Hey Folks,
There's loads of stuff on Jackets so I know exactly what to get but bugger all recent on boots!
We've all got 'em and some riders are like 'Imelda Marcos' of the biking footwear dept. I'd be keen to know what others advise on or avoid like the plague!
I've got a pair of 'Raptor' MotoX boots which protect well but are pants in the wet, I can barely feel the gearchanges and walking in town gives me a 'Fransteins Monster' walk. Waste of a 100 quid!

The LWR guys drilled holes in their 300+ quid SIDI's and resorted to plastic bags IN ITALY!! and I've met guys riding GS's in army issues. Is there such a boot that offers both protection and comfort?

Do you dance like Fred Astaire in yours or clump around like Herman Munster? Are they the latest million quid boots worth a fiver or five pounds of Army/Navy 'para' boots worth a million?

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Geoffshing

'Security is a product of one's own imagination, it does not exist in nature as a rule, life is either a daring adventure or nothing.'

I bought about 18 months ago (maybe 2 years) a pair of Oxtar Infinity boots. They've taken me everywhere through hot and cold. Although granted they're hot in the heat but are goretex.. they're discrete and you could wear them with almost anything, if like me you're a biker and not particularly a poser, they're right down your alley, they will happily look like shoes with your trousers, and proudly make you look like a biker with your leathers.
They have a nice tread and you wont slip around on wet surfaces, also very very comfortable to walking and you can happily do quite a bit of walking in them and not feel like "shit, i should of changed my shoes when i got off the bike".

I will buy a replacement Infinity boots when these have fallen apart no doubt about it.

Sidi Discoverys or they may be called Couriers on your side of the pond .
Very good boot ,a bit flashy with the SIDI logo but you could always buff that off .
The new ones are waterproof [ so they say !] but the old ones like mine are very water resistant and take a couple of hours of torrential rain before they soak through .
I was looking for a pair of Infinitys when I came across these , both types are very good boots and you can walk around in them quite comfortably when they are broken in .

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Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light. - Spike Milligan

I'm in the Army boot camp (excuse the pun) on this one. MX boots are designed for MX and are a PITA to walk in, "bike" boots seem designed for the weekend warrior/power ranger types and "touring" boots are just cowboy boots with the odd bit of plastic. Lots of cash involved but short product life and wet feet if not careful.

I'd keep waterproofing in control by using goretex liners or overboots then opt for:

a) MX boots if I'll be riding off road and not walking far (for the ptotection)
b) DM's (without industrial toe caps) if I'll be walking a long way/will be required to do the disco on the ferry.
c) Ex-East German Police jackboots if it's cold.

Big advantage of C on a very long trip is that they can be re-soled and the zips are designed to be repaired by a traditional cobbler.

Andy

I agree with Niel, i have worn a pair of Oxtar touring boots for the last 2 years. The boots have been worn every day commuting,all weekend during rallies and are waterproof and comfortable to walk in.
They are a wide fitting which helps if you are on the big side, also they are being sold at half price, probably because they have had to change their name after a legal battle with alpine stars., so i have bought another pair for when my old ones finally die.
Cheers Ourade.

Although MX boots are hard to walk in, the're much easier to walk in than a cast when you drop the bike on yourself in mud, sand, ice, shale etc. There are riders out there that don't do that but I'm certainly not one of them.
Having said that my old MX are fairly comfy to walk in but thats probably from practice at going on planes in my plastic mountaineering boots to save check in weight.
Cheers
Toby

Half price... tell me where and I'll jump on the case. I don't need them but I would want them.

[quote=
c) Ex-East German Police jackboots if it's cold.

Big advantage of C on a very long trip is that they can be re-soled and the zips are designed to be repaired by a traditional cobbler.

Andy[/quote]

Nien, Nien und Nien! Dese boot ist fir ze 'Bay em Vee' motorader..!! Zey are for ze VORLD DOMINATION.... mu-u-uaaarh!

Sorry! couldn't help it!! I'm chuckling away here like a big kid! (apologies for any offence to our German friends, none meant!)
It's a tricky one as I'm off on a RTW and the MX boots make sense for safety and hobbling with a cast ain't a good thought, but I'm not too keen on wearing 'em for a whole year. As an ex squaddie, military boots are comfy but the protection and waterproofing is negligable, lot's of manoeuvres taught me that! The Oxtars sound like a good idea. I'm trying to get the best of safety, practicality, robustness and weatherproofing and it's bloody hard work!!

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Geoffshing

'Security is a product of one's own imagination, it does not exist in nature as a rule, life is either a daring adventure or nothing.'

Top Gear Superstore TopGear has Oxtar HP touring boots reduced from £149.99 to £69.99. What a deal !!

I bought them from Kickstart motorcycles in Port Talbot South Wales but that was a few months ago and they were selling fast!
Good hunting Ourade.

hi geof

lots of veiws on this thread could be worth a read

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...s-advice-32389

lots of people using Altberg boots at the ripley meet made in uk aswell

cheers
iain

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When I live the life I please, then I’ll be a free man

Glad I saw this I just found a pair of Diadora GT2 Boots online for £100 wondered what they are like ?

I have MX boots although they offer amazing protection I would not take them on a long trip as they are almost too extreme. I think for travel you need a boot that can do all things.

I have worn shin/knee gaurds with more roady boots for protection and practicality.

My current boots cost £12 from ALDI they are waterproof comfy and look ok off the bike my Dad got a more rugged pair for £16.

Wore Moto-X for 17 days, 5,000kms no other shoes at all... on road, offroad, in water, in bed.

Highly recommended.

REVIEW: Hein Gericke Tuareg MX Boots

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check this thread: Oxtar Infinity vs. BMW Savanna, Are hey the same? Judge for your self. - ADVrider

after reading through, we bought 2 pairs of oxtar infinity. we are breaking them in now for our transafrica trip coming this september! so far, so good. comfy to walk in all day long and great protection.

cheers
jerome

YUP...
Best boots i have ever had.. I were 'em every day to work. I have gone on a 3 day hike in the Romanian mountains, They are IMHO the best.. they are safe on the bike and comfortable everywhere else... my only complaint.. is i got the High Hogg all weather boot, and in 30deg plus heat they get kinda hot and stinky...