The Best Short Motorcycle Boots For 2026
We’d Know: We’ve Hands-On Tested 2500+ Pieces Of Riding Gear Since 2000
Our picks are based on boots that offer the best blend of safety/performance, function/features, and price.
Last updated December 2025 by Devan Martel
About Our Recommendations
Founded in 2000, our team at wBW has collectively tested more than 2,500 helmets, jackets, boots, gloves, accessories, and more. We do not fluff reviews. A riders safety is heavily dictated by how they ride and what they wear while doing so. Our goal is to help riders make informed decisions about the gear they invest in to protect themselves.
wBW is funded by our audience. Our recommendations and reviews may contain affiliate links that earn us a small comission if you make a purchase after clicking them. This is the primary way we fund our website and pay our review team (and comes at no additional cost to you). We disclose our relationship with brands or manufacturers for transparency. For more information about our extensive review process, see our review policies.
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
Best Entry Level Motorcycle Short Boots
Priced under $150.
REAX Ventra Air Riding Shoes
Price: $129.99
Where to Buy: RevZilla
Why?
Sometimes, keeping it simple and effective is the best way to do things. Perforated 3D Flynet textile, toe and heel armor, and full-length composite mid-sole. No frills, no gimmicks, just a great casual riding shoe that doesn’t look like a riding shoe.
Key Specs
• Perforated 3D Flynet textile with triple stitch construction
• Mesh gusseted tongue flows air directly
• Laminated overlays in high wear locations
• Based closely on the REAX Fulton riding shoes with mesh textile in place of leather
• Laminated overlays in high wear locations
• Dual compound sole with EVA mid and durable rubber outsole with a high grip texture and pattern for solid footing
• Removable/replaceable shock-absorbing insole
• 20mm webbing loop pull
Protection & Safety
• Reinforced AXIAL AVP ankle cups (medial and lateral)
• Reinforced toe cap, heel counter, and EVA plastic sole
• Full-length composite midsole footbed for added torsional protection
• Rear-facing reflective hit on the heel for easy recognition in low-light riding
• CE EN 13634:2017 Level: 1,1,2,2
Sedici Podio Boots
Price: $99
Where to Buy: RevZilla
Why?
Disguised as a high-top shoe, the Sedici Podio Boots has been receiving an onslaught of positive reviews on RevZilla.
This short boot is jam-packed with technical features that are discreetly hidden throughout. Some of our personal favorites include the reinforced ankle cups, oil-resistant high-traction sole, and removable shock-absorbing sole.
Key Specs
• Suede, leather, and mesh construction
• Moisture-wicking airflow liner
• Full airflow tongue and lateral sides of the foot
• Removable, replaceable shock-absorbing sole
• Leather pull tab at rear
• Symmetric microfiber shifter panels at the toe
Protection & Safety
• Over-the-ankle design
• Reinforced ankle cups with padded ankle surround
• Oil-resistant high-traction sole with full-length reinforced shank
• Reflective inserts with visibility from front, rear, and side
• Lace retention system
BILT Dexter 2 Shoes
Price: $79.99
Where to Buy: RevZilla
Why?
You can't buy much in this world for under $100, and BILT set out to change that. Enter the Dexter 2 Shoes - a casual riding shoe that with minimal features for those who'd rather be wearing Air Force 1s or Nikes but know better than that.
The Dexter 2 shoes incorporate Hi-Density AXIAL protection at the ankles, as well as some reflective elements and improved torsional strength thanks to a custom designed outsole.
Key Specs
• Breathable & durable heavy-duty textile and suede
• Moisture-wicking mesh interior
• Removable vibration-dampening insole
Protection & Safety
• Hi-Density AXIAL Protection at the ankles
• Reflective elements throughout
Best Mid-Range Motorcycle Short Boots
Priced $150 - $250.
Merlin Bandit D3O
Price: $299.95
Where to Buy: RevZilla
Why?
Bordering on being a full ADV boot, the Merlin Bandit D3O is what you want if you’re looking to have good off-road or dual-sport protection, while also having a ruggedized boot that can take the beating off-road riding dishes out. Described by Merlin themselves as “work boots with motorcycle-specific features,” the Bandit features a full boot Hipora breathable waterproof membrane under 2.4mm premium cowhide. The sole is designed for multidirectional grip, including lateral grip, and hides toe, ankle, and heel armor discreetly.
The look is subtle, functional, and, being at the very upper edge of what could be considered a short boot before crossing into ADV territory, it also protects your shins and lower calf from low branches and the bike landing on your foot if you tumble while rock crawling on your ADV.
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
TCX Blend 2 WP
Price: $249
Where to Buy: RevZilla
Why?
Look at the picture to the left of this listing. Look very carefully at it. Then look at the name of these boots, the Blend 2 WP. TCX designed these boots for the cafe racer and neo-retro crowd, where looking cool while riding is almost as important as what you ride. Subtle reinforcement shows over the shift pad area, the soles are high grip, and despite the look, full TPU armor covers the toe, heel, and ankles. A T-Dry membrane inside the full-grain leather provides 100% waterproofing.
These boots barely look like they’re meant for riding, even up close, and that’s the point of them. They’re the kind of boots you’re likely to wear with a leather jacket with hidden armor, kevlar-reinforced jeans that look normal to the untrained eye, and cafe racer leather gloves with subtle TPU armor. It’s all about the functionality under the look, and TCX does it better than pretty much anyone else.
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
Price: $180
Where to Buy: RevZilla - Men's | Women's
Why?
TCX has a great history with its Street lineup of shoes. Despite looking like your average everyday 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!
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
Best High-End Motorcycle Short Boots
Priced over $250+.
Daytona Max Sport GTX Boots
Price: $370
Where to Buy: RevZilla
Why?
We’ve previously featured the Arrow Sport GTX short boots in this list; however, their bigger brother, the Max Sport GTX, is taking over as the king of the Daytona short boot lineup. These boots are waterproof with a genuine Gore-Tex membrane liner, high grip soles, and a slightly more ADV style of upper, which is highly flexible and allows for more movement of your foot without feeling tight.
The biggest feature of these boots, and what may surprise many that try them on, is that they have an internally raised heel, giving you 2.36 inches of heel height so that even the shortest rider on the tallest bike can comfortably flat foot at a stop. Add in the double-sized zip entry, armored toe, midsole, heel, and ankle, with an adjustable velcro closure, make the boot out of motorsports grade cowhide, and just for the hell of it toss in lower shin armor inside the tongue, and you have one of the best short boots money can buy.
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
Alpinestars Turnstone Shoes
Price: $284.95
Where to Buy: RevZilla
Why?
Styled after the iconic Blundstone boot, Alpinestars Turnstone shoes are an extremely stylish yet protective short riding boot. As a bystander, you'd be hard-pressed to tell the difference between the Turnstones and any other ordinary winter boot.
The Turnstone features an innovative hidden retention system, ensuring it isn't ripped off your foot in a slide!
Key Specs
• High quality bovine leather
• Innovative hidden retention system
• Comfortable for both riding and walking
• Styled after the iconic and classic Chelsea boot style
Protection & Safety
• Dual density ankle medial and external cup protects the malleolus area against impact
• Protective ankle discs are integrated into the elastic band, lateral and medial side
• Transversal CE certified level 1 compression protection
TCX Climatrek Surround Gore-Tex Boots
Price: $274
Where to Buy: RevZilla
Why?
Is it a hiking shoe, or a riding boot? We can't tell, and neither will you. The TCX Climatrek boots have an OrthoLite footbed that provides unmatched cushioning and comfort. The Groundtrax rubber outsoles ensure maximum grip both on and off the controls. What's more? The entire boot is lined with a Gore-Tex membrane to keep your feet dry in the worst of conditions.
Key Specs
• Breathable and waterproof
• High tenacity fabric and synthetic material construction
• Gore-Tex extended comfort membrane
• Outsole with Gore-Text Surround technology
• Optimal comfort both riding and walking
• OrthoLite footbed
• EVA cushionable midsole
Protection & Safety
• Reinforcements on shin, ankle, heel and toe
• Fastening with laces
• Reflective inserts for high visability
• Groundtrax rubber outsole for maximum traction
Alpinestars SuperFaster Shoes
Price: $349.95
Where to Buy: RevZilla
Why?
Alpinestars likes to make a few "way out there" products once in a while, and the SuperFaster shoes are definitely one of those! A high-top riding shoe, they have the internal armoring of a racing boot but the external looks of a somewhat futuristic sneaker. It even has an anti-torsional ankle brace built into it, something that is found most often in full boots!
While they call it the Alpinestars Transversal Protection Frame (TPF), which is a bit of a mouthful, it basically means that they've made a track-oriented safety feature available in a well-armored, high-performance riding shoe. Without needing to add an exoskeleton to do it, either. Definitely at the top of our recommended list if you want a great short boot/riding shoe.
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
Frequently Asked Questions About Short Motorcycle Boots
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.
What To Look For When Shopping Short Motorcycle Boots
While full-height or even tall motorcycle boots offer the best protection, some riders want to have a casual aesthetic about themselves while riding. For this reason, short boots and “riding shoes” (which are still short boots) have grown in popularity exponentially over the past decade. Many advantages are exclaimed about them as well, such as better airflow to cool the foot, better ankle agility to move around the shifter, and the like.
No matter the reason you want to have short boots, you still need to make sure that you get a good pair. You still want to look for materials, closure types, and armoring, but in a different light than most other boots.
Materials: For a short boot, the most common materials are full-grain leather and synthetic leather such as microfiber. However, for the “skater shoe” style of short boot, some are made with high-abrasion resistance textiles with either microfiber or suede included. The most common type of textile here is Cordura, which is extremely flexible and has abrasion resistance approaching that of full-grain leather.
For short boots and riding shoes, as they may see more common use while off the bike, the sole is often made of highly durable rubber for the best grip. Most of these soles are also treated to be waterproof and oleophobic so that your feet have the best grip possible on the pavement.
Closure Types: Many short boots utilize lace-up closures that have a nylon or metal threaded core, and have elastics or clips to hold the laces tight when riding. This is so that in the event of an accident, your short boots stay on and stay tight, without the laces snapping from the force or wearing away. You can still get some boots that have combination closures, such as zip and velcro, or laces and side zip, but they are the rarity in this market segment
Armor: Unlike with many other styles of boots, the armoring on short boots is mostly internal, to keep the casual aesthetic about the exterior. For short boots, you will want at minimum a toe cap, heel cap or heel reinforcement, and some form of malleolus armor (the bone bump at your ankles). These are the three areas most likely to impact or slide along the pavement, so it is just common sense to make sure you’re protected.
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