Let’s face it, we all want a riding boot that not only performs well, but also looks the part off the bike. The Falco Aviator delivers with its classic styling and everyday comfort. Tested here in their brown leather option, they blend safety and street smarts seamlessly.
After a few months of living in these boots, riding, walking, even wearing them out to dinner, we reckon they’re a winner in the urban motorcycle gear segment. That starts with comfort, straight out of the box.
One of the standout features of the Falco Aviator is just how damn comfortable they are from the get-go. No lengthy break-in period, no stiff leather phase, no sore arches, just slide them on and off you go.
That’s partly thanks to the dual side zips (yes, two zips, one on each side), which make getting in and out of them effortless. Lacing up is more about achieving the look you want rather than function, which is always a plus for convenience.
Whether you’re commuting, doing a long day in the saddle, or even ducking out to the pub for a feed, the Aviators don’t feel clunky or overly ‘bike boot’ like. They’re light enough for all-day wear, yet robust enough to offer proper protection.
Falco has nailed the visual design too. The distressed brown full-grain leather finish gives them a vintage edge, which pairs perfectly with a set of raw denim jeans or even bike chinos. They can be had in Black too.
They’ve got that heritage work-boot vibe, but with added Italian refinement. These aren’t just boots you throw on for a ride, they’re boots you’ll happily keep on once the bike’s parked and you’re sitting down to a meal or catching up with mates.
I wore them out for dinner after a decent weekend ride, and not once did I feel the urge to swap footwear. That says a lot about their versatility. They look just as good in a café or bar as they do resting on a foot peg.
Protection-wise, the Aviator is CE-certified, and there’s reinforcement exactly where you need it, D3O-backed ankle cups, heel and toe protection, and a solid oil-proof rubber sole that grips well even when you’re pushing your bike around a slick garage floor.
The ankle padding is well-placed and doesn’t dig in, and the mid-sole offers good flex while still maintaining enough rigidity to give you confidence when standing up on the pegs or putting a foot down at traffic lights.
They’re not designed as off-road or touring boots, and they don’t pretend to be. But for the urban and casual rider who values both style and safety, they’re a solid middle-ground. They’ve performed well on a variety of bikes too.
We’ve worn them on Harley-Davidson’s, Royal Enfield’s, sports bikes and even yours truly’s own BMW S 1000 XR and couldn’t fault them. They do scuff though, particularly where the left toe area touches the gear shifter.
After just a few rides, that beautiful brown leather starts to show signs of wear on the shift pad. Some might see that as character, others might not be too thrilled if they want to keep them pristine.
Time will tell how that patch wears long term, but if you’re fussed, some leather conditioner might help keep things looking fresh. Priced at $399.95, the Falco Aviator boots offer fantastic value considering their quality materials, CE protection, and stylish finish.
We reckon you’ll be hard-pressed to find a boot in this segment that offers this much versatility. They’re available at most good motorcycle retailers or online stockists, and you can find out more on the Falco Boots website.
Pros – everyday comfort; protection; value for money; versatility.
Cons – boots scuff quite badly at contact point with gear shifter.
Our test product was provided by Falco Boots. Exhaust Notes Australia has not been paid to review this product.
