Too much about shoes, OR are Doc Martins poor for the cause?

[respite]

I wear the standard full face helmet/jacket/gloves/jeans on my daily ride. Ive been wearing snug fitting low top running sneakers, and i in part blame the MSF course for this. They never explained the importance of over-the-ankle footwear, they only enforced it as a requirement to ride in their class. As i dont like boots, i bought the second pair ive ever owned, only to return them once the riding portion of the class was over.

I just checked the workbook.

Sturdy over-the-ankle boots help protect riders from a variety of riding hazards, such as stones that get thrown up from the roadway. They also prevent burns from hot exhaust pipes. Rubber-soled boots with low heels provide a strong grip on the pavement and help keep feet on the footrests. In the event of a crash, boots can provide valuable protection against foot and ankle injuries.

The first two points are things im not really worried about. The third i understand but feel my shoes do just fine for the area im in with the road conditions and climate im exposed to. Their last point, i feel the user community of motorcyclists seem to stress the importance of far more than the MSF class, handbook, videos, or instructors did.

I understand the common sense factor, but im not the type of person who does things just because they are instructed to do so. I need a logical explanation to follow through. In my head, the conclusion i came to is "If im involved in an accident, the skin on my ankles is going to be the last thing im going to be worried about."

Ive been wearing sneakers with the laces tucked in for the past month. After reading things on this and other forums, viewing pictures, logs, and videos of crash data, im starting to think its not the wisest conclusion ive come to.

Now im in the market for something a bit better. Id rather not bother with leaving sneakers at work, carrying around a backpack, or buying a bag just to lug shoes around.

That said, are the classic 8 hole, over-the-ankle doc martins really that bad for motorcycle use? I cant really find stated differences as to why they are inferior to boots made for motorcycles. Any suggestions or feedback would be helpful.

[pantablo]

In reality you need MOTORCYCLE boots, which protect your ankle from breaking.

the doc martins are better than sneakers you are currently using but not as good as even casual motorcycle boots, which will have extra thick protection at the ankle bone. I rode this type of boot for a few years, including many trackdays (including a crash).

You can see them here:


Motorcycle specific boots will also have multiple velcro closures so they dont go flying off in the event of a crash, which the docs will be prone to do.

now I wear proper boots:

[warpzone]

I have only been riding for a few weeks. I'm low-sided my bike like a jackass in a low-speed intersection. The entire weight of the bike was distributed between my left engine case guard and my left foot. I had on 6in safety work boots from the metal shop I work in, but even then my ankle was torqued and decently bruised. If I'd been wearing sneakers I'd probably have a sprained or broken ankle. That said, I learned even 6in boots aren't enough, and am currently in the market for good riding boots.

I'm thinking these:
http://www.lapolicegear.com/co8siziptabo.html
since I can get them free through work, and because of their supposedly superior grip on slick surfaces.

[GeeP]

I recall reading (maybe in the Hurt Report) that the most commonly injured area of the body during a crash is the ankle.  Most of those injuries involve hyperextension of the ankle.  (Moving your foot well beyond the normal range of motion.)

Work boots will not help with this, as they have no mechanical means for preventing overextionsion of your foot.  Proper motorcycle boots, expecially those designed for racing, will have this feature.

In addition, they have a much smaller toe box profile and a thinner, harder sole.  This makes it much easier to ride, as you're not trying to fit a massive steel toe under the shifter.  I sometimes ride in my Redwings if i'm just going a mile or two around town.  My shifting degrades noticeably.

So yes, motorcycle specific boots are a must.  Go try on a pair of Sidi boots.  Yeah, they're expensive.  However, my Sidi Vertebra 2's are more comfortable than my work boots and significantly easier to ride in.  When I go riding on the weekends the go on at 7:30 am and come off about 10:00 pm.  They're absolutely the most comfortable footwear I've ever worn.   

[VSG]

I understand the common sense factor, but im not the type of person who does things just because they are instructed to do so. I need a logical explanation to follow through. In my head, the conclusion i came to is "If im involved in an accident, the skin on my ankles is going to be the last thing im going to be worried about."

Common sense told me that I needed motorcycle boots when I first started riding.  Sneakers won't provide any protection and even over the ankle boots won't do much but maybe protect against road rash.

I went with Oxtar Matrix boots.  http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-boots/oxtar/matrix/  There is rigid armor in the ankles and shin.  The sole has a plan in it for reducing any twisting motion.  A lot of protection and they're comfortable too.  I leave a pair of shoes at my work desk, that's fine with me when I look at the added protection these provide.

[gaspy]

Common sense told me that I needed motorcycle boots when I first started riding.  Sneakers won't provide any protection and even over the ankle boots won't do much but maybe protect against road rash.

I went with Oxtar Matrix boots.  http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-boots/oxtar/matrix/  There is rigid armor in the ankles and shin.  The sole has a plan in it for reducing any twisting motion.  A lot of protection and they're comfortable too.  I leave a pair of shoes at my work desk, that's fine with me when I look at the added protection these provide.

I had never heard of them before, but the recommended Oxtar Matrix boots seem nice. Regardless, I don't feel comfortable riding without my motorcycle boots. In every regard I feel better with them than with sneakers or other boots: at stops with or without oil slicked surfaces, with my feet on the pegs, and with the possibility of an at-speed slide. I wear Tourmaster's SC Response boots because they're more discrete and affordable, but they do the minimum -- ankle protection, warm, weather-resistant leather and comfortable lining, reinforced left foot shift area, grippy rubber soles, etc. I was surprised with how flexible these are, much more comfortable than work boots.

-G

[Kasumi]

I concur that motorcycle boots are essential! You need ankle movement restriction (provided by proper motorcycle boots) as well as friction and impact resistance provided by motorcycle boots. Most riders wear the "race" style boots as they provide the best protection you can get. They are also comfortable for walking round and stuff in. Its not too difficult to fit a pair of sneakers into a rucksack or tank bag for work .

I commuted to my school 6th form (formal dress, suit and proper shoes) and carried my shoes and blazer in my backpack and then swapped over at school. Its not too difficult to do.

[RobTheTyrant]

I'm probably as guilty as anyone could be about not wearing boots... I mostly ride in Alpinestar riding shoes.  Yeah, better than regular kicks but not as good as the alpinestar boots that I own that old my door open.

[bigfatcat]

FWIW you don't have to break the bank to get mc specific boots - i bought a pair of joe rocket boots from newenough.com for about $75, and a pair of motocross boots from leatherup.com for about $70.  Both are better for mc'ing than the heavy boondockers, hiking boots, tennis shoes, steel toes, etc (yeah teva too) that i wore previously.

[Dan02GS]

I am cheap, right now I have a great pair of Wolverines Durashocks, I have to work in them and the are pretty comfortable. After reading everyone's responses here I know that MC boots are on the Xmas list. I think that I'll be looking at those Tourmaster boots.

[ohgood]

When I crash, I'll be wearing work boots. The crash will be a mistake, wearing the wrong boots will be a very poor decision. Will I learn now, or then ?

^^^ Think of it that way.

[respite]

Thanks for the insight. I never heard anyone in the msf talk about foot-ankle injuries, nor did i hear any statistics for the injury rates.

As i value the art of walking, im going to drop the idea of docs. If my going to wear something i dont like, its going to be fully functional. So ugly motorcycle street boots it is!

[gaspy]

After reading everyone's responses here I know that MC boots are on the Xmas list. I think that I'll be looking at those Tourmaster boots.

I forgot to add that motorcycle boots feel very lightweight when on a bike. This is the main difference I'm sure you'll feel compared to work boots or doc martens. For those interested, here's a link to the Tour Master boots, which I picked up on sale online: http://www.tourmaster.com/xcart/product.php?productid=83&cat=7.