Eisernkreuz
07-21-2007, 08:19 PM
I got these guys as part of a group buy a couple months back; after seeing a close friend go through a horrendous recovery period after breaking both ankles, I decided that I need to set aside some money to protect the legs, as I rather enjoy walking.
Cliffs notes:
Perforated leather
Adjustable calf
Great protection
Fits small (if you wear a 42, order a 43)
Looks tits
Doesn't click like A-stars boots
Features:
The Vertigo Air is a perforated leather boot, so in addition to the vents on the side, most of the boot allows air to move around, but mostly in the foot portion of the boot, as your riding pants will almost always tuck into the boot.
The reason I got this particular model is because it has this brilliant calf adjustment system, where you pull a little tab to the side and stretch out the calf as big as you want, and then use a little knob to tighten it for a perfect fit. After I found my fit, I locked it in at that position, and now I just zip and unzip to get in and out of it. :cool
It has a lot of protective features. Aside from the high-quality thick leather, it has plastic tabs and pads, toe protection, heel protection, and a giant shin pad. Most of these are held in by phillips screws and can be replaced and ordered if you damage them in some way.
Fit and Comfort:
I usually wear a US size 12 to 13, depending on brand, so that's a Euro 46-47. This boot, however, I got in a 48, because many people said it fits somewhat small. This is true, as the 48 is a great length-wise and width-wise fit. What I have a problem with is that my foot isn't that thick top-to-bottom, so I have a lot of room inside, and it's easy for my heel to lift while walking. If it's a possibility at all, go for the Vertigo Corsa model, which has a forefoot adjustment strap.
Comfort-wise, you barely even notice they're there. They hold your lower leg pretty securely, but the inside material is not abrasive. I experienced some numbness caused by my bike's buzzy boxer nature, so I threw in a pair of Spenco gel inserts in there. It's not so much a flaw of the boot, but it's made for more of a track/twisties type work, and not so much 500-800 mile days, so yes, it's a bit thin for a touring boot. The insert not only dampened vibration, but it also made the fit better because now there was less room in there and my foot wasn't as floaty.
This is not necessarily a summer-only boot. A good wool sock and you're good to go down to about 50 degrees. Once it starts getting icy, you should probably think about something else.
Performance
Thanks to the thin sole and top-of-toe leather, shifting and braking are very direct. It feels more comfortable than shifting in tennis shoes. The ankle movement required for shifting is not a problem for the boot, and I'm able to place my feet anywhere on the peg in the same degree of comfort. I've tried it on my sporty-positioned TL1000S and now I use it on my more upright BMW. I have had no problems on either bike.
At $250-$275, it's a hell of a good investment for protecting an often-overlooked part of the body
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v292/CowtownBallin/Christmas048Custom-1.jpg
<edit> Wow, it would be great if the damn picture worked :rolleyes
Cliffs notes:
Perforated leather
Adjustable calf
Great protection
Fits small (if you wear a 42, order a 43)
Looks tits
Doesn't click like A-stars boots
Features:
The Vertigo Air is a perforated leather boot, so in addition to the vents on the side, most of the boot allows air to move around, but mostly in the foot portion of the boot, as your riding pants will almost always tuck into the boot.
The reason I got this particular model is because it has this brilliant calf adjustment system, where you pull a little tab to the side and stretch out the calf as big as you want, and then use a little knob to tighten it for a perfect fit. After I found my fit, I locked it in at that position, and now I just zip and unzip to get in and out of it. :cool
It has a lot of protective features. Aside from the high-quality thick leather, it has plastic tabs and pads, toe protection, heel protection, and a giant shin pad. Most of these are held in by phillips screws and can be replaced and ordered if you damage them in some way.
Fit and Comfort:
I usually wear a US size 12 to 13, depending on brand, so that's a Euro 46-47. This boot, however, I got in a 48, because many people said it fits somewhat small. This is true, as the 48 is a great length-wise and width-wise fit. What I have a problem with is that my foot isn't that thick top-to-bottom, so I have a lot of room inside, and it's easy for my heel to lift while walking. If it's a possibility at all, go for the Vertigo Corsa model, which has a forefoot adjustment strap.
Comfort-wise, you barely even notice they're there. They hold your lower leg pretty securely, but the inside material is not abrasive. I experienced some numbness caused by my bike's buzzy boxer nature, so I threw in a pair of Spenco gel inserts in there. It's not so much a flaw of the boot, but it's made for more of a track/twisties type work, and not so much 500-800 mile days, so yes, it's a bit thin for a touring boot. The insert not only dampened vibration, but it also made the fit better because now there was less room in there and my foot wasn't as floaty.
This is not necessarily a summer-only boot. A good wool sock and you're good to go down to about 50 degrees. Once it starts getting icy, you should probably think about something else.
Performance
Thanks to the thin sole and top-of-toe leather, shifting and braking are very direct. It feels more comfortable than shifting in tennis shoes. The ankle movement required for shifting is not a problem for the boot, and I'm able to place my feet anywhere on the peg in the same degree of comfort. I've tried it on my sporty-positioned TL1000S and now I use it on my more upright BMW. I have had no problems on either bike.
At $250-$275, it's a hell of a good investment for protecting an often-overlooked part of the body
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v292/CowtownBallin/Christmas048Custom-1.jpg
<edit> Wow, it would be great if the damn picture worked :rolleyes