What level of MC boots to get/wear?

[kerwink040]

Hi, I have a pair of Joe Rocket boots (http://leatherup.com/p/Mens-Motorcycle- ... 84996.html) and a pair of Vega touring boots (http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/3/ ... =SLIsearch).

My riding pants are (http://www.revzilla.com/product/fieldsh ... y-20-pants) and my jacket is a http://www.revzilla.com/product/tour-master-epic-jacket) Hi-Vis-Yellow.

My friends say that neither boot has the best protection for riding. They are mostly sports bike riders even though we mostly ride street and back roads. They suggest I get Sidi boots (http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/ ... =SLIsearch).

For my type of riding (country roads, back roads, a fwy every now and then-Never OFF ROAD or RACING) should I invest in the Sidi boots?

[jstark47]

For my type of riding (country roads, back roads, a fwy every now and then-Never OFF ROAD or RACING) should I invest in the Sidi boots?

Depends. Are you going to crash? Yes? Then get the best boots you can afford. Then again, if you knew you were going to crash, you wouldn't get on the bike in the first place, would you?

Are the Sidi's better? Yes. Just chugging around back roads, can you have the kind of accident where the quality difference will matter? Yes. Can you also have the kind of accident where no level of boot would help? Yes.

Do I personally wear a boot as good as the Sidi's? Nope. Should I? Yeah, probably.

See where I'm going with all this? It's all about your personal level of risk tolerance. I'm coming up on 7 years riding. Never once I have I been in a situation where a helmet was absolutely needed (i.e. I've never wiped out and bashed my head on the pavement.) Based on the last seven years, that means the percent likelihood of my cracking my skull is infinitesimally low. But do I wear one every single time I ride (and would I even if was legal not to in NJ)? Yep. Unfortunately, no one can tell you what level of gear is necessary for you. It's a decision you have to make for yourself.

[Grey Thumper]

Every motorcycle boot is a compromise between comfort and protection (and to some extent, price, although pricier isn't necessarily better). I've got a pair of touring boots pretty much like yours, and I wear 'em anytime it's either likely to rain or I'm going to do a bit of walking (including the usual daily commute). I recently got a pair of racing boots for sporty weekend rides, because I figure their added protection was more likely to come in handy. I was considering the Vertigos, but eventually thought they were a bit too much for someone who rides almost exclusively on the street (and I'm a cheap bastich as well). Just limiting it to Sidi racing boots, they've three lines of racing boots below the Vertigos (Fusion, B-2, and Cobra in increasing order of price and protection) that you might consider. Loads of other boot manufacturers out there too.

[kerwink040]

Every motorcycle boot is a compromise between comfort and protection (and to some extent, price, although pricier isn't necessarily better). I've got a pair of touring boots pretty much like yours, and I wear 'em anytime it's either likely to rain or I'm going to do a bit of walking (including the usual daily commute). I recently got a pair of racing boots for sporty weekend rides, because I figure their added protection was more likely to come in handy. I was considering the Vertigos, but eventually thought they were a bit too much for someone who rides almost exclusively on the street (and I'm a cheap bastich as well). Just limiting it to Sidi racing boots, they've three lines of racing boots below the Vertigos (Fusion, B-2, and Cobra in increasing order of price and protection) that you might consider. Loads of other boot manufacturers out there too.

Thanks for the advice Dino,
I'm looking at a pair of Alpinestars SMX-5. The ratings are high and its a sport boot and comfortable too. The price is definitely in my budget.

[storysunfolding]

The SMX5 is a good boot. Ideally what you're doing by having a good supportive mid calf boot is changing where a break can happen. Break your ankle or any other joint and it's very rare to get back to 100%. If you get a break midleg (tibula/fibula or femur) it's pretty easy to put in rods, screws plates then get you back on your way.

I have a friend that crashed with a pair of Sidi Vortices at 30 mph whose leg got pinned under the bike. From the bulge pushing out against his skin we were fairly certain that he'd broken his leg midway up. Turns out it was a hematoma. This happened two years ago and he still has the bruises on his legs. After seeing the crash, and literally seeing him walk away from it- everyone in that riding group now has midcalf boots

[Grey Thumper]

Checked out the S-MX 5s, and whoah. How could I have missed these? They could've saved me from buying two pairs of boots

[totalmotorcycle]

I wear CSA steel toe boots myself, I've never owned a pair of motorcycle boots!



The CSA steel toe boots worked in a crash for me as the toe was protected when the shift lever dug into the boot there. I think if I had worn non-steel toe boots I might have had a puncture as the leather was torn away down to the steel.

I myself am in the market for another pair of motorcycle boots, but they will be steel toes as they have proven themselves already to me. This option may not work for everyone but it has for me for the past 11 years of riding with them.

Mike

[Johnj]

Mike, look into composite toe boots. I got a pair and man do they make a difference.

[Grey Thumper]

Some motorcyclists claim the steel toe caps can cut off your toes, but I think this is a myth. I'm more worried about the laces getting untied (although that doesn't keep me from wearing a really ancient pair of Doc Martens from time to time).


Edit: Well apparently, the steel toe myth was busted in, appropriately, Mythbusters, 3rd Season, Episode 42 (2005)

[storysunfolding]

The force required to make the steel cap cut off your toe would crush your foot anyway.