For vegan motorcyclists, it’s not always clear which boots don’t use leather. But fear not, loads of boots are made using vegan-friendly alternatives.
Our guide to five of the best vegan motorcycle boots has been compiled using ratings from Sportsbikeshop customer reviews. No animals were harmed in the production of these boots, but they look just as good and perform just as well as those with ‘regular’ leather.
Alpinestars SMX-6 V2 Gore-Tex Boots
Customer rating:
There are three versions of Alpinestars’ SMX-6 V2 boots available - with Gore-Tex waterproof membrane, Alpinestars’ own liner or no liner - and all three of them could have made this top 5 list. These Gore-lined ones are the top option, though with 30 perfect five-star ratings from the first 30 reviews. The upper is made from microfibre and they give a popular blend of rigidity and comfort for sporty road riding. Reviewers rave about the comfort, though some say they needed to order a size bigger than they would normally take. The waterproof models both go from size 4.5-14.5 (36-50) and the non-waterproof from 6.5-14.5 (40-50).
TCX Clima Surround Gore-Tex Boots
Customer rating:
These boots are great for trips to sunny climes as they allow a large amount of airflow through mesh sections on the uppers and channels between your feet and the soles of the boots allow it to circulate even more, yet the Gore-Tex membrane means dry feet guaranteed. The uppers are made from synthetic leather with breathable Cordura inserts to deliver abrasion resistance without relying on any animal-based materials. The Clima Surround boots are lightweight, comfy for walking in, and have taken maximum five-star scores from the first 10 customer reviews, which is a great run. They’re not ideal for winter, but for those who give cold weather the swerve these are a decent option to explore.
Alpinestars Stella SMX-6 V2 Boots
Customer rating:
The top pick for women, with a near-unanimous five-star vote from Sportsbikeshop customers. Only one of the first 15 reviewers docked a star (and that was a bloke, reviewing on behalf of his partner!) from these boots, which are made using a microfibre upper with hard protection around the shin and ankle. The ankle is also braced for support and the toesliders are replaceable. If there’s one piece of key info to take from the reviews, it seems many reviewers benefited from ordering a size up from the norm as they come up a little small.
TCX Explorer.4 Gore-Tex Boots
Customer rating:
Subtlety is the order of the day for TCX’s touring-style boots that win points from reviewers for blending into everyday life in terms of both appearance and comfort. Some owners just put these on for the ride to work and leave them on through the working day and for the ride home too - including one owner who spends his days driving a heavy goods vehicle. The uppers are made from a combination of robust microfibre with inserts made from abrasion-resistant textile to give increased flexibility. They’re reinforced with hard sections for the toes, heels and shins, but they remain light and flexible as well as simple to put on and take off. A Gore-Tex membrane is as close as you can get to a guarantee that your feet will stay dry.
Sidi Adventure 2 Gore-Tex Boots
Customer rating:
Adventure boots don’t come any more popular than these Gore-Tex boots from Sidi, which have picked up 177 five-star ratings from a total of 196 reviews. The supper is all microfibre synthetic leather and there’s plenty of bracing to keep the ankle secure for those who want to indulge in light off-roading alongside their road duties. The Gore-Tex membrane gives reliable (and guaranteed) waterproofing and there’s a grippy sole for grip when walking on loose surfaces. Like good off-road boots, these fasten with clasps up the side and a velcro wrap around the top, including a gaiter to keep out debris.