Richa Apollo review | Protective waterproof boots

Date reviewed: April 2025 | Tested by: John Milbank | Price: £149.99 | www.nevis.uk.com

The Richa Apollo waterproof motorcycle boots on review here are designed to offer great protection for touring riders, but thanks to their subtle design touches, they don’t look out of place on pretty much any bike (unless toe sliders are important to you).

I’ve been wearing them through winter on a BMW R1250GS, Zontes ZT350-T, Honda Hornet CB750 and a Honda ADV350 to find out if they’re worth the money…

Pros & Cons

Construction and features

A mix of synthetic material and some leather, the Richa Apollo boots have no obvious overlay for the gear selector, but the top of the left foot isn’t showing any signs of wear, and there’s reinforcing underneath that gives additional rigidity to the toe box, preventing the lever from digging in.

There’s a small reflective insert on the rear, but that’s it. The grey sole and decorative grill break up the design, with the D3O logo adding a touch of colour. The website mentions a ‘ventilation grid for optimal ventilation’, but the side panel doesn’t have any gaps or route of any kind into the boots. The fabric front section will be the only area likely to provide any airflow.

The top of the boot offers some protection for the shin but isn’t overly bulky, meaning it tucks under my textile trousers easily, and even most riding jeans.

If I had to find fault, it’s simply that some of the glueing between the midsole and upper is a little ragged looking, and there’s a point at the front of the left boot where the guide marks for construction are visible. This doesn’t affect the comfort, and I only noticed when closely examining the boots for this review.

Fastening

A YKK zip runs up the inside of the boots with a Velcro tab to keep it secure under the large Velcro flap. Getting the boots on and off is easy.

Protection and certification

Despite the relatively affordable price point, the Richa Apollo boots have reached the highest standards across the board for safety. Level 2 is the highest under EN13634, so the four ‘2’s you see on the label mean they’ve passed the tougher tests for boot height (that’s easy – they’re above angle height), impact abrasion resistance, impact cut resistance and transverse rigidity, which is the resistance to crushing if trapped under a bike.

It's great to see any boot of any price meeting these higher levels of protective performance, and Richa has done a good job of proving that safety doesn’t have to come at the price of comfort.

The ‘IPA’ on the label indicates that the Apollos have been tested and certified for impact protection at the shins, thanks to the D3O inserts there. You can find out more about all the information on motorcycle kit labels here.

From April 21 2018, all new motorcycle clothing is deemed to be Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). To meet this legislation, it must be tested to a recognised standard. For more information on the new laws, click here.

Comfort

Comfort is of course very subjective, but I have the Richa Apollos in my usual size 44 (UK 10, US 11). I have slightly wide feet, and though these are snug, they’re comfortable all day long, whether I’m on the bike or walking around. This is no doubt helped by the comfortable Ortholite insole, though I would point out that I struggle to get thick socks in these boots.

Needless to say, as with any riding kit try it for yourself to see how it fits, but I’m happy with the comfort of the sole while walking around, and have no complaints whatsoever about them on the bike either.

Sole and Grip

Claimed to be wear-resistant, the sole on the Richa Apollos is certainly standing up very well to use, with good grip on all surfaces.

Hot and cold weather use

The Richa Apollos are what I’d consider fairly typical of an all-round touring boot, being comfortable in all but the extremes of weather. I haven’t been able to use them in really hot conditions yet, but any boot with a waterproof membrane is going to be warmer than one without. I tend to wear shorter high-top style boots in peak summer, but the Richas give a good balance for most of the year in the UK, only starting to feel a little chilly after a full hour in the pouring rain at 7°C.

Waterproofing

The Richa Apollo boots aren’t tested and certified as water resistant (they’d have a ‘WR’ on the label), but I found them effective in a solid hour of heavy rain at motorway speeds.

Three alternatives to the Richa Apollo boots

The Richas are very good for the price, but here are some others to consider…

• Alpinestars RT-7 Drystar, £239.99 | Tested hard by a riding instructor, the RT-7s have proved comfortable and extremely hard wearing. Adored by our tester, it’s a shame they don’t meet the higher levels of safety. Read the full review of the Alpinestars RT-7 Drystar boots here.

• Altberg Roadrunner, £299.99 | Hand-made all-leather boots that can be constantly repaired. They say you get what you pay for, and while not cheap, our review considers the Altbergs to be a solid investment. Read the full review of the Altberg Roadrunner boots here.

• TCX Airtech 3 GTX, £249 | Not perfect, but our tester really liked the waterproofing and less hot nature of these commuting / light touring boots. Read the full review of the TCX Airtech boots here.

These are just three of many alternatives – you can find all the boots we’ve tested here and be sure to regularly check for the discounts available through Bikesocial membership.

Richa Apollo boots review: Verdict

The Richa Apollos aren’t cheap, but they are good value, especially when you take into account that they’ve passed the highest levels of protection across the board.

Comfort is something only you can judge, but I’ve got on really well with these boots and will continue wearing them throughout the year. Great price, protection and comfort make the Richa Apollos a recommended buy.

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