We're all different ... go with your own feelings. I have ridden approx 50 countries without ever using specialised motorcycle boots. I personally feel the compromise is too much when it comes to living off the bike. I like to enjoy walking around markets and towns or hiking in the hills. Maybe I'd have a different opinion if I'd had an ankle injury from a crash. Life (and motorcycling) is dangerous and we all manage (and accept) those risks differently. I am about to replace my hiking boots that I rode in from China to Holland in (via Mongolia, Russia, several 'stans, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey etc) and a USA crossing. They were fairly hi-tec and now I am going to replace with leather hiking boots so I can keep adding dressing to keep supple and reasonably waterproof. I'll be using the same boots for a circumlocation of our South Island in Dec with wife for my 60th birthday as I'll use to walk the 5 day Heaphy Track. Motorbike boots for me ... never!
Desw Molloy
Golden Bay
New Zealand
A Classic Motorcycle Odyssey - from Beijing to Arnhem 2005

Its always a compromise when space or money is tight.

Personally I figure my feet and ankles are about the most important parts to protect. Knacker them and the whole trip is lost I suspect...

Well judging by the ecletic opinions appearing above, it doens't seem to really matter.

Last year on my Vietnam to Italy ride I used a pair of Alpine Star leather road racing boots. The beauty of these boots was that they were comforabel and stylish enough to be used as dress/walking boot for any occasion. They were the same boots I purchased in 1982 and used to ride from Alaska to Argentina with back in 1984 - along with many other rides in the interim years. I guess that made them 26 years old at the time of last year's travel, but they were more than suitable for the task of hand. I ended up disposing of them in a rubbish bin in Rome because I had finally destroyed a zip and was sick and tired of the right boot unzipping itself, and they had been superseded by newer technologies.

In my view, boots are boots - get a decent quality pair and they should last for life, fashions will come and go but you will also mature and understand that there are more important elements to life than wearing the latest fashion.

Right now I'm due for another pair of boots which will hopefully see me through to the end of my riding days, so the suggestions put forward by other posters on this thread are much appreciated.

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Garry from Oz - powered by Burgman

+1 On Des's comment...but Des failed to mention how the 70th B-day party turned out...splendid adventure Des!

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edde
93 BMW K75s
www.motoedde.com

One of the factors in protection is fit. Having discussed this with professionals in the field we came to the conclusion that one of the biggest problems is boots (and gloves) that simply fly off at the critical moment. We suspected people leave space for an extra pair of socks for the winter which can't help. Heavier boots fly further. There is no point having 6mm of leather, a steel shank and impact resistant plastic bits if it's (I kid you not) about 100 yards away and up a tree when your foot hits the road. You want boots you'll stay in IMHO.

I wear ex-East German army jackboots. They are fur lined which is useful for where I ride and designed for a traditional sole/heal repair. I can walk in them all day and the ankle strap would keep them on if someone picked me up by them. Abrasive protection is good, impact/crush less so. Probably not suitable for warm places.

Andy

ive always stuck with Sidi, Always seemed the most comfortable and the most waterproof!!

I use Oxtar Infinity PRO.
They have a lot of protective areas (for ankle , fingers or heel) yet quite comfortable when you walk. And most important thing is Gore-tex.
They are similar to BMW Santiago boots

Regs.

I use the biggest, strongest, toughest MX boots I could find..

Alpinestars Tech 10 !! Very expensive but worth it..

A few of my good friends have permanant limps due to not wearing proper boots on the bike..

Met a fair few people on the road with crushed or broken ankles due to having insufficient protection on your ankles.. Their trips were either over or delayed for 3 months or more.

Your ankles are one of the most fragile, complicated joints you have and also the most likely to be damaged in an accident or drop. Why wouldnt you give them the best protection ?????????

People who ride in trainers or walking boots are idiots IMO !!

My boots have saved me more times than I care to remember. I'm not saying you have to buy the most expensive on the market, but at least get quality MX boots for overlanding.

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

I agree with you Ted. you can ride with broken ribs, fingers, maybe even a broken arm, but breaking an ankel is definately a show stopper! I used to wear Sidi road boots, which were awesome, but a little painfum when walking or hiking. I then got a special deal on a pair of demo BMW Savanahs in Reno a few years ago. Absolutely perfect boots! Superior water proofness and comfort. After four years of motorcycle touring the stiching is finally starting to come apart, i replaced them with another pair i got used for $200. Money well spent! Sure, your feet get hot... Wahhhhhh! When your paddling through the sand and wedge your foot under that stupid and severely over priced aluminum box you bolted onto your bike, or when you drop the 500lb bike onto yourself and roll down into a ditch that seems bottomless in Labrador (don't ask me how i know) and your foot is wedged between a rock and a Fastway footpeg, you sure are thankful you decided to wear your hot, stinky, sweaty motorcycle boots that day! Shit happens Man, and we're all pretty exposed, so you may as well be prepared. Want to wear walking boots, well, good luck with that. You may as well leave the jacket, pants and gloves at home to IMHO. And you won't need that helmet, what can happen? Or maybe you can be like the squids we see here on their sport bikes driving like lunatics with their severely stupid girlfriends wearing bikini shorts on the back.... ouch!

Ouch!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-IHi...rom=PL&index=4

+1 for the ATV style boots. These offer a good level of protection but are not too stiff or hard for walking around. I wore them for about 3 months straight, walking around cities, camping in Europe this summer just past.



Mine where exactly the same but branded Diadora (same factory i'm sure). An Ebay buy for £50 second hand. They are not rated waterproof but a quick treatment with Nikwax once and they stayed waterproof till Scotland.

Holey F**K !!

That pretty much sums it up !! Yeah, he was acting the tool but you will do worse overlanding.

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Balanced Oiled most comfortable boot I've ever had--and waterproof:

I really like those boots! I was going to get a pair before i stumbled upon another pair of hardly used Savannahs, which have always been my favorites, but i would still love to try the Balanced with Goretex.

Looking at the video, i figure he might of come down on the curb. This could happen to anyone weather your being an idiot like that guy (doggin' it with NO GEAR!) or if some cage driving soccer mom on her cell phone wipes you out. Couldn't say if a pair of boots would of saved his ankle, but i would guess the damage might of been less severe.