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Choosing the right motorcycle gear for the hot weather is hugely important for riders everywhere and summer riding boots are a big part of this. The same boots that you wear for the winter are unlikely to be the best choice for when the sun’s so we have put together a little guide to take you through the best options for summer motorcycle boots, including some options you can buy from our extensive motorcycle boots collection. Hopefully through reading this post, you will be able to make an informed decision about which are the perfect pair of warm weather biker boots for you.

What To Look Out For With Summer Motorcycle Boots

The first thing we need to discuss is what attributes you should be looking out for when browsing for your new pair of motorcycle boots this summer. As with all motorcycle gear, protection and safety are of paramount importance and should always be your primary concern. All proper motorcycle footwear offers superior protection to regular casual shoes and trainers, helping the rider stay safe in the event of a collision. Foam-backed impact protection at the ankle especially is very important, while popular material like leather offer added protection against abrasion and impacts. Also important are the toe and heel counters, which should also be reinforced with durable materials to protect those specific parts of your feet. But the best way to know your boots are going to fully protect your feet, ankles and lower legs should the worst happen is to go for CE Approved boots, which meet strict testing guidelines.

Now you need to consider temperature. Even in the UK the summer tends to bring lots of sunshine and warmer climes, so the last thing you want is long, thick boots on your feet during a long ride. The key here is to select boots with a breathable material, designed to keep your feet cool. You may even find some boots with mesh panelling which allows extra airflow to your feet and lower legs, further preventing heat build-up. Also useful would be boots lined with sweat-wicking materials, helping draw any sweat away from your skin to keep you comfortable even in the blazing heat.

Also important is style and fit. With the surge in popularity for riding jeans in recent years, shorter boots have become more popular, especially in the summer. Specific ankle boots are much sought-after here in the UK, which look as good in everyday life as they do while riding. There are many different colours available these days too, but black and brown are still the most common. That said, with many different stylish designs, pleasing colours and comfortable fits now on offer, there’s undoubtedly a suitable pair of summer boots that look as good as they feel.

Now, there is a final consideration that riders here in the UK especially need to think about when it comes to buying boots for the summer. Unfortunately, the British Summer does often also bring rain, as frustrating as it is. Because of this, many of the best summer motorcycle boots uk including a waterproof membrane, to make sure your feet stay dry if the heavens open. The Gore-Tex membrane is the most popular choice with experienced riders, known to not allow water to penetrate through the material while allowing good breathability too – ideal for the summer. We have a great selection of high-quality Gore-Tex motorcycle boots and other waterproof motorcycle boots, designed to be reliable, protective and comfortable.

The Top Five Summer Motorcycle Boots at BDLA Motorbikes

Now you know the kind of features you need to be looking out for when selecting your new boots for the summer, we’ve put together a top five list of what we think are the best summer motorbike boots on the market right now and available in our online shop. With so many motorcycle boots in our store, it was very difficult to narrow down to just five, so by all means browse the full range before making your choice. All our boots come from top brands and are equipped with everything a rider needs to be safe, secure and comfortable through the warmer months.

But without further ado, here’s our top five best summer motorcycle boots available now…

• RST Hi-Top Waterproof Motorcycle Boots
• Sidi Rex Air Boots
• Alpinestars Air Plus V2 Gore-Tex Boots
• Sidi ARX Air Motorcycle Boots
• Oxford Spartan Air Boots

In Summary: Top Summer Riding Boots

By reading this article, you should feel confident in knowing exactly what you need to prioritise when it comes to buying motorcycle boots for the summer. Remember to look out for protection and safety above everything, but also consider breathability, moisture-wicking fabrics, fit and waterproofing, plus your style preferences too.

For any more information on summer motorcycle boots or to ask any question about the art of motorcycling, please do get in touch with us today.

Your motorcycle helmet is the most important piece of motorcycle equipment in every rider’s gear, helping prevent head injuries and providing protection to the most important part of your body. Due to the immense importance of your helmet, you want to be able to make an informed choice when choosing your next helmet, knowing it will keep you as safe as possible from severe and serious injuries. That’s where the SHARP helmet ratings come in.

In this article, we are going to take you through the SHARP programme, delving into the SHARP helmet test and explaining what the SHARP ratings system means for riders. Hopefully by reading this guide, you will feel confident making informed decisions when it comes to choosing from different helmets in the future, fully understanding how the SHARP scheme works.

First, let’s deal with the basics…

What is SHARP?

SHARP stands for Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Programme, which was set up as a UK government initiative by the Department for Transport back in 2007. The objective of the scheme was clear: to provide independent safety ratings for motorcycle helmets sold in the UK, helping motorcyclists understand the relative safety levels of every helmet on the market.

The SHARP rating system is not a certification system like the ECE helmet certification protocol which determines whether or not a helmet is road legal, through either a ECE 22.05 rating (outdated) or ECE 22.06 rating (current). The SHARP scheme stands as a performance-based rating for all helmets after they have passed the legal requirement, designed to be easy for riders of all experience levels to comprehend. In the US, the Snell test is comparable, but the SHARP helmet test is closer to real-world scenarios.

The SHARP Safety Testing Process

The key to the SHARP scheme is independence. As such, the first part of the testing process is for helmets to be purchased anonymously from retailers, to avoid any bias to or from helmet manufacturers.

The test is then focused on real-world crash scenarios using a range of advanced testing equipment, going beyond simple drop tests. The test covers many different areas, designed to mimic the diverse and often unpredictable nature of real-world motorcycle accidents. Some of the key elements include testing the impact on a helmet at different speeds, the impact on a helmet at various locations around the helmet (e.g forehead, sides and crown), and testing how well a helmet mitigates rotational acceleration.

After the test is complete, a simple green, amber, red system is used to determine the relative safety of different sections of the helmet. Green means low risk, amber means moderate risk and red means high risk, based on energy absorption levels around the helmet.

Understanding SHARP Star Ratings

To help riders understand SHARP test results, SHARP assigns each help a safety score from one to five stars. A five star rating is the best rating SHARP can attribute to a helmet, while some budget helmets may receive just one star ratings, suggesting the bare minimum helmet safety. It’s important to note that even a helmet that receives just one star from the SHARP helmet test is road legal and still meets minimum standards and regulations. The SHARP star rating system is purely a guidance, but one which we recommend riders consider before purchasing their next helmet.

Summary of SHARP Star Ratings

• 5 Stars: The highest protection rating given in SHARP tests, suggesting excellent performance and the lowest injury risk.
• 4 Stars: A helmet given four stars offers very good protection, having performed well in SHARP tests.
• 3 Stars: Three stars suggests good, but not exceptional protection from the SHARP tests.
• 2 Stars: Protection below higher-rated options in SHARP tests. Two-star helmets are more than legally compliant, but carry higher risk than those rated higher.
• 1 Star: A helmet given just one star still meets minimum legal standards, but offers the least additional protection according to SHARP’s more demanding tests.

It should be noted that here at BDLA Motorbikes we do not stock helmets with a SHARP star rating below three stars, so we would not recommend riders choose a two or one-star helmet found elsewhere.

Using SHARP Ratings To Choose A Helmet

If you’re unsure what SHARP rating a helmet has been given, you can consult the SHARP Website, which has an easy-to-use search function. Their website also provides more details on the SHARP testing procedure and helpful information about helmet safety.

You should remember to balance SHARP scores with your own personal needs and the type of riding you are going to enjoy. Make sure a helmet fits correctly, is comfortable and offers good ventilation and visibility, as well as its relative safety according to SHARP. Visit our motorcycle helmets category to view many highly-rated helmets that combine comfort with protection.

In Summary: SHARP Helmet Ratings

For riders new and old, the SHARP rating system can be hugely beneficial when it comes to choosing which helmet to buy. SHARP uses a more rigorous testing methodology to determine just how much protection a helmet provides to the wearer, and which part of the helmet is most safe. Choosing a helmet with a high star rating from SHARP is a sure-fire way to know you will receive a helmet which protects your head as well as possible, but you should always consider things like comfort, fit, style and type when making your decision.

For more information on SHARP Ratings, feel free to contact our team or visit the SHARP Website. Our team knows all there is to know about motorcycle helmets and other equipment, so give us a shout or browse through our extensive online store.