Biker Boots

[ethics]

Any suggestions?

I'd like a few pairs. One for summer and HOT weather and one for spring/fall. Maybe two of each?

What's a good brand? What's a bad one to stay away from? Any suggestions welcome.

[Kluge]

Any suggestions?

Unless you are dressing to impress the girls, you should get some heavy-duty high-top safety shoes with steel toes. Sears Roebuck or any stock brand. Waterproof if you intend to keep them.

The steel toes help you keep your balance by putting weight out there when you stick your feet out. The safety features will prevent or reduce injuries when you do stuff like run over your own foot, which I've done, BTW. The high tops are a requirement for the BRC, and as a fringe benefit, they give you more time to decide what to do when you put your ankle up against hot pipes.

I bought Timberland waterproof and somewhat stylish boots at the outlet stores near here. The prices are good but I'd swear everything at the outlet stores has some quirk that renders them unsellable at the full price store. In the case of my much desired waterproof boots, the tongue is barely wide enough to keep my ankles warm and in fact has gaps that I expect to let water in when I ride in the rain.

[ethics]

Thanks James. Big fan of Timberland product so that might be the one.

[MNeedham73]

I wear these for work. (http://www.batesfootwear.com/Product/GP/Mens/5-inch-Composite-Safety-Toe-Side-Zip.aspx?FeatureList=150) The nicest things about them are 1.) They are light 2.) They are extremely comfortable, regardless of heat/cold and 3.) They are very durable. I normally only replace them every 18-24 months and that's wearing them every day for work, plus anything else I do outside of work. My dad wears a similar pair when riding.

Yeah, having a steel or composite toe might be overkill for working IT, but having an idiot drop a 21" monitor on my foot once was all the lesson I needed. :)

[ethics]

Those look nice too. How are they in the summer?

[tke711]

I've heard good things about Harley's line of boots (http://www.harley-davidson.com/browse/browse_products.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302282365&bmUID=1205156538203&bmLocale=en_US). If you end up buying a Harley, maybe you can talk the dealership into giving you a pair. :)

[MNeedham73]

They're great in the summer. The composite toes don't conduct heat like steel toes do and the fabric sections let your feet get some air.

[Brazbit]

For summer riding I used Army Surplus Jungle Boots. Well venteleated yet sturdy: The desert boots would probably work as well.

http://www.armysurplusworld.com/display.asp?subDepartmentID=164&engine=adwords!758&keyword=%2Aarmy+surplus+boots%2A&match_type=&s_kwcid=army%20surplus%20boots|940485842

[ethics]

Hmmm, another great suggestion!

[ethics]

Stupid question, I like these boots even better, does it matter if there's a zipper?

http://www.armysurplusworld.com/product.asp?ProductID=37150

[BigDeputyDog]

Check these out... in fact, browse the selections!

http://www.qmuniforms.com/itemdy00.asp?Cat=Law+Enforcement.Footwear.Magnum&T1=S89+834+M070&I1.x=48&I1.y=71

BDD... :{)

[Violet1966]

Up here where we have some die hard bikers, these are popular. http://www.redwingshoes.com/motorcycle/

[Andy]

IMO, there's only one boot to wear whether it be tearing up the AZ desert wilderness on a bored out Yamaha 750 racing trike, kicking ass in a mosh pit, or giving it to the bad guy, one 120mm smoothbore round at a time.

Tanker boots. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanker_boot)

[Violet1966]

Yup I've seen those around a lot as well. Sharp looking too.

[ethics]

Well, after looking around and discussing with the wife I went with these (http://www.bootbarn.com/itemview/view/view/view/view/2502). Good protection, zipper on the size, high enough.

[tke711]

Nice lookin' boot!

[ethics]

Arrived today. Perfect fit. Not too much, not too wide or long or anything. Just perfect.

[ethics]

Ok, I know I got these when I thought I will be buying a Cruiser but let me just say that those boots and my bike do NOT go together. Something thinner, more flexible would be much better and I just ordered something more like a thick high top sneakers.

[Brazbit]

I was wondering about that. I can't remember the last time I saw someone on a crotch rocket in clod hoppers.

[ethics]

Live and learn. I tried it but no way. Very uncomfortable.

[Biker]

Yeah, you'll have to go high end boots for crotch rocket riding. The ones you have are perfect for your next bike. I'm partial to the Harley line myself. Great boots and they're comfortable as hell.

[ethics]

They are, for Cruisers. :)

[cmhbob]

Well, since you've got a crotch rocket, according to what I see around here, you need to wear a wife-beater, denim shorts, and sandals. The chick on the back needs to wear flip-flops.

[MNeedham73]

Heh, sounds like here, Bob.

[ethics]

LOL! Nope, not for me. Sure, I am brave now with the temps relatively low but I intend to go with the high level safety gear all through the summer. I like my skin.

[Kluge]

Um, I take 10-1/2 wide or 11 regulars.
Just in case you were wondering.

[ethics]

These are size 9. :)

[MNeedham73]

Damn you've got small feet LOL

[Biker]

:tape:

[MNeedham73]

:rofl:

[ethics]

Damn you've got small feet LOL

Yep!

[ethics]

New ones arrived yesterday. Light, comfy like high top Reeboks, and have solid sides and protection.

[Violet1966]

Sharp looking! Wear them in good health! :)

[MNeedham73]

Figure I would just resurrect this thread instead of starting a new one.

I picked up a pair of these yesterday from the local Red Wing shoe store. Easily the best pair of boots I've ever purchased (and they better be for the money I spent LOL). New style from Red Wing's motorcycle line.

http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/yhst-38637167768280_2011_73242687

[ethics]

Nice... for cruisers.

[MNeedham73]

Yep :)

[Violet1966]

Very nice! :)

[Kluge]

Instead of posting about the pres election or to tell Biker not to drive when he's tired, I'll tell everybody about my latest 'biker' boots.

I've been frustrated by 2 things that happen frequently. The wind was coming through laces on the front of my boots, making my feet cold, and when I ride I'm in a sitting position that makes the legs of my pants effectively 6 inches shorter. In cold weather I need every calorie for myself and in any weather I'm embarrassed to go down the highway showing the all the limo passengers my socks and hairy calves. I remembered how high cowboy boots are and tried the western wear store to find a pair I could try.

These boots (http://www.nashvilleboots.com/post_m1_4193_prd1.htm) cost me twenty dollars more in the store but I got to wear them immediately.
I wouldn't know any brand by reputation but they're waterproof, comfortable, and keep the wind off my ankles. I don't really like the orange-tint color or the 2 inch heel but that's what you get with these, ther're made for stirrups and I expect they'd work with footpegs if I had them. They've proven nice and warm on the few cooler days we've had so far. I know it's raining today so I can drive the minivan but I've been caught in the wet often enough to make waterproof worthwhile.