Riding during the summer months can be tough if you don’t have the proper gear selected for the sizzling road ahead. Best to choose a pair of riding boots or shoes that have been designed to keep your feet cool in the breeze, right? Today’s breathable mesh fabrics and perforated panels can make all the difference in your comfort level while out riding during the next few months.
We’ve selected 7 great summer riding boot and shoe options that will not only keep your feet from frying, but provide excellent road performance and protection while conquering the highways this riding season.
Harley-Davidson Wardell Leather/Mesh Boots
Yeah, these boots look very much like standard-issue combat-style riding boots, but come a little closer and notice the breathable Cordura mesh uppers, which will play a huge role in keeping feet cool this summer. A full-length interior mesh lining pushes the level of comfort even further once these bad boys are laced up.
Vibram outsoles deliver rugged traction that will prove handy on the road of wherever else you decide to trek once the bike is parked. The Wardell boots are assembled using a time-honored cement construction process, which gives them bulletproof durability with a level of comfort you’ll appreciate during those long days on and off the road.
Alpinestars SMX-1 R Vented Boots
Lacing up a pair of boots for summer riding doesn't always sound like the most ideal situation for 100-plus temperatures. We get that—but armoring up should always be a top priority when hitting the road. Luckily, Alpinestars understand the struggle of maintaining the perfect balance of comfort and adequate foot protection, and that is ever apparent with the SMX-1 R vented boot.
The low-top, lightweight design makes for easy, all-day wearability, but it’s the perforated medial and lateral toe panels that allow the SMX-1 R to deliver incredible ventilation. While Alpinestars has designed this boot to be one of the best easy, breezy street-style footwear options for the summer, it still delivers optimum protection from the road.
Dainese Persepolis Air Shoes
The Persepolis Air riding shoes from Dainese may look like a regular pair of casual kicks, but they are far from it. These shoes possess all the key features that make for well-rounded riding performance and protection, but the Persepolis Air shoes also offer perforated panels and a mesh liner that helps wick sweat away, which are both a must for summer temps.
While the Persepolis Air shoes do take on a casual persona, there is nothing casual about the rigid ankle inserts, leather gear shifter guard, and official CE certification. For riders looking for protection, comfort, and laid-back styling, it’s hard to top these street-style riding shoes that let the cool breeze flow right on in.
Roland Sands Design Fresno Perforated Riding Shoe
Wearing a motorcycle shoe that doesn’t look like a motorcycle shoe allows for all-day wear on and off the bike. Along with the more casual appearance comes a sense of freedom and comfort that other “proper” riding boots just don’t offer, especially during the warm summer months.
Roland Sands Design has updated its popular Fresno riding shoe by offering a perforated version that maintains all the great characteristics of the previous version, but is now specialized to deliver a cooling effect on those hot days. The ultra-breathable perforated top grain cowhide upper offers the same level of durability as its predecessor with the addition of nonstop airflow, which is key in avoiding overheating in the blistering heat. Don't get it twisted though—the Fresno perforated shoe also offers exceptional protection with reinforced areas that keep ankles, toes, and heels safe with a CE-approved sole that helps them perform to the highest of standards.
Firstgear Strato Air Boots
The first noticeable feature you see when taking a glance at Firstgear's Strato Air boot is the sheer amount of perforated panels at almost every angle. This, of course, is by design to give the rider a level of ventilation not often expected from a motorcycle boot. The semi-rigid poly mesh and leather upper delivers more than adequate ankle support, but it's the Strato Air's cooling effect that will keep them a hot commodity this summer.
Aside from the Strato Air’s naturally breezy performance, the boot does also feature another function that will keep riders’ feet more comfortable with a waterproof, breathable Hipora liner. A removable closed-cell insole absorbs shock on and off the bike, making the Strato a great selection when planning on doing some walking once the destination has been reached.
TCX Zephyr Flow Boots
Riders looking for a classic-styled touring boot for the summer will definitely take an immediate liking to the Zephyr Flow boot from TCX. This new addition to the 2019 lineup features TCX's Comfort Fit System (CFS), which in tandem with its natural cooling properties, will prove to be an excellent choice for long-distance riders this summer.
To further increase comfort levels for the warmer months, a newly designed microfiber and breathable abrasion-resistant Cordura fabric allows the upper to promote maximum airflow while remaining rough and rugged. An extra breathable Air Tech lining also goes a long way in keeping feet cool while riding in hot weather. The sole is also a newly designed feature from TCX that offers premium grip and traction while on the road.
Stylmartin Atom Riding Shoes
The styling of Stylemartin's Atom defines the attractive nature of "urban" riding shoes. They look like your favorite pair of sneakers, but they do work a bit harder to ensure the ultimate in foot protection and comfort.
The breathable and waterproof mesh fabric used on the upper (as well as the liner) maximizes airflow when riding or walking for a level of coolness that can be felt all day long. To up the ante of what riders can expect from this urban star, the Atom also delivers internal protective inserts on medial and lateral sides, as well as an anti-slip rubber sole for a firm grip on the road.
