Best Motorcycle Shoes

We don’t all want to arrive at work wearing big cumbersome motorcycle boots, so some bright spark decided to create motorcycle shoes.

What are the best motorcycle riding shoes? Arrive in style at your favorite restaurant or turn up at work with any of these five top motorcycle riding shoes. Watch our in-depth review video to see the best motorcycle riding shoes in action.

Our Best Motorcycle Riding Shoes

Prices

Those of us who play in the Moto industry know the TCX X-Wave riding shoes available from revzilla.com Opens in a new tab.are the other waterproof shoe from TCX. By that, I mean that the X-Wave walks in a shadow, a shadow cast by the legendary TCX X-Street and its recent replacement, the TCX Street-Ace.

Collectively they make the go-to riding shoes for pretty much every street motorcyclist everywhere ever.

I prefer the underdog X-Wave because it’s softer, softer leather, and, more importantly, a more flexible sole. I’ve spent 12-hour days walking in both the X-Wave and the X-Street.

Stocked And Loaded

In either shoe, I was comfortable, but only in the X-Wave did I forget that I was wearing motorcycle footwear at all.

It’s cloud level comfortable, and it’s also protective. I have really good ankle armor on each side, CE rated, but the heel counter in the toe cup is more mediocre.

You’re sacrificing some safety here versus the X-Street, but to be honest, riding shoes aren’t all that protective, to begin with, so I think it’s worth it.

Winter Gear Deals

The X-Waves waterproof riding shoe membrane is exceptionally soft, and it doesn’t suffocate my foot. I want a shoe for the XSR 900 review, which involved 10 hours on a blacktop runway in 35-degree heat.

By the end of the day, I’d stripped off every piece of motorcycle clothing I brought except these shoes, which were still cool enough to wear.

The X-Wave comes with a removable shifter strap that goes around the toe area, but the thing was it kept migrating up the toe, and it was also annoying to walk on. I lost mine because I never wanted to use it.

With distressed full-grain leather, I don’t care that my shifter leaves a mark. Fit-wise, the X-Wave runs slim. Some people call that a European cut, but feet are the same everywhere, so I’m just going to call it stylish.

The closure is done up with the very typical shoelaces that you learn to tie in kindergarten, yes it’s theoretically possible that you could catch one on a footpeg and topple over at the next stoplight, but fashion is a pain.

In Conclusion

TCX X-Wave Air Shoes are the most advanced running shoe on the market, combining a unique new technology with classic style.

We’ve combined our exclusive Air Tech with a new mesh upper for an unprecedented level of breathability.

These are the most comfortable and lightest running shoes you’ll ever wear, and with the latest innovations, they will keep you going all day long.

2. Street & Steel KickstarterOpens in a new tab.

This is the Street & Steel Kickstarter, a juggernaut within the street and steel line. It is a riding shoe slash riding sneaker if we look at it. It’s not CE rated, it’s not overly technical, it carries decent moto functionality and protection, and it won’t break the bank.

I like it for year-round riding, and in my opinion, if it suits your style, it suits your style. Just know what you’re walking into.

Style

At around the $100 mark, it comes with swatted suede leather on the sides, and with rubberized cap toe is a nice touch.

The biggest thing you have to remember it’s a riding sneaker. If you commute to work, wear baggy jeans, and you want to sit this shoe under your jeans all day around the office, it’s going to work and be very comfortable off the bike.

Protection

At first glance, it doesn’t have a ton of protection. It doesn’t have a reflective strip but is down the middle of where functionality meets everyday usage, meets off the bike. That blend of factors is what makes it, in my opinion, a solid riding shoe.

This shoe comes in one color, black, and it only comes with gray laces.

Sizes

The fit on the Street & Steel KickstarterOpens in a new tab. is interesting, and here’s why it’s interesting. First, using the size chart, it only comes in whole sizes, and it’s American, so there will be a little bit of extra room.

That means is if you wear a nine buy a size nine. If you wear a 10 by a size 10, buy the nearest whole size if you wear an 11 by an 11. I wear a nine a half sneaker, so I wear size 9.

It has that little bit of extra width and a little bit of extra room in the toe box. the fact that it’s a more generous cut, which I am a fan of, means if you’re in between sizes or wear a half size go the size down and you should be good to go.

It’s not an overly pronounced arch, it’s not overly technical on the inside of this boot, but it’s a nice touch.

Stocked And Loaded

The other thing we think about the fit is the amount of foam along the ankle. Many riders are wearing casual pants, not technical socks, and the fact that it has Jersey-style mesh will wick sweat away.

It has a nice amount of foam to cradle your ankle and Achilles’ back to make it a very soft and comfortable riding shoe to wear if you’re wearing a short or athletic sock.

This is a very similar boot that we have seen in the Moto 9 from Speed and Strength. But what sets the Street and steel apart is that it has this rubberized cap toe, which makes it a little more durable, especially on the left side.

The Street & Steel Kickstarter comes with exposed laces. So when you’re messing with your controls, there is always the danger of getting tangled up with your controls. But, on the other hand, they’re going for that sneaker look, so that’s a trade-off.

Materials

This motorcycle shoe goes from brushed rubber into the leather, then into swayed leather with a few different flavors and panels. Finally, it is finished with some accent stitching, which pulls it together.

If you look at the inside of this boot, it’s the same as the outside as far as materials go.

No-frills; the only thing that I would say could be done is because you have so much padding on the lateral and medial sides. Maybe give me a bit more ankle protection.

At around the hundred dollar mark, I don’t think you’re going to scare anybody off for an extra five to ten dollars in total cost for more ankle protection.

I think you can make this shoe more protective and useful for what I see as the everyday rider or potentially the sports commuter heading to and from work.

In Conclusion

The upper is suede leather with a mesh lining and padding on the ankle. The toe cap is reinforced with a lace keeper and a rubber sole designed for long life. In addition, it has vent grommets to help with heat transfer.

3. Alpinestars SektorOpens in a new tab.

Today we’re going to break down the Alpinestars Sektor riding shoesOpens in a new tab.. The Alpinestars Sektor riding shoes are available in two different versions. We have the vented version and a non vented. The fit between the two will be identical.

When we’re writing this article, the retail price is circa $149. Please understand we don’t update the articles when the price changes. We only update the price if the product itself has been redesigned.

Sizing

I wear a size 12 US shoe, and these fit me really well. Alpinestars has done a solid job with their size and keeping it uniform.

We’ve done multiple short riding shoe reviews, and they all fit consistently. So I think you should pick your US size, and odds are you will get a good fit.

As far as the width, I would say they’re not slim. They’re not wide, but they’re accommodating my feet. They do lean towards the wide side.

The construction of the shoe was comfortable enough that it accommodated my feet.

Who Should Buy These?

The Alpinestars Sektor is right for any rider looking for a lightweight short riding shoe. You don’t want to commit to that full-on race style or a taller boot; you need something more low-profile and comfortable.

Style

This looks like some of the driving shoes that Alpinestars has done. They pulled some features into this from the driving shoes, like the lacing system.

The way these lace-up you’re able to dial in the fit. Instead of having the metal ring in the shoe to hold the lace, they have a strong fabric that holds the lace.

Adjusting them holds them in a nice and tight position, giving you a nice personalized fit and feel from these motorcycle shoes.

Ventilation

The vented version is perforated along the side of the show with an active vent at the back. The tongue is a kind of mesh fabric on the outside that does allow airflow.

It also has a shift pad to help manage the external wear of the boot. The exterior of this is a microfiber material and has a matte finish look.

Reinforcement

The shoe has some reinforcements in the toe box and the slider. There are reinforcements in the heel with a slight reflective panel.

In addition, they have an embossed grip panel built-in to the inside of the boot with velcro closure at the top.

It comes with TPR detail on the outside portion of the boot to help manage impact and abrasion. On the inside, they bolster the show a little bit more with an armored puck inside.

Comfort

You will see the insert once you open it up, this adds to the boot’s comfort. But, again, we were pleased with how comfortable these were walking around.

It’s not a bulky boot, the sole looks fairly thin, but I have to say, when you walk around, it feels comfortable. I believe you could get to your destination, walk around, and you’d be good to go.

The insole it’s ventilated, which helps maintain some airflow inside the boot, so your feet don’t stink.

I think at around $149; this boot is a solid option for riders looking for a short riding boot for the summer.

In Conclusion

Alpinestars motorcycle shoes are designed to offer maximum protection from road hazards.

This is why Alpinestars motorcycle shoes are constructed from a unique blend of materials, including a microfiber outer shell that is exceptionally lightweight, durable, and abrasion-resistant.

The inner liner of the shoe is made from a special material that is designed to protect the ankle from impact.

Furthermore, the shoe is equipped with strategically placed perforations that offer optimal ventilation and comfort.

The original speed lace system derived from auto racing shoes provides a personalized fit and feel.

The upper ankle polymer protection panel ensures a streamlined finish. In addition, the flexible areas on the heel and instep provide enhanced comfort when walking.

The shoe also features an internal protective toe box and heel counter positioned under the outer shell. In addition, the advanced 3D mesh offers ventilation and more comfort.

Internal support shank and extremely lightweight, specifically compounded, rubber sole provides a textured grip and enhanced sole rigidity.

Additionally, this motorcycle shoe meets CE Level 2 89/686/ECC EU safety certifications.

4. TCX Street Ace AirOpens in a new tab.

TCX has been spoiling us for years, with quality motorcycle trainers coming in at some of the most competitive prices in the market.

They’re one of the flag bearers of that segment, and they remain one of the best brands out there.

We’ve got another new boot to show you for this riding season, and this is very much aimed at warm weather riding. So if that’s your thing, this might be the boot for you.

Design

The Street Ace itself has been out for a couple of seasons and has, all that time, pretty much been the best seller in the motorcycle boot segment.

The Air offers something for people who want maximum airflow but with a trade-off in weatherproofing.

You’ve got full-grain leather on the outer with perforations running on both sides. Pretty much everywhere except for the upper toe section.

That will create lots of airflow in both directions to keep your foot at least warm and clammy as it can be in hot riding conditions. So it’s a really good thing, but it doesn’t sacrifice things like protection.

Protection

The TCX Street Ace AirOpens in a new tab. is C approved. The TCX boots have been C-approved for many years, so they’re one of the leaders in protection.

As far as a motorcycle trainer, a relatively low rise motorcycling boot, these are as protective as possible.

You get reinforced heel and toe sections to prevent crush damage, and you’ve got neatly integrated hidden malleolus protection for the ankle.

This will protect your ankle from the impact on the sides, but you don’t have any clumsy ankle cups sewn on the outside.

They look understated, and I think they look like stylish shoes that you’d be happy to wear if you’re off the bike.

The branding is minimal, but you have the small 3D heat press leather section with TCX.

You’ve got a nice padded area to the opening at the top of the tongue section, which is always good. But, again, you can do these up nice and tight to prevent your ankle from moving around.

Despite the way they look, they look like they would be very lightweight.

But, instead, they’re slightly more chunky in weight than they might suggest just on looks alone, and I think most of that is coming from the durable sole, so it feels like that’s where most of the weight is.

Build

You’ll get a lot of use out of these, and I think they will last. They’re really well built and put together for something that covers all the bases of a motorcycle-riding shoe.

You also do get a little overlay protector leather section for the upper of the boot. That will help prevent rubbing and fraying into the top section of the boot from things like gear changes.

It’s black even if you get a brown boot, so that’s slightly odd, but it’s a nice little thing to have. You don’t need to use it, but if you want to, it’s there.

In Conclusion

TCX’s new Street Ace shoe is designed to meet the needs of a variety of riders. It’s a high-quality shoe that’s comfortable and durable.

Its lace-up design allows for easy on and off, while the anatomic and replaceable insole provides optimal support.

The shoe is equipped with a breathable lining and a malleolus reinforcement to keep feet cool and comfortable. In addition, the CFS Comfort Fit System makes sure that the shoe fits the foot properly.

The shoe is also designed to be highly resistant to abrasion and impact. As a result, this shoe is the perfect choice for riders who enjoy riding on the Street.

5. Alpinestars SMX-1 R BootsOpens in a new tab.

Here we have the Alpinestars SMX 1 riding shoes. It’s available in a standard non-perforated version and the ventilated version.

This shoe comes in at $159.95 for either version as we write this review. Please understand we don’t update our reviews for pricing changes, only if the product has been completely redesigned, so check the latest prices by clicking the button below.

When I’m out riding in the nice weather, I always gravitate towards the vented boots. I like the airflow. I’m a fair-weather rider, so imagine no holes, no perforation, okay?

If you’re going to ride in cooler climates, or you’re just not that sensitive to the airflow on the foot area, then go with a non-perforated version.

On the other hand, like me, you’re a fair-weather rider, then go with the fully vented version.

Size

I wear a size 12 US; Alpinestars size chart translates that to an 11 and a half US. So I would say it’s pretty darn accurate for me but always check your size first.

Their sizing chart appears to be accurate, so use their size chart to help choose the best fit for yourself.

Who is This Shoe Right For?

This sports riding boot offers a reliable measure of protection right from the ankle down. This is for a rider who doesn’t want a full boot that feels too cumbersome, but they still don’t want to sacrifice all the protection you find when you get a high-end race boot.

It comes with a replaceable toe slider, just like you see on their Highline super tech arm. In addition, you’ve got a reinforced heel cup with plenty of impact and abrasion resistance, and it has reinforcement in the toe box.

Protection

One key feature with any riding shoes that I look for is the shoe’s sole. I like to grab it and give the sole a good push.

If you do that with a pair of tennis shoes, the sole just folds in half, it’s really important with riding shoes that it doesn’t do that, so it’s crushproof.

If you have a spill and the bike lands on your foot, and you’re wearing just a tennis shoe, it will crush your foot. It will, in all likelihood, result in an injury for that reason.

When it comes to protecting your feet, my advice is to wear riding shoes that are made specifically to protect you from injury, not just plain old trainers because they give you that measure of protection.

There is a shifter pad that’s stitched over. They do it to maintain a level of symmetry on both sides of the shoe. You get a motion below and a volume adjustment at the footbridge. This gives a measure of adjustment to make the shoes as comfortable and secure as possible.

In Conclusion

Alpinestars SMX-1 R Boots are the most technologically advanced cycling boots ever made.

Constructed from a new, advanced microfiber upper, the SMX-1 R is designed to provide a supremely comfortable and supportive ride.

With an extensive perforated upper, it’s engineered to offer exceptional ventilation, while its ergonomic heel counter and front bellows are constructed from textile material for improved breathability.

The SMX-1 R also features a rear flex zone, which allows you to adjust the fit and position of your foot on the bike.

An anatomically designed TPU shift pad and heel counter provide excellent grip and control, while the innovative closure system provides a secure and comfortable fit.

Alpinestars has also included a reverse zip closure for convenience. The SMX-1 R is available in black or white.