Ripshod
I went looking for a new pair of boots. The old Alpinestar Stage Gore-tex boots (That model has since been replaced by the Web) which I'd had for six years had been great boots. My feet never got wet and they held up nicely for the most part. I had to have a sole re-glued early last year, but they still kept the water out. The problem was that, off the bike, they weren't very good for walking in. In fact, they were downright painful until I installed a gel heel cup. Even then, about a couple hundred yards was all I could comfortably go before considering going barefoot. For that reason, I always packed a pair of tennis shoes on long trips along with my sandals, in case I had to go on any hikes or long walks.
So I decided to get a pair of Sidi Sport Rain Boots. They have an aggressive lug sole and are about 3" shorter overall. I hoped that, by switching to a more comfortable boot, I could leave the sneakers at home. I ordered them from New Enough for $200 even. I had high hopes.
When they came, I was excited. I liked the looks of them and the zipper/velcro closure and the stout soles, but after the first step, I noticed there was a big problem. You see, both boots have a large, oddly-shaped toe shift pad. The pad is very stiff. With every step, the flex along the upper foot sent that shift pad gouging into the top of my foot. It hurt like hell. I wore them for a short trip to the hardware store (in the cage) and walking up the aisles became an exercise in finding a silly walk which didn't cause intense pain on the top of my foot. I was unsuccessful. In the back of my mind, I was thinking that if I could break them in they'd be fine, but my feet told me they'd never make it that long.
I reluctantly sent them back ( I really wanted to like those boots!) and, to my surprise, New Enough emailed me a gift certificate code for $220. I don't know why they kicked in the extra $20. The shipping cost wasn't near that. But I didn't complain. I ordered a pair of Aplinestars Ridge Boots on the recommendation of a friend. Since they only cost $130, I also picked up some miscellaneous items, such as one more pair of Sidi's Coolmax Socks. Them's some good socks.
So I decided to get a pair of Sidi Sport Rain Boots. They have an aggressive lug sole and are about 3" shorter overall. I hoped that, by switching to a more comfortable boot, I could leave the sneakers at home. I ordered them from New Enough for $200 even. I had high hopes.
When they came, I was excited. I liked the looks of them and the zipper/velcro closure and the stout soles, but after the first step, I noticed there was a big problem. You see, both boots have a large, oddly-shaped toe shift pad. The pad is very stiff. With every step, the flex along the upper foot sent that shift pad gouging into the top of my foot. It hurt like hell. I wore them for a short trip to the hardware store (in the cage) and walking up the aisles became an exercise in finding a silly walk which didn't cause intense pain on the top of my foot. I was unsuccessful. In the back of my mind, I was thinking that if I could break them in they'd be fine, but my feet told me they'd never make it that long.
I reluctantly sent them back ( I really wanted to like those boots!) and, to my surprise, New Enough emailed me a gift certificate code for $220. I don't know why they kicked in the extra $20. The shipping cost wasn't near that. But I didn't complain. I ordered a pair of Aplinestars Ridge Boots on the recommendation of a friend. Since they only cost $130, I also picked up some miscellaneous items, such as one more pair of Sidi's Coolmax Socks. Them's some good socks.
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