[RacerX]

What a great idea, I just returned a good pair of riding boots because

they didn't fit. I wear a size 11 and the tip of the boots were a little too narrow

for my foot, this said it would be great to see this kind of info on your site. It would be great to see all kinds of boots compared because not everyone can afford $250. set of boots.

 

[SeanAlexander]

I've owned several pairs,most havebeenquite good but few have stood out... The stand outs (good and bad) are:





AGV Prexport Boots - Terrible... Sizing was fairly accurate, and boots were fairly comfortable, but the Colors bled, Stitching came undone, etc...



Alpinestar GP Pros - Fantastic, extremely comfy, good protection, etc...



Alpinestar Tech 7 (MotoX) - Fantastic (once broken in) The break in was a little long, but worth it... very tough, awesome protection and quite comfy.

 

[SeanAlexander]

P.S. I've never tried them, but I'veheard great things about the Daytonas... Would love to read a comprehensive review of the internal armor Daytonas

 

[provegan]

Here's my interests



Rate the boots on: Protection, Comfort, Inner Laces vs. Zippers (what works best?), Can you walk in them?, waterproofness, value/price equation.



Even if you don't rate & test a bunch of boots, It might be a good idea to just take a bunch of categories and and discuss the pros and cons, i.e. Maximum protection - well, you can't walk in them. Real good to walk in - sorry, they are too skimpy to help you in a bad crash. etc. I'd like to hear what somebody has to say about this.



This topic is alot like buying tires, they are expensive and the only way you get to find out how they really work is to pony up and try em out. If you don't like em, tough luck, you are stuck.



There are so many priorities we face as bikers, you may end up with a boot shootout series. Address MX, cruiser, sport, full on racing, touring in separate articles. The priorities of capabilities mean alot to these different applications. I vote for street sport/touring boots as the first shootout.



Is there boot nirvana? Can a single boot be used for multiple purposes?



I put in five years of riding in lace up logging boots (Chippewa, Red Wing, whatever I had), never drove in the rain, never crashed in em. They were comfortable to wear, and when I got where I was going, I'd go to work or play and didn't change boots.



Now, I'm getting more specialized and purchased AeroStitch Combat Touring boots by SIDI. I've got a few months and 4,000 miles in on em and have this to say: Likes: Seem protective, lace ups are secure and adjustable. Dislikes: Stiff, haven't broken in, I ordered the wrong size (I wear a 9 and ordered a size 42, ordered by mail, was told they take time to stretch), I'm having them stretched at a shoe repair place, on the first outing I couldn't even shift!, I can't walk in them, there is NO way I can wear heated socks inside them, whine whine whine. Overall, I think once they break in, they'll be great while I'm on the bike for warmer temps and I'll need flip flops or walking shoes for tramping around. (I mostly do weekend sport touring rides, and I like to stop and look at the sights along the way, which means walking)

 

[folski]

I have been in the boot market for about 2 years. I've worn the same pair of Georgia boots since 1989, with well over 100Kmi logged on them. They are comfortable, durable, and until about 2 years ago, very waterproof. Why is it so hard to find a respectable pair of boots that you can wear to commute, tour, corner scratch, and still wear around town after a 600 mile day and not look like a mutant? There's gotta be something out there for around $200 (mine cost $120 in '89). Help!!

 

[folski]

I ordered a pair of Joe Rocket Bullet boots in a desperate moment - being in denial over the prices of boots these days. What junk!! They felt like plastic, gave me no sense of protection, had these dumb little pads in sole lining, and I had no reason to believe they'd last through one season, or even one rainy day ride. The boots went back in return mail after a 2-minute trial fit. Why are these clowns in business?

 

[075]

Re: Check your logic, please

Perhaps some people feel that $250 for less than a sq. yd. of leather and plastic is outrageous. There are plenty of perfectly functional highly protective boots designed for street riding that are priced well below $250. Price is no measure of quality or protection.

Some people also prefer not to have their lives owned by other people, or corporations, just so that they can spend beyond their means. I can buy a reliable motorcycle for $500 and insure it for less than $75/yr. Does this mean that I should automatically go out and spend $1500 on a custom leather suit, $300 on gloves, $300 on boots, and $600 on a helmet? Of course it doesn't, but that doesn't mean that I shouldn't spend something on some kind of riding gear. Just my humble opinion.

Regards,

Mike

 

[BuellBoy]

I value comfort, protection and looks. The boot can be the most comfortable boot in the world with terrific protection features built in, but if it makes me look like a refugee from "Star Trek" when I'm off the bike, I don't want it. I have a few pairs of "Ricky Racer" boots which I'll wear to motorcycle gatherings, but MOST of the time, I'm going to the office or other non-motorcycle type places. I've tried a number of different boots over the years and my favorites right now are the Cruiserworks products. Waterproof, protection, comfortable, and they look like normal dress boots. Can't go wrong with that combination!!

 

[FieryErmine]

Re: Check your logic, please

Honestly, I can't see what the big deal about registering is. I've registered, I don't receive any unsolicited E-mail and it really wasn't a problem.

I don't see what good a "boot shootout" will be. You can compare features for a price, but comfort will depend on the shape of someone's foot and I couldn't think that there would be any way to tell how effective a particular boot would be from a safety standpoint.

I think the only way to compare boots will be to go to the store and compare them yourself.

That being said, I'll probably read the feature with interest.

Ermine.

 

[Kew]

I think it's a great idea. Boots have such a huge range in price (and quality) that every little bit of real world "wearibility" that you guys can determine will be much appreciated when it comes to choosing a boot that a person can be happy with. If you do have the shootout please take into consideration that not everyone can drop down two to four hundred bucks for boots. Include some affordable (cheap) footwear.

 

[A_Nominal_Squid]

Re: Check your logic, please

As you seem to have no problem putting your name (or pseudonym) to your post, what prevents you from registering? Privacy concerns? Make a pseudonym. Fear of big-evil-corporation? Ditto. Weblogs that allow anonymous posting merely attract random idiots. Labelling them doesn't cut down on it much, but I would refer you to kuro5hin. There you MUST be registered in order to post comments, and the blithering-idiot posts are very low. Not that it's perfect, but it's a case for registration. And yes, you can do the pseudonym routine there too, if you like anonymity.

A Nominal Squid

 

[A_Nominal_Squid]

I wear my Alpinestars GPS boots any time I get on a bike, and usually wind up wearing them all day at work too. Working in an office helps there, though. Very comfortable, though the arch is a tad flatter than my feet like. Have nothing but good things to say about them myself.

 

[FrankS]

I'm replying here, because the MO software isn't taking any more comments to the original article.



When I shopped for boots, I wanted comfort and protection in that order. After trying on a number of kinds, I wound up with BMW labeled (made in Italy) boots. The price was at least $75 higher than the other ones I tried. I figure that $25 of the extra was for the quality, the other $50 was for the cute little Rondel sewed to the boots, and dealer markup. My riding was commuting and touring, now is mild sport riding and touring (I'm retired).



My summary:

(1) Comfort is great. I've had to walk a fair piece in them - even climbed Mt. Lassen! - and they are wonderful. Despite scrapes and years of use, they remain waterproof. I guess I must have a BMW foot, since they have always felt good.



(2) Protection is fair to poor. Twice, spills have put me on crutches for several weeks while sprains have healed. While the ankle was healing, I wished I had bought race oriented boots with more support.

Of course, then I'd have to carry walking shoes at all times.



Being zip type, they are easy to change. It's just the logistics of extra shoes that's a problem.



I don't see how a shootout would work. How do you compare fit? Who volunteers to slide out on ice and let the motorcycle twist his ankle as he's going down? (one of my spills..) I don't give a d*** about appearance, but it's important in racing type boots, apparently. Who decides what looks good?



Listing price, features, how much armor, how much flex where, apparent quality of stitching and waterproofing (if any) can all be part of a comparison. And pictures, for those idiots who need to look cool. But I wouldn't pay a bit of attention to staff ranking - it's meaningless to all but the staff members.

 

[FrankS]

Reply format

Hey, you changed the location of the reply button. I'd written something over there, which I thought was worth sharing with you and your readers, but the reply button wasn't in line.

Not a good choice of locations, fellas.

But to repeat the meat of what I wrote: BMW boots fit ME fine (YMMV) they walk great, they protect fair to poor.

Use them as the standard for "lots of comfort, lots of price, need improvement in the twisted ankle area". As compared with all out racing boots (lots of protection, lousy for walking even to the starting grid) or "engineer boots" (cheap, might protect against road rash).

 

[jjohnson24]

I have used Sidi and Alpinestars both but.... I live in the South, home of hot summertime riding. I found a pair of Rocky Boots that are waterproof ( I road over the Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming in driving rain with dry feet ) and are much cooler ( temperature wise ). It is a boot out of their police-EMT catalog.The boots have a heavy cordura outer with leather armour in critical points with Gore-tex lining. It laces up. They offer and optional lace up zipper- you have to see it to understand it for those who like zippers. It has an aggressive sole and is very comfortable to walk in.Black only. Price- $120 list and you can usually find them for less on the net or at dealers. These boots allow me to ride with safe feet in the summer.

 

[bobdog]

One pair won

I was shopping for that one specail pair of riding boots after wearing a pair of Red Wings for years. I ended up getting Sidi On Roads, which are great for day rides and longer trips, but too clunky for wearing around town. I just happened to be down at the BMW shop one day and there was a pair of those little Sidi half-boots, I forgot what they're called, but they were on sale and in my size, so I snagged them. They're a compromise, not as much protection, but they slip on and off easy and are great for that quick trip to the store.

I think what you should try to do in a boot comarison is look at form and functionality. Both are important, especially if you're going to get off your bike once you make the destination. A lot of these racier boots are great when you're strapped in, but I wouldn't get caught dead wearing them in public. It would be cool if you could narrow the test down to discover if there really is one universal boot. But I don't know if that is possible.

 

[SugarMrPoon]

Re: Check your logic, please

Make him pay too.

 

[Non-Squid]

I'd like to see tests on casual style sport-touring/commuting boots. Like so many other posters, I don't want a boot that would look strange at work or in town. I'd like a moderate price, under $200. They must be relatively comfortable to walk in. I don't expect road-race protection, but the boots should afford some support in a crash.



I've been riding for many years, but I've never bought a pair of real motorcycle boots. A primer on selecting boots would be helpful.

 

[056]

Right!

Our intensive care units are full to the rafters with FOOT INJURY cases. Much better to have foot protection than head protection.

 

[056]

PROTECTION!!!!

If you are only interested in comfort, you might as well wear Timberlands or combat boots, since these are just as protective as most of the "street" motorcycle boots out there.

I busted my leg just above the ankle wearing sidi "race" boots with plastic/rubber padding on the shins and ankles. This was 5 years ago, and I have always wondered if a pair of the Daytona Safety boots would have protected my ankles. And if the answer is yes, than why don't ALL the manufacturers make a boot like this? If your product doesn't offer the ultimate protection possible, it shouldn't be marketed as having armor or being protective.

I am most interested in the AlpineStars GP pro boot with the C-F armor over the ankles. If it offers actual protection, I will buy a pair.