While riding a motorcycle, you must ensure proper head, hands, knee, and feet properly. That’s why choosing the right protective gear for motorcycle riding is so important to reduce the effects of accidents and impacts while riding your favorite motorcycle.
However, when choosing the right boots for motorcycles, people often get confused between motorcycle boots vs. work boots. In fact, many people search, “Are work boots good for motorcycle riding?”
To answer it, yes, work boots are good for riding a motorcycle. But this answer is only the tip of the iceberg. When you look deep into the findings, you will see that only a good and protective pair of work boots is ideal for riding a motorcycle.
However, an average work boot isn’t the right fit for motorcycle riders simply because it lacks proper protection from injuries. Thus, the work boots for motorcycles must feature comfort, protection, durability, and a lightweight feel for a convenient driving experience.
With these points being said, work boots for motorcycles and motorcycle boots have different functions. And we will discuss all these concerning points about motorcycle work boots in today’s write-up to help you make the decision quickly, “What boot to wear during motorcycle riding?”
Do I Need A Boot For Motorcycle Riding?
Although most people won’t believe it, the most common injuries from motorcycle accidents happen to human legs and feet. This could surprise you, as we think, in general, our head is the most vulnerable part while riding a motorcycle.
| The Center for Disease Control (CDC) ran a 7 years long study from 2001 t0 2008 on motorcycle accidents and injured persons. The study found that 30% of nonfatal injuries due to motorcycle accidents occurred at the leg and feet of the injured persons compared to 22% on the heads and shoulders. |
This data should be enough to worry you about the safety of your legs and feet while riding a motorcycle. Also, it should convince you to use a proper boot for motorcycle riding to ensure maximum protection of your feet and legs.
However, you can’t just pick any work boots and feel confident about your safety during road clashes and falling off the motorbike.
Of course, you might say, “Wearing flip flops or high-neck shoes give me a stylish look on the motorcycle. It provides better photos for my Instagram.”
But are these flip flops or high-neck shoes or even the high heels supportive enough to protect you from the impacts of accidents and constant jerking on a motorcycle? Also, consider the following points:
- Do your regular shoes or boots protect you from the motorcycle weight?
- Do the regular shoes and footwear have the sole thickness to safeguard your feet from the impacts of hard landing?
- Do your regular footwear covers your shin or have enough flexibility with a good toe box for comfy riding?
You will find one answer to all these questions. No, my regular and fashionable shoes don’t have enough protection and cover for my feet while on the motorcycle. With this being said, you must invest in a good-quality work boot or motorcycle boot for a safe and enjoyable riding experience.
Long story short, a good-quality boot for motorcycle riding for your feet is much like a helmet for the head. When you wear the right boots for motorcycles, you can avoid major to minor fractures, impacts and also ride comfortably.
But the real question is, “Motorcycle boots or work boots, which is better for riding a motorcycle?
Let’s go deep into the answer.
Motorcycle Boots Vs Work Boots:
Before we jump to any conclusion of the worthiness of work boots for motorcycle riding, we need to find the key differences between work boots or steel toe boots with the standard motorcycle boots. Only then can we draw a fair comparison between these shoes and decide which one provides better value for our protection and comfort on the ride.
Motorcycle Boots:
Motorcycle boots are generally from 10-inch to 38-inch long, depending on their models. Thus, they can easily cover your feet, ankle, and leg right up to the knee section. It means you will get complete protection for your leg and feet with the motorcycle boots.
The construction includes:
- Premium and heavy-duty leather
- Composite materials, which include metal and hard plastic
- Padded cushioning to absorb impacts and energy dissipation
The fitting is tight, and often, it limits the natural movement of your feet. So, at times, you might find itchiness at your feet as human feet expand as the day progress, especially during running and longer exercising hours like riding a motorcycle.
Work And Steel-toe Boots:
These boots often feature a steel toe cap as part of their premium protection to your feet. Also, the steel toe and work safety boots are usually made from premium and tough leather for maximum durability and protection of your feet.
Also, steelwork boots feature different designs and heights. Thus, you can expect extended comfort and protection with good-quality work boots while on your favorite motorcycle.
Are Work Boots Good For Motorcycle Riding?
Now, it’s time to answer the all-important question. In short, work boots are suitable for motorcycle riders. However, that’s not a dedicated answer. Only a good-quality work boot is ideal for motorcycle riders. If the shoe lacks protection around your feet and toe, it won’t be suitable for motorcycle riding.
One of the major risks that motorcycle riders face is grinding their toes and feet against the hard asphalt surface due to slipping off from the motorbike. When you wear the right work boots with an excellent toe cap (made of steel or aluminum), it protects you from such unexpected and painful grinding. So, you won’t experience any injuries due to unwanted slip-offs from the motorcycle.
On top of it, work boots have a softer yet thicker toe cap. So, it is unlikely to cause any bruises on your feet and toe end even during the long route riding. It means your feet will be in excellent condition with the work boots.
Next, work boots are made with all-day comfort in mind. Thus, these boots are relatively less weighty compared to steel-toe boots. Many motorcycle riders, thereby, prefer work boots for their safety on both on and off-road riding.
Plus, work boots with outstanding cushioning and thicker padding are ideal for street riders on a daily schedule.
So, here’s the final answer-
| Work boots, with their premium construction, are suitable and safe for riding motorcycles. It excellently protects your feet and ankle with thicker soles, improved cushioning, and caps on the toe. You won’t face any grinding on the asphalt, and its improved padding reduces the impact of a hard landing and riding on your feet. Lastly, work boots offer nice breathability for all-day comfort. |
Are Steel Toe Boots Good For Motorcycle Riding?
Steel toe boots feature the heaviest toe cap to protect you from any heavy objects while working. These boots are used in sectors to protect workers’ feet from any bulky falling objects. Thus, on paper, steel toe boots appear to be an excellent option for motorcycle riders.
But in reality, we found something different and shocking.
Steel toe boots are neither safe nor suitable for riding motorcycles. These boots are often too weighty and might cause feet pain and, if worn regularly, may even cause back pain. Plus, the hard steel-made toe cap causes bruises around your feet.
Also, steel toe shoes need time to break in properly. So, you can’t wear them right out of the box. Plus, an inappropriately fitted steel toe boot will cause serious discomfort to your feet.
Therefore, in short, we don’t suggest you wear the steel toe boots for riding motorcycles unless you don’t have other options.
Work Boots and Motorcycle Boots: Which One Is Better?
We have already found that a good-quality pair of work boots is ideal for motorcycle riders. But are they even better than the motorcycle boots?
This question hasn’t got a clear answer as riders are divided into various opinions when it comes to motorcycle boots vs. work boots.
For instance, work boots offer superior protection to your feet and also are comfortable to wear. They have a thicker but quite flexible toe cap. On top of it, work boots are made with comfort and flexibility in mind for all-day wearing. It offers nice breathability too.
However, work boots aren’t as long as motorcycle boots. Yes, motorcycle boots can go up to 10-38 inches long. It means these boots will protect almost up to your knee. However, these boots are often bulkier than regular work boots.
Thus, motorcycle boots, perhaps, are less comfortable than work boots for an extended period of riding. But the most striking contrast of the motorcycle boots with work boots is in the pricing section. No doubt, motorcycle boots are expensive than work boots.
Thus, we leave the decision of choosing between work boots and motorcycle boots for your safe and fun riding. It will depend on your budget, the level of protection you want, and finally, which boot suits your necessities better.
Features to Look At While Buying the Work Boot For Motorcycle Riding
We assume that you are finally convinced to choose the right pair of work boots for your motorbike rides. But how do you find the right pair?
Ideally, a good pair of motorcycle work boots should have the following features:
- The finest toe box design. It could be made of steel or reinforced materials.
- Slip-resistant outsole and cushioned midsole for energy dissipation.
- Low-heel design with excellent fitting for comfort
- The toe, ankle, and heel sections of the boot must have proper cushioning to avoid bruises and grinding.
- It should reduce the impact of hard landing, shocks, and impacts to protect your feet and leg from injuries.
- Also, the work boots for motorcycles must protect the shin area as it is vulnerable to injuries.
We have considered these points for motorcycle work boots and prepared a list of the factors to consider for these boots. It would make your buying decision easy and quick.
Maximum Protection:
The main reason for wearing work boots and motorcycle boots is to ensure maximum protection to your feet. Hence, you must not compromise in this regard even by a whisker. Ensure that the boots have protective cushioning and shanks.
It should protect your ankle, shin, toe, and heel section. Also, the work boot must be protective against bruises and grinding on your feet. Many boots come with a harder toe cap that can hurt your toe instead of safeguarding it.
Comfort and Fitting:
When you get a pair of motorcycle work boots, make sure it has a nice fit to your feet. If it feels too tight or loose, you will lose stability and comfort massively. The boot should give you a snug fit without any tightness around the toe.
Also, the toe cap needs to be soft enough not to hurt your toe even before any accidents. And for comfort, check the wiggle room of the boot. It should be roomy enough to accommodate the expansion of your feet while riding.
Lastly, ensure that you get a pair of lightweight work boots to avoid overburdening your feet and leg. It also should be breathable to stop sweating and heat retention inside the boots for a comfy and fun ride.
Low-heel Design:
When you wear a high-heeled work boot, you will find it extremely difficult to place your feet on the peg of the motorcycle. So, you will have less control over the motorcycle while riding, and it’s the last thing you would want in the busy street.
Thus, investing in a low-heeled work boot is your best option. Nonetheless, a flat sole isn’t ideal as well. It might boost the chance of slipping on wet roads. Instead, make sure the heel has a perfect height that is neither too high nor too low.
Slip-resistance:
The outsole of the shoe must be anti-slip. It needs to have proper traction and grip to stop slippage even if your feet fall off the motorcycle peg. It is even more crucial when you ride on a wet road or during the rainy season.
If the work boot lacks slip resistance, it will increase your chance of falls and injuries.
Advantages of Work Boots For Motorcycle Riders:
- Work boots are designed to protect your feet from the impacts and shocks while working mostly in industrial sectors. When you wear them while riding a motorcycle, you will enjoy excellent protection.
- Work boots are made for the all-day comfort of workers. So, these shoes have nice breathability. It means they won’t allow dampness and sweat build-up inside the boot. So, your feet will remain cool and dry, and it boosts your riding comfort.
- Work boots are not only slip-resistance but also water-resistance. It means you can wear these boots confidently in rainy weather and still enjoy dry feet. It is also useful for riding through puddles and muddy roads, and you may enjoy a better riding experience.
- When you wear the right work boots to ride motorcycles, it minimizes many risk factors for the feet. Your feet will have less impact due to shocks on asphalt and concrete grounds.
- Last but not least, with the right protective work boots, your confidence to ride on the motorcycle will increase massively. It is a great advantage that you can’t miss. So, you will have the best motorcycle moments.
Top Three Work Boot Recommendations for Motorcycle Riders
You are convinced to wear work boots for riding motorcycles. But, you may be confused with the several work boot models.
But fret not…
We have checked 10+ work boots models to recommend your top 3 suggestions. These are:
Timberland PRO Men’s Boondock Work Boot:
The Timberland Pro is 100% full-grain leather and features a rubber-toe cap with a waterproof design. You can count on its durability and protection as a top motorcycle riding boot.
Its geometrical technology used in the construction offers an excellent shock-absorbing and energy-feedback facility. So, you will enjoy less fatigue and improved comfort while riding the work boots, even on off-trail roads.
Skechers Men’s Burgin-Tarlac Industrial Work Boot
The Skechers work boots are made to safeguard workers from maximum hazards at industry and workspace. The premium leather design, excellent memory foam, and lightweight feel of the shoes make them an ideal choice for motorcycle riders.
Also, these work boots are priced pretty reasonably. So, it won’t cut your pocket, and you will love how it protects your feet from hazards with excellent cushioning.
Dr. Martens 1919 Unisex Steel Toe Work Leather Boot
Our final suggestion for the motorcycle riding boot comes from Dr. Martens. These boots are made of hair cell leather. The toe is made of steel, but it has excellent comfort. You won’t feel any bruises and fatigued either, thanks to its lightweight construction.
The Air sole has perfect cushioning. It is abrasion, slip, and impact-resistant. So, you will enjoy comfort and safety unlike anything with these work boots.
Final Words
Yes, a quality work boot with premium safety features and the right fit is suitable for motorcycle riders and may even meet the requirements of the racers. Just make sure the shoe has a proper fitting, comfort, and safety toe design. Nonetheless, never try to sneak out with a cheap pair of work boots only to find yourself in the hospitals with injured feet.
Will it be a good experience? If not, follow our recommendations for the motorcycle work boots and enjoy safe riding.
Reference:
Common motorcycle injuries from accidents. Road Racerz. (2020, December 28).
