I know this may not be everybody's cup of tea but I just wear my lace up, steel cap, highish work boots. They're 'RedBack' brand and are super comfy and waterproof after a good daubing of leather stuff. I've always ridden in something similar and can't see what's wrong with them. They're good quality leather and have good padding around the ankle too. I'd never wear elastic sided work boots to ride in as they'd come straight off in a prang. Laced up nice and firm I've never had a problem with them coming loose either.

Also, the times I've come off it's been my legs, ****, arms, back and head (sometimes in reverse order that have slid down the road. I've hardly had a mark on my boots at all. If I did track riding I'd upgrade but I like to be able to walk when I get where I'm going.

Some guys like to bling up with the latest riding gear and good on them if that gives them joy. The RedBacks are about $160 AU and will do for me. .

 

When i got hit from behind ( i was waiting at a red light and the car behind didn`t even try to brake) my left leg went up behind the rear wheel and frame, yes in theory i ran over my own leg if i had been wearing a shorter work boot i think my leg would have been mangled but by wearing a taller race boot all i got was a small scuff just above the boot by my calf muscle.The boot was shredded , that could or would of been my leg. But it`s all personal choice .

 

in most cases those type boots (even cheaper versions) will work. I dont really like those type of boots because I dont feel any or as much feedback as I like. Also imagine if you had to or even by accident put a foot down while at speed 35mph+, would said type of boot protect your ankle(s) from hyper-extending? And yes I have done this, once cuz of a anti-freeze spill, and the second time from a huge rock in the road.

I do on occasion wear my Magnum boots when riding, but I prefer my Sidi's

 

I think I'm going to go for the Sidi Vertigo. A lot of protection and adjustability, and I like the idea of having an air vent for hot weather. Sidi claims the vent keeps water out when it's closed, and some other riders have said they've ridden in heavy rain without leaks. Some Gore-tex socks should keep me dry and warm if there is a little leakage around the vent. My top concern is protection, with comfort on the bike a close second. Walkability would be nice, but the main thing is to prevent a shattered ankle if I can. For some reason that phrase pops into my head when I pull on my comfy, waterproof, but not particularly well protected Hein Gericke boots. I can't quite think that even well made work boots would have the same level of protection as dedicated motorcycle street/race boots.

I'll report back when I get the boots and have a little time to try them out.

Craig

 

I'd agree with you there. If I did track days or rode right on the edge all the time I'd definately get some good bike boots..It's just that I like to be able to walk when I get where I'm going and don't want to lug more stuff around with me. I saw a guy a while ago in town with all 'the gear' on. Full leathers (complete with the hunch back speed bump), boots with more bits of metal and buckles than you could poke a stick at. The poor ba5tard could barely walk.

I couldn't help but cast an eye on the tyres (super sticky compound I'm sure) on his GXZRRS rocket ship....surprise,surprise a good half inch of virgin tyre on both sides

Stay upright guys, then we'll never have to do the crash test.

 

g

I guess you get either walking comfort or protectione--although a number of forum posts have indicated the Vertigos aren't bad for walking. The last thing I worry about is my chicken strips. I don't worry much about crashing on my own, either, because the only time I've ever dropped a bike was in a parking lot. When you get right down to it, you don't need protection to RIDE a bike; you need protection to survive the CRASH caused by forest rats and brain dead cagers. I haven't had a car crash in 40 years, and I've never dropped a bike on the road, not even when I did hit the deer, but now that cars come with GPS (and drivers who can't operate them) and televisions, and drivers come with cell phones, the roads seem a lot more dangerous. When one of these morons does finally hit me, I would like to recover. Keeping a pair of Nikes in the top box seems a small price to pay. I ride ATGATT in the central Georgia summer, but I wear my gear to prevent road rash, and the discomfort of armored jacket and pants in 100f weather is a lot worse than the inconvenience of carrying extra shoes.

To each his own, I guess. I just want better boots than I have now.

Craig