Large calves, race boots wanted!

**Brooke** · 27th November 2012, 16:10

Hey All,

I'm a chick who rides a 675 daytona and I would really like to get my hands on (or more to the point legs in) some race style boots.

I've been to Boyds and Hamilton Honda and practically tried on every pair of boot they have in store. The guy at Hamilton Honda was brilliant and said if I did some research into boots he's happy to see if he can find them and bring them in for me, but I concerned if he does this and they don't fit, either they or I will be stuck with them.

I'm a size 39 and really struggling to get something sorted. I don't really want to have to go down the path of ankle boots, would prefer more protection. I have yet to source leather pants as these are majorly going to depend on what I can find in a boot, in terms of whether they can be worn inside the boot (preferable) or outside the boot.

I have long calves as well and have trouble finding the right fit snowboarding boots too (thanks Dad for this trait). I've done the whole trick of trying on bigger sizes to see if that does the trick, but to no success (even went to a 44).

Someone has said to look at MX boots but the rigidity of these worries me given the riding position of the bike. If anyone has any suggestions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

**Madness** · 27th November 2012, 17:50

I'm sure there will be others who will agree that in order to give you the very best advice we're going to needs pics of said calves. In fact a full leg-shot would be best to fully understand the situation. Black stockings are also good at providing depth-perception, a poor mans 3-D if you like.

**Geeen** · 27th November 2012, 17:58

Have you talked to Kat at Hamilton M/C? She's usually pretty good with this sort of thing.

My wife has Sidi Lei boots, she loves them.

Not sent from an iDevice

**Pumba** · 27th November 2012, 18:36

I have big calves as well and had exactly the same problem when I need to buy some new race boots for the track a few seasons ago. Tried on everything in Cycletreads and found the Sidi boots were the ones that were the biggest and is what I ended up buying. Even though on top of that I got my race leathers shortend as much as possible (did I mention the short legs) so that I eliminated any bunching.

The Sidi boots a great on the track, and comfy as on the bike, but there is no way in hell I would tour in them as they are just too stiff walking around in once of the bike.

For the road I got a set of Alpine Stars, for the same reason. Much more comfy than the Sidi, and are a bloody good boat but not enough amour for racing.

**steve_t** · 27th November 2012, 18:49

I have large calves too; so much so that socks always leave pretty good strangulation marks. Sidi Vertigo boots fit nicely, just, and I do actually find them comfy enough if I need to walk around in them.

**Brooke** · 27th November 2012, 20:27

Originally Posted by steve_t

I have large calves too; so much so that socks always leave pretty good strangulation marks. Sidi Vertigo boots fit nicely, just, and I do actually find them comfy enough if I need to walk around in them.

With being a fellow hamiltonian, where did you get them from? Local?

I tried on every pair of alpine stars they had in Hamilton Honda and none of them fit. Only tried on one pair of Sidi boots, can't remember what they were called but they had the adjustment clips/straps at the top (were two sizes too big) and still didn't fit.

Pisses me off tell you the truth, I'm not kidding myself that I missed my calling as a model or anything, I'm a size 16 which is fairly common in good ol' kiwiland. Totally didn't expect buying motorbike boots to be such a great ordeal

**DEATH_INC.** · 27th November 2012, 20:45

I've got fairly big calves too, find it hard to get boots to fit as well. I use Oxtar (TCX now I believe?) that fit ok. Before them I had Sidi's. Both varieties are full race boots.

**steve_t** · 27th November 2012, 21:06

Originally Posted by Brooke

With being a fellow hamiltonian, where did you get them from? Local?

I tried on every pair of alpine stars they had in Hamilton Honda and none of them fit. Only tried on one pair of Sidi boots, can't remember what they were called but they had the adjustment clips/straps at the top (were two sizes too big) and still didn't fit.

Pisses me off tell you the truth, I'm not kidding myself that I missed my calling as a model or anything, I'm a size 16 which is fairly common in good ol' kiwiland. Totally didn't expect buying motorbike boots to be such a great ordeal

I got mine in the UK but I think there should be some local stockists. If you do have particularly large calves, you might have to consider a half boot/shoe like the Sidi Streetburner or something similar that covers the ankle. It's a slight compromise as far as protection goes but it's better than wearing street shoes because you can't fit bike boots

**MaxCannon** · 27th November 2012, 21:38

Just got a pair of Sidi Vertigos and with the adjustable calf they fit great.

Here is a good review of the Womens version.
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcyc...i-vertigo-lei/

Worth noting - mine took a week to wear in and now feel great. For that first week I kept thinknig I'd bought a size too small.

**ckai** · 28th November 2012, 07:28

Originally Posted by MaxCannon

Just got a pair of Sidi Vertigos and with the adjustable calf they fit great.

Here is a good review of the Womens version.
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcyc...i-vertigo-lei/

Worth noting - mine took a week to wear in and now feel great. For that first week I kept thinknig I'd bought a size too small.

I wanted a pair a vertigo's when I was boot shopping a few years back. It sucked that my feet and typical hobbit style, flat and big. Big fan of them (although I have no basis for that since I've never worn them!).

It's actually good to see a review that measures the opening of the boots. It seems a no-brainer to me that online retailers should start doing this as well.

Originally Posted by Madness

I'm sure there will be others who will agree that in order to give you the very best advice we're going to needs pics of said calves. In fact a full leg-shot would be best to fully understand the situation. Black stockings are also good at providing depth-perception, a poor mans 3-D if you like.

Tried last night. She kinda looked at me with the same eyes as a bull just about to charge.