Riding Boots/Shoes

Sneakers & sandals aside, what type of boots/shoes do you prefer when riding? I'm currently wearing 8" Justin lace up plain toes, after learning that most (but not all) steel toe boots (or boots with thick lug soles) are too thick for quick and comfortable shifting. I've been looking at the 6" or 10" (?) Timberland Downshifters. Also, it seems like most of the Harley Davidson "riding" boots look cool, but seem very impractical for shifting.

 

I wear a pair of Wolverines for riding, takes a bit to get used to shifting with them, but after a while its OK.

 

The reason most steel-toe & Hardley Ableson boots aren't great for shifting on our bikes is because they weren't meant for it.
Steel toes were meant for safety in a workplace - which is fine.
The HD boots (and many like them) are meant for someone riding a giganto-poser-cruiser which comes with...... a heel-toe shifter! So they never have to put a toe UNDER a shifter at all - everything's done with downward movements.

I've been riding with a set of all leather Engineer style boots, but thinking of actually spending some $$ and getting some Sidi On-Road's

 

I wear any old boots that feel good. :!:

 

i wearing hiking boots that i had bought from walmart or someplace like that

 

Navy steel toed flight deck boots here. Not pretty but quite robust and not a problem shifting as the toe isn't huge. Of course I've been a bad boy lately, I'm wearing my work shoes to work and they arent' near as tough.

 

I wear a Redwing logging boot with steel toes and I can shift OK.

Redwing Boots

 

Not trying to be preachy, but lace-up boots are not the best choice. They come apart easier than you might think in a long slide. Plus, non-motorcycle boots are not reinforced in the right spots for crash protection.

You can order, from www.newenough.com , motorcycle specific boots that have the right protection, and are waterproof for under $100.

I use Alpinestars for off road, and Tourmaster for on road. Both work for their respective riding. The Alpinestars are stiff for greater protection, waterproof, and have reinforced soles for prolonged peg standing.

The Tourmasters are much softer, soft soled for easy shifting, walking comfort, and have reinforcement in the ankles for the prevention of burn-through in a slide.

Anyhow, that's my $0.02, and worth what you paid for it. :lol:

Jim 8)

 

Icon Field Amour Chukka Boots
I don't like high top boots and low top shoes offer no ankle protection. I used to wear either sneakers or my steel toed work shoes. I'd be interested in trying on some Sidi's next time i'm shopping for moto boots.

 

Good Post Jim!!!

A buddy of mine used to wear work boots when he rode but after crashing and receiving severe cuts and scrapes just above his ankle, he decided that motorcycle boots with proper protection were in order.

Spend $100-200 on a good pair of motorcycle boots. They will last for years, so it is a good investment.

I bought a pair of Joe Rocket Hard Drive Boots ~ water proof and comfortable too!
http://www.motoxoutlet.com/index.asp?Pa ... ProdID=917

 

I wear Joe Rocket Revolution boots.

Very comfortable, great protection (ankle, shin, and upper foot)

http://www.rapidracer.com/joerorese2.html

 

I have a pair of Gaerne bike boots and have had em for a couple of years now.

I pretty much never ride in anything other than bike boots for reasons given above.

I suggest getting on the net or go do some window shopping until you find some boots that you like and are comfortable

 

Alive: Funny that eh? Bike boots, designed for riding a bike, are BETTER than random footware designed to walk/work in.

 

Same boots here. I did a little gravel slide, and it didn't even dent the boots outer skin. They are great boots, and rather affordable. I got them from www.ironpony.com on closeout last fall for less than $100.

 

Iron Pony is right up the road. A friend of mine is a manager there, points us to the good/new stuff when we drop in.

 

yeah, I'd like to make a trip there myself. Where in OH is it?

 

Columbus. Westerville actually, if you know the area. Probably 3 hrs for you running 70-75mph. From Pa., come straight out 70 , north on 270, south on Rt.3 and it's a mile down on the left. Unless you come through Youngstown, then it's west on 76, south on 71, east on 270, south on rt. 3. That place is huge, an old K-Mart packed full of bike stuff. Be forwarned though, there's a lot of motocross stuff, a mountain of apparel and helmets, and tires out the wazoo. Custom parts are relatively scarce, but there are some around. They do have all of the maintenence parts you'd need for any basic job, i.e. fluids, plugs etc. but if you're looking for a wide selection of radical forward controls, or 22" ape hangers, this is not the place. I'm sure they could order whatever you might need, but then you'd have to come back or have it shipped to you, and you can do that from home...

 

I'd be going to look at riding jackets, pants, helmets, etc...

Just to see it. I know I could get stuff locally, but it is like travelling to Summit Racing for me.

 

I've been to Summit a few times, real nice place. We have Jegs headquarters here too, a similar place, although a bit smaller.

 

Sidi Vertebra
http://www.indysuperbike.com/customer/p ... 362&page=1

with lower leg injuries one of themost common in motorcyling it doesn't make sense to use footwear which offers no protection

 

Yea... Who woulda guessed??? :roll:

 

I know this an older thread but I had to pump out my 2 cents worth,
I will always wear high topped steel toed work boots since they have saved me on a few occasions. The most recent one when I was travelling through the rockies in British Columbia when a semi began losing his load of lumber(2x4"s) right in front of me at 60 mph. The 1st pieces hit me square on the foot before I could get out of the way. Scared the "crap" out of me but when I got pulled over I barely had a scrape on my boots. A small mark on the ankle and a larger scrape right on the toe.
The 2x4 hit me square on the the toe with enough force to knock my foot off the peg but I barely felt a thing except for the heart attack it gave me!! So it will be difficult for anyone to convince me any other footwear is better. Just thought I would give you my reason's for it

 

Redwing 969 10" pull on motorcycle boots. Excellent product. No problems shifting, great grip, and very comfortable. Nice and high, keeps engine heat away from my legs while using the nighway bars. I bought them for riding, but i liked them so much they are my footwear of choice all the time.

http://www.redwingshoes.com/productdeta ... rodid=1067

 

When I bought my boots, I really had no idea what to get other than a comfortable riding boot. I ended up getting the SIDI Stivali Way Tepor boot. I think that boot has now been replaced by the Way Tepor(?).



Anyway... I've been real happy with them. Very comfortable; easy to walk in; easy to ride in. They're just an all-around great boot.

 

I just bought a pair of Xelement Black Supremecy dual zip boots from Leatherup.com. I haven't ridden in them yet, so I'll have to let you know how they shift.

 

http://www.leatherup.com/c/Mens-Motorcy ... 2/119.html

Actual motorcycle gear at prices xj riders can afford ...

 

Okay, I rode to work yesterday, and the new boots were fine, except they need to be broken in. They feel fine on the bike, shifting is no problem. I like the double zip feature, easy on and off.

 

I use all leather(old style) plain toe combat boots with a panama sole. I'm pretty sure that I'm switching up to pair of these http://www.uscav.com/Productinfo.aspx?p ... &TabID=548 when I can.

 

great post. im boot shopping right now.

how important do you guys think steel toes are when riding?

 

"how important do you guys think steel toes are when riding?"

I think it depends on rider preference. I can access the controlls much easier without steel toed shoes. I really like the boots I have because of the dexterity. I think that the big question is "what boots enable you to be a safer rider". Wearing steel toed boots might protect my toes, but if I smack into some solid object at high velocity because cannot fully utilize the controls on the bike, it matters little. That being said, if I could wear steal toes without messing up my ability to control the bike, then I would do so without hesitation.

 

Alpinestars - comfortable both on and off the bike. I wear them year around, even when I commute to work. Waterproof too!

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/ ... Boots.aspx

 

I have always wore some sort of steel toed work boots. I am looking at different motorcycle boots now.
I hit a car doing about 15 - 25 mph once and I broke the second foot bone next to my big toe. I really think I would have broken every bone in my foot completely into had I not been wearing steel toed boots. I rode home without a problem after that due to the steel toes too. That is the only motorcycle accident where I had any severe injury. I learned from that accident and the few other minor ones I had. I believe in the philosophy of knowing how to wreck if it is unavoidable, but thats another discussion.
Some form of heavy duty boots is always the way to go for me.

After I could walk I would only wear steel toed boots anywhere because that foot was tender for a while. I am used to kicking doors open leaving stores when my hands are full so when not riding now I only wear some form of heavy boot.

This is a great thread to see what others wear and get ides from.

 

I wear my steel toe work boots. I only wear these boots, except sometimes around the house I might wear a pair of sandals. I can shift fine, move my feet with enough dexterity ect. ect. If you wear steel toe boots long enough you become acustomed to the weight.

That and I watched an episode of B******t on HBO, they did steel toe boots... While I have worn only steel toe boots for the last 3-4 years, that episode bought me on them for good.


***Edited by Robert, Mind the language please! Thank you!***

 

I just wear a shoe with a reinforced leather toe.. My work shoes are a little thin and it is actually painfull to shift.

 

I just got a pair of red wing boots. I only want steel toed boots for riding and they are waterproof too. So far these are great.

 

SIDI Boots here as well.....



Comfortable on and off the bike! 8)

 

Those of you with the Sidi's, are they worth every penny?

As a cyclist, my road shoes have always been Sidi's, and I will never go to anything else.

They look like they are excellent quality (just like my road shoes) and will last a long time.

Highly recommend them?

 

I would personally recommend them very highly. They are very well constructed, breath well, and are very comcortable. Only thing I would change, would be to order a pair of the Vertigo's instead, as they have more adjustable venting. Other than that, I love mine, and they still look new after two years of steady use!

 

I wear a pair of Wolverine work boots with no steel toe. Shifting isn't a problem. I like 'em, but maybe I'll try a dedicated pair of motorcycle boots when these wear out. It pays to be as safe as possible.

 

Yes they are

Mine are around 6-7 years old, and had a mixture of road and race riding and been in about 3-4 crashes

Yes I do

I wouldn't waste my time with anything other than a proper top quality motorcycle boot, nothing else will give you the same level of protection

 

I don't understand why more motorcycle boots do not have steel toes. Had I been wearing non steel toed boots in an accident once, I would be crippled some today. I would of gotten Sidi boots had any I could find locally had steel toes. They do seem like great boots.