Topic: Boots

[dusterdude]

i hear ya gordon,the combat boots i had when i was in the marines were super comfy by the time i got out.unfortunately i didnt get them resoled when they wore out.damn sure wish i did tho

[keiths]

In the 70s I always wore tennis shoes. The eyelets on my left shoe would flatten out from shifting. Now I always were boots.

[Ibsen]

Prexsport racing boots with a zipper, and velcro straps for the outher layer covering the zipper. Not because they make me feel like a sporstsbike rider , but they offer the best protection for the ankles.

[kghost]

 

[CTCStrela]

Cocoran Side Zip combat boots,  double leather on the toes,  looks like something out of the 1940's, although they have lasted me the last 2 years, and polish up quite well...

[Spear]

I've been wearing lace-up GP (combat) boots for the past 3 years. High and up over the ankles. The tongue is attached to the sides so makes them waterproof right to the top. Thick rubber soles with a good chunky pattern. Keep lots of Dobbin on them to maintain their water-proof'ness' and keep them soft. No problems with the laces coming undone. Ever heard of the double knot? Before you ask what 'Dobbin' is - its a proprietary saddle soap product available in Oz. Fortunately my work supplies these boots for work, and as they 'wear out' I get them replaced. Funny how quickly they 'wear out'! 

[SteveD CB500F]

It's called "Dubbin" here

I made the mistake of putting it on my Lewis Leathers jacket back in the 70's. I thought it would help keep the jacket waterproof.

Lessons:

1. Leather can never be made 100% waterproof
2. Dubbin stinks and is greasy...

[cben750f0]

BWW's... they are water proof.. zip and velcro.. and only $265 a pair... nice..peace

[migopod]

i've got these really nasty speed-lace combats that I usually wear, but the laces are
a little long and tend to get caught on the kickstarter (very annoying).
I used to wear engineer boots, but the whole steel cap thing did make me
uncomfortable.  I'm thinking maybe some tanker boots or these neat Joe Rocket
street shoes in the near future.

[R. Hykawy]

I wear either combat boots or work boots, both with laces. Just tuck the ends of the laces in the top of the boots.

[Jonesy]

Or, I lace them all the way up to the top (being combat boots they go partway up the leg) and fold the top of my sock over the laces, keeping them neatly contained.

[smithrelo]

Amazing, I was just thinking that boots are my next purchase.    Glad for the heads up for "steel toed" as I did have them in mind but definietely will consider others.

I'm going to post a question on "chaps" so I can get up to date on those also.

Linda

[Jonesy]

Linda, I just bought a pair of chaps and for a long ride, they are a great thing to have. Especially when it's cool out they keep the wind off your legs and are much easier to clean scores of dead bugs off of than jeans.

[smithrelo]

Jonesdp,
exactly why I want chaps...my legs have been cold, even when temp is 74-75- in mountains (uppy-downys for those down under!) temps vary quite a bit from 6,000 ft to 8500 feet-temps can drop 20 degrees or more.

Anyway, they are on my list for xmas, but I may not wait that long.

Can you recommend a brand or Type?  (I've not tried any on yet, but don't really know what I'm looking for?

Linda

[Jonesy]

I can't really recommend a brand, since most seem to be constructed the same way. You can get genuine leather chaps for $80-$100. You can also get Kevlar chaps, but I don't know how much they are, but I can assure you they will be pricey...

You will want to get a pair that fit you well and will be comfortable. According to the lady at the motorcycle clothing shop who helped me out, you fasten the belt slightly below the waist (right below your belt for your jeans, if you wear one). Don't worry if the legs are too long, as they are supposed to be so you can cut them to the proper length. Once you select a pair and get them home, put them on. Put your bike on the center stand and sit on your bike with your feet on the pegs. Mark the cuff of the chaps with chalk and double check the length. Fold the excess cuff up under the leg to the chalk line so they look as they would when cut, get back on the bike and triple-check the length. If you're happy with them, cut them straight across with sharp scissors along the chalk line. They are now ready to wear. They will feel strange at first, until they are broken in.

[smithrelo]

Great info on chaps.  I'm shocked they are not finished at the bottom.  I'll have to check out the local biker bar, and see how the ladies are cutting them.  Also, don't want to cut them toooooo short-as I need them to protect the legs, as they get mighty cold...as I get older...

Linda

[Jonesy]

Since they are leather you can just cut them and they won't unravel, like fabric. They are sized by waist and since many people can have the same waist size with different-length legs, it's just easier to have them so they are cut-to-fit.

You mainly want them so you don't feel like you're walking on the bottoms of them. This way, folks won't be quoting Jeff Foxworthy's "If you prefer to walk the excess length off of your jeans (or chaps) rather than hem them..." when you go by!

[Uncle Ernie]

Red Wings! The heel isn't quite as tall as most logger types and it goes farther under the heel, almost to the arch so it doesn't hurt to stand/walk in them. I learned to avoid steel toes when working steel construction; a good thick boot will protect your toes from dropping a wrench. If you drop a beam, your boot will be easier to take off if you still have toes, whereas the steel toed boots will just mangle you. A car center punched me, and I'm convinced I still have a foot (a lot of arthritis though) because Red Wing leather is so thick. I use hiking boot laces that are wide and flat- they never come untied. And on top of all that- merino wool socks summer and winter. Your local outfitter will tell you about them. They cost a lot more than cotton, but they wick moisture, keep a cushion, and seem to last forever.

[loonymoon]

My mum's hand-me-down daytona motorcycle boots.... don't have much kit thats actually my own!!
 

But they work well and feel safe - she came off her modern CB500 in them and they were absolutely fine - and so was her leg because she was wearing leathers..... I never ride without the kit even if it is secondhand!! Have my own lid of course.

[heffay]

I arrived in phoenix on a hot summer day aug 15 1998... i made a 2000 mile trip halfway across the u.s. to go to m.m.i.  i met my new roommate kenny from kentucky... one of the biggest friggin guys i've ever seen.  well, anyway, my mini snauzer decided i needed a new pair of riding boots so she found kenny's sketchers (nearly identical to doc martens except they are comfortable whereas docs are the most uncomfortable shoe i've ever worn) and promptly chewed off a little bit right at the top.  kenny was pissed, i gave him a hundred bucks and got me the best pair of boots i've ever owned. 

[bowhunter]

I've got 2 identical pairs of Carolina 4X4 steel toed boots that I wear every day, alternately. they are some of the most comfortable boots  I've ever owned. I use them for everything, and hardly ever realize they're steel toed unless something bangs into them from above and I don't have any resulting pain!
Try them, You'll see what I mean!

Bowhunter

[polishbeer]

I have a couple pairs I use in addition to hiking boots, but I only wear the hiking boots if I'm out road testing around the warehouse - never on a longer ride.

I worry about lace up boots because I have had the laces catch on various parts of the bike on mounting and dismounting, and prefer not to be embarrassed falling over sideways at a stoplight because I can't get my left foot off of the footpeg if I'm strapped to it!

Having said that, I DO own a pair of Cocoran lace up boots that are extremely well made and comfortable enough to walk quite a distance in.  On the downside, when I ride my vintage bikes with these boots, the soles are so hard that seemingly all of the vibrations get through, and make my feet numb and itchy from footpeg vibes.  Admittedly, my CB500K0 SOHC-4 vibrates less than my DOHC twins.

My primary set of boots are made by Triumph, believe it or not.  I don't care that I'm riding a Honda and wear boots that say Triumph on them.  They work the way they're supposed to.

I went to every store in the Chicago area and tried on about two dozen boots, and the Triumphs felt the best.  The soles are not so hard that the vibrations get annoying, and they look good.  They close with three velcro flaps that wrap around the outside-front of the boots, so I know they will never get caught on anything.  They only cost about $165.00, which I thought was reasonable.

Jordan AkA polishbeer

[Gordon]

I'm a big fan of the Corcorans, too.  Just got a new pair of their combat boots about a month ago.  They hurt SOOO bad the first couple of weeks while I was breaking them in, but now they fit my feet perfectly.  I wear them for riding and then just leave them on when I get to work.  I'm on my feet for 8 to 10 hours and I never even notice them.  Plus, they're the only boots I've owned where I don't have to re-position my heel to get my toe under the shift lever. 

[Egil]

l use Norwegeans Military/swat team boots  it`s the best there is .

l`m hunting with them to .



Egil.

[skamania19]

I wear lace up army boots with the laces tucked into the top of the boot. That's a habit my old drill sergeant made sure we'd remember the rest of our lives.  Never got over it, but it sure works good on the bike to make sure the laces don't tangle.