I am SO over motorbike boots

[jrandom]

The zips on both my Gaerne boots have fallen apart in less than a year.

Shoe repair shops should be able to replace them without any hassle. Don't buy new boots just because the zips broke.

[ManDownUnder]

Ah, that's NZ Army boots. I'll go for yurpean.

I know just the place too - on the South side of K'Rd just along from Starbucks. Forget what it's called - but there are heaps of different styles of boot in there from the various military around the world.

[pritch]

Try to get a pair of American, special forces, combat boots... I have a pair... Worn them regulary for 6 years now... patent leather...

"Patent leather combat boots." Congratulations! I believe that's a new oxymoron

I have had mixed luck with boots:

Style Martin town boots, lethal on wet tiles otherwise OK for the intended purpose. Nearly four years old, looking OK. I haven't tested the waterproofing on these.

Style Martin touring boots. They seem waterproof, I've certainly never seen any water leak out. Four years old, zips work fine.

Spidi Canyon GoreTex, maybe a year old. Waterproof so far but slightly awkward when it comes to undoing the fastening arrangement. Or it could be just my gut getting in the way. Nice Vibram "commando" sole helps with secure footplant when manouvering.

Red Wing slip-ons. No pretensions at being waterproof or anything else much, another Vibram sole. OK to walk in, the pair I wear the most.

One thought, don't buy boots with hooks instead of holes for the laces. Not unless you want to turn your nice vinyl seat cover into something resembling a sieve. There speaks the sad voice of experience

[Big Dave]

I get 2 years between re-soles out of H-D brand Johnny Rebs and I wear them casual as well as riding.

Lets make Ixion hip!

[jrandom]

I get 2 years between re-soles

Where do you get the re-soling done?

[Big Dave]

Where do you get the re-soling done?

Don't recall name - That old school place in Newmarket on Broadway - on the left heading towards the car yard end.

[slofox]

I'm just a poor sweet impoverished old man, eking out a penurious existence on the smell of an oily rag. .

AHHhhhhhh begorrah, ya pooooor ole bugger...bring ya beggin' cup by me shop an' I'll give ya all me 10 cent pieces Ixion.....

[timetoride]

The zips on both my Gaerne boots have fallen apart in less than a year. I want to stick with motorcycle boots as I reckon they offer better protection but I cant afford to spend $200ish every 9 months on shoes. I really don't know what my next step will be.

I got a pair of them Puma r1000 from santa. Really good deal off tardme for $240.00 seriously cumfortable AND NO ZIPS!
Here is a good review.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfbDZgWZYaU

Haven't tried them in the rain yet, I have however done nearly 1000k in them since last week and have had no issues with them. Fairly light but really strong and much more comfortable than my old boots. (less feel to start with but my old boots were cheap thin crap these one actually feel safe).
I have come off wearing army boots, right foot peg snapped off when it hit the car and cut throught the boot like butter. The said snapped foot peg then degloved the whole top of my foot breaking all the little bones that control the toes in the process. Entered just behind my big toe and left me alone at my ankle (doctors said if it had gone 10 cm deeper the would've had to have taken my foot off). Combined with a few other injuries I couldn't walk for three months (and had to have 3 operations on that foot) If I had these boots then I can confidently say I would have been much better off. YES Boots are expensive. BUT I would rather have a small dent in my pocket than an empty space at the end of my leg. just my 2c

[testastretta]

Been riding for 20+ years and until 5 years ago all i used were Doc Martens,tramping boots,steelcap work boots or(stupidly)running shoes.Then I bought some Sidi sport/touring boots and wearing them year round in rain,hail and snow they are still in good nick and are far superior when it comes to feel at the contols than anything else I have worn.

[FJRider]

Apparently there is no profit for boot makers who design a product to last.

That applies not only to manufacturers of boots...

[Big Dave]

Mr Ixion in spidi and alpine stars. That would be a sight to behold.

I've not met mrs ixion but I'd like to be there when the statement arrived.

[Motu]

I guess the thinking is the boots will be soooo uncool in a couple of years that people will be too embarrassed to wear them...so toss them in the bin for the the latest hip style jobs.That's ok for young IT workers earning big bucks - but for old working men like me it's just not on.

My Gaerne Balance are 5 years old,and looking pretty beat up to me - I bought them for the rest of my life!!! I still have my 30 year old Sidi's...but wouldn't wear them unless pushed.I have a pair of 20 year old lace up gumboots,just like Dad used to wear doing the lawns....minus laces.They have a toe cap and steel shank - I used to ride off road with them and they are still covered in gorse prickles.I now use them to mow the lawns...minus the laces.

My next pair of bike boots will be high top forestry boots...I'll sleep in them when on the road as I used to do back in the day.

[portokiwi]

i crashed my bike into a truck yesterday..... he turned in front of me.
i hit the front right side of truck went along the road for a while woke up some time later. my boots 5.11 side zip combat boots are in good nick. my hld helmet saved my head. i have no problems recomending them to others. saved my boots getting cut of having the side zips.
my pants were cut off as were my jacket so they could check me over.
not one scratch on my darbi gloves.
had to get 7 stitches in my knee though lol and nice brusiesing down my left hand side after hitting truck road and mabe a tree.

[Ixion]

Mr Ixion in spidi and alpine stars. That would be a sight to behold.

I've not met mrs ixion but I'd like to be there when the statement arrived.

Actually, I made a mistake. The uncomfortable boots are Alpine Stars not StylMartins.

And not the least of the annoyance is that everytime I am forced to buy yet ANOTHER pair of boots Mrs I will exclaim "Oh they are very dear". And then take that as a signal to go out and buy a new pair of shoes! Have you priced women's shoes recently? They're even more absurd than bike boots. Totally unwaterproof, no protection whatsoever. And they cost hundreds of dollars! And for some reason that I cannot understand she cannot (she says) wear them when they're a ew years old even if they're in quite good condition. Not to mention the colours! Just don't say "What's wrong with black?". DAMHIK.

[Ixion]

I guess the thinking is the boots will be soooo uncool in a couple of years that people will be too embarrassed to wear them...so toss them in the bin for the the latest hip style jobs.That's ok for young IT workers earning big bucks - but for old working men like me it's just not on.

...

You don't happen to know the location of that bin do you?