Traditional Motorcycle Boots
- Motorcycle Gear Reviews
- Sep 7, 2023
- 4 min read
Finding a good pair of motorcycle boots should be about more than how they look and how comfortable they are. Motorcycle boots are the literal foundation of safety in your riding gear. They should offer oil and slip resistant bottoms to provide grip when you pull up to a stop light. They should offer ankle support to prevent you from rolling your ankle supporting the weight of the bike and to provide protection in case you go down. When searching for that perfect pair of motorcycle boots, there is a lot to consider. Obviously, you want them to fit your personal style. Just as your bike is an extension of you and your personality, your gear should be as well. Are you going to be wearing them off of the bike? If so, comfort is going to be very important. What kind of climate or temperature do you usually ride in? Some boots are better suited for warm or cold climates. If you anticipate riding in the rain, waterproof is the way to go unless you have boot covers as well. Often, there is a trade off with waterproof, as waterproof boots tend to be warmer. Here, we are going to explorer some of the best selling traditional motorcycle boots on the market and make recommendations based on these factors.
TCX Fuel Waterproof Boot
The TCX Fuel Waterproof Boots are a European styled engineer boot. They offer a very classic style with a lot of modern technology to provide the comfort and protection you are looking for in a good pair of riding boots.
Let's start with style. The boots are made from full grain leather with a pull up finish. A pull up finish is achieved by adding waxes and oils to leather. The benefit is that it gives an old world look to the leather. I wont' go on a long leather tangent, but I really love quality leather. They look just as at home on the motorcycle as they do walking down the street. They are available in either a vintage brown or black finish.
As the name implies, the TCX Fuel WP Boots are waterproof. Despite any claim you ever see, there is no such thing as waterproof leather. The waterproof qualities of this boot come from the waterproof lining on the inside of the boot. It is important to note that if you are not wearing a rain suit that water can still run down the top of the boot or be transferred through a sock into the boot. I know it seems obvious, but it's worth saying. With the membrane and full grain leather, these are not the most breathable boot, but not the worst either. So, If you only ever ride when its really hot and humid, this might not be the best choice for you.
The boots are a bit on the heavy side, which is to be expected with the quality leather they are made of. But, overall, they are very comfortable on or off the bike. Being full grain leather, they might require some breaking in. They do have a very large toe box. If you have wide feet, you will probably appreciate that fact. If not, you might need to wear thicker socks or change or add an additional insole. There are two buckles on the boot to customize the fit of the boot to your foot, which does help a lot. One of the features I always love on a pair of motorcycle boots is a zipper. It makes it much quicker and easier to put on or take off your boots.
When it comes to safety, the TCX Fuel WP Boot does offer additional padding at the rear of the boot and around the ankle, but certainly not armor. This is a good balance if you are looking for a good boot to wear on and off the bike. Full armor protection on the ankle does not make for a good walking boot.
In summary, if you are looking for a quality boot made from quality materials, this might be the boot for you if:
You are looking for an on and off the bike boot
You like the classic styling
You do not ride exclusively when it's hot and humid
Highway 21 RPM Boots
The Highway 21 RPM Boots offer a very traditional work boot style. What really makes these boots so appealing is the value they offer. If you are looking for a good quality boot that doesn't break the bank, these are a great option.
The Highway 21 RPM Boots are made from full grain leather. The black leather has been treated with a water repelling coating. Remember, before I mentioned there is not such thing as waterproof leather. This coating does make them water resistant, but not waterproof. So, if you are the rider that is going to pull out of the garage regardless of the weather, make sure you have boot covers to go along with your rain suit.
There is no additional armor or protection in the boots for the ankle, other than the leather. This, along with the lower shaft height does make for a much lighter boot that lends itself to everyday wear. A good plus is that they do offer a slip and oil resistant sole. They provide great grip on the road.
There is nothing flashy or fancy about the Highway 21 RPM Boot. For me, that is a lot of the appeal. If you gravitate to the simpler things, you will appreciate the styling of the boot. This simpler work boot styling does make them a great everyday boot. Whether you are on the bike or not, these boots will not look out of place and will provide all day comfort.
The Highway 21 RPM Boot might be the boot for you if:
You appreciate a great value
You prefer a simpler style
You want a boot you can wear everyday, riding or not
You aren't as concerned about a waterproof boot