Best urban motorcycle boots | City riding made comfortable and safe

It’s tempting to ditch your bike kit for something more comfortable when you’re pottering around town or nipping up the pub but you can have the best of both worlds with a pair of urban motorcycle boots.

We know that a set of racing-style leathers offers the best combination of abrasion resistance when we slide and impact protection when we hit the ground. Pair a set of leathers with a decent pair of boots and an airbag vest, for example and you are protected pretty much the best you can be on a motorcycle – that’s why racers use this system.

However, there are times when we want a more relaxed a casual look and feel. We want to wear a pair of jeans, for example and a more informal and less ‘bikey’ jacket, as we’re heading out to meet some friends, spending some time off the bike or just want a less full-on ride. And the same goes for boots.

Of course, a set of sporty boots with bracing and external armour will give our feet the best protection in the event of a high-speed tumble but for an urban ride or commuting, a lighter, more subtle boot might be what we’re looking for. Still protective, still either waterproof or vented for cooling airflow and still far, far better than a pair of trainers, these shorter, more casual boots will keep your feet dry and protected when you head off on your journey.

Like other footwear, if you want an idea of their protective ability, look for their CE rating and in particular, as many ‘2’s as possible; boots are rated in three or four key areas (depending on which standard they are rated to – there are two, one 2015 and one 2017) but the more ‘2’s, the better.

- Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this page, we never allow this to influence product selections - read why you should trust us.