If you’re reading this, you’re probably looking for your next set of boots for motocross, enduro or adventure riding. If this is going to be your first set of dirt bike boots, it’s really important that you make the correct decision now. We know that finding the perfect pair of motorcycle boots can be a fine balancing act. Of course, every rider has a different situation and the boots you end up buying should match your specific needs.
Of all the motorcycle gear you’ll be buying, you can expect your boots to last the longest. They’re literally built to withstand a lot of abuse, but it’s important to keep in mind that different boots are built for specific types of abuse found in motorcycle riding.
These boots are NOT made for walking, so don't expect that to be what they do.
Don’t worry, we’re not out to sell you the most expensive pair of motorbike boots just because they’re expensive. What we really care about is getting you out on the track or trails as quickly as possible in the best pair of dirt bike boots suited to your style of riding. Every hour you spend shopping for kit is an hour you could be out riding your dirt bike instead.
At GO-MX we’ve seen it all. We’ve seen cheap boots last for years and we’ve seen premium boots torn to shreds within just a few hours of riding. In this article, we’re going to guide you on what to look for in your next pair of dirt bike boots and how to choose the best pair to suit your needs.
What to Consider When Selecting Dirt Bike Boots:
What Type of Riding You’ll Be Doing
The type of riding you plan on doing is the most important factor to consider when selecting your new dirt bike boots. Motorcycle boots are meticulously designed for specific uses so it's always best to match your boots to your riding style.
The most obvious difference you’ll notice between motocross boots and enduro boots is in the tread on the soles. Basically, enduro boots will have a heavy tread around the outer toe area and on the heel, while motocross boots will have an almost smooth tread that allows you to slide your foot up and down along the peg quickly to change gears and apply the foot brake.
Click here to read more about the different styles of riding and how they affect your boot choice.
Your Budget
This one kind of goes without saying. Of course, you’ll need a budget for your riding gear and you’ll need to spread that budget across the entire range of off-road kit available to you. Besides your riding boots, you’ll need a helmet, pants, gloves, protective guards, and a jersey. Make sure you consider all these expenses before splurging on a new pair of motorbike boots. Having said that, your boots are one of the most important pieces of kit you can buy, and they should last the longest, so budget as much as possible for your boots to make the most of your investment.
There are pieces of kit you can sacrifice if you need to make room in your short-term budget for better boots. (Read more in our article: The Top 12 Pieces of Kit You’ll Need for Motocross, Ranked).
Reparability and Longevity of The Boots
This might sound surprising but buying the latest and greatest motorcycle boots could actually work against you in some cases. Certain manufacturers redesign their boots every year or two, and while this can be a great thing in terms of features, it could also hurt you down the line as a consumer. For example, if you were to buy a certain pair of motocross boots that were released a few years ago, you might struggle to find replacement parts for those boots now.
On the other hand, there are manufacturers who will stick to a specific boot design for more than a decade before updating it to include new features. Buying these means you might need to make a slight sacrifice on the design features in the long term, but you’ll end up with a pair of motorcycle boots whose main structure will last for years to come before needing to be replaced. Parts for these riding boots will also be more readily available because retailers are more likely to buy an item that won’t lose value or become obsolete in the long run.
Most off-road motorbike boots are made in a way that the user can replace the entire sole, while some are also designed with a smaller insert that can be removed and replaced. Boot clips, straps and buckles are also available for replacement if the need should arise.
Availability of Specific Dirt Bike Boots in South Africa
In South Africa we don’t always get the full range of products available to larger markets like USA. You could always order a pair of boots from somewhere overseas, but there are a few things you need to keep in mind if you are thinking of doing that. As a citizen, you’ll be able to import three items per year before getting slapped with restrictions that would require an importer’s code and lots of money to get around.
Then there are the import costs. When your motorbike boots arrive in South Africa, you’ll be required to pay an import tariff before they will be released by customs. This tariff is worked out by customs themselves depending on the product’s category and its value. In some cases, tariffs can exceed the original price paid for a product. This often happens with clothing, so there’s a high chance it could happen with certain dirt bike kit.
On top of that, there are the wait times associated with ordering from another country. You’ll most likely end up waiting a good few weeks for your dirt bike boots to even land on South African shores before being passed on to customs and then to a local courier who will deliver them to you.
This also affects the reparability and longevity we spoke about in the previous point. If the motorbike boots aren't available in South Africa, the parts won't be either, so you'll have a tough time maintaining your boots if they've been specially brought in.
This is why GO-MX will never market or sell products we don’t physically have on hand.
At GO-MX, we take all these factors into account when selecting the range of dirt bike boots we stock, so it’s difficult to make a bad decision on your boots when shopping with us. Having said that, the goal is to make the correct decision and you should, by now, have all the tools you need to select the best pair of motorcycle boots for your next riding season.
Don’t forget, we offer free delivery in South Africa and everything in our online store is in stock and ready to ship. We don’t believe in selling any products we don’t physically have in our possession, so your gear is guaranteed to arrive within a few days of your order being placed*. No minimums. No extra waiting times. No hidden costs.
*Delivery times will vary by location. Outlying areas may experience delays or restrictions from couriers.