[Aladinbama]

I buy a decent pair of hiking boots to use as my riding boots. I do this because I can also just wear them where I work as my shoes. I generally get 9+ months out of a pair before the ball of the foot area wears out on the sole (I ride both MCs and a Burgman). Are MC boots any better as far as wear? I'd like to get a boot that lasts a bit longer but ... do they? Oh, and btw, I only spend about $45 a pair.

 

[Gbjbany]

I buy these
http://www.cyclegear.com/CycleGear/Stre ... 0_59409_10

Occasionally they have them reduced, I wear them to work too.

 

[Scootereno]

Most MC boots are more set up to be anti-slip as opposed to long wearing. I have used both and seem to get longer life out of a good Vibram soled hiking boot. I have noticed that tennis shoes don't last long at all but have great anti-slip functionality. 8)
But most important to me is the fit. There is nothing worse than sore feet!

 

[Aladinbama]

I have used both and seem to get longer life out of a good Vibram soled hiking boot.
8)
But most important to me is the fit. There is nothing worse than sore feet!

I am basically agreeable. After coaching soccer for 18 years (and playing and various other athletic "things") there is no such thing as ache-less feet anymore! I just like to keep them to a level where I can still walk on them :thumbup:
I think I'll stay with my hiking boots!

 

[Hammer]

A week after I bought my B400 K7 I purchased HD 12" Harness boots. Retail $139. Just in time too. Two days after my purchase I was having a hard time learning how to get the bike on the center stand. I somehow managed to put the center stand directly onto the toe of the boot with all of the weight supported by the stand now on top of the boot. I got a slight dent in the boot but I could only imagine what damage it would have done with the soft toe sneakers I was wearing only two days ago. That alone was worth the purchase price and more. I get some ankle and shin protection too and they are not about to fly off my tootsies as seen in some of those highside accidents. Most importantly, they stick like glue on dry or wet pavement and pretty good on wet plastic road lines at traffic lights. They are a bear to walk around in so I bring a pair of walking sneakers when I intend to be off the Burgie for some time. They look good too and they are waterproof. I never got wet even when walking through a deep puddle. It has been almost two years now and the tread on the sole almost looks like new. I believe I can get 10 years out of them easily so that would be about $14 per year. Ride safely. :thumbup:

 

[Scootereno]

I agree and get hiking boots with protective toes and ankle protection too. There are many protective and comfortable hiking boots out there and more with no protective value at all. :roll: I have a pair of Baffin expedition boots for the winter that I truly love.
The main thing is safety and comfort and anything but flip-flops. :thumbup:

PS- I played and coached soccer for years too and have the most crooked middle toes from them being broken so many times. Dam cleats! :?

 

[Daboo]

I watched a video of someone taking a spill. One of the first things to happen was their tennis shoe came off. For the rest of the slide, it was their sock providing "protection". You can imagine how effective that was.

I have been buying my Response Gear boots from Big 5 Sporting Goods. They have some decent work boots for a low cost. Some of the soles are better than others for traction on wet pavement. I looked at motorcycle boots before buying the last pair, but couldn't see the value in them. The design looks like I belong on a race track, and I didn't want to look wierd or carry extra shoes. It didn't seem like the protection was any better either. Work boots are about 8 inches high. They don't have the ankle pad, but chances are that little pad that seems about as big as a silver dollar won't do much to protect the ankle either. The shin pad seemed like it could easily move the point of fracture above the pad too. So I wasn't convinced this was the way to go. And normal looking motorcycle boots seemed like they would be loose above the ankle and not give as much support.

I ended up buying some Magnum boots off the Magnum online store. They had a sale on a high top work boot that was also waterproof. The soles have great grip, and they are comfortable. It will be interesting to see how they work out, but for now, I am very happy with them.

Chris

 

[CelticCross]

I too wear hiking boots when I ride (Keen with reflective stitching). I want protection when I ride but dislike the "biker" look. Yes, these boots may not provide as much protection as real motorcycle boot but they are not black, are very comfortable, have good rubber soles, are above the ankle, are fine at 20 degrees and at 90+, and did I say are not black?

 

[Scotty1981]

Most MC boots are more set up to be anti-slip as opposed to long wearing. I have used both and seem to get longer life out of a good Vibram soled hiking boot. I have noticed that tennis shoes don't last long at all but have great anti-slip functionality. 8)
But most important to me is the fit. There is nothing worse than sore feet!

Anti slip is important, I hate it when my left foot goes down on a manhole cover I didn't notice. Almost dropped my ride a few times because of the man hole covers or drainage gates at the edge of a gas station entrance ramp.

Sometimes those shoes do come off haha (seriously though not a laughing matter)
[youtube:2qlyb2zj]REk1QQcWFek[/youtube:2qlyb2zj]

 

[cactuspwr]

I wear too hiking boot ( Merrel Moab Mid waterproof or ventilated boots with slip resistant soles but no when oil is present on the road. )

I use the waterproof - more splash or wet grass resistant than soaking rain - for work and because of a job requirement I dyed a gray pair black

I ride with them in a wide range of temperature ( 17*F to 105*F )

and yes, they protect the ankles when needed; trust me on that one even when the foot is pined between the road and the bike.

 

[gamonroe]

Although you may not consider your Burgy to be a motorcycle, the same forces apply if you go down. A good pair of motorcycle boots stay on and provide the needed toe and ankle protection needed when sliding across the highway (personal experience). They are also available in non-traditional styles and colors other than black.

 

[fernando]

I've been wearing these Merrel thermo waterproof for about 4+ years, these are gore-tex, you can submerge your feet until ankle level and it will keep your feet dry and warm, they also are windproof, I use them to commute & ride and work.

it's worth the money ($120), buy now use for 4+ years not a bad deal. Note they got a lifetime waterproof warranty with gore-tex.

this is the latest model:



http://www.merrell.com/US/en-US/Product.mvc.aspx/10414M/16747/Mens/Thermo-6-Waterproof?dimensions=0

 

[DougInKY]

Even though I own motorcycle boots I find that most often I wear a pair of work boots that I own. They are Wolverines and have Vibram soles (I resoled them with these soles when I wore the old soles out). They have protection on the outside of both ankles to protect the malleolus bone of the ankle (very important). As far as I can tell, they offer as much protection as most of my motorcycle specific boots (except my Adventure boots) and are a lot more comfortable.