- This topic has 24 replies, 13 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 1 month ago by Clay Dowling.
Boot Recommendations
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January 27, 2009 at 7:32 pm #2498Clay DowlingParticipant
It’s been below freezing for the last month, so I’m forced to limit my cycling to prepping gear for spring. One of the things I’ve been thinking about is decent riding boots.
Does anybody have recommendations for good boots? I like the price of the XElement boots, but I wonder about the protection value. Why kind of protection is available out there in boots?
Also, I’d really like something that looks good enough around the office that I wouldn’t need to carry a pair of shoes to switch into. The less I have to haul with me, the happier my ride is.
January 27, 2009 at 8:04 pm #16068megaspazParticipantBasically, racing boots offer the best protection period, imo. Some are more comfortable to walk in than others. Any of the Dainese Torque boots fit that category. I’ve walked around plenty long times in both the Torque Out and Torque In boots. Well to be honest, the Torque boots are a little lower level than Dainese’s top of the line Axial Racer boots…
January 27, 2009 at 11:08 pm #16070DaggerParticipantI’m a big fan of Xelemet gear.. Most of the stuff I have for me and my family (Boots & Jackets) are from Xelement.. These are the boots I went with and I’m really happy with them…
I wear them every day pretty much.. To work.. At work.. At home.. Even when I’m not riding..
My only thought is that the height of them could have been about an inch higher.. I may get a pair of their taller boots when I have some cash to burn.. But for now I’m very happy with them.
Dagger
January 29, 2009 at 9:42 pm #16119Clay DowlingParticipantWhile I was trying to dig up safety recommendations on the XElement boots, I kept running into references to Redwings boots. I like the look of these: http://www.redwingshoes.com/productdetails.aspx?prodid=1067 Most importantly, I ran into comments by people who had come through crashes with these boots and escaped with their feet in good shape. I’m buggy about my feet; the idea of being housebound is terrifying to me.
It’s a 10 inch pull-on boot, looks decent in the photo. There’s a Redwings store near my house, think I’ll check them out tonight or this weekend.
January 30, 2009 at 9:56 pm #16160BouncingRadicalParticipantI just wear my steel toe work boots. Made rugged and not expensive. To me they are quite comfortable to walk around in anywhere, and they don’t look weird. Except maybe for the fact they are different colors because I stepped in some caustic soda at the plant one day heh. They are as safe as any racing shoe I’d say, thick leather and they cover your heel. Shift fine in them and have excellent communication to my bike wearing them.
January 30, 2009 at 10:48 pm #16164briderdtParticipantThe steel toed work boots aren’t too bad, but there are issues you need to be aware of when using them:
(1) That steel toe will take away almost all of your shift lever feel.
(2) The toe area may be too thick (bottom of sole to top of toe cap) to fit under the shift lever (not an issue if you run floor boards with heel/toe shifters).
(3) Minimal ankle crush protection (though this is the same for most any boot that’s not a full race boot).January 31, 2009 at 3:06 am #16170MunchParticipantHaven’t looked over sport bikes to see but with cruisers you can adjust the shifter and break levers to accommodate for the taller boot. Normally one tooth on the pivot will suffice.
January 31, 2009 at 3:16 am #16171ScottyJParticipantI bought some Harley Hustin (harness) boots for $90.
I bought them from jman1120 on eBay. Made an offer and he accepted. They’re very comfortable and they’re nice and high so your pants don’t rise above them when you’re riding.
February 2, 2009 at 2:31 pm #16221Clay DowlingParticipantThere’s a HD dealer near a friend’s house, might have to check in there. I own a pair of Caterpillar steel-toed for my various construction activities and they’re very comfortable. That same friend’s wife gave a good recommendation for Red Wings workboots this weekend though. She wears them exclusively, and works for the electric company. She doesn’t even need them until the weather goes to heck.
I’ll check out both once I get a chance.
February 2, 2009 at 6:07 pm #16228ScottyJParticipantYou know what’s funny about my Harley boots? They’re made in CHINA! LOL. I would give one warning about going to a western wear store though, you want to make sure you do not get regular cowboy boots because they’ll be slick as cat ____. Make sure you get a good non-slip sole. And yeah, they definitely do not have to be H-D but a lot of similar boots are pricey as well.
February 2, 2009 at 8:15 pm #16224MunchParticipantIf I remember correctly talking with the sales guy at the local HD dealer here. The boots they carry are actually made by Justin boots. You can likely go To an western wear store and pick up the same exact boot for a better price. You won’t have the HD name sake to pay for.
February 3, 2009 at 1:53 pm #16242Clay DowlingParticipantThe HD boots are in the same price range as Red Wings. More good reviews on the RedWings today by people I know. Guy at the coffee shop, who spends all day standing on a hard tile floor, swears by them. They keep him comfortable and he has crap feet. Plus, when they say waterproof, apparently they mean it, including free re-treating.
February 5, 2009 at 1:48 pm #16301wbsprudelsParticipantAfter reading the review on this site, I bought a pair. I have worn these in the office with black jeans, and they work great. I like the feel on top of the foot for shifting. I don’t know how well they protect in a crash, but I have been very happy with their riding performance and wear in the office.
February 8, 2009 at 1:38 pm #16350MaxDadAKParticipantIf your looking for something more subdued that doesn’t scream motorcycle boot you should look at these SIDI Rain Ways. A little higher in price:$200 but you do get what you pay for. Light weight, waterproof and comfortable. I will warn you the boots are super stiff out of the box but break in very nicely.
http://parts.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/79-way-rain-boots-sidi.htmlFebruary 8, 2009 at 9:39 pm #16356BouncingRadicalParticipantI see what you are saying about the feel. I took it up and down my street in tennis shoes just to see the difference and I could feel it a ton better. Its not too bad with the boots though, I can still feel all the clicks and stuff.
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