Combat Boots

[RVertigo]

The track should have a set of reqs...   I'd just search around on their page.

If they don't mention toe-sliders or anything specific other than "leather" and/or "covers ankle" then you should be fine.

[tussey]

The track should have a set of reqs...   I'd just search around on their page.

If they don't mention toe-sliders or anything specific other than "leather" and/or "covers ankle" then you should be fine.

They want

2) Riding boots that fully cover the ankle.

I should be good

LOL they do say this though. I wonder how much teasing I'll get for brining a 500.

YOU MUST RIDE A MOTORCYCLE APPROPRIATE FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE TRACK RIDING. SEVERELY UNDERPOWERED MOTORCYCLES, OR THOSE NOT SUITED TO HIGH SPEEDS OR LEAN ANGLES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED ON THE TRACK,

[RVertigo]

Hmm...  "Riding boots"

That's totally open to interpretation...   


And...  If anyone give you shaZam! about riding a 500, pass 'em in the corner and  as you go by.   

[Dom]

Here in Seattle, waterproof riding boots sure come in handy, then again, waterproof everything comes in handy, as well as heated grips, a heated vest, and a balaclava.  No shame in my game.

[RVertigo]

Yeah...  I don't have anything heated...  But, it's all waterproof and pretty warm.

I didn't wear any of it this morning.   My little buddy sure was chilly when I got to work.

[blue05twin]

Sense you spent that much money already why don't you contact them and make sure.  I'd  be pissed at myself if I got there and they wouldn't let me on the track.  Never hurts to make sure. 

[Jughead]

Yeap Stay away from Any Steel toed Boots I had a Budy that lost his foot all of the way back to his Heel  in a Logging Accident.He would have Probably only Suffered from a broken foot if he had been Wearing Regular boots.When the Log Pushed his Foot Back the Toe Clipped His foot of about 3 inches from his heel.They Had to take the rest off up to his Heel because it was Damaged too bad.He Still works and after 4 -5 Years it still bothers Him and the Last time I talked to him he said that the doctors may Have to take it the rest of the way off past his Heel on up his Leg so he can wear  a Prostetic Foot.
I was Lucky back a few Years Ago I was wearing a Pair of Steel toed Lacer Work Boots.My Uncle ran over my toes with the Tractor with the Front wheel and it only folded up a Little bit but not enough to cut into my Toes. If it had been the rear Tire and It had gotten under one of the Cleets I would have had a Permenent Limp too.Since the Tractor Weights 7 ton the would have had to remove my toes Like a Can of Sardines.Steel toes Have there Place but only for stuff weighing less than 200lb.

I actually wear Combat Boots All of the time.I really like the full Leather ones.Right Now I'm wearing the Kind that the Guys in Iraq are wearing Tan Bates Durashocks.they have the Canvas upper and are pretty Comfy but I really Felt for them this Summer when it got Really hot.I only saw a few 100+ Degree days and my feet Almost Fried.I can only Imagine what it would be like at 120+

[Egaeus]

Steel toed boots protect your toes better than regular boots.  Typically, anything that will cause the steel toe to take off your foot will take off your foot by itself.  Others are just freak accidents.  It's like arguing against seat belts because in a small fraction of cases, not wearing one would have been the best option.

[Gisser]

A couple weeks ago Mythbusters on Discovery Channel featured a segment on steel toed boots to verify or dispell any basis for the amputation horror stories we sometimes hear.  The boots were tested by dropping an anvil on the toe from about 1 story high.  They came to the conclusion that steel toes were not a safety hazzard.  However, after watching the show and seeing the results I wasn't as confident in their conclusion as they were.       

[Jarrett]

I stole this from http://www.sportbikes.ws/showthread.php?t=20317

Stolen from the web

Motorcycle riding boots are designed with a particular purpose in mind, and as a result, will initially look unusual to you. Also, they simply aren't as comfortable for walking around as boots designed for general street use or hiking. The trouble is, since you're used to selecting footwear that is designed for walking, riding boots with flimsier soles, slider plates, extended heels, padded shins and various attached armored plates look strange initially. So it's a dilemma to choose from different designs.

Motorcycle boots are designed for riding and crashing a motorcycle. That's the time when you'll wear them out. So, you don't need thick padding on the sole. You'll also want a stable platform when standing on the pegs so you'll need a boot with a stiffened sole instead of a flexible sole needed for easier walking. Further, you don't want the boot to get snagged on the bike or anything else, so you want zippers and Velcro fasteners instead of laces.

Steel-toed boots were initially developed to reduce the severity of foot damage from industrial accidents by providing an external armor for the toes. The impacts associated with motorcycle accidents generally cause blunt force trauma unlike damage caused by sharp and heavy object impacts that steel toes are designed to protect against. So motorcycle boots are designed to provide padding to spread-out the impact loads rather than deflect them. This approach also allows the rider to feel the shift lever with his toes, an essential feature.

A low-side crash can pin your ankle between the bike and the road so a well designed boot will place hard armor plates between your ankle and the road surface so that the boot ablates and not your foot. Additional armor, an extended heel, or a slider at the top of the boot will keep the road from removing the side of your shin.

The major motorcycle boot manufacturers have years of experience designing boots based on actual damage they see to their boots from a large number of accidents, so over time, designs have evolved to provide the greatest protection for the largest number and variety of accidents while preserving essential feel, flexibility and foot range-of-motion.

For example, a high-side or crash into another vehicle needs impact protection so you'll want a padded shin, tendon guard and padded ankle cups on the boot.

The boot also needs to resist twisting forces that can break the ankle and lower leg bones so a design that provides for good adjustment for fit is crucial. Some boots have internal stiffeners to resist and distribute torsion loads, some use external stiffeners. This needs to be done without making the ankle so rigid that it can't move to shift.

Aggressive riding sometimes will bring your boot too close to the road in a turn. So you will find a need for replaceable toe sliders that are made from materials that promote sliding instead of grabbing the pavement.

In rainy climates consider a boot featuring a breathable water-proof liner. Gore-Tex, Sympatex and Tepor membranes have this feature. For sunny climates consider vented boot designs and use CoolMax socks to wick away perspiration.

Finally, the way the new boots feel walking around the store is not the same as they will feel on the bike. On the bike they don't have to support your full body weight constantly so keep this in mind when selecting size and style. If you plan to do a lot of walking around at your destination bring along your street shoes in your backpack, tank bag or saddlebags. Cable lock your boots to your bike.

The best approach is to buy basic black, unless you're comfortable wearing bright multi-colored boots with street clothes. You know (don't you?) you shouldn't wear jeans when riding, but you probably will anyway. Some designs with large shin protectors prevent them from being worn under a jeans pant leg.

That said, there are plenty of accidents where a street or hiking boot has saved a foot and the slower the speed of the accident, the better the odds.

It's your foot ...

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Buy some race boots.  I use Joe Rocket GPX boots.  Combat boots are not made for motorcycle crashing.  You need a boot that is designed for a crash.  What are you going to do if you low side and the rear set falls on your ankle?  Check out this vid.  Nasty warning.
http://www.big-boys.com/articles/bikeanklebreak.html

Good boots save feet.

[joedude]

I don't know where most of you guys got your 'combat boots' but if they're steel toed... the are NOT combats!

At least not Canadian combats.... picture this...  hiking for miles and miles with a heavy backpack and steel toed boots weighing down your feet. It's a definite No-no. So for that reason; Combats are just not steel toe'd.

PS: I ride my bike with my Combat Boots. They're comfortable and sturdy and if laced properly if ever you're in an accident, a paramedic should be able to remove your boot by cutting the laces relatively easily with a simple pocket knife.

[tussey]

I don't know where most of you guys got your 'combat boots' but if they're steel toed... the are NOT combats!

Same with US mil spec boots. We don't have steel toed boots.