Should Motorcycle Boots be Tight?

I remember the early days when I used to buy motorcycle boots for my better half; she used to ask me, should motorcycle boots be tight? I thought, why shouldn’t I write a blog post about this? 

Motorcycle boots protect your feet from any abrasion, so your motorbike boots shouldn’t be tight enough. At the same time, your motorbike shouldn’t be so loose that you’re unable to wear it properly. In simpler words, your motorbike boots shouldn’t be tight enough so that it starts to block blood flow.

Let’s look at what it means for you and what you can do about it. 

In this post, I leave no stone unturned, so you can purchase the best motorbike boots according to your needs.

Should Motorcycle Boots be Tight? 

I can understand how confusing it’s to buy motorbike boots according to the size of your feet.

And even sometimes riders choose wrong motorbike boots. Either they are too loose or too tight, which is starting to stop blood flow. 

The thumb rule when purchasing yourself motorbike boots is to wear them in store. 

In the ideal condition, your motorbike boots shouldn’t be too tight so it start to slow down blood flow. 

Or your motorbike shouldn’t be too loose, so you can’t make enough grip while stopping your motorbike.  

In simpler words, the motorbike boots should be comfortable for your feet. 

Always remember, your motorbike boots won’t grow in the future. So don’t believe in any false hope. 

Use your brain and buy what comforts you the most, not the salesperson. 

What Will Happens if Your Motorbike Boots are Bigger: 

The miscalculation caused people to buy the wrong size motorcycle boots. 

But before buying a pair for you, you must know the consequence of a motorcycle running big. 

Motorcycle boots are solely made to support your ankle while maintaining good friction between your feet and boots. If your boots run bigger, then it won’t give you essential support to your feet. Additionally, it would be challenging for you to control the motorcycle boots if it runs big. 

Fortunately enough, you can avoid these consequences by purchasing well-fitted motorbike boots. 

Also, read my previous post about whether boots run big or not? Click here to read.

What Will Happens if Your Motorbike Boots are Tight:

The consequences of wearing smaller motorcycle boots are even more dangerous than wearing bigger ones. 

The most significant consequence of wearing small size boots is that it causes tingling or swelling in the feet. It’s caused because small boots interface in your bloodstream, and this could seriously harm your feet. Additionally, the smaller boots interface the proper movement of the ankle. 

Again fortunately enough, you can avoid these consequences by purchasing well-fitted motorbike boots. 

How to Size Feet Size for Motorcycle Boots Properly: 

Although there are many ways through which you can measure your feet size for motorbike boots. 

But I’ve always focused on measuring feet size on a ruler, which I think can be found in every house. 

You just have to follow these three simple steps. 

Steps Name:Details: 
PreparationTake a blank, clean white paper, marker, and ruler. Overall, be prepared with all tools you need while meaning feet size. 
Placing the FeetNow place your feet on the blank paper and mark through a marker on paper. 
MeasurementNow place the ruler and measure the distance between both markings (M1 and M2). 

Step 1: Preparation: 

In the very first step, you have to take a blank and clean white paper. And don’t forget to take a marker and ruler too. 

Please avoid taking small-sized white paper; I think A4 size paper would be large enough for you. Unless you’ve giant feet.  

Step 2:Placing the Feet: 

Now you’ve all the materials that you need to measure your feet size in centimeters. 

Now place your feet on the blank paper and mark through a marker on paper where your toes and heel are.

Give a name to the toe mark as M1 and heel mark M2.

Avoid wearing any kind of socks while doing this step. 

Step 3: Measuring: 

Measuring your foot’s size is the last step, and it’s probably the most crucial step too.

Now place the ruler and measure the distance between both markings (M1 and M2). 

Make sure you place the ruler-straight. 

Now you have got the marking and the distance between M1 and M2 in centimeters and inches. And you can use the markings while buying boots.

I always advise people to buy boots one inch bigger than their actual size for better fitting. 

Things to Know While Measuring your Feet Size: 

There’re many things that I think you need to know before measuring your feet size. 

Things to Know While Measuring Your Feet Size: 
Consider your regular socks while measuring your feet size. 
Do at least some movement when trying new boots. 
Make sure the internal pads are removable. 

Socks Size: 

Earlier, experts recommended wearing only thick knee-length socks, but nowadays, motorcycle boots are made from adaptive material. 

The adaptive material helps you to maximize your feet’ movement. Even nowadays you can wear simple cotton socks under the boots. 

However, I always recommend sticking to your socks habit. For example, if you generally wear thick knee socks, consider your thick socks while measuring your feet size. 

And that’s why it’s always better to consider your feet one inch larger than the actual size. 

Do Regular Movements: 

To avoid buying too tight or too lose boots, it’s always recommended to wear boots at least once. 

I personally recommend wearing new boots and doing regular movements that you do while riding a motorbike. 

Or you can take a small walk wearing new boots, this will show you how boots fit your feet. 

Internal Pads: 

No doubt, internal pads are essential and comfortable too. However, while choosing boots, you should also pay attention to internal pads. And make sure the internal pads are removable. 

Common Issues Riders face with Boot Sizing: 

So far you understand how important it’s to wear good size motorbike boots. 

Now let’s focus on some common issues which other riders face during boot sizing. These issues will surely help you when choosing boots according to your needs. 

Feet Width: 

Many times riders face bad fitting just because of their feet’ width. 

The boots they want to select fit them perfectly from toes to hills, but they aren’t comfortable with any boots because of their wide feet.

If you’re one with wide feet, it would be best to choose boots in which you’re most comfortable. 

Bad Heel Fitting: 

Sometimes motorbike boots fit perfectly everywhere; still, there’s a gap at the back of your motorbike boots. 

It’s not your mistake; it’s your regular socks mistake. 

If it’s with you, then you should wear moto socks instead of your regular socks. 

The second benefit of moto socks is that they can absorb all moisture from your feet, protecting your boots from stinking. 

Large Calves: 

Riders with large calves find problems fitting motorbike boots, but unfortunately, no one can do anything about it. 

But fortunately, you can find other best-fitting motorbike boots; you just need to search for the best fitting boots for you. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

What will happen if your motorbike boots are too loose?

If your boots run bigger, then it won’t give you essential support to your feet

What will happen if your motorbike boots are too tight?

Wearing small size boots is that it causes tingling or swelling in the feet. It’s caused because small boots interface in your bloodstream, and this could seriously harm your feet. 

Why consider socks size is crucial when measuring boot size?

Large socks can be made from thicker fiber which impacts your feet size, thus it’s necessary to consider socks size when measuring boot size.

Why doing the regular movement is necessary when trying motorbike boots?

To avoid buying too tight or too lose boots, it’s always recommended to wear boots at least once. 

Why internal padding is one of the crucial factors while buying motorbike boots?

No doubt, internal pads are essential and comfortable too. However, while choosing boots, you should also pay attention to internal pads. And make sure the internal pads are removable. 

Final Verdict: 

Should motorcycle boots be tight? Motorcycle boots protect your feet from any abrasion, so your motorbike boots shouldn’t be tight enough. 

At the same time, your motorbike shouldn’t be so loose that you’re unable to wear it properly. In simpler words, your motorbike boots shouldn’t be tight enough so that it starts to block blood flow.

I’ve mentioned some steps to measure your feet size and buy well-fitted motorbike boots. Additionally, please don’t forget some factors which I’ve mentioned in the previous section.

Here are Some of My Favorite Riding Gears: 

Thank you for reading this article. I hope you found it helpful as you build your riding journey successfully. 


Here are some riding gears I use as a rider that I hope you’ll also find helpful.

These are affiliate links, so I’ll earn a commission if you decide to use any of them. But in all honesty, these are the same riding gears that I use and recommend to everyone, even my own family.


Motorbike Riding Pants:


For getting started, I like Scorpion EXO Covert Jeans for men (check the latest price on Amazon.com) and Indigo Protective Riding Jeans for women (check the latest price on Tobacco Motorwear).

These riding pants are comfortable so you can use these pants in summer, and these pants have a lot of space for using knee guards. 


Motorbike Riding Helmet:


Throughout my riding life, I used several helmets, and almost all helmets protect your head well. Still, I personally prefer YM- 929 of Yema helmets as it comes with Bluetooth and aerodynamic ABS shells (check the latest price on Amazon.com).


And suppose you want an eye-appealing and yet effective helmet. In that case, you can go with Icon Airform Sacrosanct Helmet (check the latest price on Revzilla). 


Motorbike Riding Jacket:


Jackets are crucial to protect your upper body. Honestly, every rider has a dream to have an affordable yet best riding jacket. And that’s why I personally recommend the Alpinestars T faster motorbike jacket because of the protection and comfort it offers (check the latest price on Amazon.com). 


Motorbike Riding Gloves:


Almost all riding gloves perform well by protecting your hands from sunburn and cool nights. And if you’re a serious rider, then you should go with Alpinestars SMX-1 Air v2 Glove, which is lightweight and offers you excellent protection. (check the latest price on Revzilla).