Joe Rocket Heartbreaker Boots Review
Joe Rocket’s Heartbreaker Boots blend race inspired biker style with practical protection, featuring a built-in 2.5-inch lift for added height without sacrificing comfort. Here's how to decide if they're right for you…
Motorcycle gear for shorter women riders is hard to come by, so when a company finally steps up to fill that gap, you'd hope they’d knock it out of the park. Coming in at $130 USD these boots have a tall order to fill, blending function and fashion—but are they as practical as they are stylish?
That said, I like these shoes and will continue to wear them. As a 5’4” (1.63m) rider, I know firsthand how much confidence comes from being able to plant both feet firmly on the ground. The Heartbreaker boots get you pretty close.
What they got right:
Perforated leather sides – Allows for some airflow on warmer rides but still maintains enough padding to be wearable as a 3-season boot.
Hidden 2.5-inch heel – A smart way to add height without an obvious platform. Better than a chunky heel that can get wedged on the foot peg.
Track-inspired design – A stylish nod to race boots without looking like a dedicated track boot that would look out of place during a casual ride to destinations like a mall, a cafe or restaurant, or running errands around town.
Decent walkability – Unlike some motorcycle boots, these boots are made for walking too. Despite having a heel these are pretty flexible, unlike some race boots, which makes them easy to walk in.
Adjustable fit up top – An adjustable strap at the top is a great design feature and a plus for those with wider calves. On the tightest setting, these are a great fit around my calves which you can tell from the photos.
Now for some constructive critiques:
The Heartbreaker boots squeak—a lot. The culprit? There’s a random buckle running down the front that looks out of place on a track-inspired boot. Worse, it rubs against the leather, making the squeaking worse. I’ve cut that buckle off since it served no safety purpose.
The padding inside is thick—a good and a bad feature. Even with perforated sides, these boots run hot. I rode in 70-degree Fahrenheit weather in Pennsylvania in March, and my feet were heating up. There’s no perforation at the front near the toes, which means the boots are toasty, but ideal for riding when that colder fall weather sets in. I can confirm that these were great for riding in 45-degree Fahrenheit weather as well, with just a regular pair of socks. My toes didn't get cold.
Another note is that the sole is thin. This gives the boot a good walkability rating since it lets it be more flexible as you walk. However, the front section is made of thin rubber and on hot tarmac, I could feel small pebbles from the road under my foot. A thicker platform up front would have made a difference in the safety of the shoe but would likely compromise on the comfort of walking in them.
The Verdict
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5 stars)
The Heartbreaker boots are a great value for the price. They do about 80% of what they should, but there’s still of room for improvement. Joe Rocket had the right idea—creating a boot that helps shorter riders feel more confident and the $130 USD price tag feels appropriate.