Boots Motorcycle Boots or Regular Boots?

Andrew Shadow said:
I use motorcycle specific boots. They are designed for what we are doing and I find (my boots anyway) allow me to do it more comfortably than work boots for example. I used to use work boots but after an eleven day trip in rain day-after-day I was fed up with wet and cold feet and the PITA of boot covers. I bought motorcycle boots after that trip. The below is the differences that I noticed.

They are completely waterproof- critical if the wet happens when it is also cold.
They breathe better than work boots even though they are waterproof. This allows moisture to be wicked away from your feet if you also wear a Gortex approved pair of socks. This makes them warmer in cold weather because your feet are dry. It also makes them more comfortable in hot weather as well because your feet are dry.
They provide protection and padding in all the right places.
They are higher to protect the calf which also helps to keep the cold air and water from getting up on to your legs.
Because the higher calf of the boot is closed with Velcro when it is very hot I can simply cinch the calf Velcro a little less tightly and I can feel the extra ventilation cooling my feet.
They have extra stiffeners where the shifter control contacts the boot which not only provides protection for the boot but for your toe as well.
They have no laces to get caught on anything.
They are designed to be less slippery on asphalt. I find work boots more slippery.
The ones I have are very comfortable and I can walk all day in them if I so choose with no discomfort.
They can be expensive but consider this- I have a pair I bought in the early 2000's. I use them for riding only. They are still in good shape and I still use them. Amortized over that many years the price becomes more than reasonable.
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So....what brand and type are they Andrew?
 
I wish one of us was an EMT. They could tell us what they actually see as they tend to our broken up bodies.

Chris
 
jfheath said:
I have a pair of motorcycle boots and a pair of hiking boots both made by the same company - Altberg, here in the UK. Same fit, same sole, but the motorcycle boots are much higher. I wouldn't wear my hiking boots on the bike, even before I bought the Altberg bike boots.

I don't think there is much in the way of impact protection, other than the leather and the cushioning - but probably much more than any of my previous bike boots have had. But I reckon that abrasion protection is pretty important.
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Heathy, just had my Altbergs re-soled at the factory, top job.
15 years old and looking like new for 60 odd quid.
Also got a pair of TCX Xtour, Gortex, they're pretty good to.
I honestly think bike boots are not that expensive, the Altbergs were about £150.00 new and with the re-sole will probably last another 15 years. Seems like a no brainer.
I wouldn't wear motorcycle boots for walking, or walking boots for motorcycling.
Just my opinion, but I have tested them in anger and my feet are just fine and dandy.
Upt'North.
 
I personally wear these:

https://www.511tactical.com/atac-8-shield-csaastm-boot.html

These are my work boots. As I get a new pair of work boots. My old pair then becomes my riding boots. Provided by work, so fortunately they are free to me. One of the guys on my squad(who was on the motor unit at the time) actually crashed in his bad enough to total his HD and all that happened to his boot was some scuffing near his ankle bone, but no injuries to his feet, or ankles. Unfortunately for him, he was not wearing a riding jacket and wearing "Mechanix" gloves. . So he got scuffed and scratched a bit on his arms and hands. . . Buy he is fine now. .

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
 
Since I wear ankle high boots all the time - just don't care for shoes - I usually have a set of heavy hiking boots or some such. This morning I have on my leather Reebok safety (steel toe) boots. I do have a couple pairs of bike specific boots - a Bilt waterproof set for colder riding, and my Icon Field Armor 1 for summer. But it's something of a PITA to carry extra shoes when going to work so I usually just wear my "regular" boots. If I ever start doing anything but commuting, I'll wear one of the others. Love my Icons, but they're not very practical for walking around the office all day.
 
I wore high top steel toe boots for years, thinking they were enough protection, but after buying a pair of motorcycle specific boots from Cycle Gear, I realize I was just rationalizing. The extra reinforcement around the ankles, and the ease of putting them on and taking them off is MUCH BETTER.

Although I agree that you generally get what you pay for, these particular boots were bought at Cycle Gear, were 59$, 6 years ago. Came with a 5 year warranty, are real leather with a "breathable waterproof" liner, and are identical to a much higher priced brand. I suspect they are made in the same factory. The soles had gotten a bit thin, so I used Gear Aid Freesole on them a year ago, to make them last a bit longer. As others have said, not comfy for much walking, but a very comfy, protective boot for on the bike.
 
the most common area for broken foot bones in an accident is the shin bone work boots do not provide any protection there, either do some m/c boots. Its all about ​REDUCING the risk!!!
CE certification of Motorcycle footwear[edit]

There is a European standard available for motorcycle riders which should be applied to all footwear for this end use. This standard EN13634 (latest version to date is EN13634:2010) is titled "Protective footwear for motorcycle riders — Requirements and test methods" and is a European harmonized standard published throughout Europe and in the UK by BSI.
The PPE directive (the law covering certification of Personal protective equipment) covers any device that is worn or held to protect the user. The Basic health and safety requirements of the directive include the risks or mechanical abrasions and impact and risk to the health and hygiene of the end user. It is clear therefore that motorcycle boots are PPE and should be CE marked and tested by a notified body laboratory. They are neither complex or simple design as defined in the directive and the harmonized standard EN13634 should be used to permit CE marking. The latest version of these standards has been written in such a manner as to apply to all motorcycle footwear (no longer just for professional use). It is therefore applicable by law, to all items of motorcycle footwear claiming or implying any form of protection to the user.
The standard EN13634 covers several important safety parameters including:
- The abrasion test, an impact abrasion and quite a harsh method of test.
- Design requirements for no forward facing seams to prevent the boots opening up during a slide.
- There are requirements for transverse rigidity to reduce the risk of crushing if the bike falls on the rider.
- Impact energy protection in the ankle and shin
- Impact cut risk
- Slip resistance of the outer soles
- Sole bond strength
- Minimum upper heights (to ensure the boot protects over a minimum area of the foot and lower leg)
- plus many materials tests and innocuousness tests to ensure a good wear life and basic levels of health and safety to the wearer
The results of some of the testing in the standard are recorded on the boot as levels which help the user determine a good boot for their risk. For example the requirements of a trials bike rider are quite different from those of a courier - impact protection vs abrasion.
It is important to note that most of the motorcycle footwear on the market is non CE marked and will not meet these standards. This includes many products that look like they offer protection against impacts and abrasions for example, most of these are illegally making claims of safety. The standards are put in place for the buyer's safety and buyers should look for CE marked product claiming compliance with EN13634:2010 with motorcycle pictogram clearly marked on the products.
 
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Tech said:
A caution on these boots:

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/street_boots/sport_street_touring_boots/z1_r/riot_boots.html

The strap across the boot can get caught on the foot peg. I had this happen on a dirt bike many years ago. Did a slow get off ...off the trail & down an embankment.
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I've been wearing Harness boots before I started riding over 46 years ago. I've had the straps and the "rings" catch things over the years...:eek:4:, but these boots don't have the internal "ring", and as long as the straps stay tight, which many do not, I'll be fine...:D
 
Bush said:
Found an online pic of a newer BMW boot that is very similar to mine. Full length zipper on the inner leg and velcro flaps to create a tighter grip on the calf. Armour in the ankle bone area and extra protection from wear on the gear toe. 100% waterproof too.
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These look like the BMW Allround boot. I bought a pair three years ago and have been very pleased with them. Good protection, comfortable, waterproof with the GoreTex liner. Here's a link to a review on Rider. I paid about CAN$ 250, which I thought was reasonable for a GoreTex boot.
 
MajorTom said:
These look like the BMW Allround boot. I bought a pair three years ago and have been very pleased with them. Good protection, comfortable, waterproof with the GoreTex liner. Here's a link to a review on Rider. I paid about CAN$ 250, which I thought was reasonable for a GoreTex boot.
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Yes, very similar to mine, but my older boots, bought in 2009, have a full length zip combined with the velcro flap closure. Still comfy, still waterproof. Mine were made in Austria.
 
MaxPete said:
So....what brand and type are they Andrew?
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Pete they are Alpinstars model CE-237- exactly the same as the ones in this ad. Unfortunately I don't think that they make them anymore. About 8 or so years ago a local shop had them on sale for less than what I paid for mine almost 18 years ago. I wish that I was smart enough to buy at least one pair then. These are so comfortable I easily wear them all day including walking around. I take solace in the assumption that when the time comes for a new pair the new boots out today should be better engineered with more advanced products and will be even better than these that I have now.
 
If I'm doing anything other than running to the store locally I always wear cycle boots. Started with the waterproof Tourmaster Solution for several years and retired those to my current Gore-Tex waterproof BMW Pro Touring boot.

Skip
 
@ Andrew

.... if you also wear a Gortex approved pair of socks....
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FirST I’ve heard of this. Gore endorses certain brands of socks? Or did you mean socks made with Gore-Tex, of which there are a few manufacturers?

John (17 years/140K - Alpinestar Tourers, Gore-Tex, ankle armor, still waterproof but soles worn badly; 3 years/5K - Aerostich Combat Lites, waterproof)
 
John:

When I bought the boots they came with literature explaining the features of the boots. They also came with an insert from Gore-Tex explaining how the moisture wicking technology worked. It stated that for this process to work properly and to its fullest ability Gor-Tex approved socks should be worn. I had never heard of such a thing either but I had also never looked for them. I went shopping for socks and low and behold I did find socks that included a Gor-Tex approval label of some sort on them. I don't remember the specifics now but the basic idea was that Gore-Tex stated that these socks, when worn inside of Gore-Tex boots, would compliment the Gore-Tex technology and more efficiently wick moisture away from the feet than regular socks would. So I bought about 10 pairs. I use them for motorcycling only and still do and my feet are always comfortable.
 
MinnFallST said:
Can someone convince me that real motorcycle boots offer more protection than hiking boots? .
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On a ST1300 motorcycle get-off you will slide. A proper motorcycle boot will not catch the pavement to break ankles or send your body into a cart wheel. Plus, the boots won't fall off in a crash.

Take a look at the boots I wore - Alpinestars Supertech-R Boots. Notice the heal area that is rounded along with other areas of the boot so they will not catch the pavement in a slide. That is the reason road racers wear them. I purchased mine new/old stock for $350.

https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle...xPD8oWJlnucp2ZLQi3Ssa4VMwmR4U7doaAoqWEALw_wcB

Also consider a kevlar riding suit with special padding like the Motoport gear. You may ask yourself, why should I invest over a $1,000 in riding gear? Simple, it is less expensive, painful, and time consuming than an extended stay in the hospital.
 
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Andrew Shadow said:
Pete they are Alpinstars model CE-237- exactly the same as the ones in this ad. Unfortunately I don't think that they make them anymore. About 8 or so years ago a local shop had them on sale for less than what I paid for mine almost 18 years ago. I wish that I was smart enough to buy at least one pair then. These are so comfortable I easily wear them all day including walking around. I take solace in the assumption that when the time comes for a new pair the new boots out today should be better engineered with more advanced products and will be even better than these that I have now.
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Thanks Andrew - much appreciated.

I wear a pair of Blundstones day to day (they're easy to put on and look ok for the office) but when I'm on a trip I wear a pair of fairly inexpensive First Gear boots that look very similar to your Alpinstars. I got them when I first got back into bikes a couple of years ago from a discount bike gear outlet in the US and they've served me well.

They are however, getting a bit worn so I think I'll spring for a pair of better boots of the same type as yours in the near future.

Pete
 
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Bush said:
Yes, very similar to mine, but my older boots, bought in 2009, have a full length zip combined with the velcro flap closure. Still comfy, still waterproof. Mine were made in Austria.
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The Allround has a full length zip on the inside of the ankle, but without a velcro flap closure. There's a large GoreTex lined gator inside the zipper that keeps the rain out. Mine were made in Romania. I expected BMW brand boots to have a premium price to match the brand, but they were reasonably priced, perhaps because they were mixed leather and cordura rather than all leather. Turns out that was a plus as they breathe nicely in the warm weather, but still protect my feet and shins from the STeed's hot breath. :)
 
My Dainese Gunna Stivali gore-tex boots are also made in Romainia. Wondering if BMW gets them to supply thier boots for them.
They look similar to mine.
You won't believe how much your riding improves when your wearing all the proper gear. Also, the shin area and ankle area on these boots are bullet proof. I don't think they make this exact boot today, 2010 vintage, but it's a company to keep in mind when your looking for quality boots.
 

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RCS said:
On a ST1300 motorcycle get-off you will slide..
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I guess I missed that in the Honda manual. Please be sure all the left turners in front of bikes know this rule.

Keeping on topic, since my crash in 2007 which did send me ragdog cart wheeling (not on an ST) I broke several bones including my calcaneus (heel). I was wearing some good MC boots with hard ankle protection. The vertical spinning caused my heel break. And the subsequent reverse arch foot I have now does not like most any high rigid arched boot. I wear tennis shoes quite often and just enjoy the ride in innocent bliss.
 
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