Boots, what should I be looking for?

[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.

$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

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......

[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.

[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

[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.