Riding is not just a task. It is a lifestyle that people adapt to for a lifetime. But there is a difference between a Bike enthusiast and a Biker. That difference lies in the way they ride and prioritize their attire accordingly. A true rider never starts the ignition of any bike without wearing the proper gears. Let it be any safety component like Jacket, Helmet, Armor or Boots. They just know the importance of the gears both for the purpose of safety and comfort.
But those who use proper gears most of the times forget about one of the important elements of safety and comfort, that is the Boots. Rider boots are designed and curated to provide something that a normal shoe cannot and bear the terrains and wear and tear unlike them.
Why Are Rider Boots Important?
There are more important reasons than just the designation of rider boots which one should know for sure.
Safety
- The prime reason to wear any gear while riding is safety that it performs for the body. A rider boot is well induced with armor to absorb shocks during accidents.
- The ankle armor in the new upgraded boots provides safety for the ankle joints too.
- The boots come both with laces and without laces without altering the safety. The laces are designed to provide extra grip than normal shoelaces so that they do not get loose on their own during the rough movements. The non-laced boots have a zipper or the Velcro which are a good option too.
Performance
- Every gear provides an enhancement to the performance of the bike riding. Good rider boots provide better transmission, grip on the breaks and the clutch, and hold on the ground during halts.
- Rider boots include the sole which contains multiple grid lines to provide extra traction on hard terrains like sand, gravel, and lose The front and the end of the sole contains bulging grips to hold the gears and the brakes firmly.
- The upper area is made water resistant and dirt resistant. The inside cushions provide breathing to prevent accumulation of odor due to sweat.
Comfort
- Rider boots come with many variations and designs to blend into the needs of a daily commute as well as long rides. If chosen according to the everyday attire, they can complement the fashion style of work, casual outings as well ride
- The inner sole is thick and soft enough to give a good suspension to the feet.
- The breathing property of the shoe lining let the shoes stay longer without any discomfort or odor.
- Many shoes come with extensions to attach the lower rider garments to the shoes to form a single unit. This makes the gears work as one gear unit neck to toe.
These aspects make the rider boots quite important to be used for bike riding. But it is also important to know how to get the right one according to your needs and comfort. Otherwise, a rider boot which is supposed to provide comfort and boost the riding experience can become a headache to handle too.
How To Select The Right Rider Boots
Rider boots come in many variations from low sneaks to high ankle boots and in all types of ventilation as well as closed insulation. Going through the below screenings before buying your next boots to get the best out of them over a long run.
Weather of riding
The weather of the rides you go for defines the kind of gear you need to wear.
- If it is for cold weather, well-insulated boots help in keeping the feet warm and perform better for a longer period.
- For dry and hot weather, it is best to opt for ventilated boots to let the feet breathe and prevent sweating and overheating of the feet inside the boots.
- Moisture is a big devil when riding. If the weather in which you are riding contains a high amount of moisture, water-resistant boots come handy. If the weather is hot and moist, upper ventilation boots work the best to prevent sweat while in cold and moist weather highly insulated water-resistant boots work the best.
Style of riding
There are many styles of riding which require different types of boots let it be sport biking, off road ride, or long stretch ride. They all need specific riding boots accordingly.
Sport Biking
Sports bikes have a certain enclosed posture from the back till the end of the feet. The gears and brakes are mostly tilted downwards to fit the riding posture. Sports bikes work in quick transmission and to meet such needs wearing low ankle boots is the best option. However, high ankle boots with extended rollers near the ankles also are a good option to go for.
Off-Road Riding
Off-road riding requires high grip action both for the bike and the rider to hold the bike intact. In such scenario, the boots play a very important role in keeping the mind off the firmness of your leg’s hold on the gear and the brakes. Boots with thicker and more lining on the soul as well as both ends of the boots for better grip. Short ankle boots also help in handling the bumps and give better flexibility to the feet.
Long Stretch Riding
Long stretches are the most leisure type of rides. One often wants to achieve peace and enjoy the route. Doing so does need gears which keep you safe and provide comfort at the same time. Any size ankle boots fit this situation. But you should prefer heavily armored boots. The armor decreases the flexibility to some extent but it is not required in this style of riding either.
Riding is a great source of entertainment and much more to a biker. People get attached to biking emotionally and pursue it for a long span of time. Just to ensure that you do not disrupt your good vibes, always wear the right gear and enjoy the ride.
