Best boots for riding?

**Monkfish** · 5th February 2013, 09:52

Hey KB how would you rate the Importance of proper Riding Boots?

ATM i am just wearing my old steel cap work boots, (as a friend said that was all he used to wear). but after reading some of the other threads on KB peoplae are saying that wearing street shoes or other footwear actually hindered the learning process? (gear changing etc.)

I do plan to get riding boots once funding allows but I might have to re-prioritize.

**Dragon** · 5th February 2013, 09:58

Originally Posted by Monkfish

Hey KB how would you rate the Importance of proper Riding Boots?

ATM i am just wearing my old steel cap work boots, (as a friend said that was all he used to wear). but after reading some of the other threads on KB peoplae are saying that wearing street shoes or other footwear actually hindered the learning process? (gear changing etc.)

I do plan to get riding boots once funding allows but I might have to re-prioritize.

My uncle is a paramedic

Have heard a few stories of bikers coming off in steel caps and losing their toes

Not to mention they are farking heavy to ride with, I wouldn't wear steel caps at all :s

Atm im wearing a set of combat boots (need to get some bike boots soon) they're pretty sturdy have ankle support etc

**Banditbandit** · 5th February 2013, 10:00

Way back in the early 1970s I only ever wore steelcap boots ...

Now I have proper riding boots and would never wear anything else ... the position of my feet on the pegs is completely different to the BSAs and Meridan Triumphs I rode back then .. steelcaps would be very uncomfortable and hard to change gear in on the modern bikes I have ...

I've also dropped the bike in my modern boots with exoskeletons and have walked away (well, limped a few paces) ... in steelcaps I would have broken my ankle ..

Get some decent riding boots as soon as you can afford them

**Monkfish** · 5th February 2013, 10:02

Originally Posted by Dragon

My uncle is a paramedic

Have heard a few stories of bikers coming off in steel caps and losing their toes

Not to mention they are farking heavy to ride with, I wouldn't wear steel caps at all :s

Atm im wearing a set of combat boots (need to get some bike boots soon) they're pretty sturdy have ankle support etc

Shite

Im quite fond of those little buggers on the end of my foot.

Is the ankle support the most important aspect of riding footwear?

**Gremlin** · 5th February 2013, 10:02

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.

**Banditbandit** · 5th February 2013, 10:04

Originally Posted by Monkfish

Is the ankle support the most important aspect of riding footwear?

Maybe if you fall off it is ... for normal riding - comfort and ability to use your feet quickly - on the brake/gears ... Dry helps - but I seriously doubt any boot is completely waterproof.

**FJRider** · 5th February 2013, 10:13

Steel toe-caps can freeze your toes off. If the steep cap is on the outside of the leather ... it can catch the gear change lever.

Ex Army lace-up combat boots do work well. Just a bugger to get on and off.

Warm/dry hands AND feet make for a great and SAFE ride. Either ... cold and/or wet ... are never fun.

So I put the importance of gloves in the same bracket as boots.

**FJRider** · 5th February 2013, 10:24

Originally Posted by Banditbandit

Now I have proper riding boots and would never wear anything else ... the position of my feet on the pegs is completely different to the BSAs and Meridan Triumphs I rode back then .. steelcaps would be very uncomfortable and hard to change gear in on the modern bikes I have ...

I've also dropped the bike in my modern boots with exoskeletons and have walked away (well, limped a few paces) ... in steelcaps I would have broken my ankle ..

Get some decent riding boots as soon as you can afford them

Depending on how(if) the brake and gear levers were set up for you ... would matter what you wore on your feet. And on how comfortable your footwear was to wear/use as you ride.

One of the bigger gains in comfort (and bike control) a learner rider (or ANY rider) can get ... is setting up the controls (for hands AND feet) when they take possession of their bike.

**Monkfish** · 5th February 2013, 10:26

Originally Posted by FJRider

Depending on how(if) the brake and gear levers were set up for you ... would matter what you wore on your feet. And on how comfortable your footwear was to wear/use as you ride.

One of the bigger gains in comfort (and bike control) a learner rider (or ANY rider) can get ... is setting up the controls (for hands AND feet) when they take possession of their bike.

How would one go about this insanley difficult and mind boggeling transformation?
Jokes i didnt realise it was an easy job to modify gear leaver/brake positioning.

**FJRider** · 5th February 2013, 10:31

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.

The different styles of boots available vary considerably ... race and touring boots are very different in construction. Thus end result of your ankle would also differ in an off.

Looks/comfort/availability are the usual reasons for boot consideration. Followed by cost. (usually in THAT order

)

**FJRider** · 5th February 2013, 10:38

Originally Posted by Monkfish

How would one go about this insanley difficult and mind boggeling transformation?
Jokes i didnt realise it was an easy job to modify gear leaver/brake positioning.

It IS easy. For most it is just the case of loosening/removing the locking nut. Pulling the lever off the spline. Rotating the lever a few splines up or down to suit. Replacing the locking nut.

Careful study of gear/brake levers will make adjustment easy to understand how to do it ...

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

Originally Posted by FJRider

The different styles of boots available vary considerably ... race and touring boots are very different in construction. Thus end result of your ankle would also differ in an off.

Any style of motorcycle boot (normal length, not those short motorcycle boot/shoes) is going to protect the ankle and foot more than a pair of sneakers etc.

All boots start stiff, until you wear them in, but allowable flex will vary with style. Sport boots are pre curved to riding position, so don't try walking all day in them. MX boots are very tall and stiff, again, don't try walking all day in them.

Oh, and my Forma Adventure boots are waterproof, up to the waterproof flap of course. How long that will last, who knows, but I've tested when the bike didn't want to stay upright in the odd stream.