You Don't Need Racing Boots for Street Riding

[g21-30]

If you're on a limited budget and/or new to biking, you should consider getting the best gear for the best protection at the best price that you can afford. I know racing boots look cool and we all want to look cool on our Ninjas, but most of us (me included) are not going to be leaning the bike far enough to scrape our knees or boot edges.

Check out my experience with finding a good pair of street boots here:

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showt...1782#post41782

[TrueFaith]

As long as your ankles are protected and you don't mind the weight, a pair of good work boots are fine. You won't really enjoy your ride quite as much as with supple leather street boots, but it sure beats wearing sneakers.

[kkim]

if your work boots lace up, you may want to rethink that.

what makes you think all street boots are supple?

[sm0kediver]

I wear lace ups, but I keep the laces short and double knot them. I wear them to work, I wear them off duty, and I wear them on the bike. As long as you secure the laces, they're not a hazard. They're not made for riding, but they're tough boots with a lot of protection. Here's my #12 Redwing:

[sometimesido]

I tuck my laces inside my military combat boots, but everytime I start lacing up I can't help to think about what happened to two of my buddies. Broken Ankles.

[TrueFaith]

Originally Posted by kkim

if your work boots lace up, you may want to rethink that.

what makes you think all street boots are supple?

They're not. In fact it's pretty difficult to find a good pair of boots that are soft in the toe/shifter area but have good protection everywhere else. A*s and Daneise make the kind I'm talking about. I have a pair of Frank Thomas racing boots that I bought in the 80s. They're buttery soft leather and are more like a glove for your feet. Riding with them the feel is unbelievable, but I won't wear them any more because the ankle area is the same way - just thin high-quality leather. Can't stand to get rid of them though.
I know a lot of people who ride with laced boots (mostly chopper riders). They just tuck the laces into the top of the boots so they don't get hung up on anything. Not the ideal situation, but it's at least not as dangerous as sky diving with laced boots where your pilot chute could get hung up on an eyelet and you'd get a "horseshoe" malfunction. Now THAT would suck!

[kazam58]

I duno, I like my racing boots, and they're not half bad to walk in...

[miks]

I'm with Wayne, ankle protection is a must.

[Strider]

One drop and your ankle could be history .... good boots are a MUST.

[SF-Dug]

I recommend the 3/4 length series of Icon boots if anyone is looking for a shorter length riding boot that is stylish off the bike but still functional and safe.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...&&Back=226%2c0

At the most you'll just need to add in a extra sole to gain a little bit of cushion. I have the vented 3/4th Field Armor Chukkas and they work well in keeping my feet cool in warm weather. Of course I have just ordered the Accelerant Waterproof Boots for wet/cold weather riding. Both the vented and waterproof versions are stylish, comfortable and they have great ankle support without the full blow motorcycle boot look/feel.

[miks]

But with Icon boots, I don't know whether this is true or not. But reading many reviews on them, many people say that its very chunky and find it hard to fit under the gear lever.

Whats are your opinions on your boot?

[SF-Dug]

Originally Posted by miks

But with Icon boots, I don't know whether this is true or not. But reading many reviews on them, many people say that its very chunky and find it hard to fit under the gear lever.

Whats are your opinions on your boot?

The 3/4th field armor chukkas I have are very easy to fit under the gear lever for the 08 ninja 250. I don't know about other motorcycles. Maybe those people have big feet or motorcycles with smallish/custom gear levers? Frankly I've never had any issue when operating the gear lever with these boots. My only issue with these boots have been that the screw holding the latch system came loose one day but that was fixed easily by just re-tightening the screw with a Philips screw driver and its held ever since.

[miks]

Thanks.

Hows the ankle support/protection on those, and are they comfortable to walk around in?

[SF-Dug]

Originally Posted by miks

Thanks.

Hows the ankle support/protection on those, and are they comfortable to walk around in?

The ankle support is good and the latch system on the boot does a great job at securing the boot to your foot. The boot is comfortable to wear once you've broken it in with about a week or two of constant use. At the most you could replace the sole or add a secondary sole to add more cushion. I wear these boots everyday to work and when I ride. Of course being vented they are not so great for really cold weather or wet weather. If you want a cold/wet weather boot then grab Accelerant Waterproof Boot version.

[Snake]

I wear steel toed Doc Martin slip on boots. They are comfortable and offer very good protection. They have pads that support the ankles.

[dyeclan]

+1 on the 3/4 Chukkas. I wear mine even when I'm not riding. Very comfortable, and mine are an 11 and fit under the shifter no problem. I don't even notice it, and have never accidentally shifted or braked.