Motorcycle boots
 

I am about to embark on a RTW and need advice on what kind of boots to wear. I have some winter/goretex road boots but have been looking at the Alpinestars Tech 8 offroad boots. are these suitable or should I stick with Road boots?

thanks

The Sidi Combat Touring boots seem to get a lot of praise. You can see what they look like and order them at this site....
http://www.aerostich.com/

Me personally, I would just wear a pair of really good quality hiking or work boots.



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Bruce Clarke
brclarke@islandnet.com
www.islandnet.com/~brclarke

We wear very lightweight road boots, with a thin sole, almost like a shoe. Worked fine on four continents thank you.

In the end it really comes down to what kind of riding you're doing, and you didn't tell us. If you're on a serious off-road bike with knobby tires, and use it like it should be used, mx boots for sure.

We're two-up on a G/S, which means finesse is a wiser course than brute-forcing it through the tough stuff, so a light boot is fine.

Most important of all is that they aren't too hot and stiff to walk around in for a few hours.

Winter boots in the Sahara would probably not be a good choice, so think about what you NEED and where you're going, and pick the lightest coolest boot compatible with that. You can always add a pair of socks.

A pair of running shoes in a handy spot at the top of your saddlebags, and room to put your heavy boots away is a good solution. We use nylon stuff sacks, one per shoe/boot, back and forth between boots/shoes to keep the rest of the gear clean. And we used one pair of runners and one pair of boots each to go around the world, and will do the same again. Any more than that is a waste, you just don't have the space.

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Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Thanks to both of you for repying so promptly
I think the majority of the travelling will be road based and will have to choose my gear based on that presumption.

Thanks again.

I saw a Kiwi couple travelling over the Nullabor on a rented bike (ie: little room for stuff) and they were wearing leather hiking boots and nylon gaiters to the knee. Seemed a very good compromise and also comfortable. Didn't look naff either.

I used to wear black steel toed construction boots for all my riding (I liked the solid toe for shifting): in town, trail rides and longer trips on various surfaces. Then one day I was gazing down at the highway and saw the blacktop whizzing by and realized how vulnerable my feet were, mostly the ankles. Just two tiny little pegs suspend your feet from annihilation. So I bought a pair of Sidi Combat Touring Boots. This spring & summer I did two trips over 10,000 kms on my Beemer, mostly asphalt, some logging roads and the boots look like new. They're not to bad to walk in, keep my feet dry (sort of, but WAY better than construction boots) and I could gaze down at the pavement and had that psycological edge! Just stick a pair of the ultimate travel shoe - canvas Converse All Stars - somewhere easily available and your set for cruising the streets. actually, I am now changing my thread to be a recommendation of the All Stars. You can twist 'em, scrunch 'em, and just generally jam 'em into your bags, wet, and they'll virtually take no room and come out sparkling dry.

Hi
My friend bought a pair of Sidi Courier boots just over a year ago an is really pleased with them.
They look like, and give the protection of, motocross boots but the sole has some flex built into them so you can actually walk quite well in them.
Just saving up for a pair myself.

PS You can get them in black so they don't look too flash.

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Cheers
Gav

I agree with dw & brclarke ref the work boots, thats what I'm wearing at the moment and have ridden around Australia previously. The steel toe comes in handy (not for head kicking, although) just in the general wear & tear that overland bike riding entails. They are relatively cheap (Australia) and in ready supply not that you would go through many pairs, I've still got my pair and believe me they have been punished. There's a plus, once you've finished your ride you can get a job on any building site.

I rode the Philippines last year on a rented Honda trail bike. I have road/mx Alpine Stars at home but they weren't practical to carry in my luggage (backpack). I ended up using "Mack" boots (work boots) and nylon hiking gaitors. In the rough stuff I used soccer/hockey shin guards for protection. Light and easy to carry. A bonus was the boots polished up nicely to look respectable off the bike, so I didnt carry any other footwear. I am also a big wrap for " Draggin' Jeans" kevlar reinforced cargo pants.

I suppose the terrain that you are going to be covering will depend on what boot suits.

If you are going to be travelling off road , deep mud etc then a motorcross boot boot will provide better protection.

I use Gaerne trail boots which provide shin protection and have a grippy sole for slippery conditions. But useless for walking in.

Julio

I must definetely advice against working boots. I know from personal experience that wearing shoes or boots with shoe laces can cause serious injuries when you're going down. The laces will get hooked on any edge and that way you can seriously hurt feet, shins and ankle. Invest in sturdy motorcycle boots which will also protect your shins.

I've been wearing the Sidi CTB's for about two years now. They are really great boots WHILE I AM RIDING. Only recently have they broken in to where I can walk around much in them. Obviously any boot is a compromise, as is all motorcycling gear -- because of space limitations which require everything to serve multiple functions. Like Grant, I carry a pair of walking shoe, for when I get off the bike.

The leather of the CBT's is top notch, and is well broken in by now, and VERY waterproof with the occasional application of nikwax products. I've ridden for hours at a time in rain, both here and in Europe, and my feet have stayed bone dry. I think that when the rigid, motocross style soles wear out on them, I'll see if there is a more flexible sole available. this may make them into a better walking boot.

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Bob Shilling, Berkeley, California

'88 BMW R100GS, '91 BMW R100

I love motorcross boots ,on road or of, but they are a pain in the arse off the bike. They are huge , and mean that you need to carry shoes as well. Ive gone for a pair of old fasioned heavy scarpa walking boots, plus a pair of sandals that take up no room and weigh nothing.



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The problem with most 'specialist' bike boots is their generally uncomfortable for walking in for any extended period of time (note wildly sweeping general statement here :-) ). I have used Army style 'GP' Boots for mant years now, made even better as my employer provides them for free (together with sheepskin lined, water proofed, winter boots). I've found these to be an excellent boot for touring (rubber over-boots for when it's wet) as they fairly well insulated and once worn in, very comfortable for both riding and walking. My 2 trips around Oz I had these boots and a pair of beach sandals as my only footwear, I didn't find I needed anything else.

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Stay Upright,

Andy D.

Boots are always a tricky subject but for what it's worth here is my suggestion.For the last 5 years I have completed long distance tours of Europe on my R1100GS and have been in all climates from snow and rain to Spanish deserts and mountains.I have always worn High Leg Timberland Buck Boots and can honestly say they are brilliant.I repproof them once a year and can guarantee they are completely waterproof even when standing in ankle deep water .They are also very strong and become supple when you have got them wet a couple of times.I have done 200 km in the rain at high speed (chasing the sun)and they never leaked at all.This year I went for a 7 hour walk in the Ordesa National Park in Northern Spain (very hot)and they are still comfortable.Hope this helps.
Roy F