I'm back in school for a master's, and contrary to what I'd expected - park, stay in one building, leave - I frequently walk all over campus due to parking issues and having classes in various places. I don't have any convenient place to stash an extra pair of footgear, so I need a pair of boots that are semi-comfortable for walking up as well as riding - if I have to park in the remote lot it's a half-mile hike each way. I'd rather get a pair of honest-to-goodness boots that could do duty at a track day as opposed to fashion footwear with some features for motorcyclists.
Teknic Violators look like they might fit the bill, but I haven't seen anything else in a similar vein. None of the local dealers carry Violators in stock, so I can't go try them on. Does anyone own a pair that can speak as to their experiences? If not, does anyone have recommendations for another kind? I have a narrow foot with a high arch, if that helps narrow the brands/styles down any.
Last but not least, I'm trying to stay close to $200 or less - I don't need a pair of Vertebra 2's and I don't want to pay that kind of money either.
normally i like motorcycle specific boots (i would definitely recommend ICON motorhead for that)....unfortunately due to the shape of the sole they are not that comfortable to walk whole day in...in your case i would rather buy high quality steel toes (or any comfy workboots for that matter)
I always wear my Doc Martins :thumb: Style, cheap, durrable, and comfy !
Comfy for walking totally depends on your feet. I have flat feet, so most bike boots are great for me (I've used my old Alpinestars for mild hiking). You have to go to the local bike shop to try them on.
I wear my georgia loggers all day.
I have a pair of Icon Super duty Motorcycle boots and they are very comfortable to bike and walk in. I wear them to work all day and never have sore feet at the end of the day.
Heres a link to take a look
http://www.metricbikes-superstore.com/index05.php?cPath=198
I don't know if this is true, but I heard it is bad to wear steel toed boots because the steel in the toe may bend back and actually sever your toes in an accident.
I ordered a pair of JR Orbit boots today from New Enough (along with a JR Sahara Vest).....I too spend lots of time walking around campus, and will continue to do so for at least the next 10 months....I've been wearing hiking boots, but they're grown a hole from my shifter, so it's about time to move on....
conflict, it's all in how you want your feet broken, with plain boots they will fold back and it will probably hurt really bad, but with steel toe boots you now created a hard pocket for your toes, so it breaks the metatarsals instead, and you get plates, pins and screwes, yeay. look at race boots and the way they are made, they are designed to protect against over extention of the ankle and basic abrasion resistance.
you have to find a comprimise some whare.
If I was in your situiation, I'd get the good boots and just put a pair of sandals in my backpack, and wear those around campus.
currently I am wearing my bates garrisions the basic black leather issued 10" boot with vibram soles. they are pretty comfortable, I can work in them all day, I've had to do forced marches in them, I've done the gaurd duty thing in them, basicly they are the boots to wear for me.
anotehr option bates makes bike boots. http://www.batesleathers.com/boots.html
I wear SIDI Champion Te-Por boots. Water resistant. Comfy like a pair of Doc Martins. I started wearing them to work to break them in and ended up wearing them all over the place. Good for trackdays too. they're the only pair of boots I've ever had for motorcycling, just over 2 1/2 years now.
(http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/photos/300/g2275.jpg)
Alpine Web Gortex. Very comfortable and water proof. Look like regular
boots.
I tried on a few pairs of boots at one of the local dealers yesterday, it seems that I have a magically shaped foot that fits anything in a size 44 perfectly. They only carried Alpinestarts, Sidi, Icon, Joe Rocket, and some no-name brands (Nitro?). The Alpinestars Roam was pretty comfortable, although a bit cushy, but it's also kinda ugly. I'll probably take a chance and order something from NewEnough, since their return policy is so lenient.
I have Icon superduty's that worked well for me, and crash tested well too. They were good for wearing to work, but they wouldn't work for a track day...