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The best motorcycle boots for most riders in 2026 are the Alpinestars SMX-6 V3: a CE-certified sport-touring boot with a TPU ankle brace, shin plate and replaceable toe sliders that’s still comfortable enough to walk in. Touring riders should look at the waterproof TCX Clima 2 Surround GTX, adventure riders at the SIDI Adventure 2 Gore-Tex, and commuters who want a sneaker-style option at the Alpinestars Faster 4 shoes.
Quick picks
-
Best overall
- Best for
- Sport and sport touring
- Height
- About 13″
- Price tier
- $250–$400
-
-
Best adventure boot
SIDI Adventure 2 Gore-Tex Boots
- Best for
- Adventure
- Height
- Tall (14″ gaiter)
- Price tier
- $400–$500
-
Best value adventure boot
- Best for
- Adventure on a budget
- Height
- Mid
- Price tier
- $250–$400
- Best for the track: Dainese Axial 2 Boots
- Best casual-style boot: TCX Hero 2 WP Boots
- Best riding shoe: Alpinestars Faster 4 Shoes
- Best waterproof street boot: Icon Stormhawk WP Boots
We’ve replaced the older models from our 2021 list with their current versions and added picks for track, adventure and casual riding. Every boot here is CE certified to EN 13634, the European standard for motorcycle footwear.
Comparison table
| Boot | Best for | Height | Waterproof | Closure | Price tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpinestars SMX-6 V3 | Sport and sport touring | About 13″ | No (WP and Gore-Tex versions sold) | Zip and hook-and-loop | $250–$400 |
| TCX Clima 2 Surround GTX | Touring | Tall | Yes (Gore-Tex Surround) | Zip and hook-and-loop | $250–$400 |
| SIDI Adventure 2 Gore-Tex | Adventure | Tall (14″ gaiter) | Yes (Gore-Tex) | Cam-lock buckles | $400–$500 |
| Forma Adventure Low | Adventure on a budget | Mid | Yes (Drytex) | Buckles and hook-and-loop | $250–$400 |
| Dainese Axial 2 | Track | About 11″ | No | Rear zip | $500+ |
| TCX Hero 2 WP | Casual and heritage bikes | 8.5″ | Yes (T-Dry) | Laces and side zip | $250–$400 |
| Alpinestars Faster 4 | Commuting | About 7.5″ | No | Laces and strap | Under $250 |
| Icon Stormhawk WP | All-weather street | Ankle | Yes (eVent) | BOA dial | Under $250 |
The best motorcycle boots in 2026
1. Alpinestars SMX-6 V3 Boots: best overall
The SMX-6 has been the default sport boot recommendation for years, and the V3 makes it better without raising it out of reach. It borrows design cues from Alpinestars’ SMX Plus V2 and Supertech race boots, but uses a single-sided TPU lateral ankle brace and a softer flex zone so you can walk around a gas station without waddling.
Protection includes a race-derived TPU shin plate, dual-density ankle protectors, a rear calf TPU bridge, a revised shifter zone and replaceable screw-in toe sliders. The upper is microfiber with front and back flex areas, and it’s certified to EN 13634:2017. Alpinestars sells it in standard, vented, Drystar and Gore-Tex versions, so you can pick the one that matches your climate. Full details are on Alpinestars’ product page.
Pros: Real ankle bracing at a mid-range price, replaceable toe sliders, four versions for different climates, slim enough to fit under most riding pants.
Cons: Standard version isn’t waterproof; sport sole isn’t made for long walks; synthetic upper won’t age like leather.
2. TCX Clima 2 Surround GTX Boots: best for touring
The problem with most waterproof boots is sweat. The Clima 2 tackles that with Gore-Tex Surround construction, which lets moisture escape through openings in the side of the sole, plus a ventilation grid and breathable Cordura upper. Your feet stay dry in the rain and less clammy on hot days, which is exactly what you want on a long tour.
Protection comes from micro-injected inserts, malleolus (ankle bone) reinforcement, a shin plate, a reinforced heel counter and a micro-injected shift pad. TCX’s CFS Comfort Fit System and a wide hook-and-loop band over an elastic zipper make it easy to get on and off. Read our guide to riding a motorcycle in the rain for more wet-weather tips.
Pros: Gore-Tex waterproofing that breathes better than most, comfortable for all-day wear, CE certified.
Cons: Cordura upper scuffs more visibly than leather; less ankle bracing than a sport boot; limited sizes in stock at times.
3. SIDI Adventure 2 Gore-Tex Boots: best adventure boot
If your rides include gravel, mud and the odd water crossing, the Adventure 2 is one of the most proven ADV boots you can buy. The headline upgrade over the original is a full-height 14-inch Gore-Tex gaiter, three inches taller than before, so you can ford deeper water without wet socks.
SIDI’s Single Flex System upper and tongue-in-groove Achilles protection give real support when standing on the pegs, while flex zones shorten the break-in period. Replaceable cam-lock buckles, a shock-resistant heel with a hyperextension block, split-grain leather grip panels on the inner calf and a lugged sole round it out. It’s certified to EN 13634:2017. Pair it with one of our best dual sport helmets for a proper ADV setup.
Pros: Tall waterproof gaiter, excellent off-road support, replaceable buckles, roomier calf than the original.
Cons: Most expensive non-race boot here; runs slightly small and narrow; heavy for street-only riders.
4. Forma Adventure Low Boots: best value adventure boot
The Forma Adventure Low gives you most of what an ADV rider needs for considerably less money. It’s a mid-height boot with a full-grain oiled leather upper and Drytex waterproof, breathable lining. The shorter shaft suits riders with larger calves and makes it easier to walk in than a full-height boot.
Internal TPU ankle protection, a nylon midsole with a steel shank and a plastic gear pad handle the protection side. Two adjustable straps with unbreakable GH plastic buckles and a hook-and-loop closure keep it secure, and the double-density sole grips well on and off the bike. It’s CE certified to EN 13634:2017 with a replaceable anti-bacterial footbed.
Pros: Waterproof leather at a mid-range price, comfortable to walk in, fits larger calves.
Cons: Shorter shaft means less shin protection; less bracing than the SIDI; vintage finish shows wear quickly.
5. Dainese Axial 2 Boots: best for the track
The Axial 2 is Dainese’s top race boot, the same model worn on MotoGP and WorldSBK grids. Its D-Axial system in carbon and aramid fiber limits the ankle’s dangerous twisting and hyperextension while still allowing the natural movement you need on the pegs.
It has replaceable magnesium sliders, a removable magnesium malleolus cover, a reinforced nylon toe, a TPU shifter guard and Dainese’s Groundtrax racing sole. The in-suit design lets a Dainese race suit cover the boot upper, and it’s certified CE Level 2. If you spend most weekends at track days, see our full roundup of the best motorcycle racing boots.
Pros: Top-level ankle protection, replaceable magnesium parts, designed to integrate with race suits.
Cons: Very expensive; narrow race fit that runs small; not practical for walking or commuting.
6. TCX Hero 2 WP Boots: best casual-style boot
If you ride a cruiser, scrambler or classic and don’t want to look like you’re heading to a racetrack, the Hero 2 WP looks like a work boot but is built for riding. It’s an 8.5-inch full-grain leather boot with a T-Dry waterproof membrane, an Ortholite footbed and a deep-lug rubber sole that grips on gravel and wet pavement.
A medial YKK zipper means you don’t have to unlace it every time. Protection comes from reinforced ankle, toe and heel counters, a double layer of leather on the shifter area, and CE Category II certification to EN 13634. It’s comfortable enough to wear all day off the bike. For more options like this, see our list of the best motorcycle boots for walking and our best cruiser motorcycle boots.
Pros: Looks good off the bike, waterproof, side zipper for easy entry, very walkable.
Cons: No shin plate or hard ankle brace; laces can come loose; heavier than a riding shoe.
7. Alpinestars Faster 4 Shoes: best riding shoe
The Faster 4 replaces the Faster 3 Rideknit from our old list. It’s a lightweight, sneaker-style riding shoe for commuters who want to walk into the office without changing shoes. The knitted upper is seamless and breathable, with a 3D mesh lining and a flat paddock-style sole.
Despite the casual look, it’s CE certified to EN 13634:2017. Dual-density medial ankle protectors, an extended TPU ankle area, TPR on the calf, toe box, slider and heel counter, and an integrated shank add real protection. A TPR strap with hook-and-loop closure keeps the laces in place.
Pros: Light and breathable, easy to walk in all day, CE certified, lowest price tier here.
Cons: Not waterproof; low height leaves the lower shin exposed; less protection than any full boot.
8. Icon Stormhawk WP Boots: best waterproof street boot
The Stormhawk is an ankle-height street boot with a water-resistant leather upper and an eVent waterproof, breathable liner, making it a good four-season commuter. Instead of laces it uses a BOA dial, so you get a custom fit with one twist and never worry about laces catching on the pegs.
Dual D3O ankle inserts, a rubber toe overlay, shifter nubs and a reflective heel insert cover the riding essentials. The lugged sole is oil- and slip-resistant, and the boot is tested and certified to EN 13634:2010. Riders report that it runs small, so consider sizing up.
Pros: BOA closure, waterproof, D3O ankle protection, casual look.
Cons: Runs small; ankle height offers less coverage than a full boot; certified to an older version of the standard.
Motorcycle boots buying guide
Look for CE certification
EN 13634 tests motorcycle footwear for abrasion, impact cut resistance, transverse rigidity (crush resistance) and boot height. Boots that pass get a pictogram with four numbers, each rated 1 or 2. Higher is better. Regular hiking or work boots haven’t been tested for any of this.
Choose the right height
Riding shoes and ankle boots are easiest to walk in but leave the lower shin exposed. Mid-height boots are a good compromise. Tall sport, touring and adventure boots protect the shin and ankle best. Whatever you choose, make sure the boot fits under your motorcycle riding pants.
Ankle protection
Ankle injuries are among the most common in motorcycle crashes. Sport and race boots add hard braces that limit twisting and hyperextension. Casual boots usually rely on padded or molded ankle inserts, which help with impacts but not twisting.
Waterproofing
A waterproof membrane such as Gore-Tex, Drytex or eVent keeps your socks dry but can trap heat. If you ride in hot weather, consider a vented version or a boot with extra breathability, like the TCX Clima 2.
Fit and replaceable parts
Your heel shouldn’t lift when you walk, and your toes need room to move. Many riders find European sizing runs small, so check fit notes. Replaceable sliders, buckles and footbeds extend a boot’s life considerably. If you struggle to reach the ground, our guide to the best motorcycle boots for short riders covers height-lift boots.
FAQ
Do I really need motorcycle boots?
Yes. Your feet and ankles are vulnerable in a crash and when the bike falls on them. NHTSA’s motorcycle safety guidance recommends protective gear, and boots are a key part of it. If you’re putting together your first kit, see our guide to the best motorcycle gear for beginners.
Can I wear hiking boots on a motorcycle?
Hiking boots are better than sneakers, but they’re not designed for abrasion or crush protection and often have laces that can catch. A CE-certified riding shoe like the Faster 4 costs about the same and protects much better.
How should motorcycle boots fit?
Snug at the heel and ankle with room to wiggle your toes. Try them with the socks you ride in, and walk around and crouch as if you’re on pegs.
How long do motorcycle boots last?
With regular cleaning and replaceable parts, a quality pair can last several years of regular riding. Replace them after a crash that cracks protectors or damages the sole or upper.
Are waterproof motorcycle boots hot?
They can be. Gore-Tex and similar membranes breathe, but less than a vented boot. If you ride mostly in summer, a vented model will be more comfortable.
Verdict
For most riders the Alpinestars SMX-6 V3 is the best motorcycle boot: strong ankle and shin protection, replaceable sliders and a version for every climate. Choose the TCX Clima 2 Surround GTX for touring, the SIDI Adventure 2 Gore-Tex for adventure riding, or the Alpinestars Faster 4 if you need a shoe you can walk in all day. Complete your gear with a good motorcycle helmet, motorcycle gloves and a leather motorcycle jacket.
Browse all our riding gear guides.
