The Best Shoes to Wear Riding a Motorcycle
If you’re new to riding motorcycles and you’re in the process of buying everything you need to keep you protected, you might be wondering what shoes to wear. You can purchase many specific motorcycle boots online or in specialist shops; these are the best option to protect your feet and ankles from impact. We take a look at some of the options and features you should look for in motorcycle riding shoes.
Why you should wear motorbike shoes or boots
Your feet and ankles are an essential part of your body, and riding your bike, they’re needed to shift gears and help you get on and off the bike. In addition, you will also use your feet when stopping. If you don't fully protect your feet, you could end up with a serious injury that could prevent you from riding your bike or even walking. It’s common for beginner riders to drop their bike in the initial stages of riding. Ankles are particularly vulnerable to damage when a bike is dropped; you can crush, sprain or even break your ankle this way. A pair of protective boots will minimize the impact on your bones and soft tissue; the specialized impact protection will take on some of the weight and pressure instead. Regular shoes aren’t meant for high-speed encounters with the surface of the road; if you put your foot down at 60mph in your standard sneakers, you’re likely to burn a hole in the bottom of your shoe and potentially your foot. Biking boots are made to withstand this type of speed and friction; if you accidentally make contact with the road at high speeds, there won’t be an issue. Then there is the instance of a road accident; if you’re unfortunate and end up in a crash, motorcycle boots and shoes are far more effective at protecting your feet than regular trainers or shoes.
Riding shoes
Riding shoes are made for bikers who want a more relaxed style of shoe but also want additional protection over regular sneakers. They’re often designed to look like sneakers, but they include added support and protection. Riding shoes offer much more protection compared to regular trainers, so if you only plan to wear shoes that look like sneakers, opt for riding shoes over your standard sneakers. Ankle support is a feature to look out for when buying riding shoes. The ankle support built into some shoes works by absorbing the pressure in the event of an impact, so your ankle isn’t absorbing the full force and is therefore likely to be less damaged compared to a shoe or boot with no protection. Many riding shoes also have the addition of a reinforced toe box; this prevents toes from being damaged in the event of the bike falling onto your foot or if your foot were to become trapped.
Motorcycle boots
The short answer to what shoes to wear while riding a motorcycle is motorcycle boots; they offer the best protection against heat, bad weather, crushing, friction and much more. If you can afford to buy a good pair of motorcycle boots with added protection around the ankles and toes, you’re helping to protect and take care of your feet and ankles. They might be a little less comfortable than regular sneakers or motorcycle shoes, but the overall addition of protection is worth it. After all, you’re going to be wearing a helmet, motorcycle jacket and motorcycle pants anyway, so you should also buy the right footwear to prevent injury. Motorcycle boots vary in price; try to opt for boots that are highly rated and have additional protection as well as specialized material that can withstand friction at high speeds. If you’re debating on what part of your protective equipment to buy first due to budget issues, always opt for a good helmet and motorcycle jacket with protection. Motorcycle gloves, pants and boots are also important, but if you really need to choose between protecting your head, chest, back and feet, always protect your head, back and chest first. However, the best approach is to wear protective armor all over your body; this will help to minimize your injuries if you’re involved in a collision.