Taller Motorcycle Boots for Women

An internal life is far more effective than an external one

It’s been too long since I updated my last post on tall boots, so here’s an updated list of taller women’s motorcycle boots that will give you an additional 2-2.5” of heel height that I hope increases your confidence, stability and traction. 

Before you look at this list, keep in mind that none of these will options will make up for a mistake in judgment by riding a motorcycle completely out of your experience like a 1,000cc sportbike when you’ve just barely gotten your permit or only have a few hundred miles of experience on a beginner bike. 

Learning to ride well is crucial in the short riders’ experience, because we all know that the best riders in the world are often the shortest. 

But if you aren’t in that bucket, and you’re simply looking for a boost in confidence and traction like I was years ago when I bought my first pair of Daytonas, then you’ve come to the right place!

But if you aren’t in that bucket, and you’re simply looking for a boost in confidence and traction like I was years ago when I bought my first pair of Daytonas, then you’ve come to the right place!

1/ Daytona Lady Star GTX $449

The boot that started it all. These were my second pair of riding boots after I upgraded my bike from a 250cc to a 750cc.

At the time, they were incredible and I like to compare them to training wheels.

After I really learned to ride, I simply didn’t need them anymore. Read my review here. 

They’re now just my cold winter riding boots, and I only use them sparingly when it’s freezing.

Daytona Lady Pilot GTX

2/ Daytona Lady Pilot GTX $349

Due to the popularity of the Lady Star, the Lady Pilot was released about a year ago.

Basically the same boot with a simpler style, slightly tighter calf and streamlined look. Same internal lift and fitment. 

3/ Daytona Lady SL Pilot GTX $329

For those of you looking for a shorter shafted boot, this will cover your ankles but not as high as the Pilot or Stars.

Also expect a similar, wide fit just like the other two Daytonas. 

These are the shorter versions of the Lady Pilot. Same fitment and everything.

Daytona Lady SL Pilot GTX (why can’t they come up with more creative names?)

4/ TCX Tourer GTX $279

Other brands have finally caught on including TCX. The Tourer GTX is a similar, internally shafted boot. The major difference is the outer material.

It isn’t mesh fabric for ventilation, it’s mesh for breathability so that the GoreTex membrane can pull as much as moisture away from your feet as possible.

They will absolutely keep you dry, promise.

The overall shaft height is not as tall as the Lady Pilots. The red circles are from something else I wrote to demonstrate all the impact areas that boots like these will offer. I like the way TCX boots fit, great width and comfort and quality for the price.

I also like how lightweight these boots are. Since they’re mostly synthetic, I don’t think they’re going to stretch very much unfortunately.

TCX Tourer GTX

Revit Quest H2O

5/ REVIT Quest H2O $299

The Quest isn’t shafted as high as Daytonas, but they’re still pretty thick in the heel.

What is pretty interesting about them is how wide they are, especially in the ankles. For this reason, I have found them challenging to fit because they’re usually quite loose on most women that try them on.

These are also waterproof, just not GoreTex.

I do like the Vibram soles though.

Dainese Aurora D-Dry

6/ Dainese Aurora D-Dry $239

These will be the narrowest of all of them.

It has a substantial lift and low profile. I like how these look the best (vanity is okay!).

Dainese always wins for design, don’t they?

These are also fully waterproof, just not GoreTex.

I hope these options help you, don’t hesitate to contact me directly if you ever need anything!

Gently Used Plus Size Women’s Motorcycle Gear from Revit and Klim

My good friend Alisa Clickenger, is selling her gently used Revit Levante and Airwave Suit

My good friend Alisa is selling two awesome, gently used adventure suits that need a new home!

She’s about 5’10”, so both of these suits are great if you need a taller, plus size option. You can find her on Facebook through Women’s Motorcycle Tours and through her personal Facebook Profile.

If you have questions about sizing, just comment below or message her directly through the facebook links above.

Happy Shopping!

Rev’it Levante and Airwave 1 Pants, Size 46 (Location: Southern CA):

The Levante is now discontinued :( If you google you can find old reviews for them online. It was a fantastic jacket that I could fit 80% of the women who walked in the door. You’ll especially love these suits if you’re taller and need longer sleeves, waists and legs.

Klim Artemis Jacket, 2X and Pants, Size 14

This is Klim’s flagship adventure suit for women who are riding everywhere and anywhere from the pouring rain to the dry deserts.

3 Awesome Jackets for less than $200

Rev’it Tornado Women’s Jacket (v1); Slim Fit

These women’s motorcycle jackets are on crazy sale at RevZilla right now. I’ve added a few notes for you to see if they’ll fit you the woman rider in your life. If they do, then you’ve just scored a really great deal!

As always, drop me a line if you have questions about sizing or fitment.

1/ Rev’it Tornado Jacket, Euro 40 and 42, now $197.

This jacket is a great 3 season (spring, summer, warm) coat for your sportyish bike, your adv/touring bike and even your cruiser.

My Recommended sizing:

Euro 40 - Chest 42-43”, Waist 41-42”, Hips 43-44

Euro 42 - Chest 44-45”, Waist 42-43”, Hips 44-45

Keep in mind that these numbers are based on measuring your real waist. If you’re not sure how to do this, please watch this video. I know what you’re thinking, the Rev’it Size Chart says otherwise. Let’s just say it’s not perfect. But then again, what is? (okay, Cheesecake. Cheesecake is always perfect).

The Tornado is ideal for slimmer body types and those of you looking for a longer waist and sleeve length. Keep in mind that the liner is removable so always try your linered jackets on with and without the liners to see all the different combos and fitments you might be riding in.

If you’re not sure what to order, think about how snug you like your gear. If you want a very fitted fit and your Chest is 43.75, then order a Euro 42. If you have questions, just let me know!

My friend Sarah in a size small with a 43” Chest, 37.5” Waist, 43” hips. She’s also ~5’2”. Perfect Apple Fit.

2/ OLYMPIA SWITCHBACK 2 now $149

This is another great 2-3 season jacket, but without a thermal liner I’d say that it’s best as a Spring/Summer jacket. Keep in mind that with Olympia your rain liner can be worn outside or over the jacket when it’s raining.

Photo: wikihow.com

The fitment is very, very very generous and I would say that the alpha sizing is oversized. If you generally buy a small, you’ll find it to be a looser small. Especially in the bust, shoulders and hips.

The Switchback is ideal for a very short waist, and generous hips. Think Apple Shape.

For reference, a small fits a woman with a 38” Chest, 34” Waist and 43” Hip. It flares so much at the hips that anyone who needs a very large hip space will fit this jacket (assuming you don’t need a smaller waist as well).

Another great deal right now for the same body type: Cortech for $109. But upgrade the armor with D3O, please!

3/ REV’IT LEVANTE 42 $199.99

My gorgeous friend Alisa (~5’10”) in her Levante (46) Taller Fit.

Another 3 season favorite, like the Tornado above. This one has a slightly different fit in that it has extra long sleeves and torso. Also more cinching and adjustments at the waist, forearms and bicep to make it fit tighter without the liner.

Since only 42 is available, you’ll need at least a 41” chest up to 44”. I’d recommend anywhere from a 42” - 45” waist given the adjustability that it has on each side.

The liner is thermal and waterproof so keep in mind that when it’s out the jacket will fit a half size larger. Given how long the sleeves run, this is ideal for someone who is taller and needs as much length as possible in the torso and sleeves.

I hope these help. If you need specific recommendations, please let me know!

The 3 Motorcycle Gloves I Can't Ride Without

My original Racer High End Gloves, crashed back in 2015

I have found that living in a climate with drastically changing temperatures means I’m using 3 different types of gloves throughout the year. When I lived in California I still had 2 key gloves in my closet; one for nice weather and one for wet/cold weather. Those 2 key gloves are still in my closet but I have a 3rd that I reluctantly added that you’ll see below.

The only time of year I do not have gloves for is Winter; ~30F-45F. Because I have no desire to ride when it’s that miserable. (cold tires make Goldie very very unhappy and unsafe)

So I’ve put together a list of the 3 Gloves I Can’t Ride Without. Unfortunately some of them are discontinued but I’ve provided alternative ideas for each category. Having very small, wide hands and shorter fingers means I’m hyper vigilant about finding gloves. When I see something that might fit me and work for my riding seasons I’ll jump on it. That’s how I’ve found all of these in the past 5 years.

1/ Racer High Racer - “My #1, Go Tos”

You should always have a “Go To” glove, the one you grab and want to wear ~75% of the time. These are mine. I’m always wearing these and pretty much live in them for the majority of my riding. Typically I’ll wear them from about 60F to 80F or until the humidity starts driving me crazy. The kangaroo palms breathe well for me and although they need a little more care (like washing once or twice in the summer) I love the protection, comfort and coverage. You can read my full review here including how to get a pair.

2/ Rukka Apollo - Men’s

These are my ‘winter’ or cold weather gloves. For me, they fit quite well even though they’re men’s gloves because my palms are slightly wider than most women’s hands. Sidenote: if your hands are too big for small/medium women’s gloves but larges are too big then try any European brand (Dainese, Alpinestars, Held, Rukka, Revit, etc.) men’s smalls because they will be bigger than the ladies small/medium but you won’t swim in them like American brands.

But if you have smaller hands, Rukka now offers the Virve for women. If I had to replace my gloves, I would buy these. The main reason I like both of these is the fact that the GoreTex membrane is bonded to the leather (also known as GoreTex XTrafit), so when you pull your hands out the lining doesn’t separate. There aren’t a lot of gloves in that category overall, and then finding a women’s fitting option is even more difficult. The Virve and this Held Air N Dry are the only two currently available like this. The nice thing about the Helds are that they have 2 chambers, so you have something you can wear when it’s not only raining. With the lower, perforated pocket you can use them as a warm weather glove since the palms are perforated. There are certainly a lot of men’s gloves in this category too like:

• Alpinestars Patron

• Rukka Imatra

• Rukka Argosaurus

• Held Sambia 2 in 1

3/ Held Touch Perforated Gloves. See how there’s only a little bit of ‘bunching’ or ‘gather’ at my palms when I have them in riding position? That’s just right. Not too much, not too tight.

As of 2/16/19, these two women’s gloves are on closeout and are the most similar to my Apollos:

• Held Wizzard. size 6 only (~womens XS/SM); without the hard knuckles and shorter gauntlet. Side note regarding men’s v. women’s motorcycle gloves. Generally men’s gloves have longer fingers, wider and deeper palms, longer hands and wider wrists. I’ve found that women can always fill the length and width of men’s gloves, but never the depth. When I mean depth, I mean the palms. What this means is that when you are using your handgrips, there may be so much extra material there that it can cause rubbing or blisters from constantly rolling off and on your throttle or reaching for your clutch lever. You certainly don’t want your gloves to fit tight like you’re wearing a latex glove, but this is why it’s always important to try your gloves on the bike before you decide to keep them.

• Rukka Vilma, size 10 (~womens XL); ideal if you can wear the length of a men’s glove for fingers, but you need a narrower palm/hand and a thinner palm/hand space.

3/ Held Touch Perforated - Women’s (discontinued)

These are a perforated leather glove with almost a full gauntlet. I reserve these for the hottest riding days that I ride in. Sometimes I’ll pack them with my Racers and wear them later in the day when the heat and humidity start to drive me crazy. The main reason I chose this glove was because it was a Perforated Summer glove with a Gauntlet (wrist coverage). I could totally wear short, mesh gloves but I just don’t trust mesh on my hands like I would on my body. And women’s mesh gloves are painfully underprotected with only moderate protection. As with the rest of my gear, I don’t like risking the loss in protection.

Read my review here to find out more of my thoughts on these.

Since they’re discontinued here are a couple alternatives:

• Held Womens Air n Dry (see comments above); fitment is pretty narrow and long fingered

• Held Mens Airstream (mens, 7 is ~women’s MD/LG)

• Klim Mens Induction: the smalls fit almost like a women’s small

• Alpinestars Womens SP Air; fitment is also pretty narrow and long fingered; but tighter than Held

Well I hope that helps, I’m dying to go riding. It’s still high 40s here and until Spring shows up I’m going to be trapped on my couch. I’m tempted to fly home just so I can have some decent riding temperatures. Someone go riding for me….

Knuckle protection is definitely necessary, see?