Hello!
I need advice. Is there a rule of thumb on buying motorcycle riding boots? Should I stay true to my shoe size? Do I want them to be snug or should they have a little wiggle room? Thanks.
Katie Venton
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Side benefit…shopping! These comments are all good for lady riders. However, you must remember that when you get caught in the rain, shoe/boot covers are great if you’re on a long distance ride/vacation. Getting them to fit over your shoe/boot easily is a trick in itself. We have been using small plastic shopping bags to wrap the shoe/boot and then slip into the boot covers. Makes it easy on and off.
I don’t wear motorcycle boots anymore as I found them not very comfy to walk around in and not fully waterproof. I now wear Magnum walking/hiking boots. I have had my boots now for 11 years and I paid under £100 for them new. They are extremely comfortable and have never leaked even in the worst downpours while riding or walking. As they are quite tall boots, they protect my ankles and lower shin and stop the draft from going up my pant leg.I usually buy a half size bigger as I can then ride with thicker socks in the winter and they then give my feet room to swell in the summer. I bought another pair of these boots two years ago as I love them so much for when mine finally come to the end of their life. But the old ones are still as good as when I bought them so they are still in the box. The only issue with them is that when I have been walking around in them a lot and it is hot my shin starts to swell just at the top of the boot and I end up with a red rash (not sore) because I never remember to slacken off the top part of the boot.
I have two pairs, one is waterproof. That’s a must for weekend trips when you just don’t know if you’ll be riding in rain. Worth every cent. I also have my regular Harley leather boots. They are maybe a half size bigger, but fit great and have room for warm socks but are not sloppy with thin socks either. I love the ones that tie but have laces so you can loosen up a bit for winter socks. Big flat soles that grip the pavement are a must.
I buy a little large. My feet tend to swell a bit when I spend hours on the bike, especially in the summer. And in winter I wear heavy wool socks. I actually had to buy a different pair of boots in Kansas on the way to Harley’s 105th. Feet swelled in a very expensive pair of boots that were a bit tight across the arch when I started out.
I’ve worn many styles of biker boots. I agree with much of what most people said here. I wear one size bigger so I have room for good solid socks. And yes, real leather boots stretch over time or if you get caught in rain and they get wet. I have regretted this on some favorite boots I wore in the beginning of learning to ride where my “boots were not made for walking” or all day wear. I also have a high arch and width width. Comfort is more important than looks!
I have a little heavier sock to wear with boots and the boots fit well. Snug or too small won’t work if you’re walking at a bike show all day. Tall heel on some boots make the downshift harder because you have to pick the heel up further. This makes a difference even for a half inch to two-inch heel.My women’s Harley-Davidson boots were a little slippery on some surfaces over the men’s Milwaukee brand. The women’s boots were lighter though if you were wearing them all day.Find one that’s right for your feet, your riding style,and your walking style. The other advice about the height of the toe is important too if you upshift with your toe under the shifter rather than using a heel shifter.
Try on different pairs when your feet are a bit achy. That way you know what will be more comfortable on a long ride. I am looking at men’s boots as well as I need a bit more broadness in the toe area.
I opted for men’s boots, no laces, thick rubber, shock-absorbing sole. I find these a more comfortable fit than women’s boots. Lack of laces is a better fit under the shifter. As for size, that depends on your personal preferences when it comes to socks. Just remember that if you get leather boots they will stretch a bit over time.
Allow a little bit more space than usual in case that you slide forward in the boot. I did some unfortunate damage to my toes this way!I recommend that if you are close to edge on a size, go up one half. If you are well in the middle, probably just fine.
Try on all boots! I always try to have plenty of room because on longer trips your feet will swell a little. You always have socks on, if it’s cold, they might be heated. I have one pair of summer boots a half size up and a winter pair a size up. My tootsies have been happy!
I like my boots to fit well. So, I would say stay true to your shoe size. The style may differ depending on what type of riding you do and where your foot controls are on the bike, and whether you have pegs or floorboards.I am short and ride a Harley-Davidson Road King Classic. I like my boots to have a 3/4-inch heel because reach is an issue for me. I have two pairs of boots both are made by Danner. The first pair is called Patrol 6-inch and the second Kinetic. I would highly recommend either boot. Best of luck to you in your boot search.
I find half a size bigger is best. That way my thick socks (on cold days) don’t choke my feet!
Hi. Stay true to your size but most of all stay comfortable. And just a thought, get a boot with a heel that covers your ankle and supports it. And it is not a bad thing to get steel toes if you are going to ride a lot. You need good socks, wool, even in hot weather is great cause they let the feet sweat and yet you are not standing in the sweat.Comfort and safety were my first thoughts when I first started riding. Didn’t want my feet to distract me.
Stay true to your size, but beware of height from bottom of sole to top at the toe area if you have toe shifter. The first two pairs of boots I bought were too deep and I had trouble getting my toe under the shifter. When I adjusted the shifter up, there was too much space and I had trouble reaching it there too.
My rule is forget about what size you usually wear. Try it on.
I got my dad’s large feet and I normally wear a 9 or 10 but when it comes to boots I had to go to an 11. Size 10 is too snug while an 11 is a little wiggly but when you have larger feet they don’t have 1/2 sizes. My boots go over the ankle and tie with thick laces which I make pretty snug. This allows a little wiggle room while at the same time keeps my feet snug enough to feel comfortable and in control of shifting. I don’t like the feeling of super tight boots so I feel a slight wiggle room is best.
I have had a few pairs and I find that one size above my regular shoe size is more comfortable. Summer or winter boots. If you wear your boots for several hours like I do you will want your feet to be happy.