Best boots for riding?

**Glowerss** · 5th February 2013, 14:29

Originally Posted by Gremlin

Ankle support is probably the biggest factor. Normal shoes are probably "easier" to learn in, as they aren't stiff like boots.

However, without the support of the boot, your ankle has a high chance of breaking in any off where it comes under pressure, doesn't have to be high speed. You'll need to learn shifting with the boots anyway, at some point, so may as well start.

+1 to learning to ride with the boots on.

I went about 6 or so months with no boots ( couldn't afford em) and rode everywhere in me gym shoes.

Now that I've got proper boots again, took me quite a few rides to get used to shifting with the damn things on again. Really shitty gear changes and whatnot. You'd do better to buy em sooner rather then later to avoid the pain of having to relearn that sort of thing.

**Monkfish** · 5th February 2013, 14:31

Originally Posted by bosslady

My suggestion, go into a motorcycle gear shop i.e. cycletreads or cyclespot honda (only mention those cause those are the only ones I've been to, lol) and have a LOOK at their boots. You don't need to buy, but try them on, feel them, you'll notice the difference between what you are using now and what they are. Good gear is worth every penny.

Got my lid & gloves from cycletreads, might have to go back and do some browsing, for when funds are better.

**Gremlin** · 5th February 2013, 14:37

Originally Posted by FJRider

... never attempt to kick the head off any living thing that happens to meander onto the road. Serious toe damage will result. You may not even remain upright.

Good point. Don't even let the critters mash themselves into your boot, especially when you're badly sunburnt.

God that hurt

**HenryDorsetCase** · 5th February 2013, 14:59

Originally Posted by Monkfish

Some of the riding boots I have been looking at, like the johnny reb originals, look like normal workboots.
How are they different?

they are poser boots, not motorcycle boots.

**FJRider** · 5th February 2013, 16:12

Originally Posted by HenryDorsetCase

they are poser boots, not motorcycle boots.

With some ... same thing ....

**unstuck** · 6th February 2013, 07:04

Even If it is just a wee play around at the beach, good boots are a good idea. Last year I went for a wee pootle up the beach with a couple of young fellas, just wore my gumboots thinking it was a waste of time getting all my gear on for a wee pootle. Long story short, front brake lever ended up going through my gumboot, through my leg between the ankle and archilles and out the other side.

So get good boots and always wear them.

**JimmyC** · 8th February 2013, 14:35

I took the 'Buy the best you can afford' mantra pretty seriously with my gear, and after trying on boots from A-Stars, Forma and Garneau, went with the Sidi Adventure Goretex boots. $699 in NZ or $365 landed from fc-moto.de. In the end they were cheaper than anything else I'd tried on here, more comfortable, and with arguably superior protection all round. Very pleased with that purchase.