Tested: The Best Motorcycle Riding Shoes to Wear On & Off the Bike

Regular everyday footwear lacks the necessary abrasion and impact protection needed to be considered adequate for motorcycle riding. While traditionally this has meant having separate pairs for your time in and out of the saddle, the advent of more fashion-forward pieces of protective riding footwear is changing this by affording riders a single product that offers the best of both worlds; modern, design-conscious aesthetics backed by robust levels of equally modern protection. And it’s this group of stylish moto-specific footwear that we’ll be exploring today in this guide to and hands-on review of the best motorcycle riding shoes and sneakers currently available. 

Selection & Testing

Though the segment was practically non-existent only a decade ago, the motorcycle shoe and sneaker space has absolutely exploded in recent years, giving way to an ever-growing number of options. In an effort to uncover the best the market has to offer, we kicked off our hunt by first compiling a list of properties such as material selection, rain and waterproofing, and armor and protection, and then used these factors to guide our search. Scrutinizing these characteristics allowed us to generate a shortlist of riding sneakers and shoes that we suspected may stand as some of the latest and greatest on the market. From there, we were then able to get hands-on with each pair in order to gain a more complete understanding of their overall user experience. 

In order to really put each shoe to the test/through its paces, I spent anywhere from one to three weeks commuting to and from work wearing every pair on our shortlist. Additionally, on top of wearing them while riding to and from the office — and on any other errands or extracurricular activities I engaged in — I also spent the entire day wearing the same pair in order to glean how they performed off of the bike. What’s more, in order to evaluate the waterproofing offered by each riding sneaker or shoe, we also performed a simulated rain test by spraying the footwear with a hose from several feet away. Each of these waterproofing tests were carried out while wearing the fully-waterproof Rokker Revolution II motorcycle jeans — as they prevented water from seeping through the pants and into the shoe. 

This hands-on testing phase would also allow us to gain a more complete sense of areas such as craftsmanship and build quality, and overall comfort — areas that you can’t get information on merely from reading a product description or examining a spec sheet. Once armed with the firsthand findings from our testing, we were then able to narrow our initial shortlist down to a final, hard selection of what our testing revealed to be the very best motorcycle shoes and sneakers on the market. 

Measurements & Vehicle: I wear a U.S. Men’s Size 12 — or Euro Size 47 — and fit regular width shoes and boots. As such, all pairs that we tested came in this U.S. or Euro size. To experience these pieces of footwear on the road, I used a Ducati Hypermotard 939 SP — and a few days spent on a Husqvarna 701 Supermoto. 

REV’IT! Delta H20 Shoes

Best Trainers: The REV’IT! Delta H2O Shoes are a pair of highly-protective, fully-waterproofing riding sneakers that have been engineered for both on and off-the-bike use. Sporting some low-key Chuck Taylors vibes, the shoe are cut from a combination of reinforced denim and oiled suede and constructed around a backbone comprised of injected ankle cups mated to thermoformed heel and toe cups. The bottom of the Delta H20 Shoes have been capped off with a grippy rubber outsole with treading that resembles Lamborghini’s iconic Y-pattern. 

The Good

Ample waterproofing is afforded via the Delta H20’s use of a gusseted tongue construction and a proprietary hydratex Z-liner membrane — the same type of highly-effective waterproof liner used in a great many of REV’IT!’s riding gloves and jackets. Just as importantly, the shoe also utilizes — that’s pieced together using taped seams. And, with a 3D mesh liners that comes paired with OrthoLite X40 insoles and heavily-padded tongues, the Delta H20s are just as comfortable as they are waterproof. The pull tabs at the heel really do make them a lot easier to put on — plus I appreciate how REV’IT opted to decorate these pull tabs in the coordinates of the company’s headquarters in he Netherlands. 

Between a reinforced toe, a reinforced heel, reinforced side panel, SEESOFT ankle discs, and overlying thermoformed protective elements, REV’IT!’s Delta H20 Shoes don’t skimp on fortification either — far from it. In fact, the robust levels of protection this pair offers is made all the more impressive by how low-profile its suite of protective elements is. Plus, the whole thing comes wrapped in an ultra-rugged denim that makes it even more durable all around while also giving the Delta H20s an even more unique look and feel. By using oiled suede to cover the shoe’s toe shifter section and the surrounding panels, the design doesn’t announce itself as being motorcycle-specific. In fact, I think most people would just assume these are regular sneakers if they saw them. 

Supplementary Strengths

Another aspect of these stylish riding shoes that makes them so impressive in my eyes isn’t just the fact they’re fully waterproof — not merely weatherproof or water resistant — but they also offer pretty stellar breathability. For more than a week, I wore the Delta H20 Shoes every day, from around 7AM to 8 or 9PM without ever taking them off. And, despite rocking them for extensive durations, they didn’t smell one bit after I took them off. Hell, I even own pairs of regular, non-waterproof, non-moto-specific sneakers that smell far worse after repeated, daily all-day use. And, because they draw so much inspiration from classic sneaker designs that remain popular today, even decades after their release, it’s practically guaranteed that the Delta H20s won’t go out of style or look dated at any point in the near future.

The Not So Good

Whether it’s modern motorcycle helmets, jackets, pants, or gloves, whenever I test riding gear, I always try to scrutinize each piece in order to uncover any issues or problems. Despite my best efforts, however, there was almost nothing that really bothered me about the Delta H20s. My only issue with them is the fact that the only reflective element on the entire shoe consists of a small horizontally-running section towards the base of the heel. While this obviously helps you be seen from behind, I’d really have liked to see REV’IT! treat this pair to a few more reflective hits on the front and/or sides — or at least use laces with built-in reflective elements like Stylmartin’s Matt WP Riding Shoes. 

Verdict: Loosely modeled after Converse Chucks, the REV’IT! Delta H20 Shoes are a stylish piece of motorcycle-specific footwear that provide true all-day-wearing capabilities thanks to offering ample protection — and full waterproofing — on-the-bike, and ample style and comfort when out-of-the-saddle. 

SPIDI XPD Moto Pro Shoes

Best Sneaker Head Pick: Made by SPID’I’s sub-brand XPD Boots, the XPD Moto Pro Shoes are a super fashion-forward, streetwear-inspired pair of highly-protective — and highly-fashionable — riding sneakers. The shoes are constructed around a set of leather and textile uppers that come capped off with a dual-density vulcanized rubber outsole courtesy of leading tire manufacturer Michelin. The outside of the shoe also sports a rear pull loop, a heavily-padded collar, a leather toe shifter overlay, and a lace closure with reinforced eyelet that’s supplemented via a VELCRO strap across the base of the toes. 

The Good

Outfitted with an onboard plastic heel support system, the XPD Moto Pro Shoes also boast a mesh lining, and a replaceable and breathable OrthoLite insole. Like Stylmartin’s Matt WP shoes, SPIDI’s XPD Moto Pro Shoes take ample inspiration from both retro and modern-day sneakers, and provide an appearance that will no doubt resonate with a great many sneaker heads and streetwear enthusiasts. Beneath its stylish surface lies a robust suite of armor in the form of a reinforced toe and heel, polymer padding with memory foam, and molded TPU ankle guards. These items collectively afford this pair with a CE Level 1 rating. 

The pull tabs make them much easier to put on, and the process of lacing them up or tying them is identical to that of any other regular shoe or sneaker. The Moto Pro’s OrthoLite insole works exactly as advertised, providing a ton of cushioning and support. Not only are the plush insoles noticeable when walking around off-the-bike, but this detail also becomes super evident when moving around the bike with the balls of my feet on the pegs. Further bolstering the comfort of this pair is a soft polymer memory foam padding and a full mesh lining that hugely aids in this pair’s overall breathability. Though I didn’t find them to be any grippier or more rugged than any of the other outsoles I tested, I nonetheless still appreciate that this pair features a double-density vulcanized rubber sole courtesy of Michelin. 

Supplementary Strengths

Also like Stylmartin’s Matt WP shoe, the XPD Moto Pro Shoes manage to conceal their armor by utilizing a design that takes inspiration from puffy streetwear footwear and retro basketball shoes. This plays a huge role in their ability to largely resemble ordinary sneakers — one of the main selling points on of this pair. Moving on, the collar of these sneakers is not only padded, but it also feels lightly insulated, plus sports a nylon textile outer construction that almost feels comparable to an insulated jacket or a Rumpl blanket. 

Though I personally prefer the appearance of Alpinestars J-6 WP and Stylemartin’s Matt WP models, I will admit that I received far more compliments about the XPD Moto Pro Shoes than I did any other pair I wore while testing — and that was from people just complimenting them as sneakers without knowing they’re actually made for riding. And, with their black, red, white, and grey color scheme, I also really appreciated how well these shoes matched the black, red, and white livery of my motorcycle. This latter point is obviously subjective, though I enjoyed it nonetheless. 

The Not So Good

My issues and gripes with XPD’s Moto Pro Shoes were few and far between, though there were a few nonetheless. For starters, I’d love to see XPD outfit the pair with a waterproof membrane, as this would allow you to wear them in inclement weather — plus there’s nothing worse than getting caught in the rain while riding when you aren’t wearing rain gear. Next, I’d love to see the company add a few additional color scheme options, preferably including a fully-blacked-out pair. My final gripe is just as subjective, and stems from the toe shifter pad. This element doesn’t provide all that much benefit from a performance standpoint — feeling pretty much identical to shifting while wearing a regular pair of Air Jordans or adidas — and is the one and only part of the shoe that reveals that it’s made for motorcycling. I still think they look absolutely fantastic, but I do think it’s a bit of a shame to design such a stylish and fashion-forward shoe, and then hinder its ability to blend in as a regular sneaker by adding the shifter pad overlays. 

Verdict: The SPIDI XPD Moto Pro Shoes are a stellar choice for any hyper-style-conscious rider, fashionista, hype beast, sneaker head, or streetwear fanatic, as they do a phenomenal job of combining ultra-stylish looks with robust, CE-rated levels of protection. 

Stylmartin Matt WP Riding Shoes

Best Basketball Shoe-Inspired Pick: The Stylmartin Matt WP Riding Shoes take an interesting approach to retro shoe design, as they seemingly draw inspiration from ‘90s era retro Air Jordans — namely the J4s and J5s, minus the wings and lace locks. Designed and made in Italy, Stylmartin’s Matt WP are crafted around a set of uppers made from Hydro-Grain cowhide leather. Built atop an oil-resistant rubber outsoles, these riding sneakers feature reinforced shifter pads and both interior and exterior PU ankle protection. Inside, they also sport a breathable, waterproof membrane, a mesh air liner, and a removable anatomic insole with micro-perforations and antibacterial properties. 

The Good

CE-rated, the Matt WP not only affords robust levels of ankle protection, but it does so in a really clever way in my opinion. Because ‘90s era Jordans have a somewhat puffy, heavily-padded nature to them, Stylmartin has mimicked this motif, and used the bit of extra visual cushioning to more cleanly and discreetly integrate the interior armor into the riding sneaker. On the outside, the shoes feature a circular Stylmartin logo on the outer heel — a design found on other iconic retro sneakers such as classic P.F. Flyers and Converse All Stars — that’s printed directly onto the armor, providing a really natural look that allows for maximum protection without looking at all out of place. 

I honestly love the Stylmartin Matt WP Riding Shoes, and that’s for a myriad of reasons. For starters, I happen to not only be a huge fan of retro Air Jordans, but the Tinker Hatfield-designed 4s and 5s are by far my favorite steps in the evolutionary chain of Jays, and as such the Matt WPs really resonate with me and my personal taste. And, much like the retro Jordans that inspired them, these riding shoes are remarkably comfortable and super easy to slip on and off — the latter of which is partially owed to a U-shaped cutout in the heel, just like the Jordan 5s and 6s. The reflective details integrated bit the Clarino panel on the heel of the shoes are wildly effective when hit with light, and to supplement the area Stylmartin has also bestowed them with a set of laces with reflective threading woven into the braid.

Supplementary Strengths 

The entire purpose of more casual-looking, armored riding shoes is to allow the wearer to wear them and be protected on the bike, and then continue wearing them once they arrive at their destination, without having to change of out riding boots, and all while being able to seamlessly blend in with the rest of your wardrobe, resembling a normal-looking pair of causal sneakers or footwear. And while the toe shifter pads do give these away as being motorcycle-specific shoes, their ability to conceal the protective elements in a natural way plays another major role in making the Matt WPs so special in my eyes. And, while they’re obviously priced similarly to pretty much every other riding shoe and sneaker on this list, they’re also one that’s made in Europe, and the Italian construction is just fantastic. Even after wearing them for at least 1,000 miles, they still look fantastic, without a single loose thread or element whatsoever, on either shoe. 

The footbed of this shoe is plush, and makes it immensely comfortable to both wear these shoe and walk around in them. They also allowed me to walk completely naturally, just like I would when wearing any other pair of ordinary sneakers — something that can’t be said for most pairs of mid or full-length moto riding boots. When testing the waterproofing on these riding shoes, I was happy to report that not a single drop found its way into the shoe. Thanks to being tucked into the cuff of a pair of waterproof riding jeans, water simply rolled off the jeans and down the shoe without ever penetrating the membrane or entering from the top of the shoe around the collar. 

The Not So Good

Despite the shoes featuring air mesh liners, antimicrobial insoles with micro-perforation air channels, and waterproof membranes being described as breathable, and the Matt WPs often made my feet sweaty, and on the occasions I wore them for more than 12 hours at a time, they often stank by the end of the day. Because this was the first pair on this list that I tested, I initially thought this was a me-problem that resulted from me just having sweaty feet, but several of the other pairs I tested after didn’t have this problem. Fortunately, a bit of shoe spray or baking soda quickly remedies them of any stink, making this issue far from a deal-breaker. I wouldn’t mind seeing this pair get some heel and toe armor or reinforcements, and in all honesty I could do without the toe shifter pad, as I’d rather sacrifice any utility it provides in favor of a more normal-looking pair of sneakers that don’t in anyway announce themselves as being riding sneakers — something this pair could do if it weren’t for those toe shifter overlays. 

Additionally, while I also happen to be quite fond of the blacked-out aesthetic, I know not everyone shares this look, so I wouldn’t mind seeing Stylmartin offer them in a few other color schemes – plus it would be particularly cool if they aimed to mimic some of the more iconic colorways such as the Bred, Military Blue, White Cement, or Grape. I should also point out that, even with these shortcomings, I still opted to wear these sneakers everyday for over a month before we began additional testing on the other pairs on this guide — as we still had a pair in house from testing the Matt WPs for our overall guide to the best motorcycle boots. 

Verdict: The Stylmartin Matt WP Riding Shoes are a premium, Italian-made pair of waterproof, leather-construction high-tops that take inspiration from ‘90s era Jordans, using the padded nature of the Jays to cleverly integrate armor. 

TCX Dartwood WP

Best Waterproof Pick: The TCX Dartwood WP is a thoroughly-modern riding shoe with an almost-timeless appearance and a handsome full-grain leather construction with pull-up finishing. Fortified via reinforced heel and toe boxes and ultra-low-profile D30 ankle armor, the Dartwood WP is built atop a Groundtrax outsole with a hexagonal tread that sits beneath a breathable OrthoLite insole that’s as plush and comfortable as the sole is grippy. The also outsoles utilize a unique, recycled construction that look normal fro afar, but upon closer inspection reveal. Reflective piping also runs vertically up the back of the heel, helping to get driver’s attention at night. 

The Good

The use of D30 armor allows the boots to offer solid impact protection while remaining ultra-low-profile — and, more importantly, it allows them to more closely resemble regular sneakers. It’s also very much worth noting that the D30 contributes to this pair achieving a super robust CE Level 2 rating. This pair also features a vertical-running zipper on the inside of the shoes around the ankle, making entry markedly easier, while still allowing the boots to afford a super snug and precise fit. Additionally, they’re exceedingly comfortable to work around in, which has to be one of this pair’s biggest selling points. The Dartwood WP legitimately lends itself to off-the-bike use just as well as it does on it — a fact that can’t be said for many pieces of motorcycle-specific footwear currently on the market. 

Despite their more classic-looking aesthetic, the Dartwood WP conceals a few throughly modern tricks up its sleeve. It has an ultra-plush OrthoLite insole that makes walking around in these things a joy. Those insoles are also set directly atop a highly-innovative molded polymer insert that’s been applied to the midsole. Christened the “ZPLATE,” this proprietary TCX element hugely bolsters impact protection by utilizing an amalgamation of longitudinal flexibility and transverse rigidity — and does so without mitigating range of motion or movement. The waterproofing on this pair is also pretty top notch, and I thoroughly appreciate how TCX opted to pair the T-Dry liner with a waterproof side-entry zipper, as a non-waterproof track would have allowed water to enter the shoe. 

Supplementary Strengths

And, while it’s an attractive piece of footwear from 5 or 10 yards away, inspecting the Dartwood WPs up close reveals a plethora of small details that collectively further elevate it as a whole. This includes the subtle red accent stitching, a tiny Italian flag hidden beneath the heel pull tab, brass-finished eyelets, and matching TCX badges also crafted from brass adorning the outer-side of the shoe, just beneath the laces. What’s more, the inside of the shoe’s collar sports a plaid lining — not unlike several dapper pairs of dress shoes and boots I’ve owned over the years. Additionally, when coupled with the leather uppers and brass eyelets, the shoe’s  braided brown and tan laces collectively give the Dartwood WP some low-key work boot vibes in my opinion.   I also loved the elastic band set 3/4s of the way up the tongue, as it gave me somewhere to park (tuck away) the ends of the laces — another detail that I think should be present on pretty much every piece of moto footwear that uses a conventional lacing system. 

The Not So Good

The tiny pull tabs at the top of the back of the heel do provide a bit of leverage for putting them on, but not all that much. Fortunately, the vertically-running zipper on the side of the shoe does make it pretty easy to put on, making the tabs somewhat unnecessary — and thereby pretty substantially mitigating the significance of this gripe. Though they admittedly do provide a bit of extra traction when banging through the gears, I’d ultimately prefer of the Dartwood WP didn’t have any kind of overlay, pad, or texturing around the big toe, as this is really the only element of this piece of footwear that announces them as motorcycle shoes. With that said, they’re still plenty stylish, and are more than capable of blending in as regular sneakers without shouting “riding boots.” 

Moving on to a more subjective gripe, the leather construction of the outer does scratch and scuff fairly easily, though only on a surface level. This initially bothered me on the first few days I wore these boots, as the minor scuffs were quite evident when contrasted by the rest of this otherwise brand-new-looking pair of shoes. After my first week or two, however, the boots became a bit more scuffed and nicked up, which actually started to afford them a lot more character in my eyes, and I actually prefer how they look now with their “lived-in” aesthetic compared to how they looked right out of the box. Having said that, I’m sure not everyone shares this same sentiment, so if you aren’t a fan of the patina’d look, these riding shoes might not be for you. Lastly, I assumed based on the Italian flag tag on the back of the shoe that these things were made in Italy, though it turns out they’re actually manufactured in Cambodia. Regardless, the build quality is pretty top notch, so it’s hard to complain here. 

Verdict: The TCX Dartwood WP is a retro-inspired leather riding sneaker that conceals a host of premium details, a full waterproof membrane, and a robust suite of armor that earns it a CE Level 2 rating. 

Alpinestars J-6 Waterproof Shoe

Best Skate-Shoe-Inspired Pick: The Alpinestars J-6 WP Shoes are another piece of motorcycle-specific footwear that finds a super clever way of disguising a riding shoe as an ordinary sneaker, and that’s by utilizing the design of a padded skate shoe. Drawing inspiration from classic skate shoes like the Vans Sk8-HI, the J-6 WP features a set of leather and suede uppers, a heavily-padded leather tongue, a removable and replaceable anatomically-profiled EVA and Lycra foot-bed, and a reinforced mid sole set between the shoe’s upper and advanced rubber compound outsole. What’s more, the J-6s also benefit from a waterproof membrane that’s built into the chassis of the shoe itself. Sold in five different color ways, these CE-rated riding kicks also boast fortification for the wearer’s toes, heels, and ankles. 

The Good

Astars’ J-6 WP is extremely low profile and does a phenomenal job of concealing its underlying armor and protective elements. Add to this the fact that they don’t have a single outwardly visible feature that announces themselves as riding shoes, and you’ve got one of the most normal-looking pairs of motorcycle footwear on the market. In fact, I’d say these don’t just resemble regular sneakers, they fully and completely look like them. Despite looking like a regular pair of sneakers, the Astars J-6 WP affords impressive levels of waterproofing thanks to a full interior membrane. And not only was I impressed by this pair’s waterproofing, but they also left my feet cool and comfortable after several days of wearing them. Even more importantly, they didn’t smell after extensive, all-day use — something I can’t say for pairs like Stylmartin’s Matt WP Riding Shoes. 

The Sk8-Hi-esque collar not only looks great, but it’s also surprisingly functional, providing its wearer with a ton of cushioning. The interior leather collar lining is also a nice and thoroughly premium touch, as is the alloy Alpinestars logo badges discreetly adorning the tongue of each pair. Lastly, aside from the Alpinestars logos on the side of the uppers, there isn’t a single aspect of these shoes that announce themselves as being motorcycle-specific. No obvious armor. No toe shifter pad. Nothing. They legitimately look and feel like regular sneakers — which is about the greatest compliment I can give to a pair of casual-looking, protective, CE-rated riding sneakers. 

Supplementary Strengths

I always love when Alpinestars manages to find clever ways to integrate materials or systems in its existing products into new offerings, such as how it used EPS helmet liner in the heels of its Moto 10 boots, or, in the case of the J-6 WP, its utilized internal toe box, and reinforced ankle and heel counters that are all sandwiched between the shoe’s upper and heavily-padded lining — a setup that’s derived from Astars’ motocross boots. As such, the heel provides ridiculously high levels of impact absorption. And, even though they’re made in China, the J-6 WPs craftsmanship and fit and finish is of a really high quality — just like every other piece of gear we’ve gotten hands-on with from Alpinestars. 

The Not So Good

The pull loops are super well-placed and are extremely effective, making it substantially easier to don or doff this pair. Additionally, with nine pairs of eyelets that run all the way up to the top of the shoe, it’s super easy to achieve a really tight fit. Having said that, though this is no doubt at least partially owed to the size, width, and shape of my feet, I had a difficult time actually dialing-in the fit on Astars’ J-6 WPs. Either they were just a bit too loose, or they were a tad too tight to the point where it eventually created hot spots and pressure points after just an hour or two of having them on. Once these riding shoes had broken in a bit, this became less of an issue, though I still had a harder time with fitment with these shoes compared to every other pair on this list. Add to that, the outsoles didn’t provide the most traction or grip when walking on wet surfaces — albeit they were no worse than your average pair of sneakers, they just left a little to be desired compared to some of the other pairs I tested for this guide. 

Verdict: Taking influence from classic skate shoe designs like the Vans Sk8-HI, the Alpinestars J-6 WP Shoe is a piece of retro-inspired moto-specific footwear that looks like an ordinary pair of sneakers in every way, without a single feature that announces themselves as being riding shoes — all while boasting a full suite of armor and a full breathable, waterproof membrane liner. 

Klim Outlander GTX Boot

Best Moto-Hiking Boot Hybrid: Based in the perfect proving and testing grounds of Rigby, Idaho, Klim is a lauded gear and garment maker that produces kit for all manner of powersports, from snowmobiling to motocross to adventure riding. Klim manages to deliver such rugged, trustworthy, and high-performance gear by over-engineering everything it designs, and by calling on some of the most advanced proprietary materials and systems currently out there in order to further maximize performance. Perfectly encapsulating the Idaho outfit’s MO is the Klim Outlander GTX Boot. 

The Good

First released in 2021 and then lightly updated the following year, the Outlander GTX Boot is cut from a combination of leather and heavy-duty, high-denier nylon and is secured using a BOA Fit System. The interior of the boot gets a removable moisture-wicking, breathable insole that using treksta’s anatomically-optimized NestFIT footbed tech, as well as a full GORE-TEX liner. Fortifying the boot are a TPU-reinforced toe cap, a TPU-reinforced ankle, and XRD Impact Foam across the tongue and beneath the Outlander’s ankle pucks. Equipped with a support-bolstering polycarbonate lasting board, these moto-hiking boot hybrids come stacked up a ridiculously grippy HyperGrip outsole with a super a super aggressive lug pattern. 

Between the BOA Fit System and the generously-sized, well-anchored pull loops on the heel, the Klim Outlander GTX Boot was by far the easily to put on out of all the riding shoes that I tested — and by a generous margin. This is made all the more impressive by the fact that they’re also by far the most robust and offer the by far the most protection. As usual, the BOA Fit System allowed me to literally dial-in the perfect fit every time, without fail. In typical Klim Fashion, these boots benefit from a laundry list of proprietary, name-brand systems, technology, and constructions. You’ve got XRD providing the impact foam, GORE-TEX supplying the liner, HyperGrip lending an outsole, 3M offering reflective material, treksta lending its nestFIT insole tech, and BOA Technology Inc contributing its aforementioned, game-changing fitment system. 

I also found the waterproofing on these boots to be nothing short of stellar, and the slightly-higher boot-cut of these riding shoes let them do an even better job of preventing water entering from the top. Also, for being a waterproof shoe with a GORE-TEX membrane, I expected the Outlander GTX to leave my feet a lot sweatier and stinkier than the non-waterproof pairs I tested, though this simply wasn’t the case with this pair. Even when worn for an entire day — and one that included several hours out on the trails and several hours in the saddle — they really didn’t stink. This is made all the more impressive by how robust and effective this pair’s waterproofing proved to be, as well as by the fact they they have a much higher cut to them as well. 

Supplementary Strengths

In order to truly put these boots to the test, simply experiencing on the bike wasn’t enough. To discover how they perform off-the-bike — and in their intended setting — I threw on the Outlander GTX Boots and went to a local park to spend a day on the trails. In a bid to establish a baseline for on-trail performance, I also brought along my pair of Lowa Renegade GTX Mid boots — a pretty stellar pair of hiking boots in my opinion — that I used to compare and contrast with the Outlander GTX. With the Outlander GTX being a motorcycle-specific piece of footwear, I anticipated Klim to have made at least a few pretty major sacrifices when it comes to use on the trails, though the reality is that they performed similarly to my purpose-built hiking boots to an extent that kinda shocked me. The only real downside is the stiffness in the Outlander GTX’s toe-area, as it didn’t allow my to flex my toes all that much — though this was only apparent when ascending steep hills. Aside from that, they offered essentially just as good of support, traction, and comfort as my favorite pair of hiking boots — and I have a closet full. 

The level of grip this pair offers is easily on-par with cutting-edge pair of dedicated hiking boots — thanks to the use of a HyperGrip outsole with deep, jagged lugs. What’s more, the polycarbonate lasting board also no doubt helps both on and off-the-bike, providing support whether trekking on foot or standing armoring around on the pegs. And, though fairly beefy and robust, Klim’s Outlander GTX doesn’t look all that different from your average hiking boot. And, while it’s admittedly a small touch, I really appreciate the Outlander’s use of 3M Scotchlite C790 carbon black reflective patches, as they aren’t at all noticeable until hit with a headlight (or flashlight) at which point they readily announce themselves. Made in South Korea, the boots also boast an overall level of build quality and craftsmanship that you’d expect from a pair of $300 hiking or riding boots. 

Often times, full-size adventure or motocross boots make it exceedingly difficult to use a bike’s gear shifter, as the stiff and bulky nature of the boots result in them being difficult to slip under the lever — and just as difficult to feel once you finally do get your toe beneath said shifter. The Outlander GTX suffers from this issue very little, and offers far more flexibility and range toe movement then full-size pairs I’ve tested like the Touratech Destino Ultimate GTX Adventure Motorcycle Boot and Alpinestars Tech 10 boots. Having said that, they’re quite a bit stiffer compared to the other moto shoes on this list. When shifting, I had to articulate my entire foot, rather than being able to use just my toes. The BOA fit system is also an absolute game-changer. I’m actually convinced that pretty much every pair of riding boots should feature this system, as it not only allows for the most snug and precise fit I’ve ever experienced on a pair of motorcycle-specific footwear, but it also makes putting them on and dialing-in ridiculously easy. 

The Not So Good

The only real issue I had with how this pair performed is with the stiffness of the toe — though this problem has lessened over time as they’ve broken in, and will likely continue to do so as I break them in further. I’ll also remind you that the stiffness made shifting a bit harder as well, at least compared to the other sneaker-style entries on this list. Lastly, it’s also probably worth touching on the price of Klim’s Outlander GTX, as $300 is simply a lot to spend on a pair, but when you consider that they can be used effectively on or off the bike, and factor in the laundry list of high-end and proprietary materials and systems, and it really isn’t all that difficult to justify its $300 MSRP — as objectively steep as it may be. 

Verdict: Benefitting from a host of state-of-the-art, proprietary materials, systems, and tech, the Klim Outlander GTX Boot is a cutting-edge motorcycle shoe and hiking boot hybrid that offers impressive performance whether in the saddle or out on the trails. 

Motorcycle Shoes & Sneakers Comparison Chart

What’s The Difference Between Motorcycle Shoes & Motorcycle Boots?

Far more than just the length of the cut, motorcycle boots and motorcycle shoes and sneakers differ in a myriad of key ways. Shoes and sneakers are obviously shorter than their full-length counterparts. This allows for a less restricted range of ankle movement, though more importantly this factor enables moto shoes to be more comfortably worn when off of the bike. Unlike traditional motorcycle boots, most riding shoes and sneakers are designed for all-day use, affording wearers the ability to gear up with them for their ride, keep them on all day, and leave them on for the ride home — eliminating the need to swap shoes/boots when arriving and departing from the home or office. Not unlike gauntlet-style riding gloves, full-length riding boots do afford better protection than their shorter counterparts, however, modern riding boots are able to deliver impressive levels of fortification for your feet that includes achieving CE ratings. 

What To Consider When Shopping

There are a lot of similarities between the vast majority of today’s riding shoes, though there are still a handful of crucial areas that set these pairs apart and separate the truly worthwhile models from their inferior counterparts. Below, we’ll briefly explore the top ten most pivotal factors to consider before pulling the trigger on your purchase.

Style: Typically speaking, robust riding boots will almost always offer greater levels of protection than riding sneakers, however riding shoes do have the ability to afford solid protection while boasting a markedly more fashion-forward appearance that doesn’t readily announce itself as a piece of moto-specific footwear, could easily pass for a regular pair of high or low-top kicks, and can comfortably and confidently be worn off the bike. And, while most riding shoes will sport a generally more casual and style-conscious aesthetic, these pieces of footwear do come in a wide variety of styles, ranging from modern streetwear-inspired sneakers to running shoe-derived moto shoes to moto hiking boot hybrids. Considering that style is one of the main reasons one would consider buying a pair of riding sneakers, this category is extremely important.

Construction: No matter what type of footwear you’re purchasing, the materials used to construct it will play a pivotal role in the pair’s overall quality, performance, and durability. As such, when purchasing moto sneakers, it’s always well worth your while to explore the different materials used to craft the shoe. Real and synthetic leathers and textiles are all commonly-used constructions in this space, as are some more technical materials such as GORE-TEX. And, while the primary construction will almost always be the most important, it’s still worth reviewing the other materials used to supplement the main construction for items like liners and trim pieces.

Armor: When it comes to the ability to survive a slide (i.e. abrasion resistance), moto sneakers owe their protection to their main construction(s). However, the footwear’s ability to protect its wearer from impacts is owed to the use of integrated armor. Most commonly installed to protect the wearer’s ankles and heels — though supplementary metatarsal protection is also fairly commonplace — the armor on moto riding shoes is at times made from TPU or dual-density foams, though D30 continues to be the gold standard in the moto riding gear space, with footwear being no exception.

Weatherproofing: On top of shielding its wearer from impacts and abrasions, a great many of today’s best motorcycle riding shoes are also partially or completely impervious to the elements. This is made possible through the use of breathable yet waterproof membranes, weatherproof finishes and treatments, and sealed or taped seams. Waterproofing on a pair of riding shoes is an especially important factor to consider if you plan on commuting daily on two wheels, rain or shine.

Footbed & Liner: Just like with any other type of footwear, the overall comfort afforded by a pair of moto riding shoes will largely boil down to the type of footbed and midsole that’s being used. Plush memory foam and other types of breathable padding are frequently used, though it’s also not uncommon to see insoles from third-party brands like Dr. Scholl’s and Ortholite. A great many of today’s best riding sneakers also feature equally premium liners, many of which are quick-drying, moisture-wicking, and/or antimicrobial.

Internal Frames Or Hulls: Though they may resemble your average pair of sneakers from the outside, underneath the surface, riding sneakers are often equipped with underlying integrated chassis systems that enable them to afford markedly higher levels of protection and greater structural integrity. This includes the use of metal forefoot transversal bars, PU-reinforced elements, transversal protection frames, and axisymmetric shanks, just to name a few of these hidden structural elements.

Additional Moto Amenities: Alongside internal frames, breathable and waterproof membranes, and integrated armor, there are additional amenities that make a piece of footwear even better for riding applications and daily commuting. The most common of these elements are reinforced, supplementary toe shifter pads, though there are also riding sneakers with components like bike-linked integrated LED lighting, reflective details, vibration-absorbing outsoles, and Kevlar overlays, just to name a few.

Fit: Whether it’s gloves, riding jackets, or motorcycle helmets, in order for motorcycle gear to properly do its job and be as effective as possible, it needs to precisely fit its wearer — and moto-specific riding sneakers are far from an exception. While you’re obviously going to want to get a pair in your size, some models offer fitment systems that allow for a more snug and accurate fit — areas made possible through the use of traditional lacing systems being supplemented via items like BOA or MOZ fitment systems, side zippers, or other adjustable elements that allow the pair’s fit to be more precisely dialed-in.

Off-Bike Use: One of the biggest factors that separates riding sneakers from regular moto boots is the former’s ability to lend themselves to use when off the bike — both in terms of blending in visually and actually feeling like a pair of regular sneakers when not in the saddle. So, while most modern riding sneakers do offer genuine all-day comfort — on or off the bike — some are engineered for more specific uses such as for hiking or running.

CE Rating: To provide a more objective sense of the level of protection that a piece of riding gear offers, manufacturers typically cite specific government ratings. Known as the CE rating system, this classification starts with Level 1 and increases as the pairs offer better, more robust protection. Having said that, pieces of gear with a CE Level 1 rating are nothing to scoff at. 

Honorable Mentions 

The Cortech Slayer Shoes are another pair of retro-inspired riding sneakers with a bit of Vans Sk8-HI influence. The Slayers are crafted around a set of drum-dyed leather uppers that are fitted with suede lightning bolt overlays and capped off with thermoplastic heel caps and toe cups. Rounding out the package are dual-density ankle protectors, a reinforced, anti-twist molded nylon midsole, perforated tongues and side panels for added breathability, alloy eyelets, and skate shoe-style anti slip outsoles. At just $80, they truly offer some of the best value of any moto sneakers on the market. As much as we dig these riding shoes, they’re currently being phased out of production, leading us to lead them off of the main list but still feature them here as an honorable mention. 

Taking inspiration from a wide variety of retro skate shoe designs, the ICON Carga Shoes are a stylish pair of moto-specific kicks that sport leather uppers set over D30 ankle protection. A substantial toe shifter overlay reinforces this vital point of contact with the bike while a CE Level 1 rating ensures ample protection should you go shiny-side-down. Beneath the wearer’s foot is also a set of high-rebound EVA foam insoles and oil and slip-resistant rubber compound outsoles. As much as they have going for them — which also includes the fact they afford pretty fantastic bang-for-your-buck with an MSRP of only $125 — these skate-inspired riding shoes ultimately were edged out by Alpinestars’ J-6 WPs, resulting in a very honorable mention for the ICONs. 

Decorated in sections of quilted stitching, the Roland Sands Fremont Shoes are a super unique take on casually-styled riding sneakers. Sporting a “super high-top design,” the Fremonts feature full-grain cowhide leather uppers fortified via a toe shifter overlay, rigid ankle cups, and reinforced heel and toe boxes. Pairing an eight-eyelet-set of laces with cam lock side zippers, this sneaker also sports all leather internals and removable dual-density insoles. Rounding out the Fremont Shoes are leather RSD logo patches adorning the tongue, and a set of classic flat laces. While they do provide fantastic protection, the super high-top design and generously-sized toe shifter pad make this piece of footwear more obviously stand out as being motorcycle specific, leading to them receiving an honorable mention. Plus, at $275, they’re a bit more expensive than almost every shoe on this list, which is another reason we opted to feature some other more value-laden riding shoe and sneaker options. 

Taking many of the features from the brand’s full-length flagship race boot and cramming them into a shorter, low-top design, the Dainese Dyno Pro D1 Shoes offer some of the best protection of any riding shoe — with them boasting a CE Level 2 rating. Built around microfiber uppers, this pair’s laundry list of highlights includes an air gap double jersey liner paired with an air canalization system, a TPU heel counter, a reinforced nylon toe, a complete reinforced inner inner hull, high grip TPU inserts, cowhide inserts, a rapid fastening system, and a replaceable magnesium slider. Due to their less-than-casual appearance and more rigid nature, these riding shoes aren’t great for off-the-bike use, resulting in them receiving an honorable mention here as our pick for the best sport and track shoes. 

Tested: The Best Motorcycle Boots for Every Type of Rider

Want to check out an additional list of moto footwear options that isn’t limited to just casual shoes and sneakers? Then be sure to cruise over to our guide to the best motorcycle boots for every type of rider for our buyer’s guide and hands-on review of the latest and greatest moto boots that money can buy.