Not every ride calls for a full sports or touring motorcycle boot . For weekend summer rides I prefer a more casual option that’s comfortable to wear off the bike too. I had seen the Spada Piston boots and their sort of military look really appealed to me. Having never tried Spada boots before I thought I’d give them a go and see how they were.
I’m not going to sugarcoat it, these boots were painful to wear for the first few hundred miles. I found my usual size five was far too tight so sized up to a six, which were still snug to begin with. The leather was so stiff that they made my feet sore every time I wore them and I was counting down the miles until I had done enough to review them and move on to something else. However, the leather then broke in and they softened, transforming into these trusty old leather boots that have moulded themselves perfectly to my feet.
Being a laced boot they are easy to get a nice fit by tightening or loosening as needed, and there’s a leather flap that fastened over the top to prevent them from catching on footpegs. The side zip it great as it means that you don’t need to faff about with the laces each time you ride.
Being leather they are breathable to a point, ideal for most riding conditions, but in the extreme heat we’ve had this past summer they do get rather hot and sweaty.
They have proven to be waterproof, as long as you pop your trousers over the top, but I haven’t ridden with them in extremely wet conditions, just when I have been caught in the odd rain shower.
They have a nice chunky sole which is great for grip when the surface is loose or slippery and makes them look purposeful.
I really love the way these boots look: that military style with a pair of riding jeans looks great in my opinion. I went for the black ones, simply because I tend to wear black leather jackets , but the brown ones are cool too.
I like the Spada logo that is embossed on the ankle, it’s nice that it’s simple and understated. The buckle on the lace cover strap is another nice touch that suits the style of the boots.
These boots have a CE certification of 2-2-2-2, the highest safety certification available, which is impressive for a shorter boot. There is impact protection at the ankle which is really discreet and not restricting.
These boots feel substantial, the leather is thick and hardwearing and has weathered nicely. As mentioned above they took some breaking in but the comfort they offer now is testament to their quality. The sole is still solid after quite a lot of miles off the bike and showing minimal wear at all. One zipper sticks but still works and the laces are still going strong.
At £144.99 on Sportsbikeshop’s website they a reasonably priced, with similar boots like the Falco Misty 2s at £199.99 and Forma’s Rebel Dry boots also £199.99 these seem like a bargain, especially with the 2-2-2-2 protection certification.
My relationship with the Spada Piston boots had a rocky start but I went from hating these boots to loving them. They do require some persistence but if you can make it that far, they become the trusty old leather boots that you won’t want to part with.
Charlotte joined the MCN team as a Product Writer in February 2024. Growing up in a family of bikers, it was almost certain she would eventually ride herself, and she passed her test in July 2021. Though her early fascination with motorbikes was strong, her passion for horses initially took precedence, consuming much of her time a…