In enduro/off-road riding, second only to a helmet, boots are the most important protective gear that a rider can wear.
A rider’s legs go through a lot when riding off-road; accidents, hazards, and impacts from rough terrain.
Therefore it is vital that you get a good pair of enduro boots that will keep you safe when riding to avoid any injuries that could limit or end your off-road riding career.
We have gathered together the best enduro boots on the market and a short buying guide so you know what to look for.
Without further ado, let’s get into it.
Here are our top enduro boots.
Sidi Crossfire 3 SRS
Premium, Durable, Protective
Quality, protective motocross boots with Cambrelle and air-Teflon mesh for added protection.
O Neal Rider Boots
Great Value, Protective, Solid
Well constructed boots that are offer durability and sturdy protection at a great price
Best Motorcycle Enduro Boots Reviewed
Sidi Crossfire 3 Boots
The Sidi Crossfire boots are the best of the best excelling in both quality and protection.
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Aside from their premium construction and protective properties, what makes them so great is the design features that have been incorporated to make them comfortable.
Comfort is not something that goes hand in hand generally with enduro boots, but Sidi has thought things through:
- Dual flex system upper for better leg flexibility
- Fully adjustable calf
- Anatomically shaped heel
- Adjustable buckle system
- Air Teflon mesh system for greater airflow through the boot
In terms of protection, Sidi has loaded the Crossfire boots to make them as robust as possible with plastic protection panels, a rigid and shock-resistant heel, and a steel toe piece at the tip of the extra thick rubber sole.
The only downside is the price, but with that said, ‘you get what you pay for,’ and with boots this durable, you should consider the purchase an investment that will serve you well for a long time.
Pros:
- Comfortable
- Durable
- Protective
- Adjustable
- Premium Construction
Cons:
- Expensive
O’Neal Rider Boots
O’neal makes some excellent motocross kit, and these Rider boots are no exception.
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Let’s start with the level of protection that they offer:
- Plastic plates for impact protection
- Metal shank insert to reinforce boot shape
- Goodyear sole for excellent grip and stability
- Metal toe guard
- Heat shield
All of that is offered at an excellent price for those with a smaller budget. There is no need to sacrifice or compromise protection when the Rider boots are the budget option.
They are also quite adjustable, with four buckle locks as the closure system, so you can adjust them in different places to suit your needs.
The sole is substantially cushioned, and there is sturdy heel support and an air mesh interior for increased airflow and comfort.
O’neal has created a quality boot that seems to exceed its price point. They are true to size, durable, protective, adjustable, and designed to be comfortable in the riding position; there is not much more you could ask for from a pair of enduro boots.
Pros:
- Comfortable
- Protective
- True to size
- Adjustable
- Great value
Cons
- Very stiff, need breaking in
TCX Pro 2.1 Boots
TCX makes some of the best sportsbike boots on the market, and their foray into enduro boots is no different; the Pro 2.1 boots are brilliant.
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They stand out because they have a water-resistant upper and below, but the lining is also breathable, so they will keep you dry but still allow airflow to your feet.
Comfort is high on the priority list, so TCX has added a removable inner bootie, front and ankle padding, an inner heat guard, adjustable buckles, and a wide closing area.
There is no slacking on the protection with a Torsion Control System, a shin plate, plastic and metal toe protector, ankle protector, and a dual compound rubber sole.
The only letdown with the Pro 2.1 Boots is the rubber collar at the top of the boots that can cause some discomfort if you don’t tuck your trousers in or wear thin socks.
The toe area is also quite large, so you will need to try these on the bike to ensure you can use the gear lever properly.
Pros:
- Stylish
- Tough
- Water-resistant and Breathable
- Plenty of protection
Cons
- Rubber collar is uncomfortable
- Toe section is large
Sidi X-3 Enduro CE Boots
Sidi has again entered our best enduro boots list with the X-3 Enduro boots.
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These boots are about comfort as much as they are being protective; the key comfort features are as follows:
- Suede insert on calf area
- Teflon mesh (for increased airflow)
- Adjustable micro-buckles
- Flex-system
- Anatomically correct heel cup
- Removable arch support pad
The most significant difference between these and the Crossfire 2 boots is that there is no steel toe protector; instead, there is just plastic reinforcement in the toe area.
These boots are best suited to some light green lane riding instead of more extreme enduro-type riding situations or motocross, where the conditions call for maximum protection.
Pros:
- Comfortable
- Adjustable
Cons:
- Flex at the ankle is very little, which can be tricky for gear changes
iMX Racing X-Two Motorcycle Enduro Boots
iMX has produced a great set of enduro boots; the Racing X-Two boots are a solid choice for enduro riding as they are stacked with protection.
Constructed of microfiber material with a mesh lining and soft foam in the upper of the boots, they are both durable and comfortable (particularly in the riding position).
TPU and TPR materials are used for shin protection on the boots, and there is extra TPU reinforcement on the gear level area.
The boots are also equipped with an anti-vibration insole which aids the rider with better control and comfort on rough terrain.
It is worth noting that these boots are particularly stiff and will need to be broken in for comfort. However, rigidity is never bad in a pair of enduro boots as long as there is enough flex for the motorcycle’s easy operation.
Pros:
- Good Value
- Protective
- Durability
Cons:
- Prices vary depending on size
Alpinestars Tech 7 Boots
Alpinestars Tech 7 boots have one purpose: to perform well in off-road riding situations, and they do so very well.
They have been specifically designed to give a great feel of the bike’s controls while being loaded with added protection for any off-road possibility the rider might face.
Protective properties include:
- Hard toe shell protector
- Steel shank
- Abrasion-resistant and impact-resistant shell
- Water-resistant
- High-strength sole construction
- Calf Protector plate
- TPU ankle protector with a biomechanical link between upper and lower boot
- Shin plate
- TPU side panels built to grip the bike easily and offer impact protection
These boots have been engineered to withstand harsh riding conditions, and every component has been carefully thought through.
There is plenty of adjustability for comfort, with an anatomically designed foot insert and a dual compound footbed.
It is not only the thick sole that is built to absorb vibrations but also the soft foam reinforcement inside the boot around the ankles, which not only soaks up the vibrations but some of the impacts too.
As with a lot of Alpinestars gear, the boots come up a bit small, so it may be worth going up a size.
Pros:
- Biomechanical pivot mechanism for the appropriate amount of ankle flex
- Adjustable
- Lots of Protection
- Quality
Cons:
- Expensive
- Sizing can be small
O’Neal RSX Boots
O’neal offers a more basic pair of boots for those who are just starting off-road riding or don’t ride very often.
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The RSX boots are a pair of budget boots suited to lighter enduro riding, maybe some gentle greenlaning.
I would consider them one up from a good leather touring boot in terms of protection.
You get a tough sole, rigid overall construction, 3 adjustable buckles, TPU toe protectors, padded ankle protection, and a shin plate.
The inside of the boot has been made with a suede insert, and to be grippy on the bike, the toe area is smaller than others on the list, so you will get great feedback from the bike’s controls.
Pros:
- Good Value
- Comfortable
- Good for light off-roading
Cons:
- Less protection than others on the list
Buyers Guide
There is just one thing to consider when buying a pair of enduro boots, are they protective enough to handle off-road riding? We have all the necessary information to ensure you buy the right pair for the task.
Here is what you need to look out for in terms of protection when buying enduro boots:
Protection
When buying a pair of enduro boots, the absolute number one thing you need to do is make sure they offer the right amount of protection for riding off-road.
Off-road riding differs from road riding; there is more scope for dropping the bike, toppling over, or having an accident, mainly due to the uneven terrain you are riding on.
Many off-road riding incidents will occur at slow speed, and it is likely at some point, you will topple the bike with a chance your foot/leg gets trapped under it.
Protective boots with good ankle and leg protection are the best way to prevent serious injury. Enduro boots tend to exceed the amount of protective armour that regular road boots have.
The first way you can tell if your boots are up to scratch is to see if they have a CE rating, and secondly, inspect the armour and protective properties the boots offer.
CE rating
In 2018 the law changed regarding motorcycle gear; anything sold as Personal Protective Equipment is required to have a CE rating.
All CE-approved boots will have been tested for their abrasion resistance, resistance to lateral crushing, and penetration by sharp objects.
The CE rating is the first step in identifying a protective pair of boots, usually found on the inside label.
Protection
After establishing your boots have met the minimum standards for CE approval, you can start looking a little deeper and assessing whether they will fulfil your needs; this is very important when looking for off-road boots.
There are some basics that you should look at first:
- Ankle, heel, and toe protection
- Tough construction to withstand crushing/twisting or penetration
- Rigidity
- Tall construction that covers your lower legs
Enduro boots are more rigid than regular boots; they need to be so that they protect your foot, ankle and lower legs.
Not only are falls more common with off-road riding, but a rider’s legs take more of a beating from landing jumps and absorbing rough terrain through the pegs. Your legs are vital in the control of an off-road bike.
Rigid boots help take the pressure off the legs in these circumstances. Enduro boots usually have metal/plastic buckles that you should cinch as tight as possible to maximise the rigidity.
The rigid construction of enduro boots is also deliberate in the case of an accident where a bone is broken. The boots will hold the leg in place until you get to a doctor; this helps less damage to the muscles/bones.
Another threat to a rider’s legs is the sharp footpegs found on off-road bikes that help grip and any stones/debris/sticks that cause issues.
Tough boots mean that these things won’t hurt the rider.
Enduro boots also tend to be taller than road boots offering more leg protection, often ending just below the knee joint.
As a result of the extra protection and construction of enduro boots, they are not suitable for use on other types of motorcycle. For example, you wouldn’t want to wear your enduro boots on a sportsbike, as the controls would be near impossible to operate with bulky boots.
Final Thoughts
That’s a round-up of our favourite enduro boots and what to look out for when buying enduro boots, which boils down simply to lots of protection!
I think the Sidi Crossfire boots are the best money can buy and will last you a long time with heavy use, so if you are serious about off-road riding, these are the boots for you.
However, if you are dabbling into the enduro world, the O’Neal Rider boots offer excellent value for money and protect you when you need it most, both on the bike and at the bank.
Related
Our guide to the best motorcycle boots.