Armed Polite Society
Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: AZRedhawk44 on December 04, 2012, 11:40:20 AM
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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?
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My suggestion:
Buy a pair of quality dedicated motorcycle boots and keep a pair of work shoes at work.
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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
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$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. =(
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You can get a 1/2 way decent pair of engineer's boots for a little over $100, but they suck to walk in.
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How about a pair of jungle boots and then spit-shine the leather? (https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.leatherneck.com%2Fforums%2Fimages%2Fsmilies%2Fevilgrin.gif&hash=b653cb57567b728719bd132bdac1fe2868977bcc)
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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
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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. (http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/sport/motorcycle+boots/alpinestars_net+air+boots)
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OK, ejumacate me. I'll up max to $250 or so if I truly am going to get teh awesums out of it.
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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?
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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Be careful with xelement gear
It doesn't crash that well
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http://www.patriotsurplus.com/rk4090f.html
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http://www.patriotsurplus.com/rk4090f.html
Your mom wears those. :P
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They're in your pricepoint.
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They're in your pricepoint.
$4.95 too expensive.
Chris
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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.
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Red Wings. Mine just got their first rebuild after ten years. I had new Vibram(r) soles put on them.
Russ
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Last set of red wings I had were terrible
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Be careful with xelement gear
It doesn't crash that well
Got to be better than the old cowboy boots I had before. I'm building the equipment up incrementally.
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Got to be better than the old cowboy boots I had before. I'm building the equipment up incrementally.
Absolutely
Just make sure it's an intermediate step
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I've been riding in these http://www.danner.com/boots/acadiar-mens-womens-uniform-boots.html for 10 years now. I love Danner boots, have one pair for riding and alternate two for work.
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Alpinestars. Not cheap, but there's a reason for that. Actually, you might find some on sale for close to $100-150
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Got Red Wings. All done. Yay. I like. They are moar dakka than the old skechers I was using.
On a serious note, I've spent $150-ish on hiking boots before and had good boots for that purpose, but these are my first set of really good heavy duty protective boots. I like how they fit and feel. Pretty good gear.
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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.
The one nasty bike crash I was in I was wearing a 4 day old pair of Redwing boots. Cost me better than $100 in 1979. The right one was pretty well ripped off my foot and I've got the scars to show where it was.
Barring a pair of MC specific boots Justin lace up work boots are pretty decent. Take the kiltie off and they are fairly innocuous
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http://www.redwingshoes.com/red-wing-shoe/4473-red-wing-shoes/4473-red-wing-mens-8-inch-boot-black
They used to produce these in 6" size. I bought two pair (10YO and 5YO), one of which has been resoled. Very supportive in ankle & arch, can walk or stand all day and built like a tank. They take shoe polish & cream well and look good in a business environment. I even got stuck wearing them with a navy blue blazer & khaki pants, once, at a social function during inclement weather. I decided to spit shine them and got compliments. ANd my feet stayed warm & dry.
This particular 8" version is beloved of firemen. When my 10YO pair wears out its second sole, I will replace it with these puppies.
Note, these are not some sort of armored MC boot, but they protect my really bad ankle very well from blows/strikes.
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Those look pretty good. How good is the arch support? I have narrow feet and high, rigid arches, so good support is necessary.
Also, is the steel toe uncomfortable? Steel toe boots I've worn in the past tend to be rather uncomfortable in the toe area.
Chris
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I even got stuck wearing them with a navy blue blazer & khaki pants, once, at a social function during inclement weather.
Black shoes and khaki pants. Fashion faux pas.
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Those look pretty good. How good is the arch support? I have narrow feet and high, rigid arches, so good support is necessary.
Also, is the steel toe uncomfortable? Steel toe boots I've worn in the past tend to be rather uncomfortable in the toe area.
Chris
Love mine. Arch support is good enough for all day walking/wearing. Mine have a somewhat less aggressive sole made for warehouse work. The insole is not as squishy as some, but feels better after 12 hours than the squishmeisters. I like the RW steel toes. They are built big enough for toe wiggle room, bigger than most leather shoe toe boxes. Avoid the non-metallic safety toes, though. They require too much material to be as comfy.
One thing about arch support is that getting shoes of the proper width makes a big difference. Sloppy side-to-side fit plays havoc with my arches. RW offers them down to B width, which fit my dad's skinny feet.
I wear 12D in every made in the USA RW shoe. IOW, made in the USA RW shoes are consistent size-wise across model, style, and time. I can order/purchase any of their made in the USA shoes and the shoe part will be the right dimensions. I might not like some other feature, but fit will be right. Get your feet measured at the RW dealer once and you are good to go.
Here is my older, resoled pair:
(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm4.staticflickr.com%2F3640%2F3282996368_1250b65905_b.jpg&hash=fce06cc776db05a0e171d1b3e14ebb8f80db052d)
(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm4.staticflickr.com%2F3162%2F3282995170_5121f2b8c2_b.jpg&hash=a0dc5183d92274bd0890fcaae5f9c715aaf8be1d)
They no longer make these in black 6". They make the black 8" and brown and maybe cordovan.
Black shoes and khaki pants. Fashion faux pas.
Baloney. Black & khaki go together like peas & carrots.
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Red Wing measured my feet and recommended shoes that were much smaller than I can comfortably wear. But that's OK. So did the guy at Ft. Benning. My feet must extend into some dimension that instruments cannot detect.???
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Black shoes and khaki pants. Fashion faux pas.
Not so. As long as your belt matches your shoes there's nothing wrong with black shoes and khakis.
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This. I wear Sidi Vertigo boots.
Here's the bare minimum I'd consider for boots. (http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/sport/motorcycle+boots/alpinestars_net+air+boots)
Sidi vertigos for me as well. I just leave my work shoes at work, and commute in my boots if riding or sneakers if driving.
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Not so. As long as your belt matches your shoes there's nothing wrong with black shoes and khakis.
Yup. I started moving to black after getting tired of the eleventy billion shades of "brown" present out there. I can't seem to put together a belt, shoe, and holster combo that matches. Black is easier. :D
Chris
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Baloney. Black & khaki go together like peas & carrots.
Peas and carrots do NOT go together. Especially not with baloney. Or Bologna.
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Black shoes and khaki pants. Fashion faux pas.
Negative. Just ask the navy.
And if you count OD as equally faux pas in the same vein (ie you only consider black shoes with charcoal, blue, grey, or black pants), then USMC would also beg to differ.
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Negative. Just ask the navy.
And if you count OD as equally faux pas in the same vein (ie you only consider black shoes with charcoal, blue, grey, or black pants), then USMC would also beg to differ.
Hey, now. Let's not go asking the Navy for fashion advice. That's just obvious. And the Corps puts blue slacks with a khaki blouse - and then adds a red stripe to the pants. :facepalm:
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Hey, now. Let's not go asking the Navy for fashion advice. That's just obvious. And the Corps puts blue slacks with a khaki blouse - and then adds a red stripe to the pants. :facepalm:
I wasn't referring to corps dress uniforms (obviously) , I was referring to USMC service uniforms (khaki top, green bottom).
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Just sayin. Navy or corps - wrong guys to ask for fashion advice.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InBXu-iY7cw
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Red Wing measured my feet and recommended shoes that were much smaller than I can comfortably wear. But that's OK. So did the guy at Ft. Benning. My feet must extend into some dimension that instruments cannot detect.???
Your feet are smaller in the morning, and expand later in the day. It's best to have them measured after you've been on your feet a while.
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Your feet are smaller in the morning, and expand later in the day. It's best to have them measured after you've been on your feet a while.
No, I'd been on my feet for a while, in both cases.