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Maybe someone will post the links to that drag test someone did with leather and textiles. Leather outperformed by over 3-1. Of course you have to wear it - if textile is more comfortable to you than leather and you'll actually wear it everyday as a result then you should definitely go textile. Most of my riding is in town on short hops and I don't go real fast - nothing above 35 really - so I don't like gearing up and usually wear jeans - but I always wear my thick leather jacket even when it's hot - I just open the vents and try to go fast! - and my gloves and full-face helmet of course...

should i invest in riding boots or are my steel toed leather boots enough...?


http://www.wildfree.com/tukimages/tukgd1032.jpg

I think your boots are fine. If you aren't racing or doing motocross I think motorcycle specialty boots are a bit of a scam. Nothing wrong with them - good boots and all, but kind of overpriced. As long as they protect your feet and ankles and don't have any shoestrings (or have them out of the way or covered up) to catch on your pegs and levers they are good. Ribber soles are a good thing too. Nothing wrong with regular old boots for everyday riding.

black duct tape seems to keep the laces out of the way and it makes me look even tuffer.

Aggroton wrote:should i invest in riding boots or are my steel toed leather boots enough...?


http://www.wildfree.com/tukimages/tukgd1032.jpg

Anything that's comfortable to wear and has ankle support.

Being a leather steel toe, that's usually a good option.

The steel toe boot is interesting. When I did my CBT they told us that we wouldn't have been allowed to take part if we'd turned up in steel toe boots. Metal bends in an accident and severed toes result.

My choice in bike clothing stemmed from the fact most of my riding is at motorway speeds (70mph) so I went for the best protection I could get, 1 piece leathers, race boots, race gloves etc. I look like an idiot, it's far too hot in summer, thoroughly impracticle but safety is my top priority.
Most motorcycle commuters that I know wear textiles. They feel the practicalities of textiles outweighs the protection advantages that leather offers.

Well, it's about time someone got together a nice textile pattern, and pieced it up with bits of leather in all the important slide-areas.

Hmph. Neccessity is the mother of invention. High profit possibilities tends to help too!

Tarzan wrote:The steel toe boot is interesting. When I did my CBT they told us that we wouldn't have been allowed to take part if we'd turned up in steel toe boots. Metal bends in an accident and severed toes result.

everyone says im crazy for not wearing steel toe boots, but i also figured it would cause more harm in a wreck. ive seen riding shoes/boots that claim to have a steel plate/shank in the sole. but to me if something happen that shank can bend and stay bent with your along with it. i ride in sneakers just because i dont like the feel of boots, i cant feel the controlls. ive paid the price of sneakers already though, in my accident i broke pretty much every bone in my right foot ; \

Steel toes are "out."

Most modern protective footwear - military or motorcycling - now has a KEVLAR toe cap. It breaks at a VERY high level level of force, AFTER dispersing the crush force. No toe amputations.

Steel toes are still used in construction and forestry if I'm not mistaken.

I highly recommend both CruiserWorks or Oxtar motocycling boots. Most of the Oxtar models have goretex linings so they'll keep your feet DRY if you get caught in the rain. The CruiserWorks offers a more classic motorcycle boot look. (I CRASHED in my CruiserWorks... they saved my foot/ankle, no question, and I'm still wearing them. Plan to send them back to the company for a 'renewal.' One of the reasons I got my Oxtars: Needed a SECOND pair and wanted to try something different, I ride too often to be bootless for any length of time).

Pam

Ditto the recommendation of the CruiserWorks boots. I've been wearing them for several years now. They're very comfortable, easy to walk in and totally waterproof. Definitely worth the money, IMHO.