Thoughts on alternative riding boots?

[Buyasta]

Steel capped boots don't actually cut toes off when they're crushed - they tested it on Mythbusters many years back, and couldn't get the steel caps to curl in a way that would amputate toes.

[steve_t]

[Phreak]

I use combat style boots, very comfortable, reasonable (not the best but not the worst) ankle support, and my feet don't overheat in them. Not 100% waterproof, but they are super comfortable for walking around in all day...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=349651768

[Gubb]

Laces and Chains seem like an unhappy partnership to me.

[fliplid]

Laces and Chains seem like an unhappy partnership to me.

I've seen more riders with tie downs, bungee cords, soft luggage straps, bags and the likes flapping against the rear of their bike than boot laces. Do laces up right and they stay done up.
I wear me steel toe capped work boots riding my bike most of the time because I need them for work, and they're comfy to ride in.

[Crisis management]

You want riding boots to do two things, keep the rain out and minimise damage when you arse off.
The keep the rain out is obvious, it's either waterproof or not.
Accident damage occurs from either sliding along the road or twisting / tearing action of the ankle joint, either case you want the ankle supported and protected so a mid-shin boot with ankle protection is needed, anything else is a waste of time.


Feel free tho, it's your ankle.

[Motu]

Bugger - you mean I just wasted my whole fucking life?

[PrincessBandit]

Not sure how true it would be, but when I started riding 30 odd years ago, I was warned off steel caps as there is a possibililty of choping ones toes off should they fold back in a crash.
I have ex army boots. lace ups, comfy and cheap.

Was told the same thing at basic handling skills test a few years ago.

It interesting to see what non-bike-boots people wear.

Steel capped boots don't actually cut toes off when they're crushed - they tested it on Mythbusters many years back, and couldn't get the steel caps to curl in a way that would amputate toes.

I too was told that and it kinda freaked me out, although part of my brain did question the actual likelihood of it happening. I just stuck with my doc martins until being able to buy bike boots.

image removed

Whwooaaaaarrr! now there is a fashion statement if ever there was one. I wonder if it will catch on in the chandal capital of Manukau?

[dreamR]

i got given a pair of used (hardly) steel capped, blundstone work/hiking boots. tried them today and they seemed nice. steel cap didnt have any effect for me as far as gear changing goes

[Sable]

Nothing wrong with combat boots

[Spazman727]

I use a pair of RNZAF Kevlar toed boots I got from Kiwidisposals on Krd for work and I wear them on the bike when commuting. They come quite far up my shin and are made of strong leather. Being Kevlar toed, they won't heat up like steel would in an off. They did have some of the same boots without the Kevlar toes but I can't find either on their website now. Pretty cheap too at $100. Being lace up they do take a bit of time to get off but I do it every morning to take my bike pants off before work and its not really a hassle any more. They look similar to these, and these may be a good option as their even cheaper http://www.kiwidisposals.co.nz/items/?itemID=333

[wysper]

Accident damage occurs from either sliding along the road or twisting / tearing action of the ankle joint, either case you want the ankle supported and protected so a mid-shin boot with ankle protection is needed, anything else is a waste of time.

Something to consider with this too, and it might be a case of six of one, half a dozen of another.

When playing inline hockey (solid boots to about a third of the way up your shin).
I had a guy fall on my back, as I stood up, he fell off, his leg went between my feet and he kind of spun round me as I fell. My foot and boot stayed straight, my leg didnt.
Result - two broken bones in my leg, spiral fractures.
I wonder if that was worse or better than a broken ankle.

[p.dath]

When playing inline hockey (solid boots to about a third of the way up your shin).
I had a guy fall on my back, as I stood up, he fell off, his leg went between my feet and he kind of spun round me as I fell. My foot and boot stayed straight, my leg didnt.
Result - two broken bones in my leg, spiral fractures.
I wonder if that was worse or better than a broken ankle.

That doesn't sound like a common motorcycle injury to me - getting something stuck between your legs and then it rotating until you leg breaks.

Getting your foot rotated is a common injury though (when there is no ankle support).

[HenryDorsetCase]

You want riding boots to do two things, keep the rain out and minimise damage when you arse off.
The keep the rain out is obvious, it's either waterproof or not.
Accident damage occurs from either sliding along the road or twisting / tearing action of the ankle joint, either case you want the ankle supported and protected so a mid-shin boot with ankle protection is needed, anything else is a waste of time.


Feel free tho, it's your ankle.

I know someone whose boots supported his ankle so well that his ankle rotated and spirally fractured his tib and fib and tore the ligaments round his knee.

Having said that, it was a pretty big off.

But his ankle was OK.

[scumdog]

Steel capped boots aren't usually used for motorcycling because the caps get really hot when they slide along tarseal.

Think of it as having a hot iron stuck to your foot, and your body being to broken to be able to get the burning hot boots off.

I guess it depends if you are more worried about an impact (which steel capped boots would be good for if the steel doesn't cave in) or going for a slide.

But steal capped boots is heaps better than no boots. So at the end of the day, you need to weigh up your personal risk and decide what is best for you. Their is no wrong option, just risks and consequences to weigh up.

I sue to use freezing-work steel-caps, they have leather over the cap.

Saved my foot/toes once.

Now use lighter combat-style boots, not as much protection but not so hard on my knees when walking.