boots/shoes for riding?

[MotoGazer]

As a price point reference, I don't think I've seen any boots that look to offer at least decent protection for under $200/$250.

Others may chime in to the contrary, but I tried on a lot of boots before I settled on my Sidis and didn't find anything worth the money below the above mentioned range.

This is a good to know. Thanks!

 

[luckyducks]

Gear manufacturers can be such con men.

Icon, Alpinestars and Dainese are some of the worst offenders for selling poorly protective casual wear as "moto specific". Just sewing in some TPU to protect the ankle bone does not a protective boot make.

 

[moto-rama]

Lie down on the ground, have someone lay a moto on top of your ankle, and then slide you and bike forty feet. The boot or shoe that leaves your ankle intact is the one you want to wear. The rest are just bling......

Nah...my method is to hit a 300lb buck at about 70-something, then bounce down the road like a bag of hamburgers....
That's why they call them "Sidi ON road"....

 

[KevinB]

I get boots with as much protection as I can afford. I look especially for lateral resistance.
I either leave shoes at work to change into or carry them in my backpack.

Seeing a buddy of mine have a nasty off on the track in cheap boots...he couldn't walk for a very long time. His ankle had to be nailed back together. I bought new boots shortly thereafter.

Riding on the street is even worse for potential ankle/feet/leg damage. I have some Gaerne's and some BMW goretex boots (I think they were made by TCX). If I hadn't gotten a good deal on the BMW boots I was on the way to get Dianese.

I don't have much of a budget for things like this but it's not worth taking a chance.

 

[redtail]

Nah...my method is to hit a 300lb buck at about 70-something

Fukkin' hate deer!

then bounce down the road like a bag of hamburgers..

 

[ST Guy]

1. Those things will likely fly off your feet in an accident.
2. They offer nearly no protection to your ankles. And not much more to your feet.
3. See #1 above.

Really, buy real motorcycle boots. If you can't stand wearing them during the day, buy a pair shoes to keep at work or where ever to change into.

 

[Pierre I am]

I'm pretty bad for the most part i usually just wear my clark desert boots.

But when i try to be safe or go on a long ride i always wear my dainese grip motorcycle

 

[revster]

Daytona Road Star GTX

Laces are not good for riding. They will tear if they grind against the road and then the shoes come off.

 

[moto-rama]

Daytona Road Star GTX

Laces are not good for riding. They will tear if they grind against the road and then the shoes come off.

?The Daytona Road Stars have zippers/velcro, No laces.

The Sidi-made Aerostich Combat Lites, have Inner Laces, that are covered up by flaps/velcroed and clipped shut.

The Sidi On Road have no laces, at all.

 

[revster]

^^^ my rec was for the road stars, which i own.

my point about laces was for previous post(s) that mentioned they used hiking/casual boots.

you've highlighted perfectly why the sidi and the daytona are preferable for road riding, thank you.

 

[Junkie]

I'm pretty bad for the most part i usually just wear my clark desert boots.

But when i try to be safe or go on a long ride i always wear my dainese grip motorcycle

Neither of those are really boots.

What I wear depends on what I'm up to. For sport riding I'll wear Sidi Vortices. For commuting or touring, I recently picked up a set of Daytona Trans Open GTX. Daytona makes a lot of nice touring boots, typically fairly normal looking and quiet. Before the Vortices I had a pair of Vertigo Corsas for a while, they worked well too. The lower end Sidis, though (including Vertigo), don't offer much ankle protection.

I keep a pair of shoes at work, too.

 

[moto-rama]

^^^ my rec was for the road stars, which i own.

my point about laces was for previous post(s) that mentioned they used hiking/casual boots.

you've highlighted perfectly why the sidi and the daytona are preferable for road riding, thank you.

The worst part of laces is when they get tangled in your brake or shifter; then when you put your foot down, you fall over....

 

[Velox]

I can't suggest what to get, but I can relate a real-life experience on what not to get.

I was wearing something similar to these when a car lost control and took me out:
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/tcx-x-square-plus-boots

Here is the result:
http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9012889&postcount=29

 

[LectricBill]

A coupla months back, in another thread about boots, I came across a simple test: grab a boot by the sole in one hand. Place your hand at the top of the upper in the other. Try to move the upper in a circle around the sole which you hold still.

I did this to my trusty 20-year-old Corbin Roadmaster boots that have had three soles on them and are super comfy. Well, no surprise: I could move the upper in a 360 degree circle and bend it all the way flat to the left, right, forward and backward. About as protective as a wet dish cloth.

I also no longer wear my Daytona Arrow Sports for the same reason: comfortable to walk in, but no restriction on hyperextension, ankle rolling, and the top is not tall enough to protect the tibia and fibula.

Bought me some Alpine Toucans which are bulky, stiff to walk any distance in, and squeak like a strangled parrot. AND they protect my feet, ankles and legs. I change into Clarks I keep at work... problem solved.

 

[madmax650]

Ok. I'm looking for some used boots size 43/ 43.5 then. Your x-ray sold me on boots. (Ouch!) I figure I'll get some mighty Morphin power ranger boots. When funds allow. Is used ok for boots?

 

[sanjuro]

 

[ZCrow]

Alpinestar SMX Pluses. They are bit of a pain to take on and off so at some point I will pick up a pair of SMX-5s for commuting. So far Alpinestars are the only motorcycle boots that fit my feet. Forget about the rest of the Italian brands.

When I have some spare cash I will have to try out some Daytonas. Hopefully the toe box is not elf narrow.

I keep my dress shoes under my desk at work and make the switch just after or before getting coffee. The rest of my leathers I keep in the locker room at my office. The SMX-Pluses are actually comfortable enough to walk around in for a while but the ankle brace makes a lot of creaking noises as you walk.

 

[Entoptic]

Gear manufacturers can be such con men.

Icon, Alpinestars and Dainese are some of the worst offenders for selling poorly protective casual wear as "moto specific". Just sewing in some TPU to protect the ankle bone does not a protective boot make.

I disagree. I was wearing these when I crashed at 65mph and bounced of the side of a mountain while landing on my chest and spinning while sliding for 120 feet. Almost broke my foot but the boots kept everything together.

 

[Junkie]

A coupla months back, in another thread about boots, I came across a simple test: grab a boot by the sole in one hand. Place your hand at the top of the upper in the other. Try to move the upper in a circle around the sole which you hold still.

I did this to my trusty 20-year-old Corbin Roadmaster boots that have had three soles on them and are super comfy. Well, no surprise: I could move the upper in a 360 degree circle and bend it all the way flat to the left, right, forward and backward. About as protective as a wet dish cloth.

I also no longer wear my Daytona Arrow Sports for the same reason: comfortable to walk in, but no restriction on hyperextension, ankle rolling, and the top is not tall enough to protect the tibia and fibula.

Bought me some Alpine Toucans which are bulky, stiff to walk any distance in, and squeak like a strangled parrot. AND they protect my feet, ankles and legs. I change into Clarks I keep at work... problem solved.

My Daytonas won't stop hyperextension either. Very few boots other than dirtbike or serious race boots will. On the other hand, I'm only willing to put up with so much for commuting.

 

[madmax650]

Moto huaraches!