Motorcycle Boot Buying Guide 2026
CE EN 13634 ratings, boot types, waterproofing, and walkability — what to consider before spending €150–€400 on riding boots.
CE EN 13634: the four-zone standard for motorcycle boots
CE EN 13634 is the EU standard for motorcycle footwear. Unlike jacket and glove standards — which use a single level — boot certification rates performance across four separate protection zones. Each zone is rated independently at Level 1 or Level 2.
| Zone | What it tests | Level 1 | Level 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 — Height | Shaft height above ankle | Short (ankle coverage) | Full ankle + shin coverage |
| Zone 2 — Impact | Energy absorption on impact | ≥ 12.5 J | ≥ 20 J |
| Zone 3 — Rigidity | Resistance to sideways twisting | 1,000 N | 1,500 N |
| Zone 4 — Heel/ankle | Heel energy absorption | Standard | Enhanced |
A full Level 2 rating across all four zones is the benchmark for serious road use. Many touring and adventure boots achieve Level 2 on all zones. When a retailer lists a boot as "CE EN 13634:2017" without specifying levels, check the product page for the zone breakdown — the standard alone tells you nothing about actual protection.
The Forma Adventure Low and Forma Adventure Dry in our catalog are both certified CE EN 13634:2017 Level 2 across all zones — the full benchmark. The Alpinestars Corozal V2 Adventure Drystar lists CE EN 13634:2017 without a confirmed level on the product page — noted in our listing.
Boot types: what each is actually for
Touring boots
Full ankle coverage, waterproof membrane, sole designed for walking. The daily-use choice for most road riders. Stiff enough for crash protection, soft enough to walk in a restaurant without looking like an astronaut. The Forma Adventure series sits here — genuinely walkable in town, CE Level 2 certified, available in waterproof (Dry) and non-waterproof (Low) versions.
Adventure boots
Higher shaft, more aggressive sole grip, built for mixed terrain — tarmac, gravel, unpaved tracks. The Alpinestars Corozal V2 Adventure Drystar is designed for this use case. Heavier than touring boots, less comfortable for extended walking, but necessary if your riding involves any meaningful off-road sections.
Sport/race boots
Maximum ankle rigidity, minimal sole grip, not designed for walking. Track days and sport riding only. Usually CE EN 13634 Level 2, but with a sole that makes off-bike movement awkward. Not in our current catalog — wrong product for the touring-focused EU market we serve.
Urban/casual boots
Styled like regular boots, CE certified at Level 1. Legal minimum. Fine for commuting at urban speeds, wrong for motorway use. Protection is a genuine step down from Level 2 touring boots — the tradeoff is that they look normal enough to wear in an office.
Waterproofing: membrane options and the breathability trade-off
Boot waterproofing works the same way as jackets and gloves — a membrane (Gore-Tex, Sympatex, Drytex, Drystar) is sandwiched between the outer leather or textile and the lining.
The Forma Adventure Low is non-waterproof — correct for summer use and short commutes where breathability matters more. The Forma Adventure Dry uses Forma's own Drytex waterproof/breathable membrane — the same product with all-weather protection added. The Alpinestars Corozal V2 uses Drystar®.
If you ride year-round in Italy or northern EU, waterproof is not optional. A soaked boot in 5°C weather is a safety issue as well as a comfort one — numb feet make gear changes imprecise.
Forma Adventure Low vs Dry
Same boot, same CE Level 2 certification, same EU 37–49 sizing range. The Dry costs roughly €25 more across most retailers. If you ride October–April, the Dry is worth it. Summer-only riders save the €25 and gain breathability.
Construction: what sits between your foot and the road
Upper material
Full-grain leather is the benchmark for abrasion resistance. The Forma Adventure and Alpinestars Corozal V2 both use full-grain leather construction. Microfibre upper boots exist at lower price points — lighter but less abrasion-resistant. Check the product spec for "full-grain" or "top-grain" vs generic "leather".
Ankle and shin protection
TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) shells over the ankle and shin area are standard on Level 2 touring and adventure boots. The Forma Adventure series uses TPU ankle and shin guards. Look for this in the spec — boots certified at Level 2 Zone 1 must have it, but the quality and coverage area varies.
Sole and shank
A steel or composite shank in the midsole prevents the boot from bending forward in a crash — relevant for footpeg forces. The Forma Adventure series includes a steel shank. Anti-slip rubber outsoles are rated by CE EN 13634 Zone 3 rigidity testing, but real-world grip on wet surfaces also matters — Vibram-style soles perform noticeably better than generic rubber on wet ground.
Sizing: EU shoe sizes and how to measure
Motorcycle boots use standard EU shoe sizing — 38 through 48 for most adult sizes. The Forma Adventure Low and Dry run 37–49; the Alpinestars Corozal V2 runs to 48.
Measure your foot length in centimetres. Add 1 cm for the sock you'll wear when riding (thicker than a typical dress sock). Map to the brand's EU size chart — a 26.5 cm foot typically corresponds to EU 41–42, but varies by brand last shape.
Motorcycle boots fit differently from street shoes because the stiff construction doesn't break in the same way. The boot should feel snug but not pinching across the widest part of the foot. Toes should not touch the end when standing. A half-size gap at the toe is correct — too much and the foot slides forward under braking.
EU price variance on motorcycle boots
Boot prices vary less dramatically than helmets across EU retailers, but the Forma Adventure range shows meaningful gaps between single-source and multi-source listings. The Adventure Low is currently only at Outletmoto in our catalog at €194.90 — adding a second retailer comparison is on our roadmap.
Compare CE EN 13634 motorcycle boot prices across EU retailers
Touring and adventure boots — manually verified from Outletmoto, Motoin, Alpinestars EU, and others.
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