Does anybody use combat boots for their riding boots? i've been wondering about that for awhile.

They're definitely over-the-ankle, they're leather, i believe they're steel-toe, and they should have decent grip(after all, they're meant for whatever situations combat may occur in), and best of all, they're cheap!

But it doesn't really matter if they aren't any good for riding a bike.
So what do you guys(and ladies) think? Good alternative to sneakers or riding boots? Bad idea?

I'll wear them if i am in uniform, but I'd stay away from steel toes if at all possible. they're not designed to protect your feet from anything other than a direct crushing force to your toes.

sure they would suffice. my buddy wears his from the airforce.   Gofer, why do u need more protection than combat boots provide?? damn i ride in sneakers

Quote from: weaselnozesGofer, why do u need more protection than combat boots provide?? damn i ride in sneakers

I think they should be great, and much better than most people's work boots.  Also, they're sturdier and better quality than most street riding boots.  However, when I was shopping, I wanted boots which had a toe box, a heel counter, and armor plates over both sides of each ankle.  Also, the toe boxes of m/c boots are usually a plastic, and don't get as cold as metal in winter.  Desipite the added sturdiness of the combat boots, there are some really nice features in m/c boots, so I went that way.

There was a lot of contoversy on an old thread about steel toes but my company gives me steel toed boots and shoes and I used to use them, still do occasionally. I have no problem other than laces. You have probably seen the 101 ways to drop a bike thing and I actually had my left boot come unlaced and wrap around the footpeg on my previous bike, came to a stop lent to the left to put down my foot and OOOOOOOOOOOOOH, just managed to prevent her dropping by grabbing a post in the car-park. I now use Frank Thomas' Aquaboots or a trainer meant for pedal cyclists, no laces.

As long as you are happy about the lace issue stick with the old "use what you have" philosophy.

yeah, laces can be a real issue, esp. with sneakers. I have a pair of New Balance 601s that are all old and beaten up which I occasionally use for riding which have really long laces. I've gotten them tangled in the clutch lever a couple times. usually what ends up happening is I notice as I'm coming to a stop and once I've been able to put a foot down, I tuck the exposed lace into the side of the shoe. It looks pretty lameass, but less so than falling over onto the Hyundai next to me at the light.  :mrgreen:

Regards,
Riz

i use Li high High top work boots with steel toe, mainly for work, but always for riding.  i use the extra long laces and tie the cuff of the pantleg to the top of the boot (Blouse the pantleg at the boot) like in the military, this keeps the laces tight, the pant leg doesnt flop into chain area, and pantleg dosent hook end of peg on way down (had it happen before)

PLEASE STAY AWAY from riding with combat/work boots, I know a guy who lost 3 of his toes when he crashed into a car. The steel toe folded in an chopped off his toes, they were able to re attach the big toe and the next one down but the rest are gone. The problem with steel toes is that they are meant to take impact from something falling on it not from an objet directly in front of it. Invest in a good pair of boots, you can find a good pair for $200, not all that much compaired to the alternative... Though if you have to choose between combat boots and shoes combat boots would be better in almost every case. Ride hard and Ride safe.

i wear combat boots when i'm riding somewhere thati know i'm gonna be walking a long time, because it's too hard to walk real far in my riding boots, but it depends what you wear now, if you just wear tennis shoes, then yeah, combat boots will be a ton better, but now that i'm used to wearing my riding boots, i don't really like the combat boots too much, no real ankle support, they're nto stiff enough, i'm pretty confident if i crashed, my boots would keep my ankles from getting too twisted, but the combat boots don't really compair, because the leather just softens and moves easier, the riding boots are made to be stiff,

the other nice part is how stiff the front is, the soles and on top of the toes, which i notice makes a huge difference in how must stronger and smoother my braking and shifting is, because it's more of a solid click, instead of the soft shoe giving resistance, but like i said, it all depends, you get those things in your tennis shoes, so if you switched to combat boots from those it'd feel good, if you're used to ridingboots, i wouldn't bother

Quote from: dyranPLEASE STAY AWAY from riding with combat/work boots, I know a guy who lost 3 of his toes when he crashed into a car. The steel toe folded in an chopped off his toes, they were able to re attach the big toe and the next one down but the rest are gone.

and you honestly think this force would not have crushed his foot if the boots had not been reinforced?

that said, in my experience most combat boots don't have steel toes.  i use a pair of 10" paratrooper boots i got for $40.  good solid construction and comfortable enough to walk around in all day.

cheers,
will

Taping up the laces works good to ensure that they don't come undone and get caught in the chain or on the bike. Duct tape works fine for this. Good ol' bike, grand ol' forum.

C...

I usually ride in my fire dept. station boots.  They're mostly leather in construction with vented sides, tons of comfort on the sole, and a side zipper (for easy in and out) and velcro strap on the side that can tie down the laces.  Personally...with the side zipper I put them on once 2 years ago...tied it as tight as I wanted, then fused the knot so it won't come undone and removed excess laces.  Now I just use the side zipper.  For a good "combat" boot check out Magnum boots, or goto  Galls Public Safety Equipment for footwear.

10" jump boots here too.
no steel toe.
I wouldn't recommend steel toe either, but jump boots kick a**.

I wear jump boots too.  You can tuck the lace tails into your sock cuz tucking them into the boots sometimes leads to a pressure point.  My riding pants cover them up so I leave the boot snakes free.  Not that I need the extra length, but the almost 1" sole is nice.

I'm also looking for better boots.  I'm leaning toward Sidis but that's too much $$ right now to replace something I already have.

Well would you Adam-and-eve it, the day after I mention laces with a warning................

Arrived at work this morning in my riding boots, change at work into steel toed "oxfords" Just nip up the town at lunchtime for a bite, don't change, come back to the office and ooops left lace undone and wrapped around the gear changer..........shook it off stayed upright, just.

I suppose there is a lesson there somewhere.

I didn't want to spend the money on motorclcle boots.  Last weekend I went to Wal-Mart and they had lots of over the ankle suede or leather boots with a very hard front toe area (not steel), padded ankle and waterproof.  The company that makes them is Ozark Trail and the style I got was called Phoenix.  The soles are thick and they have great traction.

They were on sale for 33 bucks.

They even come with 2 pair of laces.  I cover up the laces with a velcro strap around the area above my ankle.

The only drawback is caused by the large hard front toe area.  It's a bit more difficult to fit your foot under the shifter, but I'm sure I'll get used to it.

I've been wearing my Corcorans (combat boots) while riding.  I've been tucking the laces into the boot for over 7 years, so no big deal there.  Only problem with my current pair is they are mostly nylon with leather in just the toe and heel (makes them Very easy to shine for work, though   ).  Eventually, I want to get the exact pair in all leather for riding cause they're very comfy and a bit cheaper than m/c boots.

Quoteand you honestly think this force would not have crushed his foot if the boots had not been reinforced?

I'm not saying that combat boots are bad just anything with steel toes are not good. And I really don't know what you are trying to say here...my friend had many broken bones in his foot and he has had to do a fair amount of physio...I'm just relaying this to anyone out there who is wearing steel toed boots. Have a great day all.

Quote from: R3dI've been wearing my Corcorans (combat boots) while riding.

Funny, there's a town about an hour away from where I live named Corcoran, and there's a Federal pen. there.  I think Charley Manson is locked up there.  Anyway, thought that was curious that a brand of combat boots has the same name.  Nothing really in that town besides the damn prison, so who knows if there is any connection...

Oh yeah, I steal my dad's Alpinestars something or other when I go for long rides, back and forth to work I use skate shoes.  Yes, it's ghetto, but I have nowhere to store a set of riding boots while at work.  Ah well...

THREAD RES!

ok Got first track day coming up. I'm plopping down $400 for a suit, $200 for track day + gas for the ~5 hour trip.

I have a helmet and nice gloves. The best boots I have are combat boots--full leather, full ankle coverage, no steel toe, ridged sole.

Will they be track worthy? I really don't want to spend anymore money than I already am. I think they would provide decent protection in a crash. The leather is very thick except there is no rigidness around the ankle like in motorcycle boots covered in plastic and what not.


Thoughts?