*Long Read* Including Boot Selection

[caps]

Well, I had a bit of a scare the other day coming home from work. I work nights about 16 miles from my house, and when I finish what is required I'm normally allowed to go home (since I work 72 hour weeks right now). So the other night that is exactly what happens, and at just shy of midnight I have a bit of a run in with something.

I was on the last road before my street, about 2 blocks away from my house when some random silver animal appears about 5 feet in front of me right at the edge of my headlight beam. It seems to be running the same way as I am (
or my mind slowed down to interpret what was going on), but the next thing I know this (approximately) 15 pound animal is running out in front of me! I snatch the clutch as fast as I can and jump on the brakes till I feel the bike get a little squirmy on the back end. I keep the bike straight and JUST barely miss whatever the animal was with my front wheel.

Now I don't know about you guys but I have always been taught to downshift during an emergency stop, so while all this is going on I move my foot to downshift and the animal catches my foot! The force of basically kicking the animal in the ribs at about 35mph almost rips me off my bike, but I let off the brakes since it locked up my rear tire and my entire body weight had been shifted in the same direction that the rear end was already going. I get my weight back under control and my body position back where it should be and look in my left mirror to see the animal rolling over several times across both lanes, THEN GET BACK UP AND RUN! I kept going because I decided whatever could take a hit like that and keep moving was more feisty then I cared to find out.

But the most important thing about this is that I was coming home from work, so I had my steel toe boots on. Now if I would have just had my regular riding shoes on (ankle high pumas) I know I would have at least broken several toes. So now I'm in the market for some riding boots.

I commute regularly so if they are comfortable, somewhat breathable, and they need to be strong. Also waterproof wouldn't hurt since I live in Florida, but that isn't a deal breaker.

I originally was set on the
AXO Primato II's

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...-II-Boots.aspx


Then found the
Sidi Fusions

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...ion-Boots.aspx

But now I have been looking around and have confused myself since their are so many options for boots under $200 and even some of them meet my requirements for less then that such as the
Joe Rocket Sonic Boot

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...nic-Boots.aspx


However I think I have decided that I want one of the new Cortech Latigo Boots. I have a bit of a soft spot for Cortech because my jacket and gloves are Cortech and I LOVE them. They have the; Cortech Latigo Air Road Race Boots

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...ace-Boots.aspx

and the Cortech Latigo WP Road Race Boots

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...ace-Boots.aspx

Which seem to essentially be the same boot, however one is waterproof and the other one is over 50% perforated to stay cooler.


I know the Cortech's were JUST released, but does anyone have a pair? Or know anything about them?
Also, if their is something I am overlooking please feel free to chime in

[00NissanNinja]

Those Cortechs are pretty sweet looking. I have the Sidi fusions (they have a waterproof and air version I have the regular ones). To me they are pretty comfortable and seem to offer a good amount of protection. I've walked all day with them and they aren't too bad. Ventilation is fine but I've only ridden so far up to 70 degrees in them since they are fairly new.
I also had the short version of the joe rocket sonic boots (the superstreet boots). Those were pretty good as well though the way the made the sole made it a bit harder to walk around in. However for short cut boots they seemed like they offered the best protection out of any short boot I wore.

[caps]

Yea im pretty sure im gonna order them this coming weekend. I need to make it to the dealer first since they run some VERY competetive prices.

[lonewolf05]

I like the Cortech Air boots... if your choosing between that group!

[lonewolf05]

i found these too alpinestars ridge waterproof... they just aren't as tall

[shiroganeshinobi]

Good to hear you made it through that in one piece.

I like Sidi a lot but that Cortech looks like it has a lot of good protection all around especially the lateral ankle section? Those fusions dont have that and would bend quite easily.

[CC Cowboy]

The Sidi looks sidi.

[caps]

Darrell, I like them aswell but you know how the rain is here

[Daeldren]

When I originally looked at the cortech I noticed it looked eerily similar to the new 2011 teknik's (especially the "ankle" protection). Don't know if those companies are outsourcing to another company. I will say that the ankle support built in is a tad better than what most street boots come with, however Cortech calling them race boots is a bit dubious.

[JeffM]

Absolutely the same boot.

Here is a Review of the Teknic boot.

Link to original page on YouTube.

[Reddoak]

Next time hit it with the front wheel.

Anyways... If you buy a boot that's not ventilated, you'll look at it mid July and go," Well... it's kind of too hot out, so... maybe this once..." By the perforated one. Gear that you won't wear won't help.

Worried about rain? Get a set of overboots for rainy days. I keep them with my rain gear. Slip them over the boots, so problem.

[caps]

Well after watching that video I realized this is the PERFECT boot for what I want, except for the 15* pre formed curve

I can't see that working to well

[caps]

Any ideas for something similar without the curve? Im not wanting to spend more than $200 because after that price point I think I would just buy the sidi's

[n_aditya]

I ordered the Sidi Vertigo boots via Motorcycle Superstore. Cost me US $ 300. Fits well and has a calf adjuster in addition to an air vent that can be opened or closed depending on the weather.

Try Gaerne boots. They are equally good too.

My suggestion is to avoid the Joe Rockets. One of the guys in my riding group bought a pair and it gave way in a few months of riding (less than 2000 kms of riding). He had to get a new pair.

[gfloyd2002]

Originally Posted by caps

Well after watching that video I realized this is the PERFECT boot for what I want, except for the 15* pre formed curve

I can't see that working to well

on the 15 degree preformed curve. Great on the bike, not so much off it.

[coondog]

for once you must be glad you work all those hours. be patient, check around, google, webbike, whatever and get whatever you want as a well deserved gift to self. it's not like a luxury you need boots. Glad you kept it up and made ot home.

[Sailariel]

I just bought a pair of Joe Rocket touring boots at Dennis Kirk for $116-free shipping. Will let you know how they are when I get a chance to ride. The roads up here are wicked unsafe.

[jstrain]

I have the Sidi B2 boots...

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...B-2-Boots.aspx

Been happy with them. Done a few track days with them, and they're pretty comfortable to wear around all day. Definitely feel more comfortable riding with these on vs sneakers or something. Not waterproof though.

[HKr1]

I just got a killer deal on some alpinestars smx plus boots. Theres a new sponser on some of the vertiscope forums, Riders Discount. Pm them, or ask on a thread. They pm back with some nice forum discount prices.... Hell, I even wound up buying a jacket. I couldnt pass up the prices.
Anyway, worth a shot if your thinking about buying. I know Iam checking with them before I buy anything else

[DEXSPEED]

check out cycle gear they have the SEDICI and BILT brand gear including riding boots.

[CThunder-blue]

Find a cycle shop and try on the boots before you order them. The boots you may like may not fit well. The only riding shoes and boots that fit me and are comfortable to me are Dainese. My feet have expensive taste

[Daeldren]

There you go, cycle gear is carrying a new brand called Sedici that has an exact identicle boot to the Cortech and Teknic.

Geez this boot is making the rounds through all the companies, not saying its a bad boot. Teknic and Joe Rocket at one time had boots that were copies of the Frey Daytona's (high dollar race boots) that looked to be very well made.

[Daeldren]

Link to original page on YouTube.

another video review of the cortech/teknic/sedici boot from Brian Van

[caps]

I wish brian would have addressed the 15* pre-bent angle I am going to go try some on this weekend

[00NissanNinja]

Have you also checked out the alpinestars ST boot? They are like a slightly stripped down version of the smx-5 boots (which are like 215 so a little over budget).

[setasai]

All those boots look sweet especially the cortech and the sidi. One thing to keep in mind though is how wide is your feet? I hear that Sidi boots tend to run narrow. Not sure about the cortech.

I've had the A* SMX-1 riding shoes and the TCX Synergy riding boots both in the same size and the fit was very different. A* pinched my toes while the TCX was almost too much room. The size was perfect because there wasnt too much space between the tip and my toes but the width is what was drastically different.

Just a word of caution if you have wider than normal feet. Otherwise, get whichever fits your budget, they all look protective and will definitely increase your stability on the bike. You might also consider what kind of walking you'll be doing in them or whether or not you plan on having a spare pair of work shoes to change into.

[AncientTV]

Originally Posted by caps

Now I don't know about you guys but I have always been taught to downshift during an emergency stop

As a little aside, read page nine as to why you should clutch in, not downshift, during emergency braking.