Kit Palmer | August 3, 2018
PRODUCT REVIEW
The name MotoBailey might not be the most recognizable in the industry when it comes to motorcycle boots, but that doesn’t mean the company is any less serious about its products.
MotoBailey Shoe Company calls New Braunfels, Texas, home and offers two similar models of motorcycle boots—LaRyder and ElBulli. They are pretty much the same boot but in a different color.
The MotoBailey’s aren’t designed for hard aggressive riding but designed to be stylish and comfortable enough to be worn all day, even at the office, while also offering protection as you ride your motorcycle to and from work, or to the local hangout or restaurant. These hand-built lace-up boots are made from super-high quality imported French leather with full Kevlar lining. They are cut just high enough to offer some ankle protection, and there is a formed heel cup for additional rider armor. The only real giveaway that these are indeed motorcycle boots is the reinforced shift pads found on both boots.
Both models come in sizes 10 through 12, including half sizes. If you like the color brown, then you’re in luck, because this is the only color they come in—at least for now.
STANDOUT FEATURE
Stylish in every way
LIST PRICE: $220
https://motobailey.com/
RIDER ANALYSIS
I found the MotoBailey boots, in this case the LaRyder boots, to be an ideal boot for daily commuting—in good weather. They are extremely comfortable, but not before a short break-in period that lasts couple of days, that can indeed easily be worn all day, every day. They slip on and off with almost zero effort and just plain look great. I even found myself choosing the LaRyders over all of the other shoes in my closet for an evening out, even when no motorcycles were involved. Yes, they look that good. (At least in my opinion.)
But what I really enjoyed most about these boots was that I could ride to work and not have to worry about changing into more comfortable shoes at the office (this gets old after a while) and having to always stash an extra pair of shoes under my desk. The MotoBailey boots are light and nine-to-five comfortable, yet still offer protection on the motorcycle. Okay, maybe not a lot of protection when compared to your traditional motorcycle boot but far more than what a pair of skate or tennis shoes have to offer.
Leather quality is way up there. And if you love the smell of fresh cowhide, then you’ll absolutely love it when you open up the box for the first time! Definitely not fake leather here.
Construction is just as good. I’ve had these boots for a few months now and there are no signs of fatigue in any of the stitching; even the shoelaces are holding up well.
The soles are grippy and quite thin, and the heels, which I’m not normally a fan of for motorcycle riding, have a low profile so they don’t tend to catch on things, like footpegs, as much as you would think.
Just like MotoBailey’s website says, these boots run about a half size smaller than what you normally wear. I usually wear size 11 but the MotoBailey’s 11.5 fit me perfectly.
At $220 a pair, the MotoBailey’s aren’t exactly cheap but they look great and should last a long, long time.CN