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the best short motorcycle boots

Entry-Level

Priced under $150.

Joe Rocket Atomic Boots

Mid-Range

Priced $150 - $250.

TCX Street 3 Air Shoes

High-End

Priced $250+.

Dainese Dyno Pro D1

Key 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

Key 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.

Street & Steel Oakland Boots

Key Specs

• Full grain leather construction with Hipora waterproof breathable membrane

• Reinforced ankle, heel and toe box

• Full composite midsole with built in flex zones for added comfort and protection

• Microfiber flex zones for added durability, mobility and comfort

• Molded rubber sole reduce vibrations from pegs and aid traction

• Soft accordion stretch at the shin and back of leg for added comfort

• Heavy duty metal buckle base and nylon straps are replaceable

• Reflective at the heel for visibility in low light conditions

Protection & Safety

• Reinforced armor at toe, heel, and ankle. Heavy duty straps and buckles to provide a secure fit without being uncomfortable

• Reflective heel for low light visibility

Merlin Bandit D3O

Key Specs

• 2.4mm premium cowhide leather upper with subtle contrast panels

• Merlin-exclusive Hipora Triple Liner system both waterproof and breathable

• Comfort mesh inner lining

• D3O impact protectors

• Reinforced footbed

• High grip sole

• Padded tongue for added comfort

• Lace fastening and adjustment

• Antibacterial sole insert

Protection & Safety

• Abrasion resistant cowhide upper, joined to a high grip sole for the best slide and anti-slip

• Integrated D3O armor over toes, heel, and malleolus of ankle

Key Specs

• Waterproof and breathable

• Grain leather with pull-up finishing

• T-Dry waterproof membrane

• Rear reflective inserts for high visibility

• Reinforcements on ankle toe and heel

• Fastening with laces

• OrthoLite footbed with long term cushioning and high levels of breathability

• Groundtrax rubber outsole

Protection & Safety

• Fully armored on toe, heel, and ankles despite retro look and “stealth” styling. High grip sole for safe walking to and from the bike, and to make sure your feet don’t slip off the pegs

• Despite stealth styling, reflective inserts on heel for visibility in low light

TCX Street 3 Air Shoes

Key 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

• D3O reinforced malleolus protection

• D3O grade toe and ankle cups, and a full shank through the midsole for transverse rigidity

Key Specs

• 6cm (2.36″) heel height

• Cork heel extension with leather cover

• VELCRO® brand fastener

• Watertight and breathable with Gore-Tex climatic membrane

• Two side zip fasteners to get in quick and easily

• Elastic, soft Inserts which expand to fit

• Strong, hydrophobic, greased special full cowhide

• Textile lining (80% polyamide/20% polyester)

• Reinforced gear change cushion from abrasion resistant PU foam

• PU foam sole

• Reinforced shin guard and ankle support

• Plastic reinforced inner sole with a hot-dip galvanized steel inlay that allows you to gently roll your feet

• 3M-Scotchlite heel reflector

• Robust and non-slip rubber touring sole

Protection & Safety

• CE Rated level 1 protective boots due to armor inlays on toe, mid-sole, heel, ankle, front of shin. Motorsports grade cowhide also adds abrasion resistance.

• Highly reflective heels with genuine 3M Scotchlite

Dainese Dyno Pro D1

Key Specs

• 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.

REV'IT! Ginza 3 Shoes

Key Specs

• Waxed suede, pull up cowhide

• 100% Leather Uppers; 100% Rubber Soles

• Gusseted tongue construction, leather gear shift pad

Protection & Safety

• Reinforcements at ankle, heel and toe

• Injected ankle cup

• Thermoformed heel cup

• Thermoformed toe cap

Key Specs

Advanced microfiber and Rideknit panels with seamless thermo-welded parts

TPR reinforcements and TPU heel counter

Engineered TPF plate for front flexibility

Integrated PU heel midsole

Internal ankle brace with malleolus impact protection and Achilles coverage extension

Lower shin bone impact protection integrated in the tongue

Medial anti-perforation panel with shift area reinforcement

External TPR additional reinforcement and TPF inner sole

Engineered flex point for freedom of movement with pre-bent forward construction for riding comfort

Speed lace volume adjustment combined with long medial zip opening

OrthoLite insole

Heel cushion pads

Walking roll and asymmetric heel shape for walking stability

Protection & Safety

• As much armor inside as your typical racing boot

• Includes anti-torsional support without needing a TPU exo-skeleton to do it, a very nice bit of protection to help prevent tib-fib leg breaks if you come off the bike awkwardly.

• Designed to be walked in despite the shank, TPF, and other armor

What defines a short motorcycle boots compared to a regular boot?

A short motorcycle boot is any motorcycle-approved personal protective equipment that covers up to and over the malleolus of your ankle (the bone bump on either side), but does not come up the shin or calf. All short boots will cover at least the ankle, but some boots, especially the ones designed to look like regular footwear, have a “high top” more for aesthetic’s sake more than any actual protective function.

Are short motorcycle boots waterproof?

If a short motorcycle boot has a waterproof membrane, then it will be waterproof. Most non-perforated boots such as the Merlin Bandit D3O that do not claim waterproofing are usually quite water resistant, but in heavier downpours or when crossing streams on an ADV or dual-sport, they can still get soaked through. If you want waterproofing, look for “WP,” “H2O,” or a waterproof membrane name like Gore-Tex, DryStar, Hydratex, and the like after the boot name.

Can short motorcycle boots be used for track days?

While there are exceptions to any rule, the basic rule here is NO. Due to the speeds that motorcycles reach on the track, full sport boots are the standard, and full height boots are the minimum. This isn’t to say that you can’t use a short boot on a sportbike while out on the road, but when it comes time to go to the track, use the appropriate level of protection and follow the gear requirements set out by your local track day club or organization.

What are the advantages of short motorcycle boots?

Short motorcycle boots allow for much more airflow to get into the cuff of your pants, so in places where it’s constantly warm or hot, that can help keep you cool. Also, due to not having a shin guard or “leg shaft” in technical terms, short boots are by definition much lighter than full boots, to the point of being roughly equivalent to a good pair of sneakers. By that same token, heat and humidity buildup is much less than with tall boots, as there is not nearly as long a distance to travel to get wicked away by airflow.

What are some disadvantages of short motorcycle boots?

Short boots, by their very definition, protect only up to the ankle, and do not have the capacity to prevent torsional injuries. As well, your shins are left unguarded, so road debris, low branches, and the like can whip against your pants, and if heavy or hard enough, could cause injuries or at least discomfort. Also, depending on the brand and type of boot, they may not have as aggressive a grip on the ground or your pegs as tall boots do.

What styles of riding are short motorcycle boots used for?

Short motorcycle boots are appropriate for almost every type of riding. The only types that are questionable are in the off-road styles such as trail riding and ADV, where full boots make the riding much easier and more comfortable. The most popular styles that use short boots are neo-retro, cruiser, and sport bike riding.