The Best Short Boots for the 2021 Season
We’d Know: We’ve Hands-On Tested 2500+ Pieces of Riding Gear Since 2000
Entry-Level
Priced under $150, these short boots are ideal for new riders or value-conscious shoppers.
Mid-Range
Priced $150-$250, these short boots are high quality and offer great protection for the pricepoint.
High-End
Priced $250 and up. This category has the best of what is available when it comes to short boots.
Is a Short Boot Appropriate for You?
When selecting a pair of short boots, consider the length of time that you will be wearing them, both on and off your bike, the climate and conditions that you normally ride in, and the position that you find most comfortable. All of this information will be important in selecting the best short riding boots for your style of riding and comfort level.
Short boots have a very distinct use and appeal for riders as they are the perfect choice to wear with regular street pants. The length is similar to a high top athletic shoe and can fit inside the cuff of riding jeans and motorcycle pants.
Most short boots are more comfortable to wear when walking as they are not as restrictive at the ankle as a longer boot.
And finally, the price range of quality short boots is within the budget of most riders. Investing in foot and ankle protection is never a bad decision!
– Chase
About Our Recommendations
There’s a lot of fake “review sites” online today. We get it. We aren’t one of them.
Founded in 2000, the team at wBW has extensively tested more than 2,500 pieces of gear. Helmets, jackets, boots, gloves, accessories, and more. We extensively and exhaustively test gear. We do not fluff reviews. Read our review policies.
Priced under $150
Best Entry Level Motorcycle Short Boots
REAX Fulton Air Riding Shoes
Price: $149
Where to Buy
Why?
Sometimes, keeping it simple and effective is the best way to do things. Perforated nubuck leather, elastic lacing pulls, toe and heel armor, and reinforced mid-sole and shift-lever areas. No frills, no gimmicks, just a great casual riding shoe that doesn’t look like a riding shoe.
Specs
- Perforated full grain leather with triple stitch construction
- Dual compound sole with EVA mid and durable rubber outsole with a high grip texture and pattern for solid footing
- Full length composite midsole footbed for added torsional protection
- Moisture wicking lining with protective ankle cups and reinforced heel cockpit and toe box
- Gusseted padded tongue w/webbing lace stay to keep laces out of your controls
- Fully padded top collar with Achilles flex panel for comfort on or off the bike
- Removable/replaceable shock absorbing insole
- Flat laces and matte finished eyelets
- 20mm webbing loop pull
- Rear facing reflective hit on the heel for easy recognition in low light riding
Protection & Safety
- Reinforced toe, heel, and mid-sole help prevent damage on the extremities, while the nubuck leather provides excellent abrasion resistance
Joe Rocket Atomic Boots
Price: $119.99
Where to Buy
Why?
Joe Rocket has taken all of the best features of their track boots and added all of the comfort features that a casual street rider wants to create the Joe Rocket Atomic short boots. Now riders can experience the race quality of Joe Rocket boots but also the fit needed to wear with jeans, riding pants or anything casual for a day or night out on a bike. At just over the $100 mark, the Joe Rocket Atomic short boots offer great comfort and safety features at a price that is very reasonable, making them a great product at this pricepoint.
Specs
- 95% Leather, 5% synthetic
- Reinforced shifter zone
- Replaceable toe slider (sold separately)
- Low profile toe box
- Peg-friendly sole sculpture
- Double stitching in all stress areas
- Padded ankle cuff for added comfort
- Rear pull loop
Protection & Safety
Reinforced stitching, added padding at the ankle and the replaceable toe slider all provide added protection from impact in an accident and increase the durability and protection from abrasion injuries.
Priced $150-$250
Best Mid-Range Motorcycle Short Boots
SIDI Duna Special Boots
Price: $214.99
Where to Buy
Why?
Not every rider is out for the fastest and most sporty ride he or she can find and that is why SIDI offers the Duna Special short boots for their added durability and quality construction. The casual style of the SIDI Duna boots, as well as the comfort, protection and very affordable price, make these boots a great choice for any rider looking for ankle and foot support without the look of a street racer short boot.
Specs
- Micrometric Tecno-3 magnetic closure mechanism
- Nylon inner sole with removable arch support pad
- Non-slip sole
- Double stitched in all high stress areas
- Brushed suede/Cordura upper construction
- Reinforced internal heel and toe areas
- Heel reflective stripe
Protection & Safety
- Reinforcement of the heel and toes add to the protective benefits of this lightweight yet durable short boot
- SIDI Micrometric Tecno-3 magnetic closure mechanism and hook and loop strap make these boots easy to safely secure with only one hand
Icon 1000 Varial Boots
Price: $150-$175
Where to Buy
Why?
The Icon Varial is definitely a tip of the hat to the comfort and versatility of high top sneakers. The Varial offers riders the comfort and protection of full leather uppers but with a sole, that is as comfortable as your favorite high tops or skateboard sneaker.
Specs
- Full grain leather construction
- D3O ankle inserts
- Metal eyelets
- Ankle retention strap
Protection & Safety
Safety Features:
- Axialmetric shank, transverse beam, and engineered lasting board provide full-foot reinforcement and durability
- D30 ankle impact plate adds to the protection and stability of the boot
TCX Street 3 Air Shoes
Price: $159
Where to Buy
RevZilla (Mens) RevZilla (Womens)
Why?
TCX has a great history with their Street lineup of shoes. Despite looking like your average every day skateboard shoe, they feature crush resistant soles, D3O grade toe and ankle boxes, a reinforced shifting pad, tear resistant textile uppers, and high grip soles. As TCX themselves say, it’s a lot better than your black socks and FILA sliders combo!
Specs
- Reinforced breathable textile upper with suede leather trim
- Reinforced midsole with ZPLATE shank to balance flexibility with transverse rigidity
- Reinforcements on malleolus with D3O inserts
- Breathable 3D mesh liner for added air circulation
- Reinforcements at toe and heel
- Lace closure with elastic band to store the laces
- OrthoLite footbed with long term cushioning and high levels of breathability
- Oil-resistant Groundtrax rubber outsole
- CE 13634:2017 certified
Protection & Safety
Safety Features:
- D3O reinforced malleolus protection
- D3O grade toe and ankle cups, and a full shank through the midsole for transverse rigidity
Priced $250+
Best High-End Motorcycle Short Boots
Daytona Arrow Sport GTX Boots
Price: $349.99
Where to Buy
Why?
These boots are waterproof, safe, and stylish thanks to the design team over at Daytona. The Arrow Sport GTX is the perfect touring option for riders seeking a short cut boot without sacrificing any features that you may find in a full-length boot.
Specs
- Soft, water-repellent and greased cowhide
- Watertight and breathable with Gore-Tex climatic membrane
- Two side zip fasteners to get in quick and easily
- Reinforced gear change cushion made from abrasion resistant PU foam
- PU foam sole
- Ankle protection, both sides, padded inside with open-cell special foam
- Anatomically formed climatic insole
- Plastic reinforced inner sole with a hot-dip galvanized steel inlay that allows you to gently roll your feet
- 3M Scotchlite reflector
- Soft rubber sport grip sole
- Shaft height of 22cm (8.67″)
- CE certified EN 13634:2017
Protection & Safety
- The Daytona Arrow Sport GTX Boots are fully CE certified due to the inclusion of PU foam and hot-dip galvanized steel inlay
- These short boots have reflective areas to increase rider visibility in low-light situations
Dainese Dyno Pro D1
Price: $300
Where to Buy
Why?
Dainese makes extremely high-quality products, and these Dyno Pro D1 boots are no slack. These boots offer more protection than any other option on this list and are still $50 cheaper than the Daytona Arrow Sport GTX Boots listed above. Despite the wicked amount of protection these boots provide, they are very comfortable and have many stretch zones to keep you pain-free on your ride. At $300, you can’t go wrong.
Specs
Protection:
- Gear shifter guard
- High grip TPU inserts
- Soft inserts
- Reflective inserts
- Rubber sole
- Setscrew wrench supplied
- Flexible joints for extra walking comfort
- Speed lacing system
- Upper in microfiber
- Cowhide leather inserts
- TPU heel counter
- Shoes certified to CE – Cat. II – 89/686/EEC Directive
- Reinforced nylon toe
- Protective nylon inner hull
- Magnesium inserts on the outer side and heel
- Shock absorption insert on the heel with controlled deformation insert
- Replaceable magnesium slider (sold separately)
- Double jersey airgap liner
- Air canalization system
Protection & Safety
- These shoes are fully certified to CE – Cat. II – 89/686/EEC Directive – you can trust the official safety rating with these shoes rather than what the manufacturer may or may not claim
- These shoes have a ton of safety features and reinforced areas. The TPU heel counter, reinforced nylon tow, nylon inner haul, magnesium inserts, and shock absorption insert all culminate into a very safe boot.
