SUMMER - in all its fickle, tempting glory - is soon to be upon us... according to the calendar at least. Looking for a new pair of sporty motorcycle boots for the season? We've made it easy for you to choose, by researching what's out there and hand-picking ten of the best, with an eye on the right combination of quality and features, all within a wallet-friendly £150 price cap. Click 'next page' to view our selection, listed in ascending price order, starting with the Richa Ratchet.
W2 ST-10
W2 ST-10
ITALIAN brand W2's offering is the ST-10, an all-weather, lightweight sports boot, which could be rather handy given the way this spring has turned out. Made in China from a combination of leather and synthetics with a rainproof membrane lining, the ST-10 has moulded plastic protectors and toe sliders, reinforced toe area and replaceable ankle protectors. There's a removable anatomical footbed, while a YKK zipper and full-length velcro flap comprise the boot's double-closure system. A discreet looker in all-black.
Colours: Black
Sizes: 39-47
Price: £149.99
TCX S-Sportour
TCX S-Sportour
THE S-Sportour is an entry-level sport boot premium Italian brand TCX, available in smart mono colourways, though all-white seems to be asking the world for a smudge. This Romania-made, CE-certified boot is made of a microfibre upper with padded areas at the front and rear, with Air-Tech breathable lining and a removable anatomical footbed. For protection, it features a PU heel guard, shin plate, ankle reinforcement and gear-change pad, and there's a replaceable PU toe slider. Closure is by YKK zipper plus velcro flap. Waterproof version available.
Colours: Black; White
Sizes: 38-49
Price: £139.99
Spada Ninety3
Spada Ninety3
SPADA'S Ninety3 is a solid boot for just over a hundred quid. Made of PU micro fibre, it features replaceable toe sliders, outer ankle protectors and moulded gear-shift panels all made of TPU. The boot has a breathable mesh interior lining, shock-absorbing latex panels, closure by zip and a velcro flap, antibacterial footbed, and soles which are designed to be oil/petrol-resistant.
Colours: Black; White/Black
Sizes: 41-48
Price: £104.95
RST Tractech Evo
RST Tractech Evo
RST is always a safe choice for decent quality kit at a reasonable price, and the new Tractech Evo sports boot is no different. It looks a million quid (well, ok, that not much) but only costs £120, so that's one box ticked. The Pakistan-made, CE-certified boot is made of PU-coated Microtech microfibre, which RST says is 70% lighter than leather, with better tear resistance and easier to care for too. Moulded TPU panels offer you protection at the shin, heel and ankle and an anti-twist mid-sole; replaceable toe slider and gear-change toe pad. The rubber sole is anti-slip, and closure is by zipper and velcro flap.
Colours: Black, White, Blue, Red, Green
Sizes: 40-47 (or 48 in Black)
Price: £119.99
Richa Ratchet
Richa Ratchet
WE start off our list with the sub-£100 Ratchet sporty boot from Richa, a good choice for those seeking style on a budget. It's made of leather with a breathable and claimed waterproof Hipora lining, with nylon shin guard, reinforced heel and ankle protectors. It also features a detachable metal toe slider, rubber gear-change pad, reinforced rubber oil-resistant anti-slip sole, removable antibacterial anatomical footbed and zipper-and-velcro flap closure.
Colours: Black; Black/White
Sizes: 39-48
Price: £99.99
Prexport Sonic Evo
Prexport Sonic Evo
PREXPORT recently re-entered the UK market, and the Sonic Evo is their premium sports offering. This lightweight boot has a microfibre upper with Air-Tech lining and a perforated ventilation zone, a steel-strengthened Texon insole and a rubber sole. For protection, there are moulded PU panels at the shin, calf, heel and ankle, with additional shock absorbing reinforcement at the ankles, and inner padding at the shin and ankle. The made-in-Romania boot also features replaceable and adjustable toe sliders and moulded gear-shift pad, and closure is by zipper and full-length velcro flap.
Colours: Black; White/Black
Sizes: 38-47
Price: £139.99
Held Cartagena Race
Held Cartagena Race
THIS racy-looking boot from trusty German brand Held is made of cowhide with perforated panels, lined with polyester fabric. There's protection at the ankle, heel and shin, a reinforced toe area, moulded gear-shift pad and a removable and replaceable toe slider. The sole is anti-slip. The Pakistan-made boot closes up with a YKK zipper plus a velcro flap.
Colours: Black/Red (the 'Race' model); also standard Black; Black/White
Sizes: 38-47
Price: £134.99
Forma Freccia
Forma Freccia
FORMA'S Freccia is a new sport boot constructed from lightweight abrasion resistant microfibre upper and a racing-compound rubber sole. In between, it has injection moulded plastic protectors at the heel and shin, replaceable polyurethane toe sensor and calf slider, and an ankle support system. The mixed-compound nylon 'Dual Flex' midsole, with a more flexible front section and stiff back, is said to enhance feedback and stability on the bike, as well as walking comfort. The Romania-made, CE-approved Freccia has an anti-bacterial, replaceable, perforated foot bed with an air-pump system to cool the inside of the boot, plus there's venting at the ankle and heel, and a mesh lining with memory foam polymer padding. Closure is by YKK zipper and velcro flap.
Colours: Black; White
Sizes: 37-48
Price: £139.99
Falco Oxegen 2
Falco Oxegen 2
FALCO is one of the smaller players in the market but their good-quality, Italian-made boots deserve a look. The CE-certified Oxegen 2 road sport boot is made of a vented MicroSynth upper with flex zones, lined with Air-Tech. (A waterproof version, the Oxegen 2 WTR, is also available, with a Hi-Tex membrane in place of the vented lining.) Protection is in the form of D3O shock-absorbing inserts on both ankles, reinforced toe area and PU protectors on the shin and calf. The rubber sole is shank-reinforced. Closure is by YKK zipper and a short velcro flap.
Colours: Black; Black/White
Sizes: 38-47
Price: £119.99
Alpinestars SMX 1.1
Alpinestars SMX 1.1
IF your riding consists of mostly urban commuting, or you need to walk around a fair bit off the bike - or if you simply prefer the comfort of a short boot - Alpinestars' new S-MX 1.1 should be just the ticket. This low-cut sporty boot has a light, durable Lorica microfiber upper and a breathable mesh lining. There's a removable anatomical foam footbed, and the sole, made of a rubber compound exclusive to the manufacturer, is entirely replaceable and said to provide excellent grip. The made-in-Vietnam SMX 1.1 has TPU protectors at the heel and ankle, as well as the gear-shift pad, while the toe area is reinforced and has a removable slider. The zipper and velcro flap closure is complemented by a velcro tightening strap.
Colours: Black; Black/Red
Sizes: 38-50
Price: £129.99
