Footwear/Clothing - What to Wear?

[piersuk]

OK, here's the story. We are touring the USA (mid West) from Arizona to Montana. We think we have the clothing sorted based on what we would wear in the UK but comments are welcome.

Draggin Jeans, Mesh jacket with waterproof/breathable lining.

The question is this, what to wear on our feet. In the UK we wear race boots made of leather. For at least 50% of the time I'm guessing these will be too hot to handle and given the choice of bike (HD Softail) I'm thinkin go of wearing walking style boots. Somewhta more breathable than the race boots.

or suggestions are welcomed.

Thanks

Piers

[motoreiter]

When are you going? Are you going to the mountains?

I was in Yellowstone in early August and it was zero Celsius in the morning. You can get some really chilly weather even in summer in the mountains, I've had friends get snow on in July-August in places like Glacier NP. Even places like Bryce and Zion are high enough to be pretty cool.

[yuma simon]

Once you hit N. Arizona, you are in high elevation. However, the daytime temps can be mild, but uncertain from that latitude on up to Montana. You do want to avoid riding at night due to deer and elk wandering on the highways after dark. Warm boots wouldn't be suggested throughout S. Arizona (i.e., it is 96 F in Yuma as I write this), but just 2 hours north of Phoenix, you are in the mountains, and stay there. Warm clothes are heavy, but (could be) a necessity. Sorry for no definitive answer, but, like 'motoreiter' said, be prepared for anything--some friends in Colorado (mountain town) just had snow last week.

[Statdawg]

I would be careful with vented boots. The road temperatures can get very high and the boots will not insulate you from the heat that is higher than your body temperature. Heat travels from warmer to cooler. It is possible to get heat blisters on your feet and lower legs which can spoil a vacation.

[piersuk]

Originally Posted by motoreiter

When are you going? Are you going to the mountains?

I was in Yellowstone in early August and it was zero Celsius in the morning. You can get some really chilly weather even in summer in the mountains, I've had friends get snow on in July-August in places like Glacier NP. Even places like Bryce and Zion are high enough to be pretty cool.

The main detail of where and when were missed

Here we go, in general the route will be:

Vegas>Alamo>Cedar City>Garfield>Fishlake>Salt Lake>Logan>Teton>Yellowstone>Wind River>Grand Junction>Farrington>Tuba City>Grand Canyon Village>Hoover>Vegas

We want to take in the most scenery, National Park and some mountains

Travelling in August

[Redboots]

The Altberg Borego High Bandog Boot

Altberg Bootmakers - Richmond, North Yorkshire

Used them on trip lat year. 46c in the Taklamakan Desert was no problem. Also, walking in them was AOK. Use thin socks

John

[motoreiter]

I haven't spent that much time in that part of the country, and don't know where these places are: Alamo>Cedar City>Garfield>Fishlake>. BUT, having been to Southern Utah (Zion, Bryce Canyon, Escalante, Capitol Reef National Parks), I can say that this is one of the most beautiful parts of the whole country, and it would be a shame to be so close and not see it, especially since its more or less on the way to/from Vegas.

Also, there has been a lot of construction around Hoover dam lately, causing horrendous traffic. After sitting in the heat for about 45 minutes without making much progress, I bailed and skipped the dam. Could be pretty unpleasantly hot sitting in traffic in August!

Again, I don't know the elevations of where you're going, but in an ideal world I would rather have a well-vented non-mesh jacket than a mesh; I've got a BMW Santiago and it worked pretty well in the heat, as well as in cooler temps. But I guess you'll probably be OK with a mesh as long as you bring a wind-proof layer and a warm layer as well. As to boots, I don't know...

[EDIT] I'm hardly the most qualified person to respond to these questions. You should really go to ADVRider.com, where there are lots of American riders who should be able to give you lots of helpful tips; probably go to one of the regional subfora, or maybe trip planning.

[piersuk]

Thanks. Your suggestion of places to visit had led me to a new thread 'Unmissbale Places' I need to do some serious planning.

Thanks fo rthe link to ADVRIDER.

Piers

[yuma simon]

It's slightly off-topic, but having lived in northern Arizona, close to Tuba City, I would recommend heading a couple hours eastward to Canyon de Chelly (Chelly is pronounced "shay")--it's like the Grand Canyon on a smaller, more intimate, and (IMO), better scenery! The highways from Tuba City to Chinle on the Navajo Reservation are very scenic in most parts.

[miketwin]

I always go with a pair of good and waterproof trekking boots - best of two worlds. The area you´re planning to travel is not just great for riding, but also for hiking or at least moderate walks to more remote attractions. No fun with racing boots. And it´s gonna be hot anyways, unless you go with flip flops - sandals