Boots?

[SAFE-T]

If you don't have much moola but still want a decent boot, I have been using these for years:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/36/2178/ITEM/Icon-Motorhead-Boots.aspx

Looks like they sold out, but you can find them for this price if you are willing to look a bit.

[Vova]

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.

Yes, though I did not do so slowly I have ran off and on in them for about a year I think? I am definitely bringing some boots along (if only because 1/3 of the hike is on the beach, not wearing my VFFs in the sand!) so not too worried. I am thinking a little more about it after tweaking my foot the other day running, it was pretty bad. However, I do not think it was VFF related as I've ran at least two if not three miles in them at a time and this was a little mile jog .

If you don't have much moola but still want a decent boot, I have been using these for years:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/36/2178/ITEM/Icon-Motorhead-Boots.aspx

Looks like they sold out, but you can find them for this price if you are willing to look a bit.

I like the price of those, still held back by a boot I cannot try on before buying though.

[moosehead28]

I have theses alpinestars, the sx2 and they are super comfortable. Plus they dont look like space boots under your pants

http://www.alpinestars.com/SMX_2_Boot/pd/c/111/np/111/p/222408.html

[Stanfield]

I have both the shift fuel and shift kicker boots.  Both are comfortable and fit true to size, but the kicker boots are way superior in every category.  They are cut higher and will offer more protection and IMO look better.  With jeans they look like a skate shoe, people never know I'm wearing a moto boot.  I've had them for 6 months and ride about 1k miles a month.  I could clean them up and probably return them as new theyve held up so well.  I recommend them much more than the fuels.

[Vova]

I have both the shift fuel and shift kicker boots.  Both are comfortable and fit true to size, but the kicker boots are way superior in every category.  They are cut higher and will offer more protection and IMO look better.  With jeans they look like a skate shoe, people never know I'm wearing a moto boot.  I've had them for 6 months and ride about 1k miles a month.  I could clean them up and probably return them as new theyve held up so well.  I recommend them much more than the fuels.

Do they fit nearly identical? Same height and everything?

[GS500Fmode]

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).

call me weird, alternative lifestyle man, ghey... whatever.. BUT those are the best and most comfortable things i have ever put on my feet!
5 fingers! to all you haters out there, try some on b4 ya hate !

i didnt read any responses to this, im assuming

(i wouldnt EVER wear them on my bike tho! lol)

[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).

call me weird, alternative lifestyle man, ghey... whatever.. BUT those are the best and most comfortable things i have ever put on my feet!
5 fingers! to all you haters out there, try some on b4 ya hate !

i didnt read any responses to this, im assuming

(i wouldnt EVER wear them on my bike tho! lol)

Hahah, you couldn't even imagine what the military thought of them when I wore mine to PT one day. Responses ranged from "Cool! Where'd you get em?" to "You can't wear those, they're not authorized dress." to "You're a nancy boy."

I wear them at the gym, running, day hiking and anywhere generally physically active.

[Stanfield]

I have both the shift fuel and shift kicker boots.  Both are comfortable and fit true to size, but the kicker boots are way superior in every category.  They are cut higher and will offer more protection and IMO look better.  With jeans they look like a skate shoe, people never know I'm wearing a moto boot.  I've had them for 6 months and ride about 1k miles a month.  I could clean them up and probably return them as new theyve held up so well.  I recommend them much more than the fuels.

Do they fit nearly identical? Same height and everything?

They fit the same, but do come up a little higher on your ankle which is why I ended up buying them after already having the fuels.  The fuels are little more than a mid hightop sneaker while the kickers are a true moto boot that look like a skate shoe when covered with your pants leg.  I ride to school with them and walk around campus all day as well.  No complaints.

[Vova]

Hahah, you couldn't even imagine what the military thought of them when I wore mine to PT one day. Responses ranged from "Cool! Where'd you get em?" to "You can't wear those, they're not authorized dress." to "You're a nancy boy."

I wear them at the gym, running, day hiking and anywhere generally physically active.

Point out the idea is based on a US Military study from the early 1900's I believe it was, that determined aggressive support in shoes is actually bad for you.

They fit the same, but do come up a little higher on your ankle which is why I ended up buying them after already having the fuels.  The fuels are little more than a mid hightop sneaker while the kickers are a true moto boot that look like a skate shoe when covered with your pants leg.  I ride to school with them and walk around campus all day as well.  No complaints.

Hmmm, the taller ankle gives me cause for concern- one problem I found with some shoe style boots was that the ankle area felt like it was cutting into my ankle. But maybe I will give them a try.

[centuryghost]

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!

I love those P134's! Classic, no gimmicks moto boots.

Here's mine:



Bates Leathers, custom made to fit my feet 

[Toogoofy317]

WWW.Cyclegear.com has some on sale for $49 right now that have a five year warranty.We have one in O-town so I'm going to go there and try them on and see how they are vs my Frank Thomas. I'm huge on boots just search and you will find out why.

Mary

[NickyNumbers]

I like the One-O-One Shoe http://www.alpinestars.com/OneOOne_Shoe/pd/c/113/np/113/p/251507.html


but I'm worried that its too soft and not very durable. I'll have to make a stop at the local dealer and see what they have first hand.

[Stanfield]

They don't cut into your ankle at all, they're quite comfortable for being tall.