CE Level 1 vs CE Level 2 Motorcycle Boots Explained 2026 — Australia & New Zealand

Estimated reading time: 12 minutes

Table of Contents

• What Is CE Certification for Motorcycle Boots?
• EN 13634 Explained — The Standard Behind the Rating
• CE Level 1 — What It Covers
• CE Level 2 — What It Covers
• CE Level 1 vs CE Level 2 — Side-by-Side Comparison
• Do You Need CE Level 2 Boots?
• Featured: Castiron Ride IronRider — CE Level 1 Full Touring Boot
• Castiron Ride — CE Level 1 Across the Full Lineup
• External Resources

What Is CE Certification for Motorcycle Boots?

CE certification for motorcycle boots is the European safety standard that has become the global benchmark for protective motorcycle footwear. The “CE” mark — from the French Conformité Européenne — indicates that a boot has been independently tested and meets the minimum protection requirements defined by the EN 13634 standard. For riders in Australia and New Zealand, CE certification is the most reliable indicator of genuine protective performance available — recognised by the Motorcycle Council of NSW and recommended by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency as the international benchmark for protective motorcycle footwear.

There are two levels: CE Level 1 and CE Level 2. Both require the boot to pass the same four protection zones, but Level 2 sets a higher performance threshold. Understanding the difference helps you choose the right riding boots or motorbike boots for your riding style on Australian and NZ roads.

EN 13634 Explained — The Standard Behind the Rating

EN 13634:2017 is the European standard that defines the test methodology and minimum performance requirements for protective motorcycle footwear. It covers four distinct protection zones, each tested independently. While Australia and New Zealand do not have an equivalent mandatory national standard for motorcycle boots, EN 13634 is the most rigorous independently verified protection standard available to Oceanian riders — and the one referenced by the Motorcycle Council of NSW and Waka Kotahi.

• Zone 1 — Height of upper: Minimum ankle coverage height above the reference point
• Zone 2 — Abrasion resistance: How long the upper material resists abrasion in a slide
• Zone 3 — Transverse rigidity: Resistance to lateral crushing forces
• Zone 4 — Energy absorption at the heel: Impact energy absorbed at the heel region

A boot marked CE Level 1 scores 1 in all four zones. A boot marked CE Level 2 scores 2 in all four zones.

CE Level 1 — What It Covers

CE Level 1 is the entry-level certification under EN 13634. It provides meaningful protection that significantly exceeds uncertified footwear — including regular sneakers, work boots, and fashion boots. For Australian and NZ riders doing daily commuting in Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, or Wellington, weekend Great Ocean Road runs, NZ South Island touring, or Snowy Mountains routes at legal speeds, CE Level 1 is the appropriate and most practical choice.

CE Level 2 — What It Covers

CE Level 2 sets a higher performance threshold across all four zones. Boots are typically heavier, stiffer, and more expensive. Designed for riders who do track days at Phillip Island, Wakefield Park, or Taupo Motorsport Park, or who want the maximum certified protection available regardless of weight or cost.

CE Level 1 vs CE Level 2 — Side-by-Side Comparison

Do You Need CE Level 2 Boots?

Choose CE Level 1 if you:

• Commute daily in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Auckland, or Wellington
• Do weekend rides on the Great Ocean Road, Pacific Coast Highway NSW, or NZ South Island routes
• Want a boot that walks comfortably off the bike — at work, in cafés, on the street
• Prioritise a lighter, more flexible boot for Australian and NZ conditions

Consider CE Level 2 if you:

• Regularly attend track days at Phillip Island, Wakefield Park, or Taupo Motorsport Park
• Do sustained high-speed riding on unrestricted roads
• Want the maximum certified protection regardless of weight or cost

The most important decision is not CE Level 1 vs Level 2 — it’s CE-certified vs uncertified. Any CE Level 1 boot provides dramatically more protection than a regular sneaker or fashion boot on Australian and NZ roads.

Featured: Castiron Ride IronRider — CE Level 1 Full Touring Boot for Australian & NZ Riders

The Castiron Ride IronRider is the CE Level 1 certified full performance boot built for riders across Australia and New Zealand who want maximum protection without sacrificing BOA dial convenience. Full boot shaft, maximum ankle coverage, CE Level 1 certified to EN 13634:2017. At AU$210, it’s the only BOA full boot available to Oceanian riders under AU$220.

Castiron Ride IronRider — CE Level 1 Full Touring Boot

AU$210 · CE Level 1 · BOA Dial · Full Boot · International Shipping · Free over AU$150

Shop the IronRider — AU$210

Castiron Ride — CE Level 1 Across the Full Lineup

External Resources

• Motorcycle Council of NSW — Rider Safety & Gear Standards
• Transport for NSW — Motorcycle Safety
• Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency — Motorcycle Safety
• BikeMe — Australian Motorcycle News & Gear Reviews
• MCNews.com.au — Motorcycle Gear Reviews Australia

Written by T-K