Total Motorcycle Community Forums

What do you guys recommend for boots? THe problem I'm having is that I'm using pro-worthington boots which firefighter station boots and basically when I shift I cant feel it going into gear, so I miss shift like crazy. I can shift perfect with my low top running shoes
Are there any good street boots out there where it lets you feel the shifter and offers good looks/protection?

First, try everything on...

Check out Alpinestar boots. Lots of different styles. I have the ones with a zipper on the inside of the ankle and velcro on both sides...and I love them.

There was just a little break in period until the leather wrinkled in just the right spots. Lots of protection and very secure, hard toe, and reflective patches on the heel, (I'm all about being seen).

Comfortable enough to walk around in; sometimes I'm at work for an hour before I change into regular shoes I keep at the office.

On my '93 Nighthawk there is not a lot of room between the shifter and left foot peg, but I can shift w/o any problem...good feel down there, too.

I gave up $109...I think they're worth every penny. Waterproof, too.

http://www.alpinestars.com/moto/boots_ridgewp.html

I use a pair of steel toed work boots. Nice and comfy and strong. You just have to tuck the laces in the sides of the boots so they aren't dangling. There seems to be some controversy about wearing steel toed boots cause if you wreck they could hurt your toes or something. I figure if I wreck hard enough for the steel to mash into my toes, I was gonna lose them anyway without the steel there.

True, but steel toed boots don't have armor like riding boots do. Riding boots protect more than just your heel. Mine have armor in the ankles as well, the shin, the heel...pretty much everywhere, and they come up alot higher to protect my shin than steel toed boots.

Like Dash mentioned Alpinestars makes great products. I've got a pair of their S-MX 3 boots as well as a pair of their S-MX Plus boots, both of which I would recommend. Depending on what you ride they may be a bit...sporty though. They make casual riding/cruiser boots as well though.

Also, Sidi makes great boots as well, check out some of their styles as well.

kabob983 wrote:True, but steel toed boots don't have armor like riding boots do. Riding boots protect more than just your heel. Mine have armor in the ankles as well, the shin, the heel...pretty much everywhere, and they come up alot higher to protect my shin than steel toed boots.

Like Dash mentioned Alpinestars makes great products. I've got a pair of their S-MX 3 boots as well as a pair of their S-MX Plus boots, both of which I would recommend. Depending on what you ride they may be a bit...sporty though. They make casual riding/cruiser boots as well though.

Also, Sidi makes great boots as well, check out some of their styles as well.

you can get steel toe boots that go practically to your knee or you can get steel toe shoes that dont cover your ankle . just a bit of info on steel toe boots (I agree that armored are better as they offer more support during a crash lol).

t_bonee wrote:I use a pair of steel toed work boots. Nice and comfy and strong. You just have to tuck the laces in the sides of the boots so they are dangling. There seems to be some controversy about wearing steel toed boots cause if you wreck they could hurt your toes or something. I figure if I wreck hard enough for the steel to mash into my toes, I was gonna lose them anyway without the steel there.

Yeah, and who needs a proper helmet when this does the job:

I've got a pair of Sidi Sympatex boots and they are awesome. They're more overkill for my daily commutes to work, but becuase they're built as a touring boot they are comfortable for long distances. I've spent all day riding with them and my puppies where very happy. Also they are the only boot to withstand 24 hours of submersion and still be dry (motorcyclecruiser.com did the comparison). The same material that keeps the water out, lets your feet breath so even in super hot weather you're feet aren't sweating like crazy. Also they're comfortable to walk around in. I did a longer review in the products review section if you want to read more.

If you're serious about riding, get more than just "work boots". The ones that go over the shin are going to provide more protection.

I picked up a pair of the Icon Standard Boots. They look like normal boots except they've got extra armor around the heel, ankle and on the outside of your toes. Plus there's a shifter pad on the left boot. Took about a week to break in, so they're as comfy as normal shoes now.

$106 (including shipping at NewEnough)

i have a pair of daytona's and they are pretty comfy...not full on race boots, but decent every day riding boots.

motorcycling boots are designed to prevent/mitigate side crushing forces on the ankels, and to protect shins and heels. they are also usually designed with a low or non-existant heel so you can move them off the pegs without getting hung up. The other major factor for me and other people, is that bike boots are usually a lot lighter than steel toed boots would be.

I bought a pair of desert paratrooper boots before I left the army many years ago.

They are cool (temp wise) and comfortable after being broken in. They may not have all the "armor" that is being reffered to but it cost <$50 bucks and were made to take abuse.

I think they are a good low cost alternative to high priced motorcycles boots. Beware not to buy the "look a like boots", they are literally a rip off for quality.