The 10 BEST Adventure Motorcycle Boots

Welcome to the Top 10 Best Adventure Motorcycle Boots Guide! This guide is packed with info, features, pros, cons and links to the best adventure motorcycle boots on the market. You’ll also find a short and mid-height adventure boot guide here too as well as links to more in-depth gear guides.

Adventure bike travel water crossings in Mongolia
The importance of good boots!

Contents

What are Adventure Bike Boots?

Adventure motorcycle boots are a hybrid (like everything else in the adventure bike genre) of off-road and touring gear.

Adventure boots take their styling and protection cues from heavy duty motocross and enduro boots with multiple hard-wearing buckles, added ankle and shin protection and reinforced soles for standing on pegs. And they dial it back a little so they can be walked in, are more comfortable like a touring boot and can be worn on longer days in the saddle. This makes adventure boots the perfect compromise for motorcycle travellers who need support, protection and comfort in one. 

So, to make it easier to pick the right one for your needs and trip, we’ve collected 10 of the best, most highly rated boots on the market and listed them in this one easy-to-read guide.  

You’ll find our top 10 full-height boots first and then a mini guide on short and mid-heights boots after. 

Top 10 Best Adventure Motorcycle Boots

Forma Adventure Boots 

Forma are an Italian boot manufacturer that have been going since 1999. They specialise in and only produce motorcycle boots for off-road, MX, touring, racing, urban and boots specifically made for women (as most brands only offer unisex boots). The Forma Adventure boots are probably the brand’s best sellers and are one of the most popular pairs on the market today. 

Alpinestars Corozal Adventure Boots

The Alpinestars Corozal boots are an excellent offering. You get a lot of bang for your buck with these boots. There’s also the brilliant Alpinestars Toucan boots, which are Gore-Tex (as opposed to the Corozal’s DryStar) and somewhat beefier than the Corozals too. They’re extremely durable, superbly well-made, all-day comfortable and offer plenty of protection. 

Sidi Adventure 2 Boots

The Sidi Adventure boots are perhaps the most well-known pair in this list. The Italian firm has been operating since 1960 and is synonymous with quality footwear. The first Sidi Adventure boots were extremely popular and the second version are proving just as good. These premium boots are ultra rugged with a high level of build quality. 

TCX Drifter Boots

The TCX Drifter adventure boots are similiarly styled to the Forma Adventures. The Drifters use vintage brown leather, look a tad more retro thanks to their weathered finish, include a waterproof lining, shin and ankle support, gear protection, three adjustable buckles, a velcro strap and a suede heat guard on the inside of the boot. 

Falco Avantour Adventure Boots

Falco are an Italian motorcycle boot manufacturer. Their boots are stylish and well-made and these Avantour adventures are a perfect example. They almost look like a sport adventure boot and are packed with protective features like shin plate, decent ankle protection, enduro sole and gear pad protector. 

falco avantour adventure boots brown

Gaerne G-Adventure Boots

Italian brand, Gaerne, has been going since 1962. They produce a variety of motorcycle boots for different genres with the most popular being their motocross range, which the G-Adventure is modelled on. It’s one of the lowest priced boots in this guide, comes with a waterproof and breathable liner, three buckles, full grain leather, plenty of protection and is produced by one of the world’s most notable brands. 

We have updated this article with the new Gaerne G-Dakar boots listed below. 

Gaerne G-Dakar Adventure Boots

The Gaerne Dakar boots are the successors to the popular G-Adventure boots listed above. They’re pricier at £292 (recently reduced from £320), come in brown or black and are Gore-Tex. They’re harder wearing, come with beefier protection and support than their predecessor and we reckon these will soon be exceptionally popular. 

Currently, they’re only available in the UK but we’ve added a link below to the current Gaerne line-up available in the US too. 

RST Adventure X-CE Boots

The RST Adventure-X CE boots pack a punch for their asking price. They’re the second lowest priced boots in this guide, but are absolutely rammed with features. The reinforced leather boots have a waterproof lining, abrasion resistant panelling, external shin guard, ankle (internal and external) and heel protectors, two-buckle closure, calf expansion panel, heel cushion, arch support and ant-twist mid-sole.  

rst adventure boots

Richa Adventure Boots

The Richa Adventure boots are the lowest priced boots in this guide. Of all the boots here, these sit the furthest on the touring side of the fence because they lack the same protection as the other boots. However, that may not be a huge concern for some riders as there are plenty of adventure travellers out there who are after pliable and less rigid boots. And many people travel in ankle high boots with no protection at all. If you’re after a budget pair of adventure boots without all the bells and whistles, these may be for you.  

richa adventure boots

The Best Short Adventure Bike Boots 

Short and mid-height adventure boots are perfect for those who need more flexibility in their footwear. Perhaps you’ll be spending more time off the bike or just don’t need something as heavy duty as the ten boots listed above – if so, then take a look at these options. 

Forma Adventure Low Boots 

Forma offer both a full-length adventure boot and low boot option. Forma’s low adventure boots are hugely popular and come in black and brown options. They’re only slightly cheaper than the full length boots by about £10. They share all the pros and cons with the full size boot listed in the main guide above.   

Alpinestars Belize Drystar Adventure Boots   

The Alpinestars Belize adventure boots are the short boot alternative of the Corozal listed above. These boots are very similar and share the same pros and cons. 

Sidi Mid Adventure 2 Gore-Tex Boots

The Sidi Mid Adventure 2 is the short boot version of the classic Sidi Adventure boots listed above, which are around £50 more expensive. 

Richa Colt Short Adventure Boots

The Richa Colt short boots are the cheapest option on this list, but they still come packed with features including waterproofing. 

Richa Colt Short Adventure Bike Boots

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Read more on Motorcycle Kit and Gear

Thanks for checking out our 10 Best Adventure Motorcycle Boots Guide. We hope you enjoyed it! Here’s a few more articles on adventure motorcycle gear that we recommend you read next. 

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Let us know what you think of this Top 10 Adventure Motorcycle Boots Guide in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you!

11 thoughts on “The 10 BEST Adventure Motorcycle Boots”

    • Hi Bill! Ha, decisions decisions ey. They’re both good boots, i’d say Sidi offer greater protection while the Formas sway more towards comfort, so it depends on what you’ll be using them for? Long-term trips, the occasional off-road and green-lane bimble or your everyday boot etc? I’d suggest just ordering both from sportsbikeshop (or any company that offers free returns) and trying them on to see which you prefer.

      Reply
  1. I’ve got the Sidi Aventure 2. Great boots…except they won’t work with some bikes (eg. Yammy FJR1300).

    See if you can try before you buy.

    I’ve also used Sidi Couriers with great success. Not reviewed but well worth a look.

    As for short boots, they give me the s*its. Once saw a guy lose his left leg in a low speed filtering accident (12 mph tops) because he was wearing shoes and he got a van fender through his shin.

    So no thanks…at least most long ADV boots have got shin protector plates on ’em.

    Reply
    • Hi Speedy,
      Yeah you’re right the Sidi Adventure 2 and Couriers are both great boots! And agreed on them not working with certain bikes, they’re really suited for upright adventure style bikes.
      Haha yeah fair enough on the short boots. Most people say that it depends how ‘hardcore’ you’re riding and short boots are fine unless you’re going proper off-road, but your story of the guy at such a slow speed is nasty! Poor bloke!

      Reply
  2. Super list…..BUT…..

    Would have been super nice if safety ratings was part of this :-)))

    I see nothing about CE 13634:2017 certification, which at this time, is the only thing we have to compare boots safety wise. Otherwise it is just companies saying, “Well, our boots are really really safe. We have been making boots for decades etc.”…..and all that amounts to precisely no evidence to the quality when it comes to safety. We have also seen this with helmets, jackets, trouser and gloves.

    Before the new CE standards, some gloves were certified at the same level as garden gloves :-/ after the old standards like 89/686/eec which is practically worthless.

    Btw….great website with lots og golden nuggets 🙂

    Reply
    • Hey Jack,
      Thanks for your comment! And that’s a great point!
      I believe all of these boots are CE certified, and as they’re sold in Europe they’ll meet the EN 13634:2017 or an earlier year standard as they’re new boots, however, it would be good to list what level protection 1 or 2 they have achieved for safety comparisons. I’m going to look into researching further into it.

      And thanks for your kind words! Much appreciated 🙂
      Andy

      Reply
  3. 🙂

    Fast answer….cool 🙂

    But you have to go even deeper than just level 1 or 2 – in the 2017 version they have 4 parameters: Height (not so difficult to see *s*), Abrasion resistance, Impact cut and transverse rigidity.

    We (as in YOU *S*) need to get people to focus on this. It’s the only way to force the companies to focus on our safety. The more people know the more they ask and the more they demand….

    It’s the same with all PPE – Take helmets as an example. Very few helmets are actually CE 22.06 certified and they are way way better than all the old helmets, when it comes to protecting your brain.

    I just had a mail conversation with Held, because they have just about zero info about Levels of certifications on their products. It was a very sad answer. I have also had that conversation with the Danish agent for RUKKA…..even worse. Revit, I think is the only brand that handles this with respect as far as I can see. On their website, you can search for the different levels of ce.

    Anyway…..hope you will do your part in the coming blogs and mention this for your colleague 🙂

    Reply
    • Hi Jack,
      Wow, you do seem very knowledgeable on safety ratings! Impressive! And very interesting too. I hear what you’re saying in getting companies to take note on being more transparent with the specifics of safety ratings.
      Everything you’re saying sounds like it should be more of a standalone article on its own… which may be a good idea actually!
      I’m flying out of the country tomorrow for a few weeks, so this is something i’ll return to when i’m back.
      Thanks again for taking the time to comment and share your thoughts on this.
      I’ll be in touch,
      Cheers,
      Andy

      Reply
  4. Hi Andy,
    again worthful tipps and also the comments of experienced riders!

    Thought, it would be a good idea, to take a small ride last week with short bike boots. What a s*it! Had a hard break, while a methusalem car driver came out of a field track without looking left or right. The breaks were stronger than my arm muscles and I crashed with my leg on the motor protection (1150 GSA). The whole skin down to the bone was away. Because of the bump I really didn.t feel big pain, but when taking off the trousers, I saw the result: All full of blood. So this was the last time in entire life to ride with shorties.
    So I will take ALWAYS my Forma Adv’s further on, for sure (for me they are great stuff)!!! The legs looks still terrible!
    As several times mentioned: Your HP is the best, I ever read. Every time I open it, I’ll always find worthful advices! Thanx a lot for your effort, Andy!
    Be always safe on the bike,
    kindly, Henry 🙂

    Reply
    • Hi Henry,
      Thank you very much for your kind words and comments!
      Sorry to hear you had a bad experience with the short boots, that sounds like a really nasty crash! But hopefully no broken bones?
      And yes, I agree – a wise choice to wear boots with shin protection especially on a big adventure bike and if going off-road too.
      Hope you heal up well mate,
      Take care and all the best!
      Andy

      Reply
  5. Thanx, Andy!
    If I summarize the choice of short boots last week (quicker to step in, feeling more easy), the price I payed is not worth! If it’s a very old or very young driver: I have to take FULL RESPONSIBILITY for myself!!!

    Better, to take a shower, whistling “Yellow submarine” after a sweaty ride, than to have pain for weeks. Again and again: Full protection on the bike! Even a small side trip can harm the health. First I got angry at the car driver, now at myself!
    The wound wets and I sleep with a long stocking to protect it. Nasty s*it!
    THANX for wishing well!
    Henry

    Reply

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