Boots...what to do?

[Insanity_rules]

I find my technic defenders pretty waterproof and comfortable. Kerry from Sawyers gives good service and top advice on gear.

[Hailwood]

well tried on some Johnny Reb boots...took so bloody long to get them on the ride would be over before I was ready, same with the HD mega conductor boots..maybe its my feet? Went and saw Kerry and tried a pair of Stylsafes one size too small but good enough for me to order the next size up (12)...will be here in about 6 weeks as distributors out of stock..thats ok like I am going riding in this weather......once again thanks for the help everyone

[Lou Girardin]

We've got a set of size 46's at AMPS now.

[Hailwood]

Lou How much are they? and how much to get them to Wgtn?

[Lou Girardin]

Lou How much are they? and how much to get them to Wgtn?

$404.10 inc for a KB'er plus $8.00 freight.

[Hailwood]

Cheers Lou the boots arrived this morning...damn fine they are too..now if only this weather would ease enough to have a good ride.....well soon I hope....

[Lou Girardin]

Cheers Lou the boots arrived this morning...damn fine they are too..now if only this weather would ease enough to have a good ride.....well soon I hope....

With those WATERPROOF boots, you don't need to wait for good weather.
Quicker than tying gaitors to your feet too!
C'mon Ixion

[HenryDorsetCase]

I would like a pair of red wing boots but they arent imported here. The PB guys (well one of them) swears by them. Ebay might be your friend though

[Wolf]

I've got a pair of waterproof Sidi touring boots with full length gusset up the inside of the zip.

I find them bloody comfortable for all day wear - I often wear them at work rather than change into work shoes. Pull your jeans down over them and they look fairly respectable.

Only problems I've had with them are: the Velcro (none of this "hook and loop" euthemism, here) has come unstitched down the side and both zip tabs have snapped off. One I removed the remaining bit of metal and put a tiny split ring on it with a short length of light chain attached, the other I just get my finger nail under the stub of the zip to release it.

I've had them around 5 years and they're definitely nearing replacement time. The lining has worn through at the back of the heel and they're loosing all their tread pattern. They still seem quite waterproof in a small amount of rain but they no longer withstand full-on storms.

I had a look at the Dririder waterproof touring boots - they look very similar to my Sidis, look quite comfortable and they have a hard ankle cover on the inside of the foot as well as the outside (presumeably to protect your ankle should the bike land on it.)

The other boots that caught my attention, but I've never seen one IRL, were the Gaerne "Explorers". They look good and the specs sound promising but I haven't had a chance to try a pair on.

[Insanity_rules]

Well tried out the technic's in that rain storm last week and can report they were as tight as a ducks butt. Warm and dry even after 43 Km's in what was quite like riding under a cold hose turned on full.

[Wolf]

Well tried out the technic's in that rain storm last week and can report they were as tight as a ducks butt. Warm and dry even after 43 Km's in what was quite like riding under a cold hose turned on full.

Question for you: Do you ride with your leggings over the outside of your boots or with your leggings tucked into your boots?

Should ask the same of Ixion as well.

The only part of my boots that leak (now that they're getting old) is around the exposed upper front of the foot - the leather soaks through and the aging waterproof lining lets it through.

I wear my leggings over my boots so the shank of the boot never gets wet - I have no complaints with my Dririder gear (the main advantage of the full-length gusset in the boots is if I ever put my foot down in a seriously deep puddle, never had to try it out yet). The only part of the boot exposed to water is the foot itself and the brunt is taken on the upper (fortunately, as the waterproofing is worn right through at the back of the heel).

I wear my jacket cuffs inside my gloves but only because I've mostly ridden tourers, road/trail and a cruiser so my forearms are either level or slightly angled down from wrist to elbow.

[Ixion]

I wear trousers tucked into boots leggings/waterproofs outside boots.

But I find that in heavy weather spray and wash off the road can still work its way UP between legging and boot (exacerbated by the tendency for leggings to ride up , and the shortness of boots, I have not had success in finding knee length ones).

Then , given long enough, this up thrown wash works DOWN again into the boot. The same thing happens if the boots are submerged for any length of time , there sould be a membrane where you leg goes into the boot.

The solution to these problems is (drum roll please) GAITERS. From the friendly Army Surplus place in K Rd opposite the bonkable bristols.

PS: Yes, I DID try puttees. They sort of worked, but not as well as the gaiters.

[Wolf]

I wear trousers tucked into boots leggings/waterproofs outside boots.

But I find that in heavy weather spray and wash off the road can still work its way UP between legging and boot (exacerbated by the tendency for leggings to ride up , and the shortness of boots, I have not had success in finding knee length ones).

Then , given long enough, this up thrown wash works DOWN again into the boot. The same thing happens if the boots are submerged for any length of time , there sould be a membrane where you leg goes into the boot.

Can't say I've ever experienced it with my current gear. My boots are mid-calf in length and my dririder leggings do not seem to ride up too much when I'm seated on the bike. When the legging cuffs are clipped in place they are fairly snug against the shank of the boots and the legs are preshaped to a semi-flexed posture so they don't ride up too high when I do flex my legs and they don't seem to want to slide down under the heel when I straighten my legs. The cuff normally stays snugly covering the ankle protector.

The only water issue inside my leggings (aside from sweat in the summer) was when the waterproofing on the seams (predominently around the crotch) started to go after around 3 years but a liberal spraying with waterproofing spray along the seams cured that - nothing seems to have gotten up inside the cuffs high enough to get over the tops of my boots.

[Ixion]

I think it is standing up while riding that causes the riding up.

The wash thrown up inside the leggings is worst when riding on roads with heavy surface water , rain itself, no matter how heavy , does not seem a problem. But surface water , or deep puddles taken at speed and it will blow up (puddles are worst because they are usually muddy as well.)

[Lou Girardin]

I wear trousers tucked into boots leggings/waterproofs outside boots.

It's no wonder they leak Ixion. The water's going down the big hole in the top.

If you come into AMPS one day, I'll fit you out with good WATERPROOF gear.
(I might even show you how to wear it)