What to Look for When Buying a Shift Boot?

Updated by Mike on 2023-09-01.
Reading time 5 minutes.

When buying a new shift boot (sometimes called a shifter boot or shift boot cover), there are certain considerations you have to make, just like there are with any improvement to your vehicle.

A shift boot purchase might seem minor in comparison to some of the other things you want to improve, enhance, or otherwise replace in your car, but this is far from the case. A dependable cover for your manual transmission gear shift is uniquely and enduringly valuable.

Maybe you’re not familiar with a stick shift vehicle in general. Perhaps you haven't had to replace a shift boot previously. It could even be that it’s been a while since you bought your last shift boot and want a refresher. In any case, you might be wondering whether or not to buy a shift boot, or if this accessory is really necessary.

Simply put, the answer is yes. To give a bit more context, a good quality shift boot provides a key layer of protection for your vehicle. It’s more than just a cosmetic change to punch up the appeal of your shifter and shift knob.

Buying a Shift Boot Will Keep Your Shifter Clean

The shift boot helps to keep dust, dirt, and other forms of debris from getting into the shifter. If you take no other guidance about buying a shift boot or advice to heart, remember the protection it offers.

The shifter consists of various gear-type parts and components, many of which are lubricated, and it is necessary that they stay clean and functional.

As you can imagine (or know from experience), the shift boot can take quite a beating over time since it is constantly being used. This leads to wear and tear, and if holes or rips start to appear, then dust and dirt can get in and cause problems.

Additionally, if your shift boot is worn out, there is also a risk of part of the boot's material getting caught in the moving parts and components of the shifter. That can lead to further problems, some of which can be quite serious if you are unable to shift properly.

If you are noticing wear and tear, or perhaps just looking to update your look, then it’s time to start shopping for a shift boot.

Of course, not all shift boots are created equal. When buying a shift boot, these considerations can help you make the right choice for you and your vehicle.

Generic vs Custom Shift Boots

One of the biggest considerations when buying a shift boot is whether to go with a generic, one-size-fits-all product, or a custom shift boot, tailored to the exact specifications of your vehicle.

While a generic shift boot might be cheaper and more readily available, in most cases, you won't be able to make it fit the way the factory intended.

Our shift boots are never generic. We only sell items tailor-made to the exact specifications of the factory equipment. Not only does it make installation much easier, but it also guarantees a better result in terms of fit and, appearance.

Make Sure It Matches The Style of Your Car

It only makes sense to get a style of material (and color) that works with your vehicle.

For this reason, it is common for people to get a customized shift boot, which at the very least matches, if not enhances the style (or color theme) of the vehicle's interior. Leather shift boots will be more elegant, while Alcantara or carbon-fiber vinyl have a more sporty feel to them.

A shift boot with dual racing stripes will tie better with the interior of a Ford Mustang, for example, the exterior of which is likewise adorned, than a BMW 5-series limousine.

Consider Durability and Maintenance

While vinyl or pleather shift boots might be more affordable price-wise, they will never match the durability of leather or genuine Alcantara.

We have clients reporting that our products, with proper leather maintenance, last 5-10 years with no visible signs of deterioration whatsoever. You won't find that with a vinyl boot!

This said, while Alcantara is a fabric of choice (and definitely in fashion) for many sportscars and supercars, make sure you understand the caveats before buying one.

That includes a much more involved cleaning process and much stricter requirements on overall cleanliness. Long story short: don't get grease on it or it will get stained, perhaps irreparably.

While leather can be just wiped off in most instances, you'll have to jump through a lot of hoops (starting with obtaining the correct solution for the particular type of stain) if you get grease from your french fries on an Alcantara shift boot. Learn more about cleaning your shift boot.

Shop Our Collection of Custom Shift Boots

When buying a shift boot, keep your style and comfort in mind, and select a material, color, and vibe that works for you and for your ride. Check out our selection of custom shift boots today or browse shift boots for popular vehicles like Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Corvette, Chevrolet Camaro, Mazda Miata, and more! Our shift boots have an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 star rating from our happy customers! :-)