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Look smart, ride smart: The best casual motorcycle shoes pair low-profile style with elevated protection and comfort, whether you're riding to work or walking the streets.
There's nothing quite like walking through the grocery store in a bulky pair of motorcycle boots. The clunks... the squeaks... the looks... We love our riding boots as much as the next person, but if we're being honest, they kind of suck for day-to-day use.
At this point, you'll all be familiar with the typical talking points around motorcycle footwear.
It's well understood that abrasion-resistant materials, crush-proof soles, and impact protection are all worth their weight in gold, but we want to talk about a criminally overlooked aspect of casual motorcycle shoes: Off-bike performance.
Most folks who risk riding in regular sneakers do it for two main reasons: They look better than motorcycle boots, and they're more comfortable to walk in.
Today we want to highlight a few pairs of casual motorcycle shoes that both look and feel great off the bike so you've got one less reason to leave those sneakers at home.
Casual Motorcycle Shoe Quick list:
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Built for the crash, but pass for your favorite pair of Vans. Low profile, waterproof, and comfortable to walk in. | CHECK PRICE |
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Like Nike hightops, if Nikes were made in Italy and built to handle a slide across pavement. | CHECK PRICE |
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Cortech Slayer Checkered Shoes
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Big on style, big on safety, big on nostalgia. | CHECK PRICE |
| Track-inspired style in a more casual package that delivers major safety without added bulk. | CHECK PRICE | |
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High quality all-leather uppers, backed by GoreTex waterproofing and an easy zip entry. | CHECK PRICE |
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Flows air like nothing else we've worn for outstanding comfort and protection in the hottest weather. | CHECK PRICE |
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One for all the Chuck Taylor fans: Converse All Star style with proper abrasion, impact, and crush protection. | CHECK PRICE |
Do Motorcycle Shoes Actually Make A Difference?
Considering the current debate around sub-par CE testing standards, you'd be forgiven for asking the unforgivable question: Why can't I just ride in sneakers?
Here are the broad strokes on why that's still a bad idea.
Crush Protection is Key
While some full grain leather or suede sneakers could probably handle a slide across pavement well enough, the key difference between your favorite pair or high tops and a dedicated riding shoe is actually found in the sole, not than the upper.
That's because any motorcycle shoe worth buying (and any that carries a standard safety certification) is required to have a crush-resistant sole, a feature that's woefully lacking from all casual sneakers.
The idea here is that even under the full weight of your motorcycle, the sole of a riding shoe holds its shape rather than folding up like a taco, which is exactly what any pair of Nikes or Vans will do when the chips are down.
We'd consider this a "bare minimum" for any proper motorcycle shoe, although the best of the bunch go a step further when it comes to protection.
Riding shoes may be much more flexible than boots in the toe box, but in terms of lateral flexibility, the two should feel identical.
Reinforcement and Padding
While the sole of a motorcycle shoe is the main attraction, additional protection around the heels, ankles, and toes is always appreciated.
Riding shoes will never match the added beef of a serious racing or motocross boot, but if you can maintain walking comfort while adding protection from foot and ankle fractures, why wouldn't you?
Ideally this means flexible armor like D3O covering both ankles (some manufacturers only cover the outer ankle), as well as some extra material and/or rigidity in the heel cup and over the toe box.
Casual motorcycle shoes won't do much for hyperflexion injuries, but they're worlds better for the occasional bounce off the pavement.
Abrasion Resistance
Not all leather is created equal. Most casual sneakers use "split grain" leather or suede because it's lighter and less bulky, but it's also thinner and less protective than the full-grain leather found in dedicated riding shoes.
"Teammate Garrett exploring Vietnam with full protection as things go beyond the regular commute."
It's also important to point out that even if a casual sneaker uses full grain leather or suede, the "crash-worthiness" of the material is untested.
Say what you will about the current CE regulations, but the consistency of the European Union's abrasion tests are one of the few redeeming qualities of EN-17092 standards.
Our Top Picks for Casual Motorcycle Shoes
Have your cake and eat it too. Here are our current favorite motorcycle shoes that look great, protect well, and deliver all-day comfort on and off the bike.
1. TCX Street 3 WP Shoes
We've been living with the TCX Street 3 for a little over a year now, and pound for pound it might be our favorite casual motorcycle shoe of all time.
This handsome shoe borrows old-school style from Vans' popular Sk8-Hi sneaker, but hides a heavy dose of protective features beneath its attractive exterior.
"As the name suggests, the Street 3 is the ideal motorcycle shoe for casual street riding." Our favorite of which is the "Z-Plate" technology found in the midsole of the Street 3, which provides heavy duty lateral crush protection while still flexing naturally when you're walking off the bike.
Combine that with an Ortholite insole and you've got one of the most comfortable and stylish CE-certified riding shoes on the market.
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TCX Street 3 Shoes
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REVZILLA | AMAZON
2. Sidi Lynx
Nike fans rejoice: the Sidi Lynx riding shoe is about as close to a Dunk High or Jordan 1 as you'll find in a casual motorcycle shoe.
Unlike your favorite pair of Dunks, however, these high tops are hiding CE-certified impact protection beneath their protective microfiber exterior.
They also doubled up on the materials in slide-prone zones for added protection.
"We prefer black for simplicity's sake, but you've got a few colors to choose from just the same." photo: Sidi
We're particularly fond on Sidi's "Fortex" insert, which functions as a highly flexible shank that allows for natural walking motion while preventing any twisting or crusing of the soles themselves, much like the TCX shoes above.
As for drawbacks, we'd love to see a waterproof version of the Lynx for added commuter-friendliness.
We'll also note that a pair of these will set you back about the same as an actual pair of Jordans, so there are much more affordable options out there.
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Sidi Lynx Riding Shoe
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REVZILLA | AMAZON
3. Cortech Slayer Checkered Shoes
Most of the folks who grew up wearing checkboard vans never grew out of them. Whether you stuck to slip-ons or high-tops, those trademark black and white squares are ingrained somewhere deep in your personality.
The folks at Cortech seem to understand this better than most, which is why their latest edition of Slayer motorcycle shoe sports one of the most iconic patterns in all of sneakerdom.
They also bring the slide protection with heavy canvas and suede leather.
"The Slayer may be a little loud for some, but anyone that grew up in checkerboard Vans will appreciate the nod." photo: Cortech
As you'd expect, Cortech also elevated the impact and crush protection far beyond your typical sneaker. Molded armor is hidden in the heel cup and over the toes, while dual-density ankle protectors handle impacts.
The Slayers are a bit bulkier than most riding shoes, and while they do include an anti-twist midsole, they do feel a little clunkier to walk around in than most.
That being said, they're also on the cheaper side, so the bang-for-your-buck is strong.
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Cortech Slayer Checkered Shoes
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REVZILLA | AMAZON
4. Alpinestars Faster 4 Riding Shoe
While most of us choose a riding shoe to a traditional boot for their low-profile nature, some folks prefer a more moto-centric look in their motorcycle shoes.
If something a little more track-inspired sounds like your bag, Alpinestars' Faster shoes have always been the benchmark in the segment
This year Alpinestars gave the Faster a complete ground-up redesign, and the latest Faster 4 is by far the best to date.
With generous amounts of hard TPU protection in the heel, hard sliders at the ankles, and acres of tough microfiber everywhere inbetween, the Faster 4 easily earns its CE certification with above average protection for a riding shoe.
What really makes the Alpinestars Faster 4 special is the fact that they've only gotten more comfortable over the years.
The shoe is surprisingly flexible for something that protects so well, and we're particularly fond of the large padded area above the Achilles tendon, which adds comfort and prevents blisters when the shoes are cinched down tight.
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Alpinestars Faster 4 Riding Shoe
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REVZILLA
5. Gaerne G.Rome Gore Tex Shoes
Gaerne's off-road boots like the SG-22 have earned the brand a ravenously loyal following over the years. Gaerne folks, we've got good news for you: The brand recently started making motorcycle shoes, and their G.Rome model is easily our favorite of the bunch.
We dig the G.Rome because they're classic and unassuming, but in true Gaerne style, these shoes absolutely nail the details. The supple, full-grain leather upper is a great example: No corners cut here, just top-grade materials.
"The G.Romes are simple, effective, and include GoreTex waterproofing." photo: Gaerne
And, as the name suggests, that leather is backed by a Gore Tex waterproof membrane for faultless weather protection. Even the easy-entry side zipper gets a rubber gusset to ensure water can't creep its way inside.
The G.Rome is loaded with impact and crush protection, and Gaerne even goes the extra mile by adding a sculpted insole for added comfort and support.
They're the most expensive offering on our list, unfortunately, but they're well worth the spend.
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Gaerne G.Rome Motorcycle Shoes
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REVZILLA | AMAZON
6. Dainese Metractive Air Shoes
The folks at Dainese recently purchased TCX, which means their latest lineup of casual motorcycle shoes has inherited all the best parts of the brand's renowned safety and design.
Chief among them is TCX's easy-walking Z-Plate shank and Groundtrax outsole, which deliver equal parts on-bike protection and off-bike comfort.
The Metractive Air made our list due largely to its highly breathable knit mesh upper, which flows air better in hot weather than anything else we've tested.
We'll also give Dainese the nod for their super-secure lace garage design, which marks a major improvement over the bare-bones elastic strip most motorcycle shoes employ.
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Dainese Metractive Air Shoes
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REVZILLA | AMAZON
7. Cortech Menace Riding Shoes
We know we're not alone in wishing the folks at Converse would make a CE-certified version of their classic All Star sneaker. That day may never come, but thankfully, Cortech's Menace riding shoes are here to scratch the itch in the meantime.
The Menace swaps Converse's classic cotton canvas for a heavy-duty polyester, which looks the part while doubling down on abrasion resistance. They also add an anti-twist midsole (a shank, basically), for crush protection.
Molded hard parts in the heel and toe beneath the Menace's low-profile exterior handle impact protection, granting these casual motorcycle shoes a CE certification. We also dig the Armanox foam soles, which are just as comfy as any pair of Chucks.
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Cortech Menace Riding Shoes
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REVZILLA | AMAZON
Closing Thoughts on this Best Casual Motorcycle Shoes Article…
To put it plainly, you'll never find a dedicated riding shoe that's as comfortable as a pair of sneakers, but a select few come damn close.
Because our rock-bottom requirement in a casual motorcycle shoe is a crush-proof sole, they'll never flex quite as naturally as an old pair of Chucks, but that's a very good problem to have when your foot is underneath a 500-pound motorcycle with a hot exhaust.
Protective footwear is one of the most important pieces of riding gear money can buy, second only to a good helmet in terms of effectiveness and injury prevention.
A proper pair of riding boots may be the weapon of choice for dedicated touring, but when off-bike performance matters, nothing beats a good motorcycle shoe.
Thanks for reading and we hope this article helped you find the right pair of casual riding shoes. If you think we left out any let us know in the comments!
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