Over 80% of motorcyclists involved in motorcycle crashes suffer injuries to their legs. The feet are the part of your body closest to the ground, and the part most likely to make contact with the road. They can thus sustain considerable damage even in minor crashes at slow speeds. Thankfully, there is clear evidence to suggest that good boots significantly reduce the risk of foot injuries.¹

Not just made for walking...

• Boots complying with the European standard will be marked EN 13634.
• Comfort is paramount. They should be neither too tight nor loose. Can you walk normally, climb stairs, bend over, crouch... pick your keys up off the floor? Good. Now check you can mount, ride and operate all controls freely.
• How are they fastened? If you just have to pull them on, they can also be pulled off in a crash - just when you really need them.
• Many riders and their pillions wear street or sports footwear. Choose your feet over fashion. Most sports boots have soles that are only glued on! (Sewn is stronger than bonded.) They would be ripped off by the road in seconds.
• The EU standard requires that boots have at least 160 mm height from their inner soles and provide impact protection for the shins, instep and ankles. Leather should be at least 2.5 mm thick. Look for thick soles too - at least 4 mm not including cleats.

Avoid boots that allow your feet to overhang the edge of the soles. (Look for at least 10 mm clearance from the edge to the upper.) They should also have oil-resistant soles and be sufficiently waterproof for you to be able to walk through puddles. Wet feet quickly become cold feet, and cold feet become numb and dangerous.

1) Otte, D., Schroeder, G. & Richter, M. (2002),
Possibilities for load reductions using garment leg protectors for motorcyclists: a technical, medical and biomechanical approach, 46th Proceedings, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine, pp 367-385.