What woman doesn’t love shoes and boots … and sandals? I’ve met a few over the years who are not fanatical for footwear, but most women I know love shoes—from shopping for them to wearing them to organizing them in their closets. And most female riders own at least one pair of riding boots.
While I enjoy the privilege of reviewing different styles of riding apparel, I find that Harley-Davidson makes the most stylish and functional riding boots out there. And its branding is often minimal so you don’t have to ride a Harley-Davidson motorcycle to enjoy the benefits of the boots.
Each year the folks at Harley-Davidson Footwear, a licensee of Harley-Davidson, send me their latest riding boots and casual footwear catalog. I admit I do enjoy looking at all the new styles and picking out one to review.
Because there are so many awesome styles, I usually have a hard time deciding which one boot to review. So this year I'm letting you, the WRN reader, help me pick out a boot to review.
Following are some of my favorite styles. I'm only going to review the performance / riding style boots. The rest are there for you to enjoy.
Tell me in the comments below which one you want me to review and why. In the meantime, browse the different shoes I’ve posted by clicking the photos to view them in a slideshow, and shop for yourself as well. You can order online at the links posted at the end.
Performance (meant for riding) High Boots
The Delana is an engineer style boot with four buckles around the 10-inch shaft. The heel measures 1.25 inches, and a mesh lining keeps you cool. An extra layer of leather by the shifter toe helps with wear in that spot. $220
The Alexa is 12.5-inch tall leather boot with a 1.5-inch heel. The sturdy rubber sole keeps you planted, and a zipper and buckles in back look cute and allow for fit adjustments. $188
The Savannah has laces on the front of the 14-inch shaft. Leather construction, and a side zipper and buckle for added closure and fit. Microfiber lining inside. $206.
Performance (meant for riding) Low Boots
The vintage-motorcycle inspired Balsa style comes in brown shown here, black, and stone (gray). WRN fans know I love brown and have a favorite pair of high lace-up brown boots. These 7-inch brown leather boots have a sturdy tread, are tall enough to provide ankle protection, and would be a nice addition to my boot collection. They’d get worn often! $160.
The Sylewood is a simple black leather lace-up boot that should be a staple in every woman rider's boot collection. The 6.25-inch shaft covers your ankle and the sturdy 1.5-inch sole keeps you well planted. $170
One of the boots in my personal collection is a distressed brown flat-toed engineer style boot, so that’s why I love this style, with its tonal dark brown that will only get better with age. The straps add an edgy touch. $180.
Casual Style Boots
The next two styles are from Harley-Davidson’s Black Label footwear line. They’re eccentric and fun, and I know some of you who will love these. I personally don’t want to review either of these off-the-bike boots, so don’t put them in as option for me to test-wear.
Harley-Davidson is getting in on the popular hidden wedge style with the Halyard, a sneaker style wrapped around a 4-inch hidden wedge heel. Full grain leather on the outside, mesh lining inside, and sneaker-type tread underneath. Not recommended for riding, but I know there will be some women who will want these to wear on urban bike nights outings. $150. What’s a halyard you ask? I had to know too. It's a rope used for raising a sail or flag on a sailing ship.
The distressed leather of the Mcalpin style catches my eye on these low biker-styled boots. Shaft is 6 inches; heel height is 1.25-inches. Made of full grain leather with a leather lining, people will think you've gone many miles on those boots. The sole is leather, but not a lot of traction. This style is intended for your time off the bike. $170. The only definition I found for mcalpin is that it is a Scottish surname.
I Dare You!