SHIFT Racing Fuel Street Shoe Review
Motorcycle boots are a key component of protection while riding. They protect you against the wind, rain, hot exhaust and the pavement if you are unfortunate enough to crash. I've heard horror stories of riders tennis shoes flying off in a crash and then the rider grinds their feet against the rough asphalt. I love my feet, they get me around quite well and I don't want anything to happen to them. I regularly ride with motorcycle racing boots so I was eager to see how these new Shift Street Shoes stacked up against them.
Initial Impression
The first thing you notice is that these boots are not very tall. They are a short boot which means you won't be tucking your riding pants into the top part of the shoe. This immediately made me a bit wary, but I tried them on anyway and was pleasantly surprised. The shoes felt extremely secure and protective once they were on my feet. They have a double closure system that includes standard laces with an additional Velcro strap that goes over the laces. This really plants your feet in the shoes and I'm confident there is no way they would slip off in a crash. I actually feel a bit more confident in the Shift Street Shoes ability to stay on my feet than my older motorcycle racing boots which are only closed with a zipper and velcro. Plus 1 point for shift!
The Velcro strap serves another purpose though which is to keep the loose ends of your laces in place and out of the way. As a new rider one of the times I dropped my bike is when I was riding a short distant to work wearing some lace up hiking boots. I pulled up to a stop slight, slowed down and I was about to put my foot down to stabilize myself but my my laces caught in the footpeg! I frantically tried to shake myself loose but it was too late and I toppled over at 0 mph much to the amusement of the drivers behind me. Ever since then I've been very hesitant to wear anything with laces. The inclusion of the Velcro strap is proof positive that the shift designers are riders themselves and include things that are applicable to the real world.
Look and Feel
The overall feel of the shoe is excellent. The padding is nice and comfy and the heel gives fantastic support. The shoes seem to be hard in all the right places but you never seem to feel the protective plastic bits while you are wearing them. The shoes seem to be a bit more low profile near the toes to aid in getting underneath the shifter, they also have some rubber on top of the foot to help with gripping and to protect the leather.
The Shift Street Shoes are a perfect match for either the Shift Havoc Pants or their Riding Jeans. They let you stay as comfortable off the bike as they do on the bike. I've walked around in these shoes for a few hours and they were just as comfortable as my Vans during that time. I can't say my other motorcycle boots would have been nearly as forgiving, but then again they were not designed to be worn for extended period of times off the bike.
The Bad
There has to be something bad about this shoe right? Well yes, there are two things that I don't really like. The first one is they are a bit squeaky when you first get them, but this is a pretty small nitpick since that squeakiness goes away after a little use. I feel like shift could have avoided that by making the tongue of the shoe another material besides leather. Not a big deal but it is still noticeable, especially if that is the only leather in your motorcycle outfit. If you are wearing a leather jacket or leather pants you might not even notice the squeaks, but if you are wearing that much leather why not wear a full length motorcycle boot?
The other complaint is they take a little bit longer to put on because of the dual closing system. Don't get me wrong I love the dual closure, but it is a double edged sword. Supposedly the shoes were designed with a "Speed-lace system for easy on/off," but they look like normal shoe laces to me. Maybe you have to do a special knot or something to utilize that feature. I experimented with leaving the laces loosely tied and just fastening the velcro but I found the shoes nearly impossible to get on unless you loosen the top 1 or 2 rows of laces. This isn't a big deal, but it does add to your gear suit up time which can range from 10 seconds to 2 minutes depending on your level of protection.
Summary
These street shoes are a really nice piece of footware for those of you that want protection without wearing a full sized racing boot. They look great and I bet most people wouldn't be able to tell that they are made specifically for riding. The tread on the bottom grips the pavement well and I have no problem getting under the shifter or reaching the brake with these on.
Pros
- Really comfortable right out of the box
- Great ankle support and protection
- Looks modern and casual
Cons
- Squeeky until they are broken in
- Double closure makes them harder to take on and off
Specifications
Tackle the concrete jungle without compromising your style in the Shift Fuel street shoe.
Features:
- Split Grain leather/synthetic leather chassis for exceptional stability and protection.
- Proprietary last and bonded sole for an ultra comfortable fit.
- Medial and lateral plastic ankle protection for impact and abrasion resistance.
- Molded PU outsole for durability and comfort.
- Direct inject rubber guards the shifter area.
- Adjustable Velcro® lace cover offers protection and a secure fit.
- Speed-lace system designed for easy on/off.
- Breathable, moisture wicking interior materials offer exceptional comfort.
Buy the SHIFT Racing Fuel Street Shoe!
UPDATE 11-19-2008: There have been some negative comments that you can read below regarding this review. If you want to see some other reviews of this shoe please visit the following links or search for it on google. I have left all the negative comments online so people can see both sides of the argument:
http://www.2wf.com/content/view/1468/45/
http://www.motorcycle.com/products/shift-fuel-street-shoe-review-85081.html
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/399/79/Motorcycle-Article/Shift-Racing-Fue...
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-boots/shift/fuel-street-shoe.htm
Comments
Awesome Boots!
I picked up a pair of these a few weeks ago and have no complaints. They did squeak a little at first, but after a couple days they broke in nicely and the squeak went a away.
They look good, offer decent protection and are comfortable to wear all day.
+1 on these shoes
Very light, comfortable for all day use, and good protection for shorter rides. I wear them on my commute and leave them on at work all day. The squeaking went away after a few days of use.
Solid Shoe
I bought these as my first pair of motorcycle shoes and I couldn't be happier. Great for riding and comfortable enough to wear 8+ hours a day at work.
Review critic..
I think these reviews always lack addressing the specific lack of protection compared to full sized riding boots. I think it is important to address this kind stuff in a beginner's website. If an experienced rider gets street-oriented comfort riding gear, they know what they are getting into. But a beginner can be easily make a misinformed decision after reading this article. Nothing in this article suggests that these boots are not as protective as racing boots or other full boots. While past articles seemed to be pretty objective (the jean article explains that it would be inadequate in a higher speed accident and so does the Mesh-tex review), this review doesn't address properly what these shoes lack. Is it really that the only shortcomings of this boot are the noises that they make and that it takes a bit to put on and take off?
While a lot of readers may thing what I am addressing is pretty obvious and doesn't need to be specifically addressed, I think in the light of the fact that this website is oriented to very new riders, the article should be revised.
Addition..
Also, I'd like to point out that this article implies a specific comparison to Racing boots, since the author states that he always wears racing boots and was eager to see "how [shift fuel shoes] stack up." This part of the article adds to the possibility of a reader being misinformed and misled. However, I think the only solution would be to actually revise the article to include shortcomings of this shoe's protection, with a statement qualifying the shoes as never having meant to replace more full boots. (I don't disagree that this is a good product)
Maybe I'll add a con to this
Maybe I'll add a con to this review that notes that they are no substitute for real racing boots, but honestly I think for the type of riding most new riders will do (100mph or less) these shoes would hold up really well. I really like these shoes and honestly my foot and ankle feel much more secure in them then in my racing boots, although to be fair my racing boots are alpinestars and a few years old. Maybe if I got modern top of the line sidi boots I would think differently?
We can always wear more gear. I wear pants and a separate jacket but a full suit is much better. Sometimes I wear shorty leather gloves when full gauntlet ones are safer. We can even take it a step farther, if you are wearing a full suit, and full gauntlet goves, what about a separate back protector? What about a neck protector? Is your motorcycle 100% mechanically? Are the tires inflated to spec every time you ride?
The truth is riding is dangerous and gear is used to limit that risk as much as possible. I think that shift is doing a great job trying to cater to people that don't want to look like a 'ricky racer' with these shoes and their torque jeans. Both sacrifice some protection for look, but if I don't think the product is safe then I will say so. I would rather have someone wear these boots than some Vans or Nikes because they think racing boots don't look 'cool'.
I think I will change the article though to mention that these offer less protection than full race boots, I tip toed around that but I didn't say it flat out. Keep the feedback coming, sometimes I assume new riders know more than they do and it is always good to be reeled back in a bit.
:D
Ben
~Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin
- Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin
Thanks
I hope you and contributors keep the otherwise very useful information coming. I spent hours reading your articles before I got my first bike. BTW, have you thought about putting a legal disclaimer on your website?
Yep I'm probably going to
Yep I'm probably going to turn BBM into an LLC and also put a disclaimer at the bottom once I release v2 of the website in a few months.
Ben
~Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin
- Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin
Is this a sick joke??
I agree with "review critic". This site is a joke. I have over 20 yrs riding experience and find that the info you recieve on this site to be VERY dangerous. To even consider reviewing shoes like this shoe is a sign that this site is run by VERY inexperienced amatures (or they wouldn't even consider reviewing a sneaker. Yes...that's what it is. I know because I have them. They are nothing more than Nikes with velcro top and useless plastic bits on them). A REAL experienced rider would only reccommend ,to new riders, the "rule of thumb" which is... WEAR ALL THE GEAR, ALL THE TIME. This means protective gear. (Not shoes, not MX gloves, not mesh jackets, etc.) PROTECTIVE gear.
Hey Ken, I definitely do not
Hey Ken,
I definitely do not have 20 years of riding experience, but I think it would be awesome if you connected with me and we could get you to write some articles! I definitely think that everyone that rides should wear as much gear as possible with the ideal being a full leather racing suit, motorcycle racing boots, full gauntlet gloves, full face helmet etc... But the fact of the matter is the majority of the riders I have seen only wear the bare minimum (In california that means a helmet).
I think that Shift is doing a great job of trying to get these riders that don't want to look like 'powerrangers' some protective gear that actually looks like street clothes. When I first started riding a motorcycle a few years ago I remember it was hard for me to walk around with my bulky First Gear overpants on in the store. They swished and squeeked and looked puffy and a bit embarrassing. I still wore them anyways because I knew the importance of gear and I loved my skin, but I realize that some (maybe even the majority) of riders are not going to wear very much protective gear because it makes you stand out from the crowd. I think that your argument of "Full gear all the time" is great in theory, but it doesn't work in the real world where people need more options. People all have their own level of risk, and I'm glad you've found yours, but a lot of younger riders are a lot more naive than you give them credit for. If I can convince one new rider that wouldn't have worn any gear to switch out his nikes or vans for these Shift shoes then I consider it a job well done.
I am definitely not a ricky racer, I don't do track days (can't afford em!), but I ride my motorcycle every day rain or shine since it is my only mode of transportation. I've had thrills and spills but I'm still in my early 20's so I depend on older and more experienced riders like yourself to chime in with advice. I really hope that you choose to take me up on my offer and write some riding guides for me that way you can help all of the new riders that visit this site (thousands a day!).
Ben
~Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin
- Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin
Sorry :-(
I did not mean to blast this site. I just get a bit upset when I see riders advocate "less than ideal" products to beginners. While causual" wear (such as sneaker type shoes) WILL be worn by riders, it's never a good idea to advocate such. As a new rider...you are MORE vulnerable than an experienced one (and even WE are extremely vulnerable). My advice to newbies is to gear up with the best you can afford. If you can afford it, get proper protective boots, jacket, pants, gloves, helmet (duh), etc. Gear up for the worst, because the worst is what you face out there. Most riders decrease their protection over time, and I'd hate to see newbies start out with "lesser gear" to begin with. My advice (from an experienced rider) would be to use the most protective gear you can get, as your odds of going down are FAR greater as a newbie than an experienced one (and like I said...even we experienced riders hit the pavement too). My advice would be to NEVER ride without a full face helmet, full leather gloves (of the street type), boots, leather jacket (not mesh), and at LEAST 600 denier pants (stay away from "protective jeans"). If your budget allows....get some strap-on armor for you knees (such as KNOX "cross knee" armor). In my mind...if you do not budget enough for protective gear, you have no business being on a motorcycle. The motorcycle itself is only a part of the budget. GEAR is the most important. While casual gear may seem comfortable...it is inappropriate for riding and (in event of a fall) is NOT worth it as YOU are more important than your bike. Your bike can be repaced. YOUR body can not.
Don't sweat it. I hear where
Don't sweat it. I hear where you're coming from and i think most of the people on this site understand as well. I myself stay away from and never would recommend shift or icon stuff. I don't see the ankle protection or any protection for that matter on these shoes either.
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If there's anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now...
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AFM #998
If there's anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now...
I've seen lots of different
I've seen lots of different gear from Icon, to Alipinestars, to joe rocket, to Dianese, to Shift, to Firstgear etc... and from what I can see Icon uses thicker leather than most and Shift has equally high quality motorcycle gear. They provide hard CE armor, double stitch, have thick leather etc...
I admit I am partial to Shift and a lot of my articles are on Shift products. Their stuff just seems to fit my body really well and the company has been a blast to work with. That being said I still review their products just as hard as I review anyone elses, and if I think a product sucks then I am going to tell you it does and why. There is no point in running a review site if I am going to be putting out biased reviews.
Ben
~Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin
- Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin
OOoookay... So, why the
OOoookay... So, why the dislike of the iCon/Shift products?
The pricing? Quality? Service? Style? Longevity? Durability? Encumbrance?
http://kitsunestudio.com
http://kellisanth.deviantart.com
Hey Ken, I just read this
Hey Ken,
I just read this comment after I posted my other one, and I have to say that I agree with you for the most part. Please e-mail me at bestbeginnermotorcycles@gmail.com if you want to write some articles. I would really appreciate your perspective!
Ben
~Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin
- Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin
Links
Hey Ben, Great site.
Any chance you guys can expand a good article with links to riding armor? I'm having trouble finding sites that sell the armor and have no knowledge of what is good and what is bad.
On all of tour previous posts about these sneakers, you and the others are talking about different companys that sell riding gear, but i cannot understand anything about what is good enough and what is comfortable to wear as a begginer rider.
I am aware of the injurys that hitting the pavement at even 20 mph can cause and i am trieng to avoid COMPLETELY any unneccesary injury.
I would appreciate any links and short simple explanation of the gear on how practical and safe they are.
What helmets are good? And how do you know what to look for when shopping for one? Is there a code for the level of safety they have? weight? comfort?
same about jackets, gloves and any other armor you can tell me about? im going all out on buying protective gear before even shopping for a bike. I rather spend thousands on gear even if it means i have to save up longer for a bike. Better safe then sorry right?
Hey Diezel, I think you are
Hey Diezel,
I think you are right, there definitely needs to be an article that explains a lot about the different brands of gear, and what is good, what is bad etc... I will start writing it, but it might take me a few weeks. If you want you can e-mail me at bestbeginnermotorcycles@gmail.com if you have any specific questions before I get my article out.
Ben
~Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin
- Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin
These shoes are not casual
These shoes are not casual wear. They have much more support in the ankle, increased shift area material, non slip soles, and abrasion resistant fabric. I'm not saying I'd wear these on the track but compared to everything besides racing boots, this type of racing shoe is best for motorcycling. Definitely better than anything you'll see on someone riding a cruiser.