Boot recommendations

[paulcbrowne]

Most motorcycle shops around me don't seem to have much to choose from in the way of boots. I'm looking to replace my current pair of Alpinestar boots and am looking for something that has a particularly grippy.

Being short, grip is important. My current boots slip on marginal surfaces much too easily. I also want something that's waterproof and wide that's easy to get in and out of; i.e., not lace-ups.

I'd appreciate recommendations and sources.

[edonthenet]

I went to the sporting goods store and got me a pair of hiking boots. I was also looking for riding boots but couldn't find anything I wanted.
The hiking boots are very light and soft, ready for immediate day long wear, and thinsulated. The bottoms are VERY grippy and thick to accommodate walking on rocks. The tongues are sewn in which makes them totally waterproof and they have solid ankle support, important if you ever go down. Plus they are made with high quality materials.
Riding boots are $200+ while my boots were $50. If they wear out in short notice I can still get 3 more pair before I break even.
If you have a Dick's Sporting Goods (http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/home/index.jsp) local they have many different styles, well worth the trip IMO.

[dshealey]

I had three different boots over time, but by far the best were SIDI. I had the "City" boot, and they were extremely comfortable right out of the store. I wore them on several Iron Butt type rides, in a lot of rain, feet never got wet. They also had great grip.

A popular boot manufacturer on the Motorcycle Tourer's Forum was Red Wing, and they now also offer motorcycle specific boots. Check for a store near you.

[messenger13]

At the beginning of '05, I bought a pair of Diadora Freedom boots (http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=50-7185). I absolutely LOVE them! $100 for a pair of waterproof, comfortable, Kevlar-embedded boots . . . what a bargain! And with my size 12 foot, I cannot always get into a lot of motorcycle boots, but these were not a problem, and have only got better and better with time. YMMV

[meese]

If you do get hiking boots, make sure that they have excellent ankle protection. I saw a guy go down last week wearing combat style boots, and the asphalt tore right through the fabric over his ankle bones and caused him road rash there. Make sure they have at least a leather cover over the ankles, or better yet a plastic or kevlar disk is the best way to go.

His jacket had a few tears, but no body damage, and his mesh pants got pretty trashed, but no damage to him there.

[meese]

Joe,

Do those boots zip up on the inside of the leg, and then the flap sticks down with velcro? My current pair open on the outside, which annoys me.

Also, I didn't see any mention of Kevlar on the link you provided. But if they fit my size 12's and are comfortable and absolutely waterproof, then I may have to pick up a pair.

[AlaskaFish]

Ken, I have a pair of these boots and yes, they do zip up the inside with velcro flaps over the zippers. I have worn them more than my Sidi's for around town use and really am happy with them. They are waterproof, but I could have sworn I got a little damp one time in a heavy downpour. On later consideration I decided it could have just been perspiration due to the summer heat! Still not positive on the last item, but do love em!

John

[messenger13]

Joe,

Do those boots zip up on the inside of the leg, and then the flap sticks down with velcro? My current pair open on the outside, which annoys me.

Also, I didn't see any mention of Kevlar on the link you provided. But if they fit my size 12's and are comfortable and absolutely waterproof, then I may have to pick up a pair.Yep, zip up on the inside. I have yet to have them leak and have ridden in hundreds of miles of downpour in them. Awesome. They may get a little hot in extended 90+ degree weather. But I don't know if any good waterproof boot doesn't have this issue anyway.

I thought they had Kevlar at each ankle and in the front for shin protection...maybe it's not. But they sure are reinforced nicely in all crucial locations.

The ONLY negative I can find in the boot is that, due to the LT's limited ground clearance, I have worn the outsides of the soles horribly. I should just buy sliders for the outsides. I will on my next pair. I'm thinking of ordering a new pair this winter for the '06 riding season. At $99, why not?

[meese]

Thanks for the responses, guys. I've been burned before with a pair that the magazines swore were waterproof. When my feet got wet, they went back immediately. If you guys who actually have winter swear by them, that's good enough for me.

I think I'll order a pair before Joe runs them out of size 47 BF (bigfoot).

[messenger13]

Don't forget to add to my awesome reputation! :D

All of a sudden I feel like I'm asking (begging) for positive feedback, like on eBay.

http://www.zzr1200.net/modules/Forums/images/smiles/icon_pray.gif

[mwnahas]

Don't forget to add to my awesome reputation! :D

All of a sudden I feel like I'm asking (begging) for positive feedback, like on eBay.

http://www.zzr1200.net/modules/Forums/images/smiles/icon_pray.gif

Joe don't beg.
:) LOL

[meese]

Only if I can add a few constructive comments, and then remain anonymous. :)

[messenger13]

Well...you gotta do what you gotta do. All I know is I just ordered another pair of them boots. $99...a no-brainer! and, I got my little lady a pair of gloves while I was at it. Bought my first stocking stuffer! :)

[grifscoots]

I just wish I could buy an off the shelf moto boot, sigh. Feets are just too fat. I messed with Heliomot for 4 months sending boots back and forth before I quit.

[messenger13]

Boy-o-boy! Swanzy called you lots of things. But "fat-footed" wasn't one of them! ;)

[BruceHarrisJr]

I stumbled onto these http://www.muckbootcompany.com/product_info.php?products_id=28&osCsid=0cd84ab6c3e720ef62c79ee32bfe0d9c last week and bought a pair on eBay for approximately $82.00 delivered. I was needing a waterproof and extreme/cold boot that I could not find in a motorcycle specific boot. I should have them by next Wednesday and plan to ride up to New Jersey next Saturday for my first 'Polar Bear' run. I will report my findings up return home.

Hope this helps!

[messenger13]

I'll be interested to hear whether or not you can actually fit your toe under the shifter. :eek:

[simongs]

I bought my first pair of Sidi's early this year. When I tryed Sidi's on at a bike show years ago, i didn't think they would fit me well.

But, I saw the Evo Tempor (I think it is), nice dressy boots (I wear them to work and leave them on all day, office) with external armor in all the right places, don't look too squiddy, are waterproof and very light.

I swore by Alpinestars until I bought these boots. I wanted more "hard" protection. It is well worth it in a crash, I like my ankles just the way they are thank you.

Pricey, ya, about 220 bucks. I've had non-bikers ask me where I got them because they like the looks so much. Nice thing is, they have more protection than looks, both somewhat important if your wearing bike gear at work.

good luck, let us know what you end up with...geo

[grifscoots]

Boy-o-boy! Swanzy called you lots of things. But "fat-footed" wasn't one of them! ;)

His vocabulary has become quite vivacious, hasn't it?

[simoncharles]

Personally would not consider any other than Daytona
http://www.daytona.de/english/boots_e/gore.html
British motorcycle police use them.
If you need a bit more height try the M Star GTX

[nath3an]

Morton's BMW currently has a sale on BMW's Contour Plus boot ($200 including shipping vs. $300 regular price).

This boot conforms to the CE standard as much as any boot can (my understanding is that the final CE standard for boots is still being negociated). GorTex. Although it has laces, they use a quick-on quick-off fastener rather than requiring you to tie them.

http://www.mortonsbmw.com/
Look under the Parts/Access tab.

[lawnchairboy]

http://www.newenough.com/gaerne_st_dry_boots_page.htm

just got a pair of the gaerne st dry street boots, pretty comfy, a closeout special from new enough... 99$, velcro closure, feels like good "grippyness" on the bottom...

chris

[messenger13]

Those look VERY similar to my Diadora Freedom boots. Nice! If I hadn't just received my new pair of Diadora's two days ago, I might've been tempted to order those just to try something different. But I love the Diadoras, so I'm not too bummed... :cool:

[Tallyho]

In addition to my pair of Freedom boots, I also bought the Diadora Express boot from Motorcycle Closeouts. They are a very comfortable leather halfboot with a more detailed tread pattern on the sole. Excellent for summer riding and also quite waterproof. The big bonus is that they fit like a quality hiking boot. You can spend all day in them walking around town as well as riding. Since it's a motorcycle boot from a quality company it slips in well with the shifter and is reinforced in all the right places. They are easy to get on and off yet the zipper and velchro hold your ankle tight. They look great with riding pants or those occasional times when you're wearing your jeans around town.

http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=50-7192

[messenger13]

Not sure I needed to see those Bob! ;)

Thanks! Been looking for something just like that.

[CWF]

At the beginning of '05, I bought a pair of Diadora Freedom boots (http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=50-7185). I absolutely LOVE them! $100 for a pair of waterproof, comfortable, Kevlar-embedded boots . . . what a bargain! And with my size 12 foot, I cannot always get into a lot of motorcycle boots, but these were not a problem, and have only got better and better with time. YMMV

I've never owned boots. Do you need to go a bit larger than your standard shoe size to allow room to get them on? Wondered if those of you who've tried this boot thought they run either large or small?

[Tallyho]

I wear an 11 and the size 45 from Diadora feels like a custom fit. You can also call Rusty at Motorcycle Closeouts for some extra customer service. Despite being a busy owner, he will take the time to make sure you get the right size on anything he sells. He knows his stuff very well because I think he has tested it all personally. I have tried other brands at different stores and find the Sidis to run a little small and narrow. I would think that would be typical of most Euro boots. http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/travesmilies/flaggen1/smilie_flagge16.gif

[messenger13]

I'm a size 12 in just about every shoe/boot I've worn in the last 25 years. Diadora's size 47 (US 12) fits like it grew there.

[early1]

Love mi Sidi's
comfy and tough
http://newenough.com/sidi_vertigo_corsa_boots_page.htm

[docwagner]

So many of these boots look like something out of Flash Gordon or Buck Rogers. I like my Chippewas. Comfy, good protection, easy in and out, don't look too post-modern-euro-girlymanish. Ridden in the rain without a problem, soles grip well...

[messenger13]

"post-modern-euro-girlymanish"?!?! Really?!?!?

http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/images/products/50-7185DiadoraFreedomBoots.jpg

I can't wait to see the MANLY Chippewas of which you speak!

[CWF]

So many of these boots look like something out of Flash Gordon or Buck Rogers. ...

I ordered a set because I use this board like an interactive consumer reports...just bought an inta ride based on Joe's recommendation....just ordered a set of boots based on feedback from this thread and


cause I like to play Flash Gordon...... I was really looking for a set of Captain Kirk Boots but these are close enough!

[tmgs]

Most motorcycle shops around me don't seem to have much to choose from in the way of boots. I'm looking to replace my current pair of Alpinestar boots and am looking for something that has a particularly grippy.

Being short, grip is important. My current boots slip on marginal surfaces much too easily. I also want something that's waterproof and wide that's easy to get in and out of; i.e., not lace-ups.

I'd appreciate recommendations and sources.
i have not read all the posts, but I use redwing boots, they work well for grip IMHO

Tom

[messenger13]

i have not read all the posts, but I use redwing boots, they work well for grip...I bought a pair of RedWing boots a few years ago. I was so so proud to sport my new, totally waterproof, $150 RedWing boots. I wore the soles completely BALD in well under a year...mostly working indoors as a phone tech. I took them back to the store, and the store manager said, "Yep...'bout time you bought a new pair, huh?". I said, "What?! These aren't a year old. I figured you guys would offer to resole them for me.". He just smiled at me. I walked out, and kept walking. My first...and last pair or RedWing boots.

That's my story and I'm stickin' to it...

[tmgs]

I bought a pair of RedWing boots a few years ago. I was so so proud to sport my new, totally waterproof, $150 RedWing boots. I wore the soles completely BALD in well under a year...mostly working indoors as a phone tech. I took them back to the store, and the store manager said, "Yep...'bout time you bought a new pair, huh?". I said, "What?! These aren't a year old. I figured you guys would offer to resole them for me.". He just smiled at me. I walked out, and kept walking. My first...and last pair or RedWing boots.

That's my story and I'm stickin' to it...


<g>, I've had mine for over two years now, it's all I wear, (need the support of the taller lace up boots) my soles do need replaced at this time, though they have been darn good boots, mine were about 220, (that must be the difference <big grin>)

I've never had a pair of boots last this long as much abuse as I give them. 100% waterproof and very warm yet the feet don't sweat up a storm either, when I get a chance to buy something else to wear I will definitly be sending these back to have new soles put on them

They will also do custom soles

Tom

[Toolman]

I went ahead and bought a pair of Diadoro Freedom boots as recommended here. Found them on eBay for $79 ($87 w/shipping). They seem like a very good value. Fit is great (I am size 11-US and the Euro size 45 fits nicely). I can't wait test them out on the bike. Thanks, Toolman

[Portguyofva]

I love "First Gear Kilimanjaro Boot". Waterproof, Warm in winter and NOT hot in the summer. Comfortable riding and walking in. Retail $199 but you can find them for $169 on internet search. Try NewEnough, Powersports and Tonker.