Boots good motorcycle boots?

tercol58

tercol58

Joined
Feb 28, 2009
Messages
23
Location
winslow IN
Bike
03 ST1300 89 pc
I have been thinking about the Irish setter 855 boots for my 1st ever pair of riding boots,usally wear tennis shoes. Anyone have these or have other suggestions. I was thinking zip up or pull on were my best choices want waterproof boots that are comfortable on or off the bike and trying to stay away from anything over 9" tall.
 
For my money, I like the Tourmaster Solutions. Not sure how tall they are though. They are definately waterproof, I have tested them many times!
 
I just got a pair of Sidi on Roads Gore Tex and they are by far the best boot I have owned. I read a test on riding boots I don't remember where but the test involved keeping the boots in water for 12 hours. The On Roads were the only boot not to take in any water and they were kept in the water longer than the other boots. If you do a search on boot reviews you should be able to find it. They are expensive but they can be re-soled and should last many years.
 
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I was going to suggest dedicated motorcycling boots. I spent years wearing some sort of combat/hiking boot and didn't know what I was missing until I went to dedicated riding boots (Aerostich Combat Touring).

However, you mentioned that they have to be comfortable on and off the bike. Riding boots tend to lose out a bit in the off-bike part - although some are better than others. However, they're far better on the bike. The thicker leathers of riding boots are warmer and drier - as well as more protective.
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Tour Master Solution WP Boots. Very comfortable on/off the bike and waterproof. When my current pair need to be replaced I will buy another pair, they are good value for your money.
newenough.com have them at $116 a pair. There is also a low-cut version of the same boot, but they will not be as waterproof as the taller boot.
 
Boots are protective gear just like your helmet, and I'd recommend that you look into something purpose-built for riding. Good motorcycle boots will have essentials like armor around your ankles and soles designed not to pull away from the boot when dragged and nice-to-haves like a rubber pad to take the abuse of your shifter and an angle that makes them comfortable when your feet are directly below you.

Check out Dave's Tourmasters and also the TCX X-Five, which used to be called the Oxtar Matrix. The TCXes are a hair more expensive (~$15) than the Irish Setters you're looking at but will protect you better in an accident and will probably last longer. The Setters also have exposed metal, which for me rules them out as motorcycle gear.

I've had my Matrixes (Matrices?) for five years. They've been flawless and stand an excellent chance of being replaced with X-Fives. (I wore the soles of mine out by wearing them around work a lot more than I should have, but the rest of them has worn very well.)

--Mark

ETA: I need to write faster... People keep beating me to it!
 
SteveST1300 said:
They are expensive but they can be re-soled and should last many years.
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Have you ever had that done? I have had others tell me its about $100 to have boots re-soled. When you can get the Tourmasters for that I just buy a new set and throw the old ones away.
 
Thanks for the info guys I think their tourmasters may be a good 1st boot for me they are zip up and waterproof and even though I can't find info on the boot height from what you all are saying for a bike boot the higher cut is better protection anyway. By the the way I used to get my work boots resoled years ago usally one time was the most I could get out of the uppers in the day it was well under $50 a resole I was thinking more like $20 or $30 but not sure.
 
Blrfl said:
I've had my Matrixes (Matrices?) for five years. They've been flawless and stand an excellent chance of being replaced with X-Fives. (I wore the soles of mine out by wearing them around work a lot more than I should have, but the rest of them has worn very well.)
Click to expand...

Important thing is fit (as well as motorcycle specific as Mark said previously)
None of the Tourmasters fit me well and being they were a lot cheaper they were my first choice..

Although exactly like Mark, I wound up with the Oxtar's and MAN what a boot!...I abuse the heck out of my boots and these have taken the abuse incredibly well. (I went through a pair of Alpinestars in 1 season..never again)

I likely will be replacing my boots this year and I will replace them with the exact same thing (whatever they are called)
 
I'm in the same boat as Tercol58. It's time for me to upgrade my Walmart steel toes up to a quality waterproof boot designed for riding. If I go to Moonshine this year, I will need waterproof foot covers.

The number of choices are confusing and some of the prices are shocking. I've been to a number of MC dealerships around the Nashville and Jackson areas and almost none of them carry any touring style boots. If anything is in stock, it is bottom of the barrel cheap stuff of questionable quality.

This past weekend, I went to Bluegrass BMW in Cape Girardeau, MO to see what Herb had on the shelf. (I recently joined the BMWRAMS of which he is a member) There is NOTHING like trying on new boots rather than mail ordering. His pricing on Sidi was the same as online and he had a good stock and selection of boots. I just could not decide yet and dropping $300 or more on boots is tough when work has been slow but boots are not much different than a helmet...money well spent on a health insurance policy.

This is the second BMW shop I have ever been in and in both cases they had a better stock of clothing than any other motorcycle dealer that I have visited, with the exception of HD and their branded wear - but I don't wish to dress like a wet pirate so HD is out for me.

I would suggest visiting a local Beemer shop or other full stocking motorcycle gear shop to see what they have on the shelf. There is nothing like shopping where you can fully inspect and compare the quality of goods. I don't want to order online and get paper thin leather...I want thick, heavy duty materials for maximum protection and long wear, much like my logger boots. Online shopping does not let me do a physical inspection before I buy. Besides, a $10-$20 overall price difference won't hurt me and might help the local economy.


Personally, I'm still leaning towards the Sidi. I like the On Roads but I'm not firmly dedicated to anything, yet.
 
I put the on roads on and wore them around the house for an hour or so and they broke in real quick. They are extremely comfortable and I like the fact that they can be re-soled. I have read testemonials from members on this site that have been using onroads for 5 + years and 200K miles and their boots still look like new. Price is an issue but I do believe you get what you pay for. The quality of the Sidi boot is outstanding. As is the price at $325.
 
I like bluegrass BMW been there a couple of times good folks . I looked at a pair of BMW boots that were real nice there but didn't get them. I am a little tight on spending hate to get over $200.
 
Alpinestars GoreTex fit my feet (wide and high arch) better than others I've tried on. And if you are in them day after day, all day, they need to be comfortable.

After 3 years and over 70,000 km riding, mine look, fit and smell fine, and are still waterproof...never had any water enter the boot. And after reading this post, did a tub test...water up to the ankle of the boots...no problem, perfectly dry. Good to go for another riding season. :)
 
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