Under $200
Best Beginner Boots
TCX Sport Women’s Boots
Street-worthy protection wrapped in a sleek sporty/classy combo package that can be worn almost anywhere while staying comfortable all day.
The TCX Sport Women’s NC Boots are sleek and understated in looks, but CE certified for motorcycle standards underneath. This footwear boasts a ¾ steel shank at the foundation, with reinforced toe, heel and ankles for added impact protection. They’re comfortable even for a slightly wider foot right out of the box, and the suede finish makes them easy to clean, very attractive and built to withstand the perils of road grit and grime. On top of it all, the price tag is not much more than a standard brand-name sneakers, making these a no-brainer. They receive high marks from customer reviews and are even a favorite in Italy where the boots are manufactured. The TCX Sport Women’s boots are a perfect first boot or addition to any riding shoe collection.
Best Budget Waterproof Boots
Alpinestars Stella Valencia WP Boots
Fantastic protection, no laces, sleek and simple styling and waterproofing make these a great all-around boot for almost any type of riding on any bike in any weather.
The Alpinestars Stella Valencia Boots are designed for touring, commuting and anything in between. It is slightly taller than high-top shoes, with a flexible panel in the instep for easy articulation and all-day comfort while both riding and walking. The waterproof membrane provides wet weather comfort and performance. An adjustable strap allows for a custom snug fit. There’s a steel shank at the foundation, and toe, heel and ankle bone impact protection. A full grain leather chassis provides exceptional abrasion resistance. The Aplinestars Stella is CE Cat. II certified, which means it provides high levels of safety and protection specific to motorcycling.
Best High-Top Riding Shoes
Dainese Energyca Air Women’s Shoes
This is anything but a traditional-looking motorcycle boot. These shoes prove that you can have the casual look without skimping on protection. Available with lots of airflow or in a waterproof version – your choice! Also available in black.
Dainese’s Energica high-top riding shoe looks casual but protects like a low motorcycle boot. Covering the ankles, toes and heels is a rigid thermoplastic insert to help protect the delicate bones in your feet from impacts. These protective features make the Energica certified to CE Cat II standards. These shoes also feature a no-slip grippy bottom to help keep you stable at a stand-still even in wet or slippery conditions. A narrow toe box makes shifting a breeze so you can stay focused on the road ahead. Finally, laces help to essentially tighten the shoes to your feet, and a strap secures the laces in place so they can’t get stuck or caught on any moving parts. Reflective accents help raise your chances of being seen at night when other road users are nearby. With all these features in mind, the Dainese Energica is a much better option than riding in sneakers.
Mid-range (over $200, under $400)
Best All-Weather Commuting and Touring Boots
TCX Tourer Gore-Tex Women’s Boots
- Price: $280
- Where to buy: Revzilla
The ultimate commuting and road touring boot for handling all sorts of weather and temperature extremes – plus a 1.25” internal lift for those who struggle to flat-foot on their motorcycle.
The TCX Tourer Gore-Tex Women’s Boots are an all-around champion when it comes to handling the demands of commuting or touring in all types of weather and temperatures. These are waterproof but breathable, and made with a combination of leather and tough abrasion-resistant textile. Their claim to fame is keeping you comfortable in all temperatures, so you can stay focused on the road ahead. They are tall, covering most of the calf, and can be worn over or under your riding pants. These boots are CE certified to motorcycle standards, so they offer enough protection for both street and open road situations. There’s a steel shank in the foundation, and reinforced toe, heel and ankles for increased impact protection. The TCX Tourer Gore-Tex Women’s Boots are built to last and will survive several seasons of commuting or a wicked touring season without flinching.
Best Classic Cruiser Boots
TCX Smoke WP Women’s Boots
The ultra-classic badass biker look with real protection, a 1” heel and waterproofing. Also available in brown or without laces – your choice!
The TCX Smoke WP Women’s boot is the classic biker boot with modern technology. These boots come with a reinforced toe, heel and ankles for better impact protection than a standard fashion boot. Waterproofing further elevates these boots into ready-for-riding status. Finally, the full grain leather chassis lends itself to longevity and better abrasion resistance than thin fashion leather, making these boots a fine choice over the combat or biker-style boots you can find on the shoe rack at the mall.
Best Adventure Boots
Forma ADV Tourer Women’s Boots
The ONLY women-specific boots with ADVfeatures on the market, but not a compromise in any way. These puppies have fantastic customer reviews across the board.
Forma is the ONLY manufacturer who has stepped up to create a women’s boot with ADV-specific features. It is important to note that the Forma ADV Tourer for women isn’t an ADV-only boot. The most impressive features include the flexibility in the sole, which allow comfort in everything from street to dirt and the occasional super-adventure into unknown terrain where standing on the pegs becomes the norm over sitting in the saddle. These boots are lightweight, waterproof and breathable to tackle all types of weather and temperatures. Molded thermoplastic protection is included in the ankles and shins – a must-have for ADV riding – and reinforced toe boxes and heels that are essential for all roads wither paved or not. Adjustable straps allow for a custom fit and unbreakable buckles allow for the beating of an ADV ride, while a full grain leather chassis lends itself to better abrasion resistance on paved roads. The Forma ADV Tourer Women’s Boots are a great well-rounded boot for the modern adventurista.
High-end ($400+)
Best Sport / Race Boots
Dainese Torque 3 Out Women’s Boots
- Price: $400
- Where to buy: Revzilla
One thing we love the most is when a women’s boot gets the same exact level of protection as the men’s version – especially in an extremely technical piece of track-focused equipment such as these. Also available in black.
The Torque 3 Out Boots are lightweight and extremely technical, making them ready for the track. Dainese has included it’s own D-Axial ankle protection system, which essentially limits the rotation of the ankle and can help prevent unwanted joint injury in the case of a crash. Hard sliders on the ankle, hull, toe and heel help with impact protection. The chassis of the boot is made from Dainese’s D-Stone material, and is highly abrasion resistant. There is also an inner speed-lacing system with a mesh liner to help with a perfect fit and comfort for longer rides. The Torque 3 Out Boots meet the highest level of CE motorcycle-specific footwear protection available.
Best Specialty Boots: Large Calves / Shorter Riders
Daytona Lady Star GTX Boots
- Price: $450
- Where to buy: Revzilla
Our favorite boots for larger calves with awesome adjustability, waterproofing, tons of protection, and a 2.5 inch heel lift to help even the most vertically-challenged riders put their best foot forward.
You can’t put a price on protection that can prevent a “tip over” and potentially save a lever or mirror, and even instill a bit of confidence. The extra lift the Daytona Lady Star GTX boots offer to those riders who have a shorter inseam on a taller seat height is bar-none.
Beyond giving a leg-up to shorter riders, these boots also don’t skimp on protection. A steel shank is included in the foundation, with a non-slip rubber sole to help keep the feet planted when stopped. Shin padding, ankle reinforcements, and toe and heel caps help with impact protection, and a combination of aramid lining in the foot and leather lining in the upper chassis help with abrasion resistance on the open road. A Gore-Tex lining also makes these boots both waterproof and breathable to tackle all types of weather.
For those with larger calves who have had trouble finding tall boots, the adjustable straps and double zipper on the Daytona Lady Star GTX Boot allows for extra room in the exact area where many women struggle to find the right fit.
