steel toed boots

[jiggersplat]

what are everyones feelings on riding with them?  i can see how on the one hand it could be a great idea, but i've also heard concerns about getting toes cut off should something heavy enough bend the steel the wrong way.

[JohnNS]

I have to wear them at work, so I always ride with them on my way there and back. Biggest problem I've had so far is that the shifter has worn a hole right through the top of the left boot.

I can't imagine the toe thing happening, thats what they're designed to protect after all.

John

[Mat]

in my opinion as long as your shoes or bots don't come off easily steel toes don't matter

[glenn9171]

Steel toes are rated and tested to only protect you from a 40 pound weight falling one foot.  Nothing more.  If you get in a crash and your 400 pound bike slams into your foot, the safety toe area could be crushed down and sever your toes.  Whereas regular boots would allow them to be smashed, but not completely cut off.  If steel toes were a good idea for motorcycle boots, trust me, every single manufacturer would have them in their line-up already.

[70 Cam Guy]

This is the reasoning for steel toed boots that I've heard.

Its easier to re-attach severed toes that it is to repair crushed ones.

I can't say that I agree or disagree with the statement.  I know that I hope it never happens to me

I try to wear my SMX boots when I can but I usually wear my steel toed boots on my way to school.  The lack of feel on the shifter kinda sucks but I guess its better than regular running shoes or Vans.

[Blueknyt]

Figure anythingheavy enough to crush the toe cap even mildly, would destroy the bones in the foot in any other footwear

[vtlion]

Here's a thought on steel toed boots considering the weather these days:

Folks without the burden of 4-seasons can ignore this observaton, but steel is a good thermal conductor and unless you've got some good warm socks on, you're toes will get cold much faster while riding wearing them in the colder months.  Cold toes is nothing compared to crushed or severed toes, but I just thought I would toss that out there for comment/consideration.

peace

[JasonB]

Odd testing standard...50lbs from 18", but 2500lbs of compression?

ANSI I75/C75 Safety Toe Test Requirements: (1) IMPACT: A Man's shoes must maintain a minimum clearance of 16/32" (Women's 15/32") when an object weighting 50 pounds is dropped from a height of 18" creating an impact of 75 pounds. (2) COMPRESSION: A shoe must maintain the same clearance while being compressed by a minimum of 2500 pounds.

[Lars]

It probably means that the  steel should not deform under a load of 2500 pounds.

[70 Cam Guy]

It probably means that the  steel should not deform under a load of 2500 pounds.

Right, its gradual compression compared to an impact shock.  At least that's the way I see it

in other words, the forklift set the pallet on your big toe -or- you dropped the 10 pound sledge on your tow

[JasonB]

It probably means that the  steel should not deform under a load of 2500 pounds.

Right, its gradual compression compared to an impact shock.  At least that's the way I see it

in other words, the forklift set the pallet on your big toe -or- you dropped the 10 pound sledge on your tow

2500lbs it wont deform to more than that but dropping 50lbs from 18" will?

[fraisse]

OT: You happen to post on supraforums too jiggersplat? Your signiture shows excellent taste in vehicles.

[TheGoodGuy]

i have one, took a bit of getting used to it... yeah the leather is git an imperfection where the shifter hits

[Cal Price]

I think CamGuy is right, the Euro standard for steel toed workwear is that they will chop your toes off nice'n'neat rather than make them into a pizza topping. That cheery note aside I usually wear them and probably get some false comfort from so doing, like some of the other posts they are required for my work.

[jgkiv]

I have started wearing them because of an accident where i ended up smashing my leg between my bike and a carwhich resulted in me breaking a couple of toes and dislokating one.  If you don't mind the pain then you can wear regular shoes but i use steel toed shoes now. if all else fails you can wear some heavy duty boot of some kind.

[V8Pinto]

2500lbs it wont deform to more than that but dropping 50lbs from 18" will?[/quote]

Sure.  Think about how an impact gun works.  You can lean on a ratchet all day and not get anywhere.  Then you can put an impact gun on it and break the fastener clean through.  Holding the socket with your hand and pressing the button on the impact gun, it doesn't feel like much is happening but it is.  and it is the speed at which it is happening that is key.

Setting 2500lbs on something is completely different than "impacting" something with a smaller weight.

[96gs]

i just got some recently and love them. i live in bama so it doesnt ge tas cold as it does in other places.

[dmp221]

2500lbs
Setting 2500lbs on something is completely different than "impacting" something with a smaller weight.

Yep...not sure about the safety aspect of steel toe/regular.  My cruiserworks boots have a hardened composite toebox...not steel (no thermal conductivity, as vtlion pointed out..)

anyways, just think about yer basic physics 101

F=MA

[Jared]

Steel toed shoes/boots aren't really a good idea for riding boots...Aside from the temperature  conduction they are heavy... In an accident  they would be more likely to come off than a lighter boot. They won't do muh protecting if they go sailing off your foot...

So as far as a protective boot for riding is concerned it wouldn't do much if any good .....In my Opinion...

[Turkina]

I've got a steel toed boot sitting in my closet with a gouge that went straight through the leather and into the steel.  I might have been missing a toe if not for them!    So, I advocate boots with a 'safety box' toe.  Anything that will crush the toe box is going to be bad enough to mangle any other body part that is involved.  It'll definitely help in an impact or to keep your boot together in an abrasion situation.  I shudder when I see my friend's shoes with the outer part of the toe worn down by some agressive cornering! hehe

There are ANSI certified non-steel safety boots with umm... maybe a composite toe box.  Does have some spring back to it so it won't pose a great a danger to cutting toes off if the accident is that bad.  Also, it conducts a lot less heat than steel