Footwear?

[007XX]

Proper boots, no question about it.

Mine were only about $150 when I bought them 5 years ago from Colemans (on sale), and they are still doing an awesome job, even though I have given them hell in that time (multiple rallies and rides). I just treat them with a leather treatment every 6 months or so and they are still not leaking.

My point: You do not HAVE to go to extremely expensive gear to get the results.

But sneakers are (as you have come to decided also) nowhere near what you should be wearing.

Good luck.

[dragonfly]

DRIRIDERS do a great boot for $199. Can't find them on the web though. Got them from Motomart in the Hutt.

Dririder a good all round boot, strada motosport have those in stock at Mt Maunganui. Another good ladies boot is the Diadora- easy, has non slip sole and are water proof and comfortable, strada motosport also has these in stock. retail at $260.
You need to go and try on boots, ask for ladies styles if possible as mens and ladies fittings are slightly dirrerent. make sure you walk around in them and make sure your heel isn't slipping this means they to big. take your bike with you and sit on your bike to make sure the boots are comfortable on, sitting on ya bike.

[Meekey_Mouse]

One thing to keep in mind is whether the boots are secure on your feet and ankles, some boots are rather easy to get off, which in an accident means they can fly off
Also how they are done up... Personally I don't trust just Velcro boots, my touring boots are and I really don't think they would stay on my foot whereas my Alpinestars have a zip + velcro and fit really nice around my ankles... No way they are coming off!

[vindy500]

my oxford 160 dollar bonde dys seem alright

[fireball]

i have ridden in
barefeet - not a good idea
skateshoes - almost as bad as barefeet esp in oil or a wet day
and my awesome Formca boots - cant rate them highly enough! cheap water proof (up to over the ankle in water) and just good quaility really

[rie]

i have ridden in
barefeet - not a good idea

OUCH! the teeth on the gear shift must have chewed your toes off

[yungatart]

Proper motorcycle boots all the time.
When I broke my leg, (nasty spiral fracture) the only thing that left the bone aligned was the fact that I was wearing good boots. That meant just 6 weeks in a cast instead of surgery with pins and a plate!

[vifferman]

One thing to keep in mind is whether the boots are secure on your feet and ankles, some boots are rather easy to get off, which in an accident means they can fly off

Yeah, that happened to me when wearing jandals. I shoulda duct-taped them on, perhaps...

[Aero165]

Definitely proper boots... I only live 5-6 blocks from the main street in town but if I'm taking the bike I'll still make sure I have boots on.

The first pair of boots I bought were just a cheap touring boot, which I find are now useful for the short trip into town as they also look ok with jeans, but will still keep my ankles together and protect me a lot more then shoes I'd normally wear to town. Whereas the boots I used for racing which have a lot more protection can look rather odd. Esp with the toe sliders so I wear them on longer rides as they will protect me a lot more than the touring ones.

Good brands to look at are Gaerne and Alpinestars.
My brother has had Gaerne boots since his first road bike which was 6 years ago and he has never had a problem with them.
Some of Alpinestar's boots can have a thing of squeaking but mine have lasted 3 bins on the track and only have minor scrapes.

Yip! Not to start a product placement add or something but... I've had 3 pairs of Gaerne boots (2 Road/1 Dirt) so far and I've found them to be the best boots I've owned. I'll ride my bike into town, come back take off my helmet, jacket etc but I leave my boots on and wear them for the rest of the day. They're that comfortable

[DrWills]

I love my alpinestars ..but they are slippery little monkeys in the rain.

I use Cat work boots for the day to day, they have heels so are good for us shorties (means I can steal the hubbies Buell on the odd occasion), steel caps too so changing gear doesn't destroy them too quickly either.

[Blossom]

I wear 10up doc's. I need a really supportive boot and I need to be able to walk in them too. I tried a couple of bike boots but I have an over pronation issue with my foot (recovering from a break) I could not walk in them for long without pain so Doc's work for me.
Down side to doc's is getting used to not really being able to 'feel' through the top of the boot when I change gear. But got used to that pretty quick and no problems at all now.
Good luck in your search

[paulmac:Me]

good old fashioned lace up steel caps !! use boot dubbin every 6 months for water proofing, comfortable, practicle and better than over-priced 'brands' !!
my $0.02

[rat biker 08]

Steele caps work for me .

[tate35]

Thanks, alpinestars seems to be what everyone recommends

After two years of looking and trying on numerous pairs of boots, have finally found a pair the fit. Thanks to Motogirl for recommending Alpinestars. Found a pair that fit me at a Christchurch bikeshop and now can't wait to get out on the bike.

[tate35]

Seriously barefeet yup can't see that being a good idea

i have ridden in
barefeet - not a good idea
skateshoes - almost as bad as barefeet esp in oil or a wet day
and my awesome Formca boots - cant rate them highly enough! cheap water proof (up to over the ankle in water) and just good quaility really