I am SO over motorbike boots

[rphenix]

I also go through boots at least once every season getting sick of having to go into cycletreads and put down the cash so have been thinking about the likes of cat workmans boots with steel caps etc.. they would last but I worry they would come off in an accident and leave the ankle exposed to being ground down on the tarmac if you came off with the bike pinning you down.

[H00dz]

I'm with you Ixion, too much hype over boots still end up with injuries.....

[speights_bud]

The Gaerne waterproofing seems to work well. My tootsies stayed dry in the rain on Monday.

Mine Didn't The fine Stainless steel breathing mesh on the side of my Prexport boots turned em into buckets

[samgab]

I've been just wearing leather shoes, but my ankles felt very unprotected, especially now as I go on the motorway. So I bought some motorbike boots from 1tonne. They are cheap, leather, and armoured. They were about $135 or something?
Anyway, wearing them for the first time on the bike today, along with the armoured cordura trousers I bought. It feels really weird, with the boots. I don't have the same feel that I had before, I can't feel the brake pedal or gear lever very well through the boots, and I used to move my ankle to brake or shift, but now I'm having to more move my whole leg up and down. I guess i'll get used to it. I just feel more... distant from the bike. It's hard to explain. Anyway, I feel much more protected now, armoured jacket, trousers, gloves, and boots. Feels safer on the motorway, that's for sure.
I've already spent over a month in a hospital bed as a result of a motorbike crash, and it's not fun, and I don't want to go through that again!

[ital916]

Where to buy gaitors/combat boot type things? It's January now... winter'll be here soon!

army surplus on k road matey but be warned they are not as cheap as youd think and pretty chunky.

[ital916]

I have been told by a lot of people that steel caps + motorcycle boots are bad as they can be crushed and hence your toes will be then non exsitent. Personally I was of the opinion that a force that is enough to crush the steel cap and remove your toes will remove your toes anyway with a motorcycle boots fitted with the usual plastic caps.

[twotyred]

I've had 'bike' boots before but now I wear full height Oliver ATs, available from Protector Safety. I can wear them all day every day, no problem and often do because I use them for work. They're the most comfortable footwear I've ever owned.

I too wear full height AT's

[McJim]

I've got an old pair of Gaerne boots still going strong over 3 years. Sole is worn on the left foot (from outing my foot down at red lights, stop junctions etc.) but I'll glue some more sole on. One zip is a bit sticky in the middle but I'll sew a new zip in. Apart from that I think I will see another 3 years out of them easily.

[swbarnett]

One zip is a bit sticky in the middle but I'll sew a new zip in.

Get yourself a can of silicone spray. Works wonders on old zips.

[racerhead]

You had me hoping for a moment. I bought mine (as did my wife) before we left Switzerland in late 1997. Mine sat in a cupboard gathering dust for eight years until I finally got another bike. I've used them for the past two years plus and they're still going strong. My wife bought two pairs and her main pair just gave up the ghost last year.

I just had a look on daytonas website and they have a distributor in Australia so you could try them if you need another pair

[limbimtimwim]

I'm with you Ixion, too much hype over boots still end up with injuries.....

I went into a ditch at 100km/h, my Ducati used my lower legs as a trampoline as it too rolled/cartwheeled through the ditch. I remember seeing it standing up up above me thinking "This is probably it then.."* but no.

Anyway, no broken bones, but some nasty bruising on the legs: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...a&id=696495759

I'll keep wearing proper boots.

Incidentally the boots I crashed in are for sale.

How defeatist of me.

[Ixion]

Where to buy gaitors/combat boot type things? It's January now... winter'll be here soon!

Gaitors is $12.50 a pair from the Army Surplus place. K Road, past Ponsonby Rd heading toward red Baron, on the left, opposite the billboard with the chick with the giant tits.

Dunno about their boots yet. They're listing new Danish Army high lace up boots for $99. Need to look at them though.

[carver]

we used to call aqua-techs by gaerne-aquarium techs, they keep the water in and dont let it out

[Daffyd]

I wear "Paraflex" work boots. I have had them for about 12 years.
They are supremely comfortable, have cushioned tops, and the only cost has been having the heels built up last year as they had worn on one side.
I nugget them regularly to keep them supple and waterproof.
They have lace holes, with one pair of hooks about halfway up.
I expect them to see me out.

I also wear gaiters when I'm wearing my draggins as they tend to catch on the pegs, but don't normally when wearing my 'proper' riding pants.

[bungbung]

I've got a pair of Oxtar TCX goretex boots, 4 years now. Still waterproof, I use them for almost all riding. They are pretty scuffed up due to buckets abuse and the front tip of the sole needs to be glued back. Zips still work fine. Expensive, maybe $370

Also have a 6 or 7 year old pair of Gaerne touring boots, a cheap model made of the synthetic leather stuff. They have never been waterproof, although it was never claimed that they would be. Very comfy, they use velcro strap closures. Cheap, maybe $160. I understand that there is a waterproof version, but I would still prefer the extra protection from the Oxtars.