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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: DoD#i on December 06, 2009, 09:02:10 AM

Title: Out with the cruel shoes, in with the comfy loafers (sort-of).
Post by: DoD#i on December 06, 2009, 09:02:10 AM
They don't meet R'gals ski-boot test (well, the cruel shoes do, but I'm over them).

There still isn't a gear section to put this in and keep Mary happy.

They are both Italian.

I won't be riding until April, at a guess.

I hate buying shoes online. Sizing varies so much with different brands, etc that it's a crap shoot, and a lot of shipping back and forth if you crap the shoot. I have found little in the way of in-stock decent boots locally. I've been fairly sick of the cruel shoes for pretty much the past year and a bit. I really prefer to try things on, though...

So I was very happy to find a craigslist ad for a pair of Sidi Vertigo's in a size that might fit me, claimed 400 miles of use (certainly look barely used) and $100 less than newenough sells them for. I went. I tried on. I liked. I bought. Soo comfy. Sofa King comfy. A bit further up the "plastic parts I don't expect to scrape" scale than I had been shopping, but I don't mind. A mere 12-1/2 inches tall. A bit blacker than my taste runs, but the wallet rules sometimes. Did I mention they are comfy?  :woohoo:

The cruel shoes are a pair of 16 inch hi-point pro GP MX boots with the stainless-steel shinguard and too much plastic (which has caused cracks in the leather next to where the plastic attaches over time), but really nice and red. Bought for cager-intimidation purposes mostly - lots of protection, and the shiny promise of scratches & dents that will last if you move your BMW into my lane. They suited me perfectly when I got them - I've aged out of them. And so cruel - as best I can tell, more cruel with age, or my feet were more tolerant back then - probably a bit of both. Very ski-bootish. No feel at all. Very little flex. Very red.

New shoes. SO nice. Now to see if I keep the gut I lost shovelling this fall from growing back and keeping me out of my leather pants come spring....  :thumb:
Title: Re: Out with the cruel shoes, in with the comfy loafers (sort-of).
Post by: TR on December 06, 2009, 04:42:05 PM
any pics?
Title: Re: Out with the cruel shoes, in with the comfy loafers (sort-of).
Post by: tt_four on December 06, 2009, 09:24:05 PM
Yeah, lets see what you've got. Sidi's have always been my favorite. I loved my old pair of riding boots, and I've also got a couple pair of their cycling shoes. They're the only ones that fit my feet just right. I unfortunately sold my boots a couple years ago when I thought I was done riding. They sold on ebay for $43...  :technical: I'll have to get a new pair this year after spring comes and I get the GS back on the road, but I don't want to spend money on boots before I can even get my bike on the road.
Title: Re: Out with the cruel shoes, in with the comfy loafers (sort-of).
Post by: DoD#i on December 07, 2009, 08:52:49 AM
It Happened. Here's Pics.

Size 10 (44) Sidi Vertigo, Size 10 Alpinestars HiPoint ProGP (Circa 1990-92? I forget.)

(http://gstwins.com/photogallery/albums/userpics/18510/normal_IMG_2968.JPG)
(http://gstwins.com/photogallery/albums/userpics/18510/normal_IMG_2969.JPG)
(http://gstwins.com/photogallery/albums/userpics/18510/normal_IMG_2972.JPG)
The hard plastic ankle cup and shifter pad (which is on both right and left boots) seem to promote cracking in the leather. The right boot (only - not shown) has a black kevlar overlay near the top for hot exhaust pipes in the up-high MX position.
(http://gstwins.com/photogallery/albums/userpics/18510/normal_IMG_2971.JPG)
Yes, the inside is that horrid violet color.
Title: Re: Out with the cruel shoes, in with the comfy loafers (sort-of).
Post by: NF11624 on December 07, 2009, 12:45:37 PM
Big Sidi fan right here.  Awesome deal you got too.