MC Tested: Stylmartin Riding Boots

The rise of retro is in full force these days, with bikes and gear alike. Many companies are resurrecting styles last seen 30 or 40 years ago, and riders new and old are buying these items as fast as they hit the market. It’s no surprise, then, that the increase of retro-styled boots has been part of that trend. I got my hands on (rather my feet in ) a pair of Stylmartin’s Continental boots and have spent time with them on pavement and dirt over this past year.

The remarkable thing about these Continentals, which, fittingly, are in Stylmartin’s touring line, is they are just as comfortable off the bike as on. Made of leather top to bottom, the Continentals have been wearing very well, from rough-and-tumble use on a Harley-Davidson Roadster to scrambling through the dirt on a Yamaha SCR950. The style fits both scenarios, and I often choose these boots when riding my long-term Triumph Street Twin.

The leather provides some water resistance, but the non-perforated design doesn’t breathe as well as other touring options. The ankles and toes are both reinforced for additional protection.

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Getting in and out of the Continentals is easy enough with the classic peg-and-strap fasteners. These allow me to adjust how snug the boots fit at any point between my ankle and mid-calf, which is a nice change from boots that are closed with a zipper that locks in the size of the upper boot. While the boots are very comfortable for walking, when I take them off, the insoles stick to my socks and pull halfway out, folding in half. An easy enough fix with store-bought or custom insoles.

Overall, I’m very happy with the Stylmartin Continental boots. They’ve easily become one of my favorite pair of riding boots, garnering so much wear and tear that they’re starting to show a patina that matches their classic style. As they continue to break in, I can tell they’re getting better with age, which is just as it should be.

Stylmartin Continental Riding Boots
Price: $345
Contact: stylmartin.it
MC Grade: B+
Summary: Limited breathability, price, and a shifting insole were the downsides to these otherwise comfortable retro-style boots.