Boots... big boots :) Anywhere in Ak to find these?

[WildBoarMouse]

In the auckland area (central or west idealy), is there anywhere that sells cheapish boots (for a beginner) in size 15? Anyone else out there have similar problems?

Cheers!

[James Deuce]

Size 15 - here I was bitching about 13-14.

The biggest I've found were Size 48s http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/member.php?find=lastposter&t=13158 (scroll down for the conversion table) by Oxtar and they weren't cheap!

[Lou Girardin]

Oxtars go to 48 in the Flash range - $269.00 inc
15's eh. I bet you save money on fins.

[WildBoarMouse]

heh :)

I'm heading over to canada for three weeks in a month or two's time so I was wondering if it would be worth having a look around there, or whether I should try to find something locally... I don't actually have a bike yet, but if I've got the chance, should I try and get something while I'm over there? I'm still 9-12 months away from a bike, but I'll need boots in the long run either way... Anyone else bought gear in from overseas?

[Cary]

Tried Motomail? They have a good range.

http://www.motomail.co.nz/content/0.asp

They will have to order them in tho as I guess you know.

[WildBoarMouse]

Thanks for the link! I can't view it at work so it'll have to wait until i get home. :)

[crashe]

Why not try the warehouse for boots.... they are cheap and good to start with... They have "Bobcats" and the pull on workers boots. I started out with these boots and did me at the beginning
They do have big sizes there as well......

I have the complete opposite to you.... I have kids size feet.

PM "Waylander" , sure he is American, but he may be able to tell you if boots are cheap over that way (Canada and America). He still has contacts over there.

[pritch]

Why not try the warehouse for boots....

That's a good suggestion. Another option would be those places that sell work clothing. They usually have a range of boots that would do at a pinch. If you decide you don't like biking you can always use them when mowing the lawn.

Two things:

Don't buy boots that have hooks instead of holes for laces, the hooks can poke holes in the seat of your new bike. (There speaks the sad voice of experience:-)

And if you do buy those slip-on oil rig boots (a good choice in the circumstances) for God's sake don't tuck your trousers in to them....

[WildBoarMouse]

haha... Thanks for the suggestions! Unfortunately the WH only go up to size 12... 13 if you're lucky (no pun intended). The workboots might be a reasonable idea if I can't find anything else, so thanks for that! And thanks for the note about the hooks! I wouldn't have enough thought of it...

[zadok]

WAIT. You are of to Canada and you aren't getting a bike for up to 12 months, there's no rush. Check out what you can get over there and if nothing comes up (which I doubt), you can always get some when you come back.

[zadok]

And welcome to K.B :spudwave:

[Ixion]

..
PM "Waylander" , sure he is American, but he may be able to tell you if boots are cheap over that way (Canada and America). He still has contacts over there.

What I found in USA was that boots and shoes were a bit cheaper than here (could be a lot cheaper if you found a sale, they are more common than here). BUT -- they didn't fit me. I have Kiwi feet. Broad and wide (only size 9). More like paddles really. The US boots and shoes all had (by my standards) really narrow fittings. Even their widest fittings were usually to tight across. I am sure that Americans CAN get really wide shoes, but they wouldn't be cheap, being regarded as "Special".

Don't know if you have wide feet also, but a lot of Kiwis do. We're an odd lot.

[Cary]

Why not try the warehouse for boots.... they are cheap and good to start with... They have "Bobcats" and the pull on workers boots. I started out with these boots and did me at the beginning.

Yea, and if you loose a foot due to cheap SAFETY GEAR you still have another one!! :nono:

[surfchick]

heh :)

Anyone else bought gear in from overseas?
yeah i bought gear from overseas cause i was to vain to wear plastic boots with bubbly bumps all over them commuting to work so wanted leather mcycle boots w. steel shank etc, but that looked plain leather... (and that weren't 400 bucks..) so i got em from the states try bootsusa.com and there are a few others that'll ship here, i can't remember who i got mine from in the end... actually i also got punk arse gloves from ebay and a vintage jacket from ebay... all leather... mmm candy

[geoffm]

If you get stuck, Paraflex Footware (http://www.marketnewzealand.com/MNZ/ExporterProfile/2564/PARAFLEX-FOOTWEAR-LTD.aspx)
in Tuam St, Christchurch make boots, including motorcycle boots. IIRC they were just over $240-ish when I got some info at the start of the year and will custom make. Don't know if they have s15 lasts though. Mate - they are HUGE feet. Bet you would be a fast swimmer...
The Last Footware Co used to tailor make as well (just along the road from Paraflex) but I don't know if they do boots. Nicely made but not cheap.
Geoff
(Size 10)

[WildBoarMouse]

haha Thanks for all the continuing info! In some respects, it'll be worth it if I can pick up some gear there... for example a jacket a workmate was looking at was around $500NZD, or $160USD... but they wouldn't export. The plan is to find a store around where i'll be, compare prices with the same or similar products in NZ, and base the purchase around those prices. :)

And yeah... finding wide shoes is an issue... so thanks for pointing that out. :) I'll definitely try them on rather than just ordering and hoping they fit when they arrive.

Thanks everyone