CE Level 1 vs CE Level 2 Motorbike Boots Explained 2026 — UK

Estimated reading time: 12 minutes

Table of Contents

• What Is CE Certification for Motorbike Boots?
• EN 13634 & UK PSSR Explained
• 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?
• CE Certification & UK Riders Post-Brexit
• Castiron Ride — CE Level 1 Across the Full Lineup
• External Resources

What Is CE Certification for Motorbike Boots?

CE certification for motorbike 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 UK riders, CE certification remains the most reliable indicator of genuine protective performance following Brexit, with the standard recognised under UK Product Safety and Standards Regulations (PSSR).

There are two levels of CE certification for motorbike boots: 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 in each zone. Understanding the difference helps you choose the right boot for your riding style, speed, and risk profile on UK roads.

EN 13634 & UK PSSR Explained

EN 13634 is the standard that defines the test methodology and minimum performance requirements for protective footwear for motorcycle riders. Last updated in 2017 (EN 13634:2017), it covers four distinct protection zones tested independently. Following Brexit, the UK has retained EN 13634 as the recognised standard under the UK Product Safety and Standards Regulations — meaning CE-marked boots sold in the UK continue to meet the same technical requirements as before.

• 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

Each zone is tested at two performance levels. 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 represents a meaningful baseline of protection that significantly exceeds uncertified footwear — including regular trainers, work boots, and fashion boots. CE Level 1 is appropriate for the vast majority of UK riders — daily commuters, weekend sport touring riders, and recreational riders on British A-roads and motorways at legal speeds.

• Ankle height: Minimum coverage above the ankle reference point
• Abrasion resistance: Withstands abrasion for a defined minimum time at Level 1 speed
• Transverse rigidity: Resists lateral crushing at Level 1 force
• Heel energy absorption: Absorbs impact energy at Level 1 threshold

CE Level 2 — What It Covers

CE Level 2 sets a higher performance threshold across all four protection zones. The test methodology is identical but the pass/fail threshold is more demanding. CE Level 2 boots are typically heavier, stiffer, and more expensive — designed for riders who regularly ride at higher speeds, do track days, or want the maximum certified protection available.

• Ankle height: Greater minimum coverage above the ankle reference point
• Abrasion resistance: Withstands abrasion for longer at higher speed
• Transverse rigidity: Resists greater lateral crushing force
• Heel energy absorption: Absorbs greater impact energy

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

Do You Need CE Level 2 Boots?

For most UK riders, CE Level 1 provides excellent protection for the riding they actually do on British roads.

Choose CE Level 1 if you:

• Commute daily in urban traffic in London, Manchester, Birmingham, or any UK city
• Do weekend sport touring on UK A-roads and motorways at legal speeds
• Want a boot that walks comfortably off the bike — at work, in shops, on the high street
• Prioritise a lighter, more flexible boot for all-day British weather riding

Consider CE Level 2 if you:

• Regularly attend track days at Brands Hatch, Silverstone, Donington Park, or similar
• Do sustained high-speed touring on unrestricted European 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 trainer or fashion boot on UK roads.

CE Certification & UK Riders Post-Brexit

Following Brexit, the UK has retained EN 13634 as the recognised standard for protective motorcycle footwear under UK Product Safety and Standards Regulations. CE-marked boots sold in the UK continue to meet the same technical requirements. The Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) and Bennetts BikeSocial both recommend CE-certified footwear for all UK riders. The UK Government motorcycle safety guidance recommends appropriate protective clothing including boots for all riders.

Castiron Ride — CE Level 1 Across the Full Lineup

Every boot and shoe in the Castiron Ride lineup is CE Level 1 certified to EN 13634:2017 — from the lifestyle trainers to the full performance boot:

External Resources

• MCIA — Motorcycle Industry Association UK
• UK Government — Motorcycle Safety Guidance
• Bennetts BikeSocial — Motorcycle Boot Reviews & Buying Guide
• Visordown — Best Motorcycle Boots 2026
• MCN — Best Motorcycle Boots 2026

Written by T-K