Motorcycle Riding Boots
Road Track & Trail, serving Big Bend, is your Wisconsin motorcycle dealership. As such, we’ve provided the following information about motorcycle riding boots so you can figure out what features you should look for while you’re shopping for your first or next pair.
Why Wear Them?
When you’re on a motorcycle, you’re completely exposed to the open air. Unlike driving a car, where your entire body is protected within a glass and metal shell, you have no such protection on a bike. That’s why it’s important to “dress for the crash,” as morbid as that may sound. You need to wear protective gear that’s sturdy enough to withstand a slide-out, and you also need your gear to make handling your bike easy to do.
Wearing sneakers or flimsy sandals on your bike isn’t a great move because your feet need to contact the ground frequently at stops. You want good traction and something sturdy enough to protect your ankles. You may want to use your work or hiking boots for riding your motorcycle, and while this is certainly preferable to flip-flops, it’s still not an ideal solution. Riding boots that are specifically geared to this task are best because the materials and construction are designed for the rigors and risks of riding a motorcycle.
Common Boot Features
- You should take stock of the different types of boots available to you, as they all have unique features that make them more suitable for certain riders or types of riding.
- Waterproofing is practical in rainy climates or during winter.
- Insulation will be necessary if you often ride in cold temperatures.
- Zippers make it easier to put on and take off your boots.
- Reflective materials on your boots, in addition to the rest of your attire, will make it easier for drivers to see you
- Oil- and stain-resistant materials keep the boots from getting slick or dirty with grime
Grippy soles will help you maintain better contact with the road when you’re at stoplights.
Think about the type of riding you want to do and the conditions you’ll most often be riding in. You may end up investing in a pair of lighter summer riding boots and a thicker pair of waterproofed and insulated winter boots to ensure that you’re always prepared, no matter what conditions you may face.
Getting The Correct Fit
It’s vital that your riding boots fit you well without being too loose or too constricting. You don’t want to be uncomfortable while riding, since this can become distracting and cause you to lose focus. When trying on a pair of riding boots, make sure that you don’t feel any pinching and that you can easily wiggle your toes in the toe box of the boot without them pressing up against it.
It’s preferable that your boots be slightly loose rather than too tight, since you can wear thicker socks to compensate if necessary. Take the time to break in your motorcycle riding boots by wearing them to run errands or walking around the house in them for a week or so. This will help make them more comfortable to wear on your bike.
Still got questions? Bring them to our dealership! Our staff will be happy to help you figure out the right motorcycle riding gear for your needs. You can also visit our Big Bend location to take a look at our current inventory of new and used motorcycles for sale. We provide financing options to help you get the bike you want, too. Road Track & Trail proudly serves the Wisconsin cities of Milwaukee and Waukesha, as well as the greater Chicago, Illinois, metro area.