Moar Quality Shoes - Boots

[AZRedhawk44]

My motorcycle boots (such as they are) are falling apart.  Currently wearing some Skecher boots.  They lasted a year of regular use, about 8 months of that being the beginning of my motorcycling career.

I needs me some new boots.  Black.  Something that still looks presentable at the bottom of a pair of dockers or cargo pants for going into a casual work environment, but protects my feet while motorcycling.  Hopefully will wear better than the Skechers mentioned above.  Yes, they were inexpensive.  I'm okay spending more for quality, but not anything silly.  Say, $100 max.

Any recommendations from the APS fashionistas?

[brimic]

My suggestion:
Buy a pair of quality dedicated motorcycle boots and keep a pair of work shoes at work.

[mtnbkr]

What Brimic said.  I don't ride a motorcycle, so I don't know all the requirements there, but I've not seen a decent pair of boots for less than $100 in a decade or more.  Frankly, I don't even bother shopping at that price level anymore.  Nothing I've found below $120 is anything but hipster fashion items.

Granted, my boot needs revolve around treking miles in the mountains while hunting, frequently while carrying 25-40lbs of treestand, gun, and other misc gear.  I can't buy "pretty", I have to buy functional.  My cheapest boots are $150 Danner lightweight hunting boots.  My other boots are insulated Lacrosse boots that run about $200.  Even those are on the low price end of "quality".

Chris

[Tallpine]

$100 max

You are being silly.

Maybe at Walmart - you could get something that sorta resembles a boot but has no relation to the shape of a human foot. 

[brimic]

You can get a 1/2 way decent pair of engineer's boots for a little over $100, but they suck to walk in.

[zxcvbob]

How about a pair of jungle boots and then spit-shine the leather? 

[charby]

I'm okay spending more for quality, but not anything silly.  Say, $100 max.

Any recommendations from the APS fashionistas?

up your max price to $300-400

[bedlamite]

My suggestion:
Buy a pair of quality dedicated motorcycle boots and keep a pair of work shoes at work.

This. I wear Sidi Vertigo boots.

Here's the bare minimum I'd consider for boots.

[AZRedhawk44]

OK, ejumacate me.  I'll up max to $250 or so if I truly am going to get teh awesums out of it.

[charby]

Also wearing the same boot/shoe everyday is not wise. You need time for the shoe to dry out between wearings. This inhibits microbial and fungal growth and the shoe lasts longer.

Why not get real motorcycle boots for riding and change into a dress/casual dress shoe at work? 

[bedlamite]

It's very common in a crash to get a foot caught under the bike. Ideally, what you're looking for is a reinforced heel and toe boxes, stiff sole, armor over the ankle and shin, and restricted sideways ankle movement.

Some other options:

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/boots/waterproof_racing_boots/cortech_by_tour_master/latigo_waterproof_road_race_boots.html
http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/boots/sport_street_touring_boots/sidi/fusion_motorcycle_boots.html
http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/boots/waterproof_sport_street_touring_boots/first_gear/kathmandu_wp_boots_2013.html
http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/boots/sport_street_touring_boots/tcx/s_sportour_boots.html

[Brad Johnson]

Red Wing for top-quality boots.

http://www.redwingshoes.com/footwear/page-1/maxnum-0

A dedicated pair of rider's boots is still your best option, though.

Brad

[AZRedhawk44]

Also wearing the same boot/shoe everyday is not wise. You need time for the shoe to dry out between wearings. This inhibits microbial and fungal growth and the shoe lasts longer.

 

I have two pairs of boots right now.  Black, and brown.  Brown ones are Timberland and are holding up pretty well.

Why not get real motorcycle boots for riding and change into a dress/casual dress shoe at work?

Don't want to deal with multiple shoes.  Already carry a laptop/keyboard/mouse/headphones with me.

[Fitz]

My suggestion:
Buy a pair of quality dedicated motorcycle boots and keep a pair of work shoes at work.

This

Motorcycle specific boots have a number of design features designed to protect you from the unique brand of crazy that happens when you crash a motorcycle.

I wear my tourmaster boots in to work and swap into work shoes when I get there.

[Marnoot]

This is what I wore when I rode:

http://www.amazon.com/Joe-Rocket-Orbit-Boots-Black/dp/B001A3J4MG

Comes in right at your lower price point. I had no complaints with them, seemed sturdy, were comfortable for my feet. Keep in mind though that I only rode for a couple years so that's all I had them for, and I never had the misfortune of seeing how they did in an accident.

[AZRedhawk44]

Red Wing for top-quality boots.

http://www.redwingshoes.com/footwear/page-1/maxnum-0

A dedicated pair of rider's boots is still your best option, though.

Brad

I'm looking for something like the 971's from Red Wing. 

[White Horseradish]

I just picked up a pair of these on eBay for $60 shipped

http://www.amazon.com/Xelement-LU-1573-Assassin-Motorcycle-Boots/dp/B003TRPYMU/ref=sr_1_20?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1354652797&sr=1-20&keywords=xelement+boot

[charby]

Don't want to deal with multiple shoes.  Already carry a laptop/keyboard/mouse/headphones with me.

I'm starting to figure out your hard mo fo, to please.

[Perd Hapley]

Don't want to deal with multiple shoes.  Already carry a laptop/keyboard/mouse/headphones with me.

You can't leave the work pair at work?

I agree that good boots start north of 100, usually. Red Wings are good, but you can get similar quality at a lower price. I don't know about motorcycle boots, but I have some Chippewa loggers I really like. I've not been happy with most Georgias or Carolinas.

[Fitz]

Be careful with xelement gear

It doesn't crash that well

[Jamisjockey]

http://www.patriotsurplus.com/rk4090f.html

[AZRedhawk44]

http://www.patriotsurplus.com/rk4090f.html

Your mom wears those.   

[Jamisjockey]

They're in your pricepoint.

[mtnbkr]

They're in your pricepoint.

$4.95 too expensive.

Chris

[grampster]

Here is the bottom line:  Choose between paying for an excellent pair of boots designed for saving your feet and ankles while having to carry a pair of comfortable work shoes OR some sort of artificial lower leg/foot that maybe your insurance will buy for you and you will spend several months going to rehab to learn to use.