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Nothing beats short motorcycle boots when it comes to comfort, convenience, or cost. Here are our favorite picks for riders of every ilk.
Here at Ride Adventures, we dedicate lots of time and energy to advocating the largest, most protective boots money can buy. Full-height motocross and adventure boots are definitely our weapon of choice for long-distance all-terrain adventures, but we also understand not everyone covers as many miles of dirt every year as a dedicated touring outfit.
To that end, many riders prefer lighter and more compact footwear for their two-wheeled endeavors, and chances are they're the right tool for the job. We've been known to rock motorcycle short boots on our pavement tours, and they're also our go-to for weekend rips around our favorite local roads.
"Tall boots like our current Alpinestars Tech 10 deliver unrivaled protection, but they're also heavy and not particularly comfortable to walk in."
There are plenty of good reasons to consider a shorter riding boot, and plenty of options to choose from as well. In this guide, we'll go over a few of the most common advantages of motorcycle short boots, as well as a few of our current favorite pairs you can pick up today.
The Benefits of Motorcycle Short Boots
We'll wager you've got your own reasons for wanting a pair of short riding boots, be it convenience, comfort, or cosmetics. Before we get into our personal favorite pairs, however, let's go over a few of the objective advantages short boots have over their full-sized siblings.
Shorter Boots = Lighter Boots
If you've ever stomped around in a big 'ol pair of motocross boots, this one's for you. While larger boots tend to offer better coverage and therefore better protection, they also weigh a ton, both on your feet and off.
A shorter, lighter boot is almost always more comfortable and considerably easier to walk around in off the bike. We've passed on opportunities to take short hikes to waterfalls, scenic views, and even restrooms simply because we didn't feel like walking a quarter mile in a stiched-sole MX boot, and that's a real-world tradeoff we have to live with.
"Motorcycle short boots like these offer solid protection and better off-bike comfort."
We'll also point out that from an adventure travel standpoint, full-sized boots are a pain in the ass to bring on a flight. The considerable size and weight of full-coverage boots almost always require checking a bag when flying: we've been forced to pull a pair of Sidi Crossfires out of a carry-on bag (and onto our feet) for a 10 hour flight in the past, and we won't be making that mistake again.
You're Packing Some Serious Calves
Another common complaint we hear from riders on our tours is that tall riding boots can feel restrictive, especially on folks with larger calves. While many manufacturers try to solve this issue with adjustable buckles and stretchy gussets, some of us are just too damned jacked to be comfortable in a tall boot.
"If you struggle to stuff your burly calves into full-height boots, short boots may be the solution you're looking for."
We spend long hours in the saddle every day during our tours, so we fully advocate doing whatever you possibly can to be as comfortable as possible. Short boots may not help with the inevitable monkey butt, but if they help keep your feet and legs happy, they're worth considering.
Tall Boots are Overkill For Pavement Use
This may be a hot take, but you don't need full-height adventure or offroad boots for your typical pavement-bound motorcycle tour. Don't get us wrong, while a good pair of tall boots can provide better protection against impact, abrasion, and twisting/hyperextension injuries, many of the most protective options out there are also narrowly focused on off-road scenarios.
"Motorcycle short boots may not be ideal for off-road duty, but they're plenty protective for pavement-intensive touring."
If you need proof of concept here, you need look no further than the highest tiers of road racing. Every single pair of boots worn on the Moto GP grid or at the Isle Of Mann TT stop just below the calves. There's a 0% chance that these racers or their sponsors are taking a risk on safety in the name of comfort or convenience.
Our Favorite Motorcycle Short Boots of 2023
Keeping the above points in mind, we've got a few pairs of short boots we've been thoroughly impressed with ourselves. These are our five favorite picks currently on the market for riders of every discipline.
1. Sidi Adventure 2 GoreTex Mid
Pound for pound Sidi's Adventure 2 GoreTex boots are the most well-equipped adventure boot out there, delivering exceptionally balanced performance both on and off-road. Luckily for the motorcycle short boot fans among us, Sidi has also graced us with a shorter version of their flagship ADV boot in the Adventure 2 Mid.
Aside from the shorter profile, everything else we love about the full-length Adventure 2 is here. Off-road derived safety tech comes in the form of a shank sole, heavy TPU reinforcement, and added protection in both the toes and heel cups of the boots, while waterproofing duties are handled by the same top-shelf GoreTex liner found on their taller siblings.
To date the Adventure 2 Mid is the most protective short ADV boot we've seen on the market. Size constraints sacrifice the hinged ankle protection and tall shin plates of the taller model, but the Adventure Mid still retains a commendable degree of lateral and torsional protection overall.
Pros:
- Outstanding safety chops
- GoreTex-backed weather protection
- Still surprisingly comfortable for touring duty
Cons:
- Very expensive
- Lack the hinged ankle of the taller model
CHECK PRICE:
Sidi Adventure 2 GTX Mid
2. Forma Adventure Low
If you're looking for a well-equipped ADV boot but aren't too keen on paying Sidi prices, the Forma Adventure Low boot is a more affordable alternative with comparable overall quality. They may lack a few of Sidi's refinements, but for $100 less, there's no denying they deliver on value.
As the name suggests, this motorcycle short boot is made with adventure duty in mind. The Forma Adventure's oiled leather construction looks right at home on any BMW GS, KTM Adventure, or Honda Africa Twin, while its Drytex waterproof lining makes it a worthwhile candidate for touring duty both on and off pavement.
We're also big fans of the Adventure Low because Forma didn't cut any corners safety-wise. These motorcycle short boots earn their CE certification with molded TPU ankle protection, a steel shank sole, and full-grain leather construction, and do it all while still remaining shockingly comfortable to walk around in off the bike.
Pros:
- Classic ADV style
- CE-certified foot and ankle protection
- Waterproof and comfortable enough for touring duty
Cons:
- A bit more flexible than some
- Not ideal for spirited off-road work
CHECK PRICE:
Forma Adventure Low Boots
3. TCX Blend 2 WP Boots
The motorcycle boot for people who hate motorcycle boots. You'd never guess the TCX Blend 2 WP is a full-featured riding boot by looking at them, and that's kind of the whole point.
We love the Blend 2's casual full-grain leather style, which is utterly lacking all but the most subtle moto-focused details like the textured shifter panel above the left toe. Everything else about these motorcycle short boots looks right at home with your favorite pair of jeans, making them ideal for daily use on and off the bike.
What's even more impressive here is that TCX hasn't actually made any compromises in the name of style. Hiding beneath the Blend 2's unassuming exterior you'll find a full waterproof breathable membrane for all-weather touring duty as well as reinforcement panels at the heel and toe box.
TCX even managed to sneak some low-profile reflective details into the design for nighttime visibility, making the Blend 2's one of the most well-rounded and versatile offerings on this list.
Pros:
- Super casual look with real protection
- Built to last with a full-grain leather upper and rugged riveted construction
- Waterproof breathable membrane included for the price
Cons:
- More expensive than the Klim Blak Jak below
- GoreTex costs extra
CHECK PRICE:
TCX Blend 2 WP Boots
4. Klim Blak Jak Leather Boot
We see a lot of people riding around in Redwing/moc toe style boots, and while we're not here to judge, we are here to remind you that those aren't motorcycle boots. The full-grain leather construction of a good moc-toe is definitely better than nothing, but even the burliest work boots simply aren't built to slide on pavement.
That's precisely why we're bullish on the Klim Blak Jak, a motorcycle short boot that delivers on both tradesman style and highway-worthy protection. Here you get the classic 60's desert-sled racing vibe, but Klim doubles down on the safety side with reinforcements at the heel and toe box as well as XRD impact protection at the tongue and ankles.
We'll also note that the Blak Jak is much more comfortable than your typical moc toe work boot thanks to a moisture-wicking liner and added breathability from perforated panels on the toe and ankle. Klim rounds the moto-centric features out with an extra shift guard on the left toe, giving you the best of both worlds delivered for about $100 less than an actual pair of Red Wings.
Pros:
- Tradesman style with added protection
- Full-grain leather and welted rubber sole will only get better with time
- Still cheaper than an actual pair of Red Wings.
Cons:
- No weather protection
- Would love to see a shank added to the sole
CHECK PRICE:
Klim Blak Jak Leather Boot
5. Alpinestars Air Plus v2 GTX
Your classic touring boots have three things in common: Road-worthy safety, all-day comfort, and reliable waterproofing for those cross-country epics. Unfortunately, they also tend to run hot due to an utter lack of ventilation, which is what makes the Alpinestars Air Plus V2 GTX so special.
The Air Plus V2 throws out the classic all-leather construction of traditional touring favorites, replacing it with highly breathable materials including an air mesh main chassis and perforated leather accordion panels. The result is a true-blue touring boot that won't have you hating life on those mid-summer trips that, but works well enough into the fall riding season.
We're particularly impressed by the Air Plus V2's name-brand GoreTex waterproofing, especially considering these premium motorcycle short boots come in well under the $300 mark. Their anatomical EVA foam footbeds are extremely comfortable, and we also appreciate the full-length side zipper opening for convenience.
Pros:
- Sleek style
- Most breathable touring boots out there
- Great price for a GoreTex-equipped boot.
Cons:
- Extra breathability bites back in colder weather
CHECK PRICE:
Alpinestars Air Plus V2 GTX
Closing Thoughts on Motorcycle Short Boots…
Clearly there's a short boot out there for every kind of rider, whether you're crossing the country on a big touring bike or bar hopping on your Sportster. Nothing nails casual or comfortable quite like a short boot, and you don't have to sacrifice safety for either cause.
The bottom line here for us is that you really can have one boot that does damn near everything well short of dedicated off-road riding or track day use.
Motorcycle short boots are the most affordable and convenient footwear out there (maybe short of riding shoes, but that's a topic for another day), so if you're looking to add a pair to your quiver, you really can't go wrong with any of the picks above.
→Read More: 5 Best Motorcycle Sunglasses For Riding in Style and 7 Motorcycle Jeans That Will Actually Save Your Skin.
