Footwear?

[tate35]

Just wondering what everyone's preferred footwear is when on the bike?

I want to buy some suitable boots any suggestions? At the moment I wear...sneakers (yes, there I said it) and I have to say I'm not at all impressed to admit it :oi-grr:

[Nasty]

Boots ... proper motorcycle ones ... I ride too much to scrimp on this.

[TerminalAddict]

proper boots .. or doc martins (10 ups) if I'm commuting to work

[vifferman]

In the (dim and distant) past I've worn anything (jandals, sneakers, workboots, gumboots) and have the scars to show for it (one from barbed wire, several from grazes and cuts). Now I wear boots, even if I'm only wearing jeans rather than my bike pants and/or not wearing gloves. Not just for safety, but also they're better for changing gear etc.
My current boots are the most expensive things I've had on my feet - even more expensive than my last ski boots - but VERY comfy, waterproof, and protected by six (6!) carbon fibre bits in each boot (2 ankle cups, a shin guard and 3 panels at sides and rear).

[Meekey_Mouse]

Definitely proper boots... I only live 5-6 blocks from the main street in town but if I'm taking the bike I'll still make sure I have boots on.

The first pair of boots I bought were just a cheap touring boot, which I find are now useful for the short trip into town as they also look ok with jeans, but will still keep my ankles together and protect me a lot more then shoes I'd normally wear to town. Whereas the boots I used for racing which have a lot more protection can look rather odd. Esp with the toe sliders :laugh: so I wear them on longer rides as they will protect me a lot more than the touring ones.

Good brands to look at are Gaerne and Alpinestars.
My brother has had Gaerne boots since his first road bike which was 6 years ago and he has never had a problem with them.
Some of Alpinestar's boots can have a thing of squeaking but mine have lasted 3 bins on the track and only have minor scrapes.

[fridayflash]

SNEAKERS!!!??? naughty naughty smack bottom!! lol
ok ill fess up and admit ive done it many times,especialy in summer,
maybe even napier to paeroa and back:spanking:
but realy riding boots are the only way to go,or if none
then sturdy workboots or horsie riding boots would be next best thing ily

[Mutley]

After two years of looking and trying on numerous pairs of boots, have finally found a pair the fit. Thanks to Motogirl for recommending Alpinestars. Found a pair that fit me at a Christchurch bikeshop and now can't wait to get out on the bike.

[SDU]

After two years of looking and trying on numerous pairs of boots, have finally found a pair the fit. Thanks to Motogirl for recommending Alpinestars. Found a pair that fit me at a Christchurch bikeshop and now can't wait to get out on the bike.


next time give us a yell, I love shopping in bikesshops other stores are boring!

It's hard to find a good fit if you have hobbit size feet sometimes but luckily more woman styles are about now giving more options.
Gaerne boots are what I wear. I've got the adventure style, very comfy even wear them while I work.

[rie]

is the reason you wear sneakers because (a) boots are beyond your means right now; or (b) you have trouble finding sizes?

i have hobbit feet AND i'd just blown my budget on gear. but after lots of searching i found a decent pair on sale at mt eden m/c. just takes a bit of looking & persistence. sales & outlet stores are great. definitely check those out first.

if you choose to get doc martens or some other 'normal' boot (i was doing that for a little while) at least get something that covers your shins because that's where the cage bumpers will smack into you. ouch.

[fatzx10r]

kung foo shoes:lol:

[sleeqe2000]

DRIRIDERS do a great boot for $199. Can't find them on the web though. Got them from Motomart in the Hutt.

[portokiwi]

ummm wear running shoes for just going down the road but I love my 511 boots. I might invest in motorcycle boots one day but these boots are light, zip up and have good gripping.

[portokiwi]

:Oops: Wish I had my boots on the last 2 days.
not a good idea wearing running shoes on rainy days lol.

[nodrog]

i wear crocs

[PrincessBandit]

Boots every time, regardless of where I'm going or how long/short the trip. Used to wear my docs - they are 8 ups and I found them to be fine except for pouring rain (water gets in at the tongue and eyelets if you don't have waterproof gear on your lower half!) But since getting my Oxtars (sunray) I wear nothing else on my feet when on the bike.

[007XX]

Proper boots, no question about it.

Mine were only about $150 when I bought them 5 years ago from Colemans (on sale), and they are still doing an awesome job, even though I have given them hell in that time (multiple rallies and rides). I just treat them with a leather treatment every 6 months or so and they are still not leaking.

My point: You do not HAVE to go to extremely expensive gear to get the results.

But sneakers are (as you have come to decided also) nowhere near what you should be wearing.

Good luck.

[dragonfly]

DRIRIDERS do a great boot for $199. Can't find them on the web though. Got them from Motomart in the Hutt.

Dririder a good all round boot, strada motosport have those in stock at Mt Maunganui. Another good ladies boot is the Diadora- easy, has non slip sole and are water proof and comfortable, strada motosport also has these in stock. retail at $260.
You need to go and try on boots, ask for ladies styles if possible as mens and ladies fittings are slightly dirrerent. make sure you walk around in them and make sure your heel isn't slipping this means they to big. take your bike with you and sit on your bike to make sure the boots are comfortable on, sitting on ya bike.:2thumbsup

[Meekey_Mouse]

One thing to keep in mind is whether the boots are secure on your feet and ankles, some boots are rather easy to get off, which in an accident means they can fly off :bye:
Also how they are done up... Personally I don't trust just Velcro boots, my touring boots are and I really don't think they would stay on my foot whereas my Alpinestars have a zip + velcro and fit really nice around my ankles... No way they are coming off!

[vindy500]

my oxford 160 dollar bonde dys seem alright

[fireball]

i have ridden in
barefeet - not a good idea
skateshoes - almost as bad as barefeet esp in oil or a wet day
and my awesome Formca boots - cant rate them highly enough! cheap water proof (up to over the ankle in water) and just good quaility really

[rie]

i have ridden in
barefeet - not a good idea


OUCH! the teeth on the gear shift must have chewed your toes off :eek5:

[yungatart]

Proper motorcycle boots all the time.
When I broke my leg, (nasty spiral fracture) the only thing that left the bone aligned was the fact that I was wearing good boots. That meant just 6 weeks in a cast instead of surgery with pins and a plate!

[vifferman]

One thing to keep in mind is whether the boots are secure on your feet and ankles, some boots are rather easy to get off, which in an accident means they can fly off :bye:
Yeah, that happened to me when wearing jandals. I shoulda duct-taped them on, perhaps...

[Aero165]

Definitely proper boots... I only live 5-6 blocks from the main street in town but if I'm taking the bike I'll still make sure I have boots on.

The first pair of boots I bought were just a cheap touring boot, which I find are now useful for the short trip into town as they also look ok with jeans, but will still keep my ankles together and protect me a lot more then shoes I'd normally wear to town. Whereas the boots I used for racing which have a lot more protection can look rather odd. Esp with the toe sliders :laugh: so I wear them on longer rides as they will protect me a lot more than the touring ones.

Good brands to look at are Gaerne and Alpinestars.
My brother has had Gaerne boots since his first road bike which was 6 years ago and he has never had a problem with them.
Some of Alpinestar's boots can have a thing of squeaking but mine have lasted 3 bins on the track and only have minor scrapes.


Yip! Not to start a product placement add or something but... I've had 3 pairs of Gaerne boots (2 Road/1 Dirt) so far and I've found them to be the best boots I've owned. I'll ride my bike into town, come back take off my helmet, jacket etc but I leave my boots on and wear them for the rest of the day. They're that comfortable:woohoo:

[DrWills]

I love my alpinestars ..but they are slippery little monkeys in the rain.

I use Cat work boots for the day to day, they have heels so are good for us shorties (means I can steal the hubbies Buell on the odd occasion), steel caps too so changing gear doesn't destroy them too quickly either.

[Blossom]

I wear 10up doc's. I need a really supportive boot and I need to be able to walk in them too. I tried a couple of bike boots but I have an over pronation issue with my foot (recovering from a break) I could not walk in them for long without pain so Doc's work for me. :niceone:
Down side to doc's is getting used to not really being able to 'feel' through the top of the boot when I change gear. But got used to that pretty quick and no problems at all now.
Good luck in your search

[paulmac]

good old fashioned lace up steel caps !! use boot dubbin every 6 months for water proofing, comfortable, practicle and better than over-priced 'brands' !!
my $0.02

[rat biker 08]

Steele caps work for me .:headbang:

[tate35]

Thanks, alpinestars seems to be what everyone recommends:niceone:


After two years of looking and trying on numerous pairs of boots, have finally found a pair the fit. Thanks to Motogirl for recommending Alpinestars. Found a pair that fit me at a Christchurch bikeshop and now can't wait to get out on the bike.

[tate35]

Seriously barefeet yup can't see that being a good idea :no:


i have ridden in
barefeet - not a good idea
skateshoes - almost as bad as barefeet esp in oil or a wet day
and my awesome Formca boots - cant rate them highly enough! cheap water proof (up to over the ankle in water) and just good quaility really

[tate35]

Just seen a pair of technic ladies boots for $177. Does anyone know how actual their sizes are? I think I'm a 38 euro?

[marty]

i saw an old school dude the other day on an old r65 (i think) beemer - full leathers, big grey beard, pissing down rain, about 4 degrees, and strap sandals......

someone here must know who he is.

[BIHB@0610]

i saw an old school dude the other day on an old r65 (i think) beemer - full leathers, big grey beard, pissing down rain, about 4 degrees, and strap sandals......

someone here must know who he is.

Now there's a sexy mind picture .......:eek5::eek5::wacko: