will alter the features that will be most beneficial in a pair of boots.
For example, on a motocross bike, you’ll want a motocross boot that can handle different types of terrain and rougher riding. Conversely, on a touring bike, it’s essential that your boot be comfortable and wearable for long periods of time. Breathable liners and removable foot pads can help extensively with this. And finally, riding on an iconic Harley cruiser means you’ll dart around traffic at high speeds, which leaves you vulnerable to accidents and potholes, so you want boots that can protect your feet in a crash.
Features
Motorcycle boots are equipped with a variety of features to improve fit and comfort. Zippered boots will be quick to put on, while lace-up boots can provide you with a more customized fit. You can opt for waterproofed materials and stain or oil resistant fabrics. Choose square or round toes based on your foot shape. Go with certain aesthetic touches to suit your personal tastes. Harley-Davidson® boots have all the style you could want!
The Right Fit
Comfort and wearability are essential qualities for any pair of boots you pick up. When you’re trying on different pairs, make sure you can wiggle your toes and that they aren’t pressing against the end of the boot. You shouldn’t feel the boot pinching you at all; it’s actually better for the fit to be loose rather than tight. Wear your chosen pair around the house or while running errands for a few days to get them broken in before you hit the road.
Looking for a great selection of motorcycle gear? How about new and used bikes? We carry both at our St. Charles location! Let our staff help you determine the best gear to go with your chosen Harley motorcycle. St. Charles Harley-Davidson® proudly serves the greater St. Louis metropolitan region, including St. Peters and O'Fallon, Missouri.