Motorcycle Boots?

[Farther]

I'm in the market for a new pair of motorcycle boots.  I have been wearing PF Flyer hightop tennis shoes in the summer and Vasque Sundower hiking boots in the winter but have been looking at the Chippewa Engineer Boots #97863 and Chippewa Crazy Horse 6" lace-up #25203.  Anybody have any experience with either of these or have a recommendation.

[VALKIFIED]

I was recently looking my self and wound up with Thorogood (like the rocker) boots. They are the 8" model. Broke in pretty fast, have walked around in them a fair bit after a ride and they were fine. I have VERY bad feet so this is not always easy for me even in gym shoes. Cannot attest to waterproffing ability as I've only benn caught in some lite rain with these so far. This is my first season in them and so far so good. Under a c note at Blain's Fleet and Farm

[Jess from VA]

I am a big fan of 8" swat style boots for riding (Magnum, Bates, Galls, Converse, Rocky, 511, and the best Danner) .  They come in waterproof or not, lacer or sidezip, steel or hard or soft toe, insulated or not, 4-6-8"...  so you can pick what you want.  Even if waterproof, swats with cordura tongues allow too much air in, in cold weather.  All are good protection, and very comfortable from new either riding or walking, and all have great gripping traction.  I also have pairs of bike specific Sidi and AlpineStars waterproofs.  No matter what I get though, I shop for sales and closeouts only..... I got my bike specific boots on closeout from metric dealers under half MSRP.

Almost all slip-on boots (like wellingtons, engineers, Justins) will come right off your feet in a fall and backwards slide.

http://www.lapolicegear.com/footwearboots.html

Not a bad deal on good boots (not waterproof though)
http://www.lapolicegear.com/bates-0918-closeout-boot.html

http://www.lapolicegear.com/converse-da-beast-9877.html

[ChromeDome]

Herman's Survivors. Get them at Wal-Mart for about $50.00. 

[sugerbear]

Herman's Survivors. Get them at Wal-Mart for about $50.00. 

yep

and...........surprise, they fit my shoe box size feet. and very comfy

[The Anvil]

I'm in the market for a new pair of motorcycle boots.  I have been wearing PF Flyer hightop tennis shoes in the summer and Vasque Sundower hiking boots in the winter but have been looking at the Chippewa Engineer Boots #97863 and Chippewa Crazy Horse 6" lace-up #25203.  Anybody have any experience with either of these or have a recommendation.

My primary riding boots are a pair of 15 year old box-toe harness boots. They might be Chippewa but any brand identifier wore off long ago. I've had em re-soled a couple of times and I know they're not secure in a crash but at this point in time they fit like a second pair of feeties and I just can't give em up. They're useless in the we though so I also have a pair of Sidi all weather boots that I tend to wear in the fall.

I HAVE owned Chippewa logging boots and they were just great boots but they require a break-in period and for the first couple days they're torturous.

[Hoser]

+1 on the cop boots, last forever, I'm still wearing my last pair before I retired.  Get the side zipper.  Hoser

[Fudd]

Cycle Gear has a lace up boot with two zippers on sale this week.  They come with a 5 year warranty.  I can't imagine a boot holding up that long the way I abuse them.

[scoobydoo]

I've had good luck with the boots Leather UP sells, good price also along with good service.

[Wetrudgeon]

Bought a pair of Harley Davidson FXRG's a few months ago and we are disappointed in them.  They are comfortable but don't seem to be holding up well; and we are not particularly hard on them.  We think there are better gear for nearly $200.

We trudge on.

[laserpat]

I wear the Alpinestars. Very good for water tightness, very light weight and comfortable. A little hot though.

[old2soon]

Don't know the name of them. Ugly baby crap yellow ones from wally world. Steel toed insulated. Cleated lug sole. Warm and comfortable. And less than $50.00. Had em a couple of years already and the uppers are gonna wear out before the soles do. Little neets foot oil right after i bought them. I've been caught out in the rain more than once with them. Feet are always dry. Hope this helps. RIDE SAFE.

[bscrive]

I have been wearing the Harley boots for a few years.  They are extremely comfortable but not waterproof.  I have had them on all day walking around and riding with no troubles.  I have tried others but when I was going to walk around a lot I had to change into my running shoes.  To combat the fact that they are not water proof I bought a pair of rain covers from Choko, they do the trick and only $20.

[Buda]

I was recently looking my self and wound up with Thorogood (like the rocker) boots. They are the 8" model. Broke in pretty fast, have walked around in them a fair bit after a ride and they were fine. I have VERY bad feet so this is not always easy for me even in gym shoes. Cannot attest to waterproffing ability as I've only benn caught in some lite rain with these so far. This is my first season in them and so far so good. Under a c note at Blain's Fleet and Farm

I got a pair of Thorogoods thu work and they are very comfortable but the soles are wearing fast...I do walk around on steel grates with a sandpaper like coating all day tho.  Had a pair of timberlands before these and the soles only lasted about 2 months they got taken back.

[Michvalk]

The boots I wear to work and ride in came from Mason shoes. I have a really hard to fit foot, and found what I needed there. Price was real fair and the boots are holding up like iron. A huge selection on line and fast ship. No connection, just a satisfied customer

[Kylenav]

+1 on the military/police boots.  Get the side zipper for sure as mentioned.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

The GoreTex, Bates, sidezip cop boots are great riding boots. I was wearing them when I broke my lower right leg on the scooter. Mighta had a compound fracture without em.

I can't wear that type of boot now. After the fracture I have trouble with the leg swelling if anything is touching it around the ankle area where the steel plate was put in.

Now I wear Harley brand side zip, non lace up boots. They aren't advertised as waterproof but they have never leaked. As a bonus to wearing "loose around the top" type boots there is room for a sewn-in handgun holster in the left one. 

[Ken Tarver]

Ariat western or Rocky western work boots.....saw a young fellow on a vtx1800 the other day wearing the rubber flip-flops, i guess when he looses a few toes he will be a little wiser

[f-Stop]

Red Wing boots.  All leather.  Waterproof and comfy.  Had 'em three years now.

[bscrive]

there is room for a sewn-in handgun holster in the left one. 

What is with you guys that even your feet have to be armed, do you have one sewn into your helmet too or is that just silly thinking?   

[Gryphon]

Maybe it's a mid-west thing, but the majority of the guys I knew growing up had boot knives.  A holster for a small pistol isn't really that much of a stretch or unheard of.   

There isn't room in the helmet if it fits properly. 

[Farther]

What is with you guys that even your feet have to be armed, do you have one sewn into your helmet too or is that just silly thinking?  

It helps to be born and raised in the USA.  I carry a knife in my boot and a j-frame in my front pocket.

[donaldcc]

 hey Farther.

If you like the PF Flyers, why don't you step up to these.  For the price of all the others mentioned you could get all three and mix and match or color coordinate with your riding outfit.  


Chuck Taylor All Stars

[hubcapsc]

I am a big fan of 8" swat style boots for riding (Magnum, Bates, Galls, Converse, Rocky, 511, and the best Danner) .

I've got these Danners, they've got 40,000 Valkyrie miles on them, plus whatever other non-Valkyrie
stuff I've used them for. My feet get wet in them if it rains hard for a long time, so I waterproofed them
with some kind of beeswax stuff. They are holding up great, made in the USA...



http://www.danner.com/acadiar-mens-womens-200g-uniform-boots.html

I got some other Danners before I resorted to waterproofing my "good" ones. They turned out
to be made in China (not automatically a bad thing) and were probably very waterproof, but the
thin, probably synthetic, layer of material between my foot and the shifter had me limping
after four rides, so I gave them to my brother-in-law...

-Mike

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

there is room for a sewn-in handgun holster in the left one. 

What is with you guys that even your feet have to be armed, do you have one sewn into your helmet too or is that just silly thinking?   

I'm getting old, fat, and developing that "football" shape which is the envy of men and the object of lust for the fairer sex.

Because of this "football" shape it gets harder every year to keep my pants up. And the more I have in my pockets the more gravity has it's way with me. This makes keeping a handgun in my boot instead of my pants pocket far easier on everyone's eyes.

[Willow]

Because of this "football" shape it gets harder every year to keep my pants up. And the more I have in my pockets the more gravity has it's way with me. This makes keeping a handgun in my boot instead of my pants pocket far easier on everyone's eyes.

You know, there's a spot you could carry that handgun that would solve both the unsightly exposure problem and the "where can I effectively hide my piece?" issue.    

[Jess from VA]

I'm getting old, fat, and developing that "football" shape which is the envy of men and the object of lust for the fairer sex.

I am developing the same affliction............ can you please refer me to the women you discuss in your post......... 

[solo1]

I have a pair of 10" Cruiser Boots.  My ankles are larger now because of arthritis so I installed side zippers on them.  100% waterproof before zippers. 

I generally wear Corbin's 8" boots, a lot better product than their seats IMO.

As for pants holding up, I now wear suspenders  My waist remained the same size all these years but steadily slipped down.  The suspenders worK and will let you carry extra weight in the pockets.

[hubcapsc]

I have a pair of 10" Cruiser Boots.  My ankles are larger now because of arthritis so I installed side zippers on them.  100% waterproof before zippers. 

I generally wear Corbin's 8" boots, a lot better product than their seats IMO.

As for pants holding up, I now wear suspenders  My waist remained the same size all these years but steadily slipped down.  The suspenders worK and will let you carry extra weight in the pockets.

+1 for suspenders! 



-Mike

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

Because of this "football" shape it gets harder every year to keep my pants up. And the more I have in my pockets the more gravity has it's way with me. This makes keeping a handgun in my boot instead of my pants pocket far easier on everyone's eyes.

You know, there's a spot you could carry that handgun that would solve both the unsightly exposure problem and the "where can I effectively hide my piece?" issue.    

Thanks for the reminder Willow. I finally found that missing 25 auto.

[Farther]

hey Farther.
If you like the PF Flyers, why don't you step up to these.  For the price of all the others mentioned you could get all three and mix and match or color coordinate with your riding outfit.  Chuck Taylor All Stars

  I have a pair of Converse All Stars (Chuck Taylor) and the PF Flyers are way better for about the same price.  Great hot weather riding footwear.

[MNBill]

Red Wings
http://www.redwingshoes.com/red-wing-shoe/988-red-wing-shoes/988-red-wing-mens-10-inch-boot-black.

Not waterproof but I took a car with my right one, cooling fins on the motor of my bike cut the heavy leather down to the canvas by my foot. Steel toe took the brunt of the hit, I wound up with one broken toe (figure out how hard my foot got hit to break my toe in a steel toe boot).  I will forever wear steel toe Red Wings when I ride now. Not cheap but my foot is in one piece.

[3fan4life]

Sportsmans Guide has some good deals on boots:

http://shop.sportsmansguide.com/net/browse/mens-footwear.aspx?c=11


+1 on Police/Fire style duty boots.

[PhredValk]

I bought a pair of Milwaukee boots when I got the GL1100 5 years ago. Lace them up to your comfort level and then use the twin zippers to do them up quickly every time. Warm, waterproof, and they have a cool little metal 'Milwaukee' tab on the bottom of the laces. Not the best for walking around, but really thick good gripping non-slip soles. In sneakers I would have broken my ankle rather than pulling some ligaments when I dropped the Wing on my foot two summers ago.

And I wear heavy duty suspenders on my chaps. I'm not the right shape for leather stuff (though most of the riders I know seem to have the same shape I do) (Hey! Round is a shape!)
Fred.

[fudgie]

Herman's Survivors. Get them at Wal-Mart for about $50.00. 

Had these cheap Survivors in the mc boot look, for 12 yrs now. They got another 12 left. They let some water in now but the chaulk job between the boot and the sole really help.  ???

[ValkFlyer]

I bought these 5 years ago and ride with them daily.  Extremely comfortable, insulated, shin and ankle protection, no slip sole, quality leather and 100% water proof.  $185 when I bought them, there a little more today. Here's a link if your interested, they've got a number of other options. http://www.revzilla.com/product/sidi-sport-rain-boots Good luck with your selection.

[bigfish_Oh]

I bought these 5 years ago and ride with them daily.  Extremely comfortable, insulated, shin and ankle protection, no slip sole, quality leather and 100% water proof.  $185 when I bought them, there a little more today. Here's a link if your interested, they've got a number of other options. http://www.revzilla.com/product/sidi-sport-rain-boots Good luck with your selection.

I have wore a pair of these(#11) for about 2500 miles this year and am going to sell them, I searched for the best reviews/comments and got these, disappointed to see I am not enough of a contortionist to zip them up on the outside at the angle they are. I just got a used pair of inside zip Hein Ger. on ebay and am tickled to death, they feel/look a little cheaper, but so much more comfortable. I'm dealing

[Farther]

Well, I have a few miles on my new boots (Chippewa Crazy Horse 6" lace-up #25203) and find them very comfortable on and off the bike.  They, however are neither waterproof or insulated which I don't really care about since I wear my LLBean Cresta Gore-Tex hiking boots (http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/14774?feat=506846-GN2 ) for foul weather.  I have a pair of department issued Danner Quarry boots that are way too stiff for me on the bike.  I should try them again since they are finally getting broke-in.  Thanks for all the imput on boot selection.