Acceptable Riding Footwear

[Matt H]

Thanks for all the helpful feed-forward. You all have confirmed my suspicion: that motorcycle-specific boots are my best choice.

I really appreciate all the helpful and thoughtful responses!

 

[El Toro Joe]

I like these...



waterproof, and very comfortable on or off the bike. They have worked very well, for several years now.

here's a link...

https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/icon-patrol-waterproof-boot

 

[luvtoride]

My issue is large ankles & calves. I'm not horribly overweight but seem to have been bequeathed with my aunt's type of legs... which means large ankles & calves. I don't want to move from a bike specific boot but I'm seeing that I may not have a choice. The Oxtar Matrix boots that I have right now have never fit right & have never zipped all the way up the side. Every single boot that I've tried on is too small around my ankles & calves. I may be trying the tactical type boots myself out of frustration of not ever fitting cycle specific boots.

(I'd rather have cycle specific boots)

Sadly, the answer to that is going to be more expensive. Many of the ADV style boots have no zippers, but two/three buckles and a large velcro flap. These accommodate larger calves more easily, though large ankles, I really don't know. Much more adjustable than the average street touring boot.

Alpinestar, Daytona and some of the Sidi boots have good reviews for large ankle/calves. The Sidi Vertigo has adjustable calf areas, for example - https://www.revzilla.com/product/sidi-vertigo-boots

Those Vertigo boots are holy cow ugly IMO. I've considered a pair of the Aerostich Combat Touring Lights. My problem... buying without trying them on first. But they do appear to have adjustability.

 

[BigOgre]

Just a thought, especially since you mentioned the leather Aerostich boots - might there be any horses in Virginia?

A good saddlery shop should be able to set you up with someone who could tailor boots. Ask around or stop the next Highway cop you see wearing the ol' breeches and britches. A lot of that stuff is custom made.

 

[AKjitsu]

I’ll put in another vote for tactical/mil boots. They’re all day comfortable. In fact, they’re my daily footwear. Avoids having to pack extra footwear when you’re on the road. They don’t have any armor (other than optional steel toes) but, I don’t know how important that is. I’ve done my share of crashing on the track and have yet to experience an event where ankle armor would have mattered. Doesn’t mean it can’t happen but I don’t see it as a high probability risk. The ankle support is, to me, quite adequate. There is such a thing as too much ankle rigidity. Look at the skiers. If the ankle can’t flex at all the side thrust is going to go somewhere else; like the knee.

Where the tac boots excel is on loose, slippery surfaces. Excellent grip on loose sand, oil on the gas station lot, etc. And for those of us cursed with hobbit-length legs, that extra sole thickness provided by deep cleats is a real blessing at the stoplight.

You can get rain-proof, high air flow; the options are numerous. Good places to shop for these are the police supply houses like LA Police Gear.

If you do decide to go this route I’d dab a little Tuff Toe on the left one so that the shifter doesn’t retire the boots before their useful life ends.

 

[user 213]

Alpinestar, Daytona and some of the Sidi boots have good reviews for large ankle/calves. The Sidi Vertigo has adjustable calf areas, for example - https://www.revzilla.com/product/sidi-vertigo-boots

Those Vertigo boots are holy cow ugly IMO. I've considered a pair of the Aerostich Combat Touring Lights. My problem... buying without trying them on first. But they do appear to have adjustability.

Is that you Superman?!?

(got xray vision?)

It helps if you remember that your pant leg covers most of the boot. Next will you complain about how the seat looks too?

 

[sharkey]

I use a military work/tactical style. Been rotating between three pairs for like 12 years now and that's all I use for riding. Great on the bike, can walk all day, work in the garage, shovel snow, whatever. Get a gortex pair so you have breathability and waterproofness.

This is what I have done for years. Any time you add "motorcycle" to a pair of boots, the price goes up. I have a pair of Bates Black 6" boots and a pair of tan New Balance 8" boots.

 

[A41Billy]

I've been real happy with my Sidi Clever Air Boots.

 

[luvtoride]

Alpinestar, Daytona and some of the Sidi boots have good reviews for large ankle/calves. The Sidi Vertigo has adjustable calf areas, for example - https://www.revzilla.com/product/sidi-vertigo-boots

Those Vertigo boots are holy cow ugly IMO. I've considered a pair of the Aerostich Combat Touring Lights. My problem... buying without trying them on first. But they do appear to have adjustability.

Is that you Superman?!?

(got xray vision?)

It helps if you remember that your pant leg covers most of the boot. Next will you complain about how the seat looks too?

There is no way... I don't care if my pants would cover them. Well, maybe if I were going on a space mission, I'd wear them.

 

[Lauren_TK]

I’ll put in another vote for tactical/mil boots. They’re all day comfortable.

I would call military footgear "acceptable riding footwear" without hesitation.

However, I am waaaay more comfortable in my MC boots.

 

[DeltaKappaZeta]

Hard to get as there is only one distributor in the US and Canada but the quality and design is unbeatable.

https://www.daytona.de/index.php?page=756

I picked up a pair of the EVO Sports GTX a few years ago and they still show no signs of wear and I've used them comfortably on all-day, multi-day rides. I was pretty much forced into these as I'm one of the guys with the large calves OCfjr referred to.

But now I this they're worth every penny of the $500 I spent

 

[stevec677]

Has anyone tried the Alpinestar New Land Gore-Tex boot?

 

[bgross]

Okay, I'm "frugal".

You know - "Use it up, wear it out. Make it do, or do without!"

It took ten years to wear out my old Joe Rocket pant before I could finally buy some Motoports.

I've worn MilSpec Jungle boots for... Decades. (Convenient, since I kept them polished and wore them at work, too.) they are durable, comfortable, waterproof and, like me, cheap. When I was working they would last about a year of daily use plus commuting.

Before I retired (in 2006) I bought two pair. Since I live in flip flops, they only get worn when I'm riding - and I'm still on the first pair!

Maybe I should start dragging my feet to wear them out, 'cause I really want a pair of TCX Five Plus.

You'd think I'd be smarter. The only "accident" I've ever had (and I didn't even get off) broke three bones in my foot - 25+ years ago.

Stupid is as stupid does, eh?

 

[SkySoldier]

I know it's an old topic but I just bought a pair of Icon Reign boots. Still waiting on them to get here. Anyone know anything about them? They seem like pretty good boots judging from the research I did. IMO, they aren't the ugliest pair of boots I could be wearing either. I was very close to ordering those Icon Patrol boots though.

I also have some larger calves so fitting on higher boots with zippers can be tough sometimes.

Like some others here I also ride with a pair of military style duty boots; Reebok Dauntless I occasionally have to wear them at work so they do double duty.

I've got a couple week ride coming up so I want to make sure I have stuff that works.

 

[Bounce]

I'm personally averse to the "high profile design" of most things Icon. It surprised me to look and find a pair of black boots that could "go stealth" under a pair of jeans at work.

 

[SkySoldier]

I'm personally averse to the "high profile design" of most things Icon. It surprised me to look and find a pair of black boots that could "go stealth" under a pair of jeans at work.

I can agree on some of that. I don't want to be a billboard. I just bought Icon's Patrol Jacket and I like it so far but it does have ICON in big letters across the front. Otherwise, the quality is pretty good IMO.

I got those ICON Reign boots and they just didn't fit width-wise. Returning today. Zip up boots are tough like that for me. And there aren't too many places around me that sell quality boots that you can try on in the store.

 

[bergmen]

There aren't many MC boots wide enough for my duck like feet. I went with he Danner Striker II GTX 6".I always have a pair of SmartWool socks under them. My feet stay dry and comfy no matter what the elements offer. (I add heated sock liners below 40f)

That's my biggest problem right there. Motorcycle boots almost never list the width and I have super wide 9 1/2 feet. If I go to a morocycle super store (like Road Riders in San Jose) not one pair of boots they have in stock even come close to fitting.

If I could get wide boots I would be glad to spend the money on them. I would love to have a pair of the Air-Tec boots in post #2 but can't get 'em to fit at all. Also, my feet run hot so I need maximum mesh and zipper closures.

Dan

 

[Chuck35]

I am quite happy with the Danner's. They breathe well and I haven't got wet feet in a frog strangle yet. I have a pair of wide MC boots saved in my wish list over at compacc CLICKY

I haven't tried or even seen a pair....but they have wide sizes!

 

[Wild72]

I recently picked up a pair of Gaerne Balance Oiled boots, which are hands down the most comfortable boots I have owned to date, both on and off the bike.. (Done the Sidi, Alpinestars, Frank Thomas etc. over the years). The Balance took very little time to break in, passed my 15 minute bathtub soak test and are easy on/off due to the adjustable buckles. Having only ever owned either black or red (race) boots,

I was a bit concerned about these only being available in brown, but have grown to like them, and the comfort makes it worth it. Always had to go up a size with the Sidi's, but these fit and have way more room, particularly in the area of toe width.

Just my $0.02

 

[weekend rider]

Boots buy the best made for the job. How much are your feet worth? Injure them and find out. worst injury to fix with all those little bones, just like your fingers. I worked with a guy that wrecked and a foot peg went through his foot, never the same always something wrong Alpine Stars offer a boot to fit wide feet. I have similar to the sidi ones shown.. both very good boots