Boots?

[Vova]

So I really need to get a pair of boots and gloves. The only real safety gear I have is my helmet, and until yesterday been riding in my sketchers. Finally switched to my steel toes because my sketchers were getting black-toe! I am torn though because I am in a pretty horrible financial situation, not that I am living on the street, but I am working about 12 hours a week at Papa John's while I career search, and blew a bunch of my savings for that short lived move to Russia . I figure jacket and pants can wait, but boots and gloves cannot.

I am debating between three now. The Shift Fuel @ $100, Alpinestar Ridge @ $130 and the Joe Rocket Super Street @ $160. I like the price of the Fuel, like the convenience (so easy to put on and off) and waterproof of the Ridge, and like the Super Street because they fit nice, provide the most protection, and are, well, cool looking . I also really want to try the Joe Rocket Velocity, but I am so picky about shoes and cannot find them local to try on...

I am leaning away from the Alpinestars, I feel like the boot advantage is largely missing because they are so soft and flexible, yes very comfortable, and would protect against flying rocks (which sure hurt but whatever not worried about that), but not do much to protect the ankle I think. Which brings me to the Super Streets or the Fuels. Part of me feels like safety gear is only valuable when worn, and the shoes are so much more reasonable. Plus much friendlier to my budget (and when I get a job I would not feel as bad about running out and buying a nice pair of boots, harder to justify that if I already had boots). But part of me feels like I might as well go for maximum protection, but probably mostly I like the look of the boots (and the sliders and lack of laces are a plus!).

Attack me all you want I know plenty will, I do not ride planning to crash. I want something that provides more protection than my skate shoes, but I am a ride-everywhere kind of guy (likely be upset when I ride to the mall and have to walk around in the Super Streets for a few hours) and on a budget- I would feel more than comfortable riding in the Fuels as far as protection goes, at least for now (just casual riding).

I feel stupid posting about shoes, but I cannot decide! I am the pickiest shoe guy in the world, probably half the shoes I have bought never even get worn because I am so picky . To boot (pun intended?) my back much prefers minimalist footwear so I particularly hate to spend big money right now on something that might be unbearable for more than just a quick walk through the grocery store.

As for gloves I am leaning towards the Cortech HDX or Fly FL1, leaning towards the Fly but I forgot from trying them on how much wrist protection there is (I like that little extra protection many have over the outer side of wrist to cover that joint/bone bump.

[adidasguy]

I tried Joe Rocket - cheap and returned them because plastic lace things broke.

I like Alpine Stars Afrika and Mille.  One is a mid and the other is higher. They both have speed laces and velcro. The thing I love about them is they look like street shoes. I can ride and wear them everywhere - even in the gym. They don't have any of the "biker" look. So if you just do street riding, commuting and shopping, then these are perfect.

http://www.alpinestars.com/Mille_Shoes/pd/c/113/np/113/p/251000.html

I also have the Octane, but don't wear those as much.

Maybe something more substantial if racing or doing lots of freeway riding, but that's not my riding.

[Vova]

I will try and look into those, the problem is because of how picky I am, I do not really feel comfortable purchasing online without trying in-store first. I really like those Joe Rocket Velocity but don't think I will buy them because I cannot try them on first.

The three I listed are the ones I have tried on and really liked. I have noticed though with Joe Rocket, the boots seemed high quality to me (of course you can only tell so much in a few minutes in-store), but I tried some of their jackets on and I really am not interested. Those felt cheaply made to me, the zippers in particular.

I guess I kind of feel like I know I am going to expand somewhere, seems completely reasonable to me to have more than one pair of riding shoes depending on what I am doing (out for a high-speed country ride with a buddy, race boots seem very reasonable, out for a Sunday right to church, shoes seem the ticket). Question I guess is, which to start with .

Thanks, I have one or two more places out in Seattle I have yet to visit, maybe they will have some of the ones you mentioned available I can try on!

[adidasguy]

You're welcome to get out your passport and visit West Seattle to see mine.
There are so many shoes out there it is hard to find certain ones in stock. The Mille I got at RMC but I didn't see them there last time I was there.

[Twisted]

I have a pair of the Shift Fuel boots that I wear when I want to go out or to the shops. I was like you wearing a pair of sneakers which wasn't very safe. I really like these boots. They do not have the protection of full riding boots of course but are 10x better than sneakers.

When I go on longer rides I wear these -

[parker]

I brought Sidi Vertigo AIR boots and they're awesome.

Tried them on in a place in Australia that was selling them for $550aud, and I knew I saw them on US motorcycle shop websites so I took note of the sizes & ended up buying them online from SportsbikeTrackGear for $300, and also got a aftermarket visor for my helmet.

All up cost about $380 including shipping. Will never buy stuff from Australia again, so much taxes & what not get put on it.

[Vova]

I am definitely looking at low-cut boots at the maximum. I have very springy ankles (I once had a Scout Master, after a long hike behind me assure me he had never seen such "springy ankles," thats where I grabbed that adjective ). There is a lot of good to that, but a lot of bad too. I generally hate boots, I started volunteering with my old scout troop and going on a basic hike in a couple weeks with them... this is what I intend to wear for all three days . So you can see why I am so picky about my shoes, to be fair it is probably fifty percent by choice, but fifty percent pain as well (anything with thick heals or exaggerated arch support ruins my back).

[Big Rich]

At the risk of sounding like Debbie Downer, I would invest in a jacket first. Keep the steel toe boots that you have now (which I'm assuming have some sort of ankle protection). While boots should be comfortable, they are worthless on a bike if they don't offer protection.

Ditto with the gloves- a jacket will save you from a big skin graft.

[noworries]

Vova, if you're ever tempted to move from short boots onto more traditional motorcycle boots, have at look at these guys....

http://www.rossiboots.com.au/catalogue/catalogue_browse.asp?deptID=9

I've been pushing a pair of their P134 boots. Pure old fashioned craftsmanship at excellent prices.

Talking about protective gear, I was having a chat to a real experienced but jacketless motorcycle cop on his beautiful BMW at our local petrol station last week and enquired if he was wearing elbow protectors under his blue dress shirt. He said "no" but then added that he was wearing a bullet-proof vest! Got me thinking that I might be a bit underdressed for the suburb!

[Mart3y]

I'm more a traditional boot guy, I think its just cus i feel more protected in the longer boots.
But much like the ones Twisted posted:

Forma Diablo

They are the same brand as my boots:

Forma Voyage

Which are really comfortable, i'm quite picky when it comes to shoes and i can walk around in these all day. Which i do quite frequently cus i ride everywhere on the weekend 

As for the Rossi boots, Dad has a set of them, cant remember which ones, but he said they a really good except he finds them too tall at the toe area (well where you change gears), which was fixed a little by dragging the feet on the road for a while lol

[Last1Out]

TCX. Best I've ever worn. You can check out their stuff here ... http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/boots/all_types/tcx/

I'm using the older version of the 'X Action' boot and wear them whenever I'm riding now. Very comfortable and proven to me to be waterproof. The wife wears the X Cube boots and has even worn them shopping, and that says a lot!

MCG, formerly NewEnough, one of the best on line vendors out there. Check their closeout section for some great deals.

[Paulcet]

Just a little advice: buy the best you can afford, and wear it all the time.

However I do agree with Big Rich about the steel toes and jacket.

And motorcyclegear.com is the best I have found for consistent good prices and excellent customer service.

[tt_four]

I'm gonna 2nd the jacket first idea, especially if you already have some steel toed boots. Other than that, do you have anywhere like Cyclegear around you? I always see decent looking boots on sale there for $50. You can also look into some used boots. I bought a pair of Sidis off someone on this forum for $50 and they're great. Try checking ebay or something like that, even if you need to go to a few dealerships just to try some on for the right size. You can also find jackets pretty cheap. I got a yoshimura vented summer jacket on newenough.com for $30, and there are plenty of other cheap jackets out there.

[twocool]

TCX. Best I've ever worn. You can check out their stuff here ... http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/boots/all_types/tcx/

I'm using the older version of the 'X Action' boot and wear them whenever I'm riding now. Very comfortable and proven to me to be waterproof. The wife wears the X Cube boots and has even worn them shopping, and that says a lot!

MCG, formerly NewEnough, one of the best on line vendors out there. Check their closeout section for some great deals.

Yep TCX...I had ridden for three years in work boots or sneakers....finally got smart and researched boots.....chose the TCX X cube....Love 'em!    Perfect in every way...and nice price too...


Cookie

[fraze11]

I bought these alpinestars at a bike show in the winter and FINALLY got to try them out the other day (the weather was finally decent around here)...So far so good.  Nice and light too...

[murf425]

I bought a pair of black Converse Elites for the police academy, and they are now my riding boots.  Comfortable, durable, good support, keeps traction on wet roads, look good, super-thick rubber soles eliminate all vibration...and pretty inexpensive.

http://www.uscav.com/productinfo.aspx?productID=9666

[Vova]

Thanks everyone! Still have not made up my mind, we will se if I do , when I am low on cash I get very indecisive! Hopefully that will not be lasting long though. I hate my steel toes so this week I suspect I will have to come to a conclusion and buy something! As for jacket first, I have pretty good jackets, and due to the temperature bundle up like crazy (three or four layers ) so I am less worried about my torso for now. Boots are safety, but also just convenience as I hate my steel toes (screw up my back, pain to lace up) and my sketchers are getting black-toe from the shifter.

Additionally, I get pretty nervous about buying a jacket online as well. I have never bought clothes online where at least one item did not work! I am a pretty big guy and find myself in a plethora of sizes (some in 2x were just great, other's not even close to zipping ). I really dig the Speed and Strength Call to Arms, but it is not cheap at $200. Though I want to try on their other one with the hood and back armor. The only other one I tried on that was alright was the Joe Rocket Mil Spec one, but after trying on a couple other Joe Rocket's I have little interest in one of their jackets, seem cheaply made, zipper in particular. Wouldn't mind sticking with leather either. Regardless I am going to have to try more stuff on before I can buy something I think (though I have been eying Fieldsheer Congo at only $70.

I bought these alpinestars at a bike show in the winter and FINALLY got to try them out the other day (the weather was finally decent around here)...So far so good.  Nice and light too...

Those are one of the pairs I was looking at. Originally I thought I liked them because they were very comfortable and flexible and easy to get on, very convenient... but I do not think they would provide the same ankle protection as a more traditional boot, if my memory serves me correctly they are pretty flexible all around?

[fraze11]

Well, they are actually failry stiff.  But they are also very light and comfortable as well as waterproof which is why I really liked them.  Up until this point Ive been wearing workboots so these are a welcome relief.  I know their not the best boot out there but I like them so far ... so far as in one ride   I'll know more by mid April once Ive logged a few hundred KM's....

[jacob_ns]

I am definitely looking at low-cut boots at the maximum. I have very springy ankles (I once had a Scout Master, after a long hike behind me assure me he had never seen such "springy ankles," thats where I grabbed that adjective ). There is a lot of good to that, but a lot of bad too. I generally hate boots, I started volunteering with my old scout troop and going on a basic hike in a couple weeks with them... this is what I intend to wear for all three days . So you can see why I am so picky about my shoes, to be fair it is probably fifty percent by choice, but fifty percent pain as well (anything with thick heals or exaggerated arch support ruins my back).

I hope you already own your Vibrams and have been acclimating your feet to them slowly. If you plan to put them on and go for a three day hike without getting used to them first, you're going to really regret it. Also, as much as I love my Vibrams, be extremely careful if you're wearing these and carrying a rucksack. They offer zero ankle support and you can very easily break your ankle if you're carrying any amount of weight.

[Anaconda]

I am pretty much budget oriented when I purchase my gear and I've been wearing one of the TourMaster boots (it's a 3/4 boot with great ankle protection, as it has protected me in a spill), a tourmaster venture overpants and textile jacket.