Choosing the Right Boots for Off-Road Riding

When it comes to off-road riding, your choice of boots will impact your ride experience and race performance. A good pair of boots will be more comfortable to wear, offer the best protection and help keep you dry, whether you are navigating a trail or taking on a gnarly Enduro course.

Your boot choice will also depend on your riding experience. For beginners an entry level boot will usually be more cost effective, but you’ll find there are compromises on the fit, feel and support. More experienced riders who are likely to ride faster and land (hopefully) bigger jumps, will probably need a mid-top end boot giving more robust protection.

Here’s what you need to know about choosing the perfect pair of off-road boots.

There are certain things you need to look for when choosing a pair of boots for off-road riding, including grip, breathability, and protection.

Grip is critical if you want to maintain your stability when riding on slippery, uneven, or rocky terrain. Look out for boots that have a solid tread pattern. This will give you maximum traction, and it will also provide you with a firm grip when riding in both wet and dry conditions.

Motocross Riders tend to use a standard sole with less of a tread pattern to avoid snags when trailing their foot out on corners, but because of this, good ankle protection is essential.

Off-road riding often means venturing out in different weather conditions. Boots that are breathable not only keep your feet dry, and that sweaty feeling. Boots with Gore-Tex offer breathability while keeping the water out.

Lower leg injuries are some of the most common types of injuries in off-road riding, so you need to look for strong reinforcements around the ankles and feet so you’re well protected against twists, sprains and impacts. Closures are also a worthy consideration, with most brands offering Velcro, and buckles. Buckles will ensure the shape of the boot isn’t distorted as much in the event of an impact. Higher end boots tend to give more protection, with the Gaerne SG12 being an ideal choice for Motocross riding.

Different boots suit different ride disciplines, so your choices will depend on your preferred riding style.

If you’re an Enduro rider you should be looking for a decent tread pattern to maintain grip when pushing the bike as well as while standing on the footpeg. At some point you’ll need to dab, so solid toe protection is a must, along with good ankle movement while on the pegs. Waterproofing isn’t essential but will be an advantage.

Our pick of the bunch for Enduro riders is the Gaerne Fastback with great features at a reasonable price.

If you like to ride Trials, you’ll need offroad bike boots which are both flexible and lightweight. Grippy, thin soles feel better on pegs, but be sure to choose boots that are comfortable too as this will allow you to wear them for extended periods of time.

Gaerne Trials boots have the reputation of being like a nice pair of slippers and available in waterproof variants, and at different price points.

For Trials riders looking for a solid waterproof boot with Gore-Tex, you won’t go wrong with these Gaerne leather dual-sport boots. If those are a little out of your price range, then the Gaerne Pro-Tech Trials boots are also well worth a look.

Motocross riding involves travelling at high speeds while making potentially huge jumps, so look out for the best protection. You’ll need stiff soles and strength for your ankles so you can minimise injuries.

The Gaerne SG12 is our favourite boot for motocross which is at the upper end of the range but offers amazing features. A mid-range boot for the less experienced rider would be the Gaerne GX1 MX boot.

Off-road boots should protect your feet, ankles, and lower legs from branches, debris, and rocks. High-top designs that have reinforced panels will help to give you the protection you’re looking for.

Grip is also imperative. Boots that have poor traction impact your confidence and performance. Compare your sole material and tread design so you can find the best option for your needs.

While style may influence your decision, we’d always recommend giving preference to protection and performance every time. Here at Triple D we stock a range of boots from Gaerne, KTM by Alpinestars and GasGas cover all offroad disciplines.

There are numerous protection considerations to look for when buying boots for off-road riding.

Features like this help to minimise the risk of a foot or ankle injury, providing you with stability while also absorbing impact. If you want to check for this, then press on the sole. A stiff sole should resist bending while allowing plenty of flexibility for comfort.

Some boot manufacturers use different shape foot bases which means different levels of protection and comfort. Sidi’s for example are fairly narrow fitting compared to Alpinestars and Gaerne which have plenty of room for your toes.

Off road boots at the top end of the ranges will generally have more rigid protection, but offer flexibility through ankle hinging. This makes it easier to both ride and walk in them without compromising on their strength.

Buying boots that are too big, or too small will cause discomfort, blisters, and can risk accidents. If your feet or ankles have too much free movement, then even the best protection in the world can only go so far.

Measure your feet properly and consult the size chart for the manufacturer. And if you like to ride in thicker socks, make sure you allow enough room to avoid boots feeling too tight, or too small.

As with any footwear, the best thing you can do is try a few different pairs for the best fit, but if you have some solid measurements to work with or are upgrading to a new pair, we’ve plenty of choice online.

High-quality boots last for a very long time, often years. They also provide you with far better protection overall. If you invest in a reliable brand such as Gaerne offroad boots or Alpinestars boots, this not only ensures the best level of protection but comfort too.

Some of the best quality boots even include replaceable parts so if something breaks, you don’t need to replace your favourite pair and arguably offer even better value for money.

If you want to test the quality of a pair of boots, then the best way for you to do this would be for you to inspect the stitching, as well as the general material strength. Reading reviews or seeking several recommendations from experienced riders such as our team at Triple D will also help you to narrow down your options.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that new boots will probably take a bit of wearing in, especially the tougher materials generally found on high end ranges.

Choosing the right dirt bike boots for off-road riding is about more than just being comfortable. It’s about getting the best protection, durability, and performance so you can stay on the track and even your bike! Boots are probably the most important item of gear after your helmet, so take the time to choose carefully and don’t be shy about asking our team any questions.