Exploring the world on two wheels is an incredible and fulfilling journey. But it’s important that riders take the necessary safety precautions to protect themselves. Wearing a helmet, of course, is the most important thing, but riding boots and gloves are also essential for protecting your feet and hands from the elements. Surprisingly, riders tend to overlook boots and gloves. However, they provide increased protection against debris, rain, cold, and heat. Thus providing riders with greater assurance while they ride. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned rider, investing in quality riding boots and gloves is a must for any rider. Further, this article will help you decide which riding boots and gloves suit you the best.

Riding Boots

When it comes to choosing a pair of motorcycle riding boots, it is essential to select wisely in order to get the necessary combination of toe, ankle, heel, and shin protection. Heavy leather work boots can offer some protection, but only boots made specifically for motorcycle riding can guarantee optimal protection in the event of an accident. Indeed, a good pair of motorcycle boots can make the difference between serious injury. So, please take the below points into account before you shop for your riding boots.

Purpose

Further, determining what type of boots are suitable for you will depend on your riding style and the environment in which you ride.

Furthermore, the below chart will give you a fair differentiation on the types of boots available to best suit your need:

Certification

Look for the EN 13634: 2017 standard which is specifically for motorcycle riding boots, as well as the numbers mentioned below the testing mark which indicate the quality of the boot’s features.

Height

The height of the boot is vital for its comfort and protection, particularly in the case of an accident. Additionally, the boot should cover the ankle and have a firm construction at the top. A high-top boot may not be as comfortable as one that only rises up to the ankle, but it will provide a greater level of security.

Closure

Further, the decision of which closures to choose for your boots is largely based on personal preference. However, laces are often preferred due to the better fit. On the downside, they can come undone when riding a bike, which can be dangerous. Additionally, to counteract this, some boots come with buckles to keep them secure. In addition, velcro and buckles are other options that provide a great fit with minimal risk of coming undone.

Soles

Before buying shoes for riding a bike, make sure the soles are oil-resistant, especially for street riding. Further, this is important as slipping and falling in damp conditions can occur without the protection of oil-resistant boots. A softer sole may provide better grip on the footpegs, but it will not last as long as a stiffer sole. Similarly, boots with a stiffer sole have better durability and lesser grip.

Replaceable parts

Moreover, some racing boots feature a fitted bootie to ensure the best fit for your feet. As well as removable and replaceable pieces such as toe-sliders. This is beneficial because it allows you to replace any worn-out pieces. Instead of having to buy a new pair of boots.

In addition, our top picks for riding boots:

Gloves

Motorcycle gloves are made for both looking good and providing a secure grip when operating a motorbike. Further, a quality pair of gloves can keep your hands safe and ensure you are able to effectively manage your bike’s controls. However, it is important to keep in mind that all gloves are not the same. Besides, it depends on factors like your riding style, the weather, and other elements. Hence we bring to you a perfect guide on the essential things to keep in mind while purchasing your riding gloves:

Material

• Mesh: These gloves, while offering great ventilation, lack sufficient protection. However, they may be suitable for slow speed riding or just for style. But not recommended for any off-road or highway riding. However, they are ideal for riding around town, as the ventilation is top-notch.
• Leather: Leather is naturally resistant to abrasion, and so it is unlikely to tear in the event of an accident. A full leather glove with ventilation is the optimal option, providing both ventilation and protection.
• Mesh + Leather: These gloves provide both air ventilation and abrasion resistance with leather in places that need it. This gives a great balance between comfort and safety, however they are not as protective as all-leather gloves.

Types

• Street gloves: Further, street gloves are ideal for naked and commuter bikes. Moreover, they’re usually made with leather, textile material, or a combination of both. Moreover, with short cuffs and padding for impact protection. Further, some are touchscreen-friendly for checking your phone or navigation system on the go.
• Race gloves: Race gloves are made of pure leather for maximum protection, with full-gauntlet construction, reinforced knuckle guards and some having perforations for ventilation. While they are more costly, they offer increased safety and are ideal for high-speed riding.
• Dirt gloves: Dirt riding gloves are light and inexpensive, made of mesh and offer limited protection. Moreover, they have less padding, allowing riders to have a good grip and move their hands freely. Full leather construction is avoided since it can hinder performance. Further, with low durability, these gloves need frequent replacement and should only be used for dirt bike riding.
• Adventure gloves: Usually made of mesh, leather and rubber, they’re light and reinforced with protective material, waterproof, flexible and offer a good grip. Further, the cuffs are smaller and slide easily under your adventure riding jacket. Although more expensive than street gloves, a good pair of adventure gloves can also be used for street commuting.
• Touring gloves: Touring gloves are essential for long distance riders. What’s more important is they provide protection from dust, winds, pollution and all weather conditions. Moreover, they are typically gauntlet-style with extra padding, leather and fabric materials for extra durability and safety. Touring gloves fit snug on the jacket unlike adventure gloves, and are all-weather resistant. They may be more expensive than other gloves, but for touring, it’s worth the investment.

Certification

Further, the CE certification requires the product to be tested under various conditions. Such as Skin Irritation, Abrasion Resistance, Tear Strength, and Seam Strength. Moreover, apart from this gloves are available in two performance levels:

• Level 1 – which provides adequate protection without compromising ergonomics
• Level 2 –  which offers greater protection but may include restrictions or extra weight.

Comfort & Fit

When buying motorcycle gloves, consider how they feel when worn. Ensure there’s room to move and not too much/little inner liner, as well as comfort when in warm/cold temperatures.

Fit

It’s crucial to make sure gloves fit properly, as this is the most important factor. Because it helps in having full control of your bike. To get the right fit, choose gloves that are snug but not too tight. Additionally, make sure there’s no excess material around the ends of your fingers. Moreover, the gloves should be tight around the wrists and forearms. Further, it is advisable to visit a bike shop in person to try on different gloves, as each brand has a different fit.

Touch screen compatibility

Moreover, a number of gloves are manufactured with a unique coating on the thumb and index fingers. Additionally, it allows you to use your phone without having to take them off.

Further, let’s have a look at our top picks for riding gloves:

Conclusion:

Riders are blessed with a plethora of options these days but buying a riding gear (riding boots and gloves) that suits your riding needs is of utmost importance. In case you are looking to know more about other essentials of a riding gear i.e. helmet, jackets or pants, please check our previous articles. Following this, do leave us a comment below about your thoughts on how useful this article on riding boots and gloves was for you. Till then safe riding!