DIN EN 13634:2016-03

Motorcyclists' footwear is intended to give a degree of mechanical protection to the foot, optionally the ankle and/or part of the shin in accidents without significantly reducing the ability of the rider to control the motorcycle and operate the foot controls. The particular hazards in motorcycle accidents are abrasion with the road surface plus impacts with the motorcycle, conflicting vehicles, road furniture and road surfaces. Road surface injuries are worse when the foot is trapped under the motorcycle during sliding impacts. The standard sets out a number of basic requirements considered essential for this type of footwear including a number of ergonomic requirements. This European Standard covers two levels of performance in terms of the protection offered for a number of test procedures. The degree of risk or hazard to which a motorcyclist is exposed is closely related to the area of use of the motorcycle and the type of accident. In the EN 13634:2015 standard, performance 'Level 1' is required as a minimum level, in the form that the shoes provide useful protection in the event of an accident, as well as optimum comfort in all areas of use of the motorcycle. Where riders feel that their riding style or sport exposes them to an increased accident, risk 'Level 2' of each of these performance features offers increased performance. However it is likely that this higher performance level has an increased penalty for the weight and comfort so may not be acceptable to all riders.