Boots I really like my Combat Touring boots

Sorry to revive a dead thread, but I do have some questions that you folks might be able to help me with.

I bought a pair of the Combat Touring Boots when I got my Sumpermoto bike, figuring I needed something a little more rugged than my street boots.

I believe I initially ordered a size 12 (the same size I wear in my RedWing work boots), and found them cavernously large. I returned them (no hassle there) and got a size 11.

For the life of me I cannot break these boots in. I can't count the miles I've walked in them trying to get them broken in. The crease on the heel of the boot just does not coincide with the crease on the back of my foot, and the soles (wedge) are so stiff I can't even begin to operate a shift lever or brake pedal with them.

How did you people get these boots broken in? I've done everything I can think of... soaked them overnight in the tub, then wore them all weekend. Used multiple cans of leather softeners on each boot... nothing works.

As near as I can tell these boots are impervious to everything. I'm sure they'll protect me in the event of an accident, but they're likely to be the root cause of the accident because every time I try to step on the brake pedal I end up stomping on it due to the lack of feel.

So... any suggestions? I've had these things for at least three years and the sole is still so stiff that I can barely bend it under any circumstance. I can put the toe against the wall and the heel against my chest and lean hard on the boot and the sole will bend. But not much (note: I'm not small... when I lean on something hard... it bends).

Also, I've never heard of sizing insoles, but form the sound of them they might help get the crease in my heel aligned with the crease in the boots heal. Any suggestions on brands to look for (or avoid)?
 
Don't know if I can offer you much help on the break-in. I'm sort of stumped by your predicament. I've never used conditioner, water, or anything on my boots. I just wore 'em and endured the stiffness and chafing for one season.

Just when I was ready to give up, the boots started getting a good feel, so I kept 'em a bit longer, and now, by golly, they're perfect after 3 seasons.

I'd recommend patience, but if you're soaking them and using other strategic methods, I'd say that you've already been through that phase.
 
I got mine (the Combat Lites) back in January and I've had them on quite a few good rides and walked around in them a fair amount too. After the first couple of rides I could get my boot under the shifter and that is continuing to get softer and easier. I'm really happy with them and am finding them very comfy. :)

One thing I do, while on the bike, is flex the boots. I'll place my heel on the peg and strecth/flex the toe down and back up. Put the toe on the peg and flex the heel down. This is great exercise for those long hauls on the freeway or crossing the desert. :D Flex 'em and stretch 'em slowly and it does help. I also have stopped on the stairs in my house and flexed them with the toe on the step - bending the heel down and leaning forward, or with the heel on the step and flexing the toe downward, leaning the ankle back.

I have treated them with Montana Pitch Blend oil a couple times and that seems to help too, but yours don't seem to be suffering from any lack of treatments. I have the cleated soles but can't imagine they're that much different as regards to break-in than your wedges.

As comfortable as they are now I'm looking at it being quite a while before they're a fully softened, totally broken in fit. EASt said it: patience. But I'd go for some extreme stretching flexing on the bike or stairs.
 
I got mine back in Feb and they are breaking in albeit slowly. Missed a few shifts so far but no major problems. I have done some walking as well. Have treated them once..........no rain but it is San Diego afterall.

I got the regular ones as I am using them on the KLR. Very comfortable.
 
I wish I could tell you something you haven't already tried. But thinking back. I did use these as my only boots for a couple of MSF BRCs. This means 8 hours on a hot parking lot. Lots of walking and bending picking up those dang cones. It was after a couple of weekends of this is when these really started to feel good. There was some pain involved but it proved to be a good thing in the long run.

Maybe you should take these out for some good long walks with the dog and use them as a everyday shoe/boot. for a while. Hope they soften up for you!!!!
 
I can't really use them for an every day boot, my work requires steel toes, but I've done just about everything else in them. Including long walks with the dogs, all my yard and lawn work, wearing them around the house, constantly bending the ankle forward and back.

Well, I'll just keep at it. If nothing else they provide good isometric exercise!
 
For those that have the Combat Lites, a question:

Do these boots have solid ankle and shin protection?

I am leaning toward BMW Allrounds or Sidi On Roads....but I have heard great things about the Combat Lites (except for the break-in period)

TIA

--Bryan
04ST1300A
:04biker:
 
AZST said:
Do these boots have solid ankle and shin protection?
Click to expand...

There is something solid around the heel and forward to mid foot. There are not armored inserts on the shin and ankle like I've seen on some other boots. However it is extremely thick and, as you might have heard :D , stiff leather. I feel well protected in them. If you're having an impact that would crush these boots I don't think the armor in others would be holding up at that point either.
 
One thing I've observed about the toe area of the Lites is that they do not break in beyond the toe-bend. It forced me to re-work the way I shifted, as the thick leather covering the toe remains rigid.

The only problem with that now, though, is that if I wear anything other than the Lites, I miss shifts. :roll:
 
An update to my previous posts regarding breaking my CTBs in.

I ordered a pair of self-molding insole from Aerostich, and once I put them in the boot became much more wearable. It now conforms much more closely to my foot, which seems to give me the leverage needed to actually get the boot to bend properly while I'm walking, riding etc.

Since I've had the insoles in, I've done almost all of my riding with the CTBs on. Despite the additional layer of material between my foot and the bike, they actually seem more sensitive now than before, and shifting and braking are no longer a problem. Walking is much easier as well.

They're not perfect, and the spot where the boots crease above the heel is still not exactly where I'd like it to be, but its much closer, and is no longer painful. They remain as sturdy (ie: almost indestructible) as before, but are now very wearable, and I suspect they will get better with time and more use.
 
I think I've had mine for about all of the 6k miles I've ridden so far this year and the Combat Lites have become a non-issue. They're well broken in and flexible. Extremely comfortable. I'm a happy (BOOT) camper. :D
 
I have the regular combat touring boots and here in Texas in the summer I was not wearing them because the added height made them hot. Thought about saling them and buying a pair of lites but instead I took them to a boot maker and had him cut them down to about the height of the lites. They are alot cooler and I am wearing them just about every time I ride the bikes.
 
I have had my CTB lites now since July 2008. Unfortunately, I haven't had an oppty to ride as much since then but have slowly and partially broken them in by continuous usage over weekends and walking the dog with them.

Recently (this Saturdays ride 8/1) I have noticed a more comfortable fit when I use thin socks. My only complaint is the stiff feel on the shift lever, so far. It is getting better over time. I have conditioned them and used polish to soften the leather.
 
I've got both the Comabt Touring Boots and a pair of SIDI On Roads. I had the SIDI's first and they are well broken in. I still haven't even begun to break in the CTB's, because when it is time to ride, I grab the On Roads.
It's almost a shame that the CTB's are sitting in my closet, waiting to get used.
 
I have a pair of CTB Light boots. I have had them for three years or so. They are well broken in and very comfortable. I ride, walk and light hike when needed in them. I have had no issues with my boots I love them.

I had my boots resoled with new soles from Aerostitch. I have had to take them back twice because the new soles have come loose.

Has anyone else had this problem? Any recommendations for a fix?

JD
 
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