The TCX Drifter, available as small as Euro 39
If you're a woman and love riding adventure bikes or dual sport riding, then you might be looking for the right boots for the job. What you may find is that as of this article, there aren't any just for women.
But there are a lot of options that size as small as Euro 36-37-38-39 which are common women's shoe sizes.
https://womenadvriders.com/adv-boots/
Check it out and let me know your thoughts below. Happy Trails!
These are gently used, barely worn.
I bought them from a friend who only used them a few times also.
Read my full review of these way back when I got my first pair.
Also check out my post about riding motorcycles while short, because I use these along with special insoles to boost my height a little bit as well.
These normally cost $275.00 new.
Sidi X-3 Boots
I know, I know. Blue, Pink, White?
Well, I guess change is slow. The good news is these are real race level, offroad boots for women. That means more ankle support (lateral) and protection just like the men's version. That means they're offered in a size Euro 39 (~US women's 8.5) which I'm sad to see because they really need to offer 36, 37 and 38 (~US 6-8 which are the most common women's shoe sizes when it comes to motorcycle boots in addition to 39. I hope they read this and reconsider adding those core sizes.
If you do have smaller feet, and need a 6-7.5ish, then I would recommend these Sidi Stinger Youth Boots ($250) instead:
They don't offer the hinged lateral support at the ankles, but they certainly offer great impact protection in all the key areas (toes, heels, shins, achilles heel) and those fantastic stitched soles. I also like that the toebox is less bulky. Dirtbikes seem to have teeny tiny foot pegs, so I can't see how a really thick boot would work very well.
Another boot that they just released is a touring boot called the Gavia Gore-Tex ($250):
The Gavia boots are a solid touring boot, with a Gore-Tex membrane. They've never offered women's boots with Gore-Tex, so this is definitely a first. I love Gore-Tex, if it's a waterproof piece of clothing that I own it has to be Gore. I love the breathability, added wind protection, and versatility in varying temperatures. At $250, they're a fantastic option.
If you're looking for a boot to add insoles to, Sidis are pretty roomy around the instep (but my feet are just that effed up).
Thank you Sidi for offering more options to women riders!
So you just decided to get into riding motorcycles. We are so happy to have you. But before we get on the road, I just want to let you know a few things because I want you to know what you can expect. And I know there's a lot to learn.
I've seen so many new women join the ranks of fellow motorcyclists. And I'm SO happy to see that! More women, the merrier! As a women's gear enthusiast, the focus of my message is more about you, not your motorcycle.
Something that I keep seeing that's really really difficult to swallow is the fact that many of you are simply wearing what you have in your regular closet. And this is especially disconcerting because it seems that you just don't know any better. Almost as if no one in your world has bothered to mention:
"Hey, you know that jacket you're wearing won't do anything to prevent you from breaking your elbow, or shoulder or getting road rash" or
"Hey, those boots are going to slip out from under you when you put your foot down on slippery pavement or an oil patch" or
"Hey, that open face helmet is still exposing your face and mouth, which are the most vulnerable parts in a crash"
My Revit Jacket held up great in a 40-45mph lowside. It really doesn't take that much. I wasn't racing, just riding at the speed limit into an easy right hand curve.
I feel like for some of us, this is definitely a no brainer. But that's easier when you've grown up around motorcycles, or you have a lot of motorcycle friends, or are really familiar with motorcycle culture. But when you're brand, spanking new and this is a totally alien planet to you, it's just not common sense yet. Because the little bit of motorcycling you've probably been exposed to is limited to movies, tv, movies and tv. And we can all agree that real life isn't portrayed quite right in the movies or tv.
So that's what me and my fellow female motorcyclists are here to tell you. The reality is that your body needs gear. It needs to be protected. And that you are vulnerable, no matter how far or how slow/fast you are going.
I was crossing the street this morning while walking my dog, and a car went speeding by down our residential street going at least 30mph when they really should be going 15mph. I had a quick vision of that person not seeing me and hitting me as I crossed the street. The tremendous force of that would've thrown me a good 20-30 feet from where I stood. And you can only imagine how my body would make out of something like that.
But now imagine wearing a full face, Snell approved helmet. And then head to toe protective gear with body armor covering your shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, and spine. And then boots with ankle protection and reinforced soles, heels and toes. Now how would I make out?
As a brand new rider, it might seem like you could never get hurt because you're not "racing". I hear that SO much when people ask me about what gear they should buy. And it's quite the opposite! There are FAR MORE choices for casual, functional, real street motorcycle gear than what's available for the racetrack. Because there are probably more of us on the street. In some cases, you might get hurt far more on the street than you will on the track. The constant stop and go traffic patterns make us vulnerable to being struck as we're moving, and the last thing you want is for someone *else* to stop your motorcycle for you!
I also find it ironic that if you're riding around with just a tank top and nothing else, that you obviously are proud of your body. And have no trouble showing it off to everyone who sees you driving that motorcycle. But, the minute someone cuts you off merges into you or turns left in front of you (which is a constant occurrence in Philly) then you're going to lose what you've just shown everyone that you value so very much.
But I want to assure you of one thing, you can absolutely look fantastic while being safe and protected. No, you won't have the exact same clothes as you are probably wearing right now on the motorcycle. But you can definitely get really, really close. If you're in it for the Look of riding motorcycles, and not the Feel, then you're in for a world of hurt. And a really expensive hospital bill, and a week(s), month(s) off of work, and a bruised ego and whatever else comes out of you making an uninformed, uneducated choice.
Me and Brittany Morrow at the Women's Sportbike Rally East, 2015
And Last but certainly not Least, meet my friend Brittany of RockTheGear.org. She has an incredibly painful but inspiring story to tell which I think every new rider should read before they learn to ride their motorcycle. There's absolutely no way for me to tell her story since it can only really be told by her words. Read her story and then make see if you can still make the same decision.
If after you've figured out everything that can possibly happen, and you still choose to wear very little or nothing at all then More power to you. And I honestly applaud your ability to take those kinds of risks, where I'm just a big wimp. There's a huge difference between knowing what's coming and making your own decisions vs. having absolutely no clue and making the most uninformed, uneducated choice that can result in living with regret.
#atgatt
(all the gear all the time)
All my love and twisties,
