Nothing beats short motorcycle boots when it comes to comfort, convenience, or cost. Here are our favorite boots for riders of every ilk.
Here at RIDE Adventures, we dedicate lots of time and energy to advocating the largest, most protective boots money can buy.
Full-height motocross and adventure boots are definitely our weapon of choice for long-distance all-terrain adventures, but we also understand not everyone covers as many miles of dirt every year as a dedicated touring outfit.
To that end, many riders prefer lighter and more compact footwear for their two-wheeled endeavors, and chances are they're the right tool for the job.
We've been known to rock motorcycle short boots on our pavement tours, and they're also our go-to for weekend rips around our favorite local roads.
There are plenty of good reasons to consider a shorter riding boot, and plenty of options to choose from.
In this guide, we'll go over a few of the most common advantages of motorcycle short boots, as well as a few of our current favorite pairs we've worn lately.
| Boots: | Summary: | Price: |
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Sidi Adventure 2 GoreTex Mid |
One of the most refined and protective ADV boots on the market, now with a shorter profile. | CHECK PRICE |
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Forma Adventure Low Boots |
A budget-friendly ADV alternative that still delivers on protection and weatherproofing. | CHECK PRICE |
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TCX Blend 2 WP Boots |
Affordable, high-quality, and unassuming: works well for just about everything including rain. | CHECK PRICE |
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Alpinestars SMX-1 R Vented V2 |
A short boot for sport riders: protective, comfortable, and well ventilated. | CHECK PRICE |
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Klim Black Jak Leather Boot |
Moc-toe workboot style with crash-ready impact and abrasion protection baked in. | CHECK PRICE |
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Alpinestars Air Plus V2 XCR GoreTex |
A high quality GoreTex touring boot with excellent ventilation at a great price. | CHECK PRICE |
We'll wager you've got your own reasons for wanting a pair of short riding boots, be it convenience, comfort, or cosmetics.
Before we get into our personal favorite pairs, however, let's go over a few of the advantages short boots have over their taller siblings.
If you've ever stomped around in a big 'ol pair of motocross boots, this one's for you. While larger boots tend to offer better coverage and therefore better protection, they also weigh a ton, both on your feet and off.
A shorter, lighter boot is more comfortable and easier to walk around in off the bike.
We've passed on short hikes to scenic views because we didn't feel like walking a quarter mile in a big MX boot, and that's a real-world tradeoff we have to live with.
We'll also point out that from an adventure travel standpoint, full-sized boots are a pain in the ass to bring on an airplane.
The considerable size and weight of full-coverage boots almost always require checking a bag when flying.
We've been forced to pull a pair of Sidi Crossfires out of a carry-on bag (and onto our feet) for a 10-hour flight in the past, and we won't be making that mistake again.
Another common complaint we hear from riders on our tours is that tall riding boots feel restrictive on folks with larger calves.
While many boots try to solve this with adjustable buckles and stretchy gussets, some of us are just too jacked for taller boots.
We spend long hours in the saddle every day on our tours, so we fully advocate doing anything you can to be as comfortable as possible.
Short boots may not help with back or butt pain, but if they help keep your feet happy, they're worth considering.
This may be a hot take, but you don't need full-height adventure or off-road boots for your typical pavement-bound motorcycle tour.
Don't get us wrong: a good pair of tall boots provides better protection against impact, abrasion, and twisting/hyperextension injuries, but many of the most protective options out there are also narrowly focused on off-road scenarios.
If you need proof of concept here, you need look no further than the highest tiers of road racing.
Every single pair of boots worn on the Moto GP grid stops just below the calves. There's a 0% chance that these racers or their sponsors are taking any safety risks.
Keeping the above points in mind, we've got a few pairs of short boots we've been thoroughly impressed with this season.
These are our five favorite picks currently on the market for riders of every discipline.
1. Sidi Adventure 2 GoreTex Mid
Pound for pound Sidi's Adventure 2 GoreTex boots are the most well-equipped adventure boot out there, delivering exceptionally balanced performance both on and off-road. Luckily for motorcycle short boot fans, Sidi also makes a short version.
Aside from the shorter profile, everything else we love about the full-length Adventure 2 is preserved in the Adventure 2 Mid.
Safety tech comes in the form of a shank sole, heavy TPU reinforcement, and added protection in both the toes and heel cups of the boots. As for weather protection, Sidi specs the Adventure 2 Mid with the same top-shelf GoreTex liner.
Naturally the liner isn't quite as tall as the full height version, but it's just as reliable right up to the base of the calf.
To date the Adventure 2 Mid is the most protective short ADV boot we've seen on the market. Size constraints sacrifice the hinged ankle protection and shin plate, but the Adventure Mid still retains a great degree of lateral and torsional protection overall.
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Sidi Adventure 2 GTX Mid
REVZILLA
2. Forma Adventure Low
If you want a well-equipped ADV boot but aren't keen on paying Sidi prices, the Forma Adventure Low boot is a more affordable alternative with comparable overall quality. They may lack some bells and whistles, but for $100 less, there's no denying the value.
As the name suggests, this motorcycle short boot is made with adventure duty in mind.
The Forma Adventure's oiled leather construction looks right at home on any ADV, while its waterproof lining makes it a worthwhile candidate for touring duty.
We also love that Forma didn't cut any corners safety-wise. These motorcycle short boots earn their CE certification with TPU ankle protection, a steel shank sole, and full-grain leather, and put it all in a boot that's shockingly comfortable on or off the bike.
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CHECK PRICE:
Forma Adventure Low Boots
SHOP RIDE ADVENTURES
REVZILLA | AMAZON
3. TCX Blend 2 WP Boots
The motorcycle boot for people who hate motorcycle boots. You'd never guess the TCX Blend 2 WP is a full-featured riding boot by looking at them, and that's kind of the point.
We love the Blend 2's casual full-grain leather style, which is utterly lacking all but the most subtle moto-focused details like the textured shifter panel above the left toe.
Everything else about these motorcycle short boots looks right at home with your favorite pair of jeans, making them ideal for daily use on and off the bike.
They may look like a classic pair of Timberland work boots, but they're much more protective.
Hiding beneath the Blend 2's unassuming exterior, you'll find a full waterproof breathable membrane that stretches their usefullness into all-weather touring duty.
The same goes for the low-profile reinforcement panels at the heel and toe box.
TCX even managed to sneak some reflective details into the design for nighttime visibility, making the Blend 2 one of the most well-rounded and versatile offerings on this list.
The fact that they'll only set you back $250 only sweetens the deal.
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CHECK PRICE:
TCX Blend 2 WP Boots
REVZILLA | AMAZON
4. Alpinestars SMX-1 R Vented V2 Boots
Believe it or not, we don't only ride adventure bikes and dual sports.
More than a few of us here at Ride Adventures are rabid sport bike fans, and you'd be hard pressed to find a more appropriate short boot for sport riding than the SMX-1 R Vented.
This is Alpinestars' latest and greatest street boot for folks who prefer not to go out in full track gear for a spirited blast through the canyon.
The ventilated version of the SMX-1 R is by far our favorite, as the added airflow translates to added comfort.
We dig that the zip and velcro entry makes these quick and easy to throw on, a stark contrast to your typical racing boot.
Protection wise, the SMX-1 R borrows a few tricks from the race track including a reinforced heel cup and replaceable toe sliders.
Our main complaint with these short boots is that they don't look particularly natural off the bike, even though they are surprisingly comfortable to walk in.
We'll also note that the strap doesn't often as much customization in fit/snugness as traditional laces.
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CHECK PRICE:
Alpinestars SMX-1 R Vented V2 Boots
REVZILLA | AMAZON
5. Klim Blak Jak Leather Boot
We see a lot of people riding around in Redwing/moc toe style boots, and while we're not here to judge, we are here to remind you that those aren't motorcycle boots.
The full-grain leather construction of a good moc-toe is definitely better than nothing, but even the burliest work boots simply aren't built to slide on pavement.
That's precisely why we're bullish on the Klim Blak Jak, a motorcycle short boot that delivers on both tradesman style and highway-worthy protection.
Here you get the classic 60's desert-sled racing vibe, but Klim doubles down on the safety side with reinforcements at the heel and toe box as well as XRD impact protection at the tongue and ankles.
We'll also note that the Blak Jak is much more comfortable than your typical moc-toe work boot, thanks to a moisture-wicking liner and added breathability from perforated panels on the toe and ankle.
Klim rounds the moto-centric features out with an extra shift guard on the left toe, giving you the best of both worlds delivered for about $100 less than an actual pair of Red Wings.
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CHECK PRICE:
Klim Blak Jak Leather Boot
SHOP RIDE ADVENTURES
REVZILLA
6. Alpinestars Air Plus V2 GTX
The best touring boots have three things in common: Road-worthy safety, all-day comfort, and reliable waterproofing for those cross-country epics.
Unfortunately, they also tend to run hot, which is what makes the Alpinestars Air Plus V2 GTX so special.
The Air Plus V2 throws out the classic all-leather construction of traditional touring favorites, replacing it with highly breathable materials, including an air mesh main chassis and perforated leather accordion panels.
The result is a true-blue touring boot that won't have you hating life on those mid-summer trips, but still works flawlessly into the fall riding season.
We're particularly impressed by the Air Plus V2's name-brand GoreTex waterproofing, especially considering these premium motorcycle short boots come in well under the $300 mark.
Their anatomical EVA foam footbeds are extremely comfortable, and we also appreciate the full-length side zipper opening for convenience.
As an added bonus, they costs a hell of a lot less than a pair of Daytonas.
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Alpinestars Air Plus V2 GTX
REVZILLA | AMAZON
Clearly there's a short boot out there for every kind of rider, whether you're crossing the country on a touring bike or bar hopping on a Sportster.
Nothing nails comfort or simplicity quite like a shorty, and you don't have to sacrifice safety to do so.
The bottom line here for us is that you really can have one boot that does damn near everything well short of dedicated off-road riding or track day use.
Motorcycle short boots are the most affordable and convenient footwear out there (maybe short of riding shoes, but that's a topic for another day), so if you're looking to add a pair to your quiver, you really can't go wrong with any of the picks above.
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