Topic: Boots

[mlinder]

So, I've ruined most of my shoes by riding with them. I don't wear tennis shoes. I tend to wear casual 'dress boots'.
I need a pair of black boots that are sturdy enough to handle riding, but simple and good looking enough to wear with my normal every day clothes. The bike is my ONLY means of transportation, so I ride it to work, and everywhere I go.

Anyone got recommendations?

[andy750]

I use paratrooper boots. Had them for 8 years and have been used on all my bike trips. Waterproof, very sturdy and can be worn casually with jeans. They are comfortable enough and have walked on beaches, up pyramids, in the jungle, along trails, in the mall, to work, in the snow, etc etc....and only $20 at the local army-supply store :-)  Cant beat them for usability.

cheers
Andy

[mlinder]

Paratrooper boots wont work. I wear slacks or slightly dressy pants to work. No jeans.

[eldar]

I usually get a decent hiking boot. With those I have yet to do more to them then scuff up the left toe area.

[martini]

Dr. Martens.

[Cvillechopper]

OK, I'll have to blame my fiance for introducing me to them and trying to turn me into a "shoe guy" as she puts it, but Johnston & Murphy makes some really nice boots that are plenty sturdy for riding and look great with slacks / pants.  You'll pay more than most places but they last forever.  They have outlet stores that sell their entire line for much less and once you wear them you'll most likely be stuck on the brand forever.  All of my dress shoes feel like sneakers, look as dressy as you can find, and were on sale for less than half retail.  
Just my 2cents.
James

[super pasty white guy]

How about something like a slip-on half boot?  Gets you some ankle protection just in case and can still look dressier.  Spend some time at Zappos.com and I'm sure you could find something.

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/17732214/c/79334.html
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/97782/c/381.html

[nickjtc]

SIDI 'On Road'

http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcbeware/sympatex.html

They fit under regular cut trousers ok. Comfortable enough for all-day walking around. Totally waterproof, but let your feet breath.

I've had mine for 100,000+kms (resoled once) and they are still working well.

[medic09]

How about Aerostich's Combat Touring Boot Lite?

I wear Ariat Cowboy lace-up work boots most days.  I don't know if they come in black; probably not dressy enough.  My old jump boots take a spit shine, if I bother with 'em.

[clarkjh]

I just bought new boots made by Boulet.  The are the 0017 on page 10, http://bouletboots.com/pdf_en/boulet_en_man.pdf , this file is almost 14megs they have some nice boots though.

James

[Daves_76_SS]

100% Doc Martins!

[CrisPDuk]

I've worn Caterpillar boots for more years than I care to remember, I have two pairs, one brown, one black, every year one pair gets replaced alternately. They're so durable that I generally have at least 2 older pairs available for doing crappy work in the garden, shed or garage

However when I started riding last year, I noticed that the gearshift started to scuff up the left toe, so after a good long search I got a pair of these too:

SIDI 'On Road'

http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcbeware/sympatex.html

They fit under regular cut trousers ok. Comfortable enough for all-day walking arond. Totally waterproof, but let your feet breath.

I've had mine for 100,000+kms (resoled once) and they are still working well.

I've worn them for work, I've worn them to the pub, I even wore them to a mates wedding, in my opinion they don't look out of place anywhere, and they are so damned comfortable it's untrue.
Plus being Sidi, you know they're going to step up to the plate should the worst happen!

[medic09]

The Sidi On Roads, BTW, are now Gore-Tex.  Otherwise, supposed to be the same great boot.  You might even find a Sympatex pair somewhere on closeout.

[DarkRider]

I have looked at the Icon boots and i must say either the Field Armor or perhaps the Standard or Super Duty 2 boots may work for what you need. Personaly at the moment im using a pair of Kodiac work boots that have held up to both riding and working in two tire shops...possably the hardest conditions for boots to last through..and they are just now starting to come apart after almost a year of hard service. But after the Kodiacs are done with for good i will be looking at the ICONs or SIDIs.

[tsp37]

http://www.wideshoes.com/catalog.cfm?page=work-footwear_wellington-boots

[Rocking-M]

A good pair of lace up ropers might fit the bill for you. Ariat makes good off the shelf boots, as does Justin, however if
you want to spend the bucks you can't do much better than Whites or Wesco's.

http://www.westcoastshoe.com/wesco/

I work in the toughest occupation for boots, Logging, and have even tried to
be a boot tester but that outfit that sends out all the hunting catalogs wouldn't
go for it so I don't mention them anymore

[nickjtc]

Whichever boot you end up with a good feature to look for is a style with a minimal heel. And on which the front of the heel is not perpendicular to the sole, but angles backwards from front to back. That way there is less likelyhood of your feet hanging up on the peg if you move them around a lot.

If the boot has laces make sure the loops are secured; if you catch a loop on the peg when you are trying to put your foot down you may end up a smouldering heap on the ground....don't ask.

Boots wich are shallower from sole to the top of the forefoot makeit easier to get under the shifter when up shifting.

Yes, I know, all blindingly obvious points.

[DrMark]

Vote for Lace-up Ropers by Ariat. I have a older pair in black and a newer pair in brown suede. I wear them with jeans or khaki.