These boots are made for walking ...
 

Hi all,
I understand that adventure riding is filled with a world of compromises. I'm wondering what are your thoughts on boots. I've been trying to find a pair of boots that would offer reasonable protection while riding and could also double as a good pair of hiking boots.
My criteria are:
- Good foot, ankle and shin protection
- Gortex, waterproof
- Sole stiff enough for off-road upright riding, but supple enough to hike several kilometers.
Klim offer the Outlander GTX Boots, but they seem to be too short for my taste. If they were at least 8 or 9 inches high, I would consider trying them.
What are your thoughts on this subject?

Altberg Hogg, I have used them for the last 20 years, that is two pairs in that time, a good compromise between protection and other uses.

https://www.altberg.co.uk/boots/p/ho...ather-original

Another vote for Alt Berg - I have never seen a bad word about them. Also if you need to they can resolve them so the value for money gets better over time.

They have a range to choose from with varying heights:

https://www.altberg.co.uk/boots/c/motorcycle-boots16

Thanks for the links guys, I'll certainly give these a good look over.

I've been using Sidi Adventure Goretex and TCX Desert Goretex boots for years
and they do indeed work as hiking boots as well, very comfortable. For adventure riding they're good enough providing you don't do anything crazy.

None of such boots though will offer protection you get from proper MX boots like Sidi Crossfire, Alpinestars Tech10 or Gaerne SG12.

IMHO Altberg’s offer the same amount of protection as Forma Adv boots on the bike (I have both) but are a true hiking boot - if I was going on a month long hike in the Himalayas I would take my Altberg’s.

I have Altberg Hogg Lites and I would buy them again.

I also have BMW Gravel boots which have been great, but I haven't tested these as hiking boots.

I've also had the Forma boots and loved them, but after a few years they seemed to lose their firmness.

I also have the Sidi ADV boots. I can't walk a mile in these and can't stand the squeaking noise they make when walking.

For riding all kinds of roads on a triumph tiger 800XC I use Alpinestars toucan. Offers good protection on the bike, good ankle and shin protection. Possible to walk a couple of km.

For cruising in Europe on my motoguzzi norge I use Meindl hiking boots type B,C excellent ankle protection and you can walk all day.

Like you say everything is a compromise... :scooter::D

Have fun

I don't think the difference in protection is that great. My Sidi Adventures are as supportive as MX boots to above the ankle, and on the calf it doesn't really matter. In case of twisting injury I've seen MX riders with spiral fractures of the tib and fib because the boots were so rigid they just transmitted the force to above the boot.

I'm seriously considering Altbergs for my Asia trip this year, partly for the ease of walking, and partly because the Adventures are so damn squeaky!

www.facebook.com/motosunburn

Even if you find ones that are sufficiently comfortable - do you really want to wear out your $300 Goretex moto boots on hikes, sweat in them, cover them in mud? When you could use $80 hiking boots that will be much better at the job?

I've done brief hikes off the bike in my Dainese Fulcrums, and they were fine. But I always have a pair of proper mid-height hiking boots with me for serious outings.

I agree that having both pairs of boots is the answer, but I'm trying to have at least 2 functions for every piece of equipment. Also, I would be wary of leaving my riding boots beside the bike while I go on a prolonged hike.

Altberg’s are both motorcycle boots and hiking boots in one and (if you look after them) they will last you for at least 20 years doing both on a regular basis.

I'm sure they are very nice boots, but:

1) Lacing is an absolute deal-breaker for me. I have a pair of beautiful Vitesse Hunt boots I bought but never wear, among other things because laces get caught on shift/brake levers and rearsets, and it's a serious hazard.

2) By definition, any boot that allows enough ankle flex to be comfortable for hiking, does not protect sufficiently against overextension. I've messed up my ankles before, that damage is cumulative, and I am not going to take chances.

I've seen people drill a hole in the top back of the boot, just below the edge, to run a cable through, and lock the boots to the bike.

Altberg every time for me. I have a pair of Clubman Roadster boots. So comfy that easily do some walking in. I had mine back to factory for repair, and they fully refurbed them, new lining and sole. I have never looked for another boot and these ones of mine are 25 yrs old.

My recommendation was for Shomany not for you and Altberg’s fulfil his requirements. However, Altberg clubmans are not lace up and still very comfortable to walk-in. My wife has a pair and they have been her only motorcycle boots for 20 years.
bier

I understand that everyone has their own preference, to each their own. ADV travel is always synonymous with compromise. I've thought about having gromets fixed to my Sidi boots in order to lock them to the bike with a cable. My next trip is still a couple of months off. I still have time to make up my mind. I really appreciate all the comments/remarks.

I've got Forma Adventure Low and they are really comfortable. They don't have the greatest protection but for what I want they work and work very well

As a regular fell walker I'm not a convinced that a a boot that a good bike boot would be adequate for walking and vice-versa

Altberg’s, better than most road motorcycle boots, best hiking boots I’ve ever owned.

Cheap Gelert
 

I bought matching gelert walking boots (first walking boots I've owned) and they work great, we go all over the peak district and the lakes and they're still holding strong, not bad for £35

Well they should match apart being for different feet. Gelert make half decent boots.

You might find gear shifts and braking a bit awkward if you lock the boots together with a cable.
Just trying to be helpful.

Touratech's adventure boots come with a grommet built-in for locking to the bike.
https://shop.touratech.com/boots-tou...ack-17425.html

I'd heartily recommend the Sidi Adv.2 boot for a good travel compromise.
It has no steel cable as per the TT boots Grant mentions above but then, real travellers sleep with their boots on :mchappy:

I confess I've been wearing Sidi's for over 45 years :( and every time I deviate, I wonder why - and go back to Sidi's. Despite my current Sidi Crossfire's incredible squeak, I love them. And by the way, I still have the very first pair of Sidi's I bought. "Joel Robert" MX boots. Like these...


http://sixhelmets1206.ocnk.net/data/...226_d61d71.JPG

I suggest giving consideration to not wearing any boot that removes ankle flexibility. 28 yrs ago I caught my motorcross boot on a rock and it pulled me off the bike.

Result - dislocated knee and kneecap fractured at the back. The lack of flexibility in the ankle meant that the knee took all the twist rather than sharing the twist etc over the whole limb.

Last year I just had the knee replaced and it is has not gone well but will get there.

I have only worn ankle height since and despite numerous offs haven’t done any damage - touch wood.

Just something to think about.

:)


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Have to comment on this - realistically the only way you get your boot caught is if your toes are out or down - if they're in tight to the bike where they belong, it's a minimal risk, and an obstacle is only likely to knock your foot off the peg as opposed to trapping it under the peg - which should fold anyway. However the risk of breaking an ankle is high with low boots - put your foot down for just about anything and it gets bad quick. And if it all goes to hell, it's MUCH better to break the leg than the ankle - that's really bad and messy and it's never right.

Skiing experience bears me out. My first ski boots in about 1964 were ankle height, basically heavy hiking boots. They got higher and higher over the years until they reached almost the knee, and then started breaking knees - and then shortened again to mid-height where they are now - a little lower than a motocross / adventure boot, but they have no need for leg protection from rocks and trees, where a higher boot front is VERY nice to have. DAMHIK.

I HAVE seen where a rider admitted to riding toes out - and caught a toe on something at the side of the trail and broke / twisted his leg. Bad, but his own fault for riding toes out - along with some very bad luck!

Keep your toes in and feet level on the pegs.

Best of luck with the knee Homer, hope it gets well soon! I'm looking at a knee or two one day, but I'm putting it off as long as possible.

HI Grant

Should have elaborated. Coming around a 40km/h corner, tail starts to come out, put my leg out parallel to forks, bit of power, sliding, all good, rear steps out more, boot heel touches the ground, levelled my foot and a rock grabbed the metal part at the front of the boot and basically stopped it dead.

Bike is still moving and the leg pivots at the knee. The steel toe cap on the front ripped off the inside two rivets and folded to the outside.

It could have just been a fluke accident which is why I say its something to consider or think about, not ‘must’.

Funny you should mention riding toes down. I was a police Chief motorcycle instructor and it was the one thing that took a lot of work to get out of a new rider, particularly later on in the course when you are scraping the sides of your shoes along with the footpegs. They had three weeks to get that out of their system before the speeds went up.

Just going on a bit more about the boots. On our road bikes we wore normal boots with gators and jodphurs - think WW1 flying clothes or Australian Light Horse - anyway, I low sided a K1100 at about 70kmh and my left foot grabbed, twisted and rolled. Though I rolled my ankle and strained some of the ligaments, my left knee was fine. And I had already dislocated my left patella twice.

Hence why I ride with short boots today.

:)


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