The Best Short Motorcycle Boots For 2024
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 November 17, 2023 by Simon Bertram.
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 Fulton Air Riding Shoes
Price: $130-$150
Where to Buy: RevZilla
Why?
Sometimes, keeping it simple and effective is the best way to do things. Perforated nubuck leather, elastic lacing pulls, toe and heel armor, and reinforced mid-sole and shift-lever areas. No frills, no gimmicks, just a great casual riding shoe that doesn’t look like a riding shoe.
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
Cortech Chicane Air
Price: $110
Where to Buy: RevZilla
Why?
Cortech is a company that makes very good entry level riding gear at sometimes pretty astonishing prices. The Chicane Air riding shoes an example of this, with top quality armor and materials, but at only $110!
The shoes feature a water repellent Italian microfiber construction designed to flow a lot of air for hot weather riding. They have ankle malleolus armor, molded toe and heel cap armor, and a midsole shank to support your feet on the pegs. They are very low profile as well, and unless you were looking at them close up, they look almost like a regular pair of slip on sneakers. They even have a "toe slider" area that is double layered to give you some protection there as well!
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.
Sedici Vertice Low WP
Price: $150
Where to Buy: RevZilla
Why?
Sedici is what one could arguably say is a budget brand, but that does not mean that their gear is sub-par. Far from it, in fact, as the Vertice Low WP boots show. These are designed to not be specific to one style of riding, and will work just as well on a sport-tourer as they will on an ADV. Full-grain leather backed by Hipora keeps the water out, while letting your feet breathe. A full reinforced steel shank in the midsole is a nod to the ADV crowd so you can stand on your pegs comfortably. The molded TPU armor on the toe and heel, as well as over the malleolus of the ankle, comes from the sports side of the riding community.
The boots also feature heavy-duty nylon straps backed by metal buckles to give a secure fastening and are backed up by stretch zones around the shin and calf to make sure that if you get a bit of a splash, no water will seep down into the boot. All said, an affordable, highly protective short boot that works with any style of motorcycle.
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
Best Mid-Range Motorcycle Short Boots
Priced $150 - $250.
Merlin Bandit D3O
Price: $270
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: $240
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 their Street lineup of shoes. Despite looking like your average every day 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: $369.99
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
Dainese Dyno Pro D1
Price: $320
Where to Buy: RevZilla | Amazon
Why?
Dainese makes extremely high-quality products, and these Dyno Pro D1 boots are no slack. These boots offer more protection than any other option on this list and are still $50 cheaper than the Daytona Arrow Sport GTX Boots listed above. Despite the wicked amount of protection these boots provide, they are very comfortable and have many stretch zones to keep you pain-free on your ride. At $300, you can’t go wrong.
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 Shoe
Price: $280
Where to Buy: RevZilla
Why?
The third iteration of the Ginza from REV’IT hits the bullseye. They don’t really look like motorcycle shoes, and yet they pack all the protection you could need - a thermoformed heel and toe cup, as well as injected ankle cups on both sides of the ankle are integrated seamlessly with the waxed suede and pull up cowhide main construction.
The Ginza 3 shoes are extremely comfortable right out of the box with virtually no break-in period. Still, as you wear them the leather will soften and mold to your foot, creating a sensation not unlike wearing slippers - with moto levels of protection, of course!
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
Alpinestars SuperFaster Shoes
Price: $300
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 exo-skeleton 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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