First time using boots, weird?

[Hero Danny]

I just purchased some joe rocket touring boots, I realize they are on the cheaper side in terms of boots.

http://www.amazon.com/Joe-Rocket-Bal...pr_product_top

I wear a size 9.5 shoe, I however read the comments saying that the sizes run small so I ordered the 10 opposed to the 9. I would say, I probably should have gone with the 9. Seems too roomy in there for my liking.

Now, first time riding with them, as a disclaimer I just went around town, probably a 10 minute ride. At first the boots seemed terrible, shifting seems okay when going up or down, but if I had to switch, (say I was upshifting from 1st and I was now in 4th then I suddenly needed to engine brake down to 3rd there would be some difficulties quickly pulling my foot out of the shifter and putting it above it to down shift.)

Also, backing up with my boots or basically any time I was on my bike it felt weird. It was odd maneuvering my feet from the pegs onto the ground and vice versa.

I must say, things started bad but got better, and eventually became somewhat okay. I'm not sure if this is the same experience everyone else had, or is my boot being slightly too big a huge issue? Or is it just the boot I bought it crappy? I think after a while I will get used to it, but I only get a few days to return them.

Keep in mind, I don't own a single pair of boots so I am not used to them in general, also I usually use DC skate shoes. So maybe that's part of my getting used to them problem,?

[alex.s]

"felt weird" is not very descriptive of any problems.

you should not keep your foot under the shifter anyway. maybe the shift lever needs to be adjusted higher to give you more room

[Hero Danny]

Originally Posted by alex.s

"felt weird" is not very descriptive of any problems.

you should not keep your foot under the shifter anyway. maybe the shift lever needs to be adjusted higher to give you more room

I guess it just felt like it was clunky, hard to move and in the way a lot. I didn't know I could adjust the lever, I'll have to search out how to. Thanks!

[CZroe]

I started with waterproof Joe Rocket boots and it felt weired any time I didn't use them.

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by Hero Danny

I guess it just felt like it was clunky, hard to move and in the way a lot. I didn't know I could adjust the lever, I'll have to search out how to. Thanks!

imagine sliding across the pavement at 50mph wearing those boots. now imagine the same thing wearing your tennis shoes. maybe it will help you understand why your feet are supposed to feel big and clunky and relatively hard to move compared to wearing flip flops or tennis shoes.

[Hero Danny]

Originally Posted by alex.s

imagine sliding across the pavement at 50mph wearing those boots. now imagine the same thing wearing your tennis shoes. maybe it will help you understand why your feet are supposed to feel big and clunky and relatively hard to move compared to wearing flip flops or tennis shoes.

Thanks man, I know the importance of boots (that's why I bought em!) I'm just glad that this is relatively normal. I'm going to look into adjusting the clutch lever and hopefully I'll get used to them.

I was initially worried that maybe this lack of foot movement would hinder my ability to quickly access the shifter and brake.

I remember when I first put on my new helmet it felt big and gompy, hard to turn my neck in, etc. But after a while I got used to it and prefer it to my smaller helmet.

My main concern now is that hopefully the boot will conform to my foot better, either that or I should buy some thermal socks or something to help make the difference.

[csmith12]

The boots will feel better after 2 main things;

They break in
You get used to them

[alex.s]

i break them in with water and lots of walking

[Hero Danny]

I'm going to return them for a smaller size I think. They seems too big even when I'm walking, my mom said they looked way too big, so I just contacted the seller to see if I can exchange from a size 10 to size 9.

:/ i'll probably have to pay shipping which I can only guess will be like 20-30$... ugh..... not to mention I won't have boots until august..

[csmith12]

There is no substitute for proper fitting gear.

[Alex]

Are there no gear stores within driving distance? I like shopping online as much as the next guy (and please go through the links in my sig, and suggest ones I should add if they're not there!), but when it comes to things that have to fit, I really like to try them on in person. Probably because I'm too lazy to return things through the mail, so I rarely do that even if an item isn't exactly what I wanted. Not smart, I realize.

[Hero Danny]

Originally Posted by Alex

Are there no gear stores within driving distance? I like shopping online as much as the next guy (and please go through the links in my sig, and suggest ones I should add if they're not there!), but when it comes to things that have to fit, I really like to try them on in person. Probably because I'm too lazy to return things through the mail, so I rarely do that even if an item isn't exactly what I wanted. Not smart, I realize.

There is only 2 stores within driving distance that I know of. And they are both about 40 minutes away, one of them has limited inventory, the other has incredibly high prices... I live over by cape cod. All the good bike shops around me went out of business
I had to call around places to ask about how much adjusting my valves would cost and I couldn't get a good price from anyone within 50 miles...It's crazy, I hate it here.

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by Hero Danny

There is only 2 stores within driving distance that I know of. And they are both about 40 minutes away, one of them has limited inventory, the other has incredibly high prices... I live over by cape cod. All the good bike shops around me went out of business
I had to call around places to ask about how much adjusting my valves would cost and I couldn't get a good price from anyone within 50 miles...It's crazy, I hate it here.

sounds like a good excuse for a long drive on your favorite bike

[Brother Michigan]

Originally Posted by Hero Danny

I must say, things started bad but got better, and eventually became somewhat okay. I'm not sure if this is the same experience everyone else had, or is my boot being slightly too big a huge issue? Or is it just the boot I bought it crappy? I think after a while I will get used to it, but I only get a few days to return them.

Keep in mind, I don't own a single pair of boots so I am not used to them in general, also I usually use DC skate shoes. So maybe that's part of my getting used to them problem,?

In addition to simply getting used to them, things will certainly improve as you break them in. Those are good looking boots!

[Hero Danny]

Originally Posted by alex.s

sounds like a good excuse for a long drive on your favorite bike

That's one way of looking at it!

[JohnnyBravo]

If new boots don't feel weird they aren't new

[Rogue]

I have 2 pairs of boots - pair of WP Dainese and a pair of Sidi Vertigos. Anytime I switch from one to the other after wearing a pair for a long time, they feel weird and take some getting used to. It's just an adjustment and they'll feel normal after a few rides, then not wearing them will feel off.

[antiant]

It does take some time getting use to, but here is something to think about as well... "lower end boots" versus "higher end boots" will fit a lot differently comfort wise too. Besides trying them in store, you could also check your local Craigslist, a lot of people find steals on there.

[capt_bugaloo]

I won't ride without a good pair of road boots. About a year or two ago I had to pick up my moto from the shop while I was wearing ordinary work shoes - my feet felt vulnerable and naked, not much better than riding in a pair of socks!

[Linkin]

My first set of boots were too big. Gave them to my old man and ordered the next size down. Much better.

[Klondike1020]

Wear some snow board boots or roller blades for a day ridding your bike. After that you will feel like you can tap dance stairway to heaven in your sport boots!

I went for a ride with flip flops the other night to experience squid level Jedi
Just through the complex and to the dumpster. DCs are only a little bit safer.

The difference between sneakers and sandals - sandals leave a stub, dc sneakers leave a stub with bones and tendons hanging off.

Icon super duty boots are super comfy for walking and ridding, but offer less protection than legitimate sport ridding boots.

That's what I typically wear

[Worldtraveller]

NVM. Learn to read all of thread before posting.

[Brian]

Just a message for OP (even though it was already said in a different way), when I first tried my A stars smx plus's on the bike it felt like I couldn't feel the shifter or the rear brake at all. I was pissed and confused, but when you wear them day in and day out on the bike and then one day you go out and wear sneakers it feels terrible and awkward.

It's really a combination of breaking them in and ultimately getting a feel for them.

[ninjakuma]

I don't have a pair of racing boots yet, I just wear my stunt boots when I ride. However, I must say when I started wearing boots in general most other shoes felt inadequate. Boots are the only way to go. Boots boots boots


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