Boots, what should I be looking for?

[superman]

I have all my gear paid for apart from a pair of boots. My parents have said that for xmas they might buy me a pair or at least subsidize. Yay! :yes:

I have no idea what to look for however, tried on my brothers pair but couldn't feel a thing of what I was doing on my bike and could barely fit the toe underneath to change up gears :blink:

Any suggestions on good boots where you can actually feel what's going on?

[steve_t]

Go try heaps on :yes:
I love my Sidi boots but they're expensive here I think

[Usarka]

Are your brothers boots proper motorbike boots?

If so I'm guessing you've been riding in sneakers(?) and maybe it's just a case of getting used to the feeling (or relative lack of) from wearing boots.

Try on some proper boots at a shop and see what feels good, and then think about things like armour and waterproofness and see how that affects the cost and possibly comfort.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Are your brothers boots proper motorbike boots?

If so I'm guessing you've been riding in sneakers(?) and maybe it's just a case of getting used to the feeling (or relative lack of) from wearing boots.

Try on some proper boots at a shop and see what feels good, and then think about things like armour and waterproofness and see how that affects the cost and possibly comfort.

concur.

you can find bargains among the dross on tardme. Occasionally. But it requires much digging. many many swine before you see a pearl.

[hayd3n]

find some that fit and you cant pull off

they gotta fit snug theres no point if they are just going to fall off in a incident/accident
you can get the gear shift lever moved up enough to fit your toes in
ask yourself do you want some race boots/ touring boots?
waterproof?
toe sliders?
have a look at these cheapys
http://www.1tonne.co.nz/index.php?page=listingDetails&prodid=84&sco=&categoryid=6
www.onetonne.co.nz

[Usarka]

Ps - make sure you don't get any made from kryptonite!

[superman]

Go try heaps on :yes:
I love my Sidi boots but they're expensive here I think

Damn you, I now found these

http://www.motorcyclegear.co.nz/afawcs0146619/CATID=276/ID=3066/SID=766866475/productdetails.html

:facepalm:Oh the money... I could just save up....... :shutup:

[p.dath]

Something that goes up over your ankles (to stop your foot getting rotated off) is good.

If your mostly commuting I'd get something more comfortable. If your more of a spirited rider I'd get something more rigid that can handle being slid on the ground.

[maggot]

I may get ripped for this, but if you've got a fairly sturdy set of work boots, wear em for a while and see how you go, you may not want/need any more than that.
I commute mostly, and spend the rest of the day off the bike, on my feet, so I want something that's practical, easy to walk in. Those're my work boots for me. Good sturdy leather and such, waterproof, comfortable.
Depends what kind of riding you're planning on, of course, like said above

[JMemonic]

What ever you buy check them over first I bought a pair of well known brand boots the are not stitched at a point they should be, its not a safety issue but it does allow rubbish in between the out and liner.

As others have said find boots you like, there is a huge range out there, waterproof ones are great and do make a difference, remember if you are going to use them for touring that you may be wearing 12 plus hours so they must be comfortable.

[Owl]

Damn you, I now found these

http://www.motorcyclegear.co.nz/afawcs0146619/CATID=276/ID=3066/SID=766866475/productdetails.html

:facepalm:Oh the money... I could just save up....... :shutup:

I have those boots. Great for motorcycling, but rubbish if you're trying to sneak up on somebody.:D

[superman]

Gota have something awesome for when I get my ZX6, or R6, or... sooooo many bikes I want! :shutup:

[steve_t]

Gota have something awesome for when I get my ZX6, or R6, or... sooooo many bikes I want! :shutup:

R6? :blink::shit::shutup::innocent:

[superman]

R6? :blink::shit::shutup::innocent:

Not a good idea for the R6? No bias from you is there.... :yes:

[steve_t]

Not a good idea for the R6? No bias from you is there.... :yes:

:drinkup::rofl:

[sil3nt]

According to the latest KiwiRider magazine the SIDI FUSION is an "ideal beginner trackday boot or for road use." $399. Looks good as well. Just a shame no one seems to sell them and they aren't even listed on the distributors website http://darbi.co.nz/webpages/pages/SIDI.htm

God knows why they are advertised in KR then...

[superman]

I have those boots. Great for motorcycling, but rubbish if you're trying to sneak up on somebody.:D

$300 in America. I'm just going to get my dad to get them when he's there next shouldn't be more than $440. Yay for the strong dollar :yes:

Edit: found honda motorcycles in Hamilton sell them for $430. Better to support the local stores. Obviously they aren't all trying to rip us off!

[Mully Clown]

I've got the BMW All Round boots. They're absolutely brilliant, I commute to work in them and keep them on the entire day. Cost about $400 I think.

[6ft5]

So I was in the same position, bought a Adventure or dual purpose bike and decided to have a boot with a longer shaft to protect my shins better. So bought a pair of FOX MX boots. Really excited until they showed up and got them on my feet. They feel like concrete, very little movement in the ankle and absolutely no movement to shift gears. Asked around and followed an old remedy to soak them in water and wear them until dried. Did all that and guess what they still don't do what I want from them, give me comfort while riding. So the message here is and I don't want to repeat other advice, go try plenty on and work out what you want to use them for..jeeeez I did repeat other, oh what the hell, better go to Motomail this morning and do the same......:innocent::innocent:

[vifferman]

I want something that's practical, easy to walk in. Those're my work boots for me. Good sturdy leather and such, waterproof, comfortable.

Sounds like a description of my StylMartins. I've even been tramping in them.

[BMWST?]

no substitute for trying boots on.You will find even in the same brand that the same size in another style does not mean they will fit.You have got to decide how you will wear the boots.My old boots were really comfortable on and of the bike and whilst all leather would not have given me much protection.So i now have a pair of adventure boots which are somewhere between a touring and a motox boot.The dont give as much feell as my old touring boots ,arent quite as comfortable but have shin ankle and toe armour.Its all a compromise.

[6ft5]

Ended at Holeshot this morning and found some Gaerne Touring boots that fit me perfectly, so ripped out the credit card and went for it. Fantastic lightweight, easy to get in and out, just need to break them in a little. Shows that if you shop around and try things you will find the right gear.:yes::yes::yes:

[Owl]

Edit: found honda motorcycles in Hamilton sell them for $430. Better to support the local stores. Obviously they aren't all trying to rip us off!

That's a great price and I certainly wouldn't recommend getting these from the US. I've had warranty issues with mine in the past, so much easier to deal with locally.

Personally, if it wasn't for the great fit, I'm not sure I'd recommend them:no:

[slofox]

I have two pairs of boots - Gaerne and 1 Tonne. Both are very good at doing their job but overall I prefer the Gaerne - perhaps because I have had them longer and they are the "old shoes" IYKWIM.

I had to run some Ados F2 around the join between upper and sole on the Gaernes (left boot). After about two years, they developed a small leak where the gear lever digs into that area. The leak is still fixed some nine months down the track. The 1-tonnes have more protection in that area which I expect would prevent such a thing happening.

The only down with the 1-tonnes is that they are a little harder to get onto the foot. They have quite a narrow fitting around the ankle and you need to undo the velcro on both sides of the boot to get them on. No big deal really.

Both are quite comfortable to walk around in.

[hellokitty]

I got Alpinestars Ridge boots for Xmas and they are so comfortable.
http://www.motomail.co.nz/estore/style/asboridgewp.aspx
They look kind of solid and big but they don't feel it and are so light when riding. So easy to change gear in. I used to have some Gaerne boots that were too stiff, and were hard to change gear in.
These are also good as the little velcro flap thing makes them nice and tight of you have skinny feet.
I used to have some cute little Oxtar sneaker/boot things but they fell apart twice within 8 months (Cycletreads had them repaired the first time but when they came apart the second time I though I should get some real boots)

[6ft5]

My new Gearne's are great, I can now shift gears without having to lift my entire leg up, bloody hell should have done that ages ago.