Suzuki V-Strom (VStrom) Owners Club DL250, DL650, DL1000 & DL1050
Oily Rag - Dedicated to Pat, Greywolf. 26/06/45 - 04/06/18 => Clothing => Topic started by: 12998 on June 21, 2018, 13:20:32
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Hi everyone,
Just started out biking again after a break of 12 years. I am having to replace my kit as some of it is legally able to purchase alcohol!!!
Boots are one of the things that I am having to replace. I now find myself in a dilemma as to what type/style of boots to buy whether it be the tourer style, adventure style etc. Do I go full length, or for the shorter ankle style?
Any advice/tips?
Thanks
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Take a look at these. :thumb:
https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/222596
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Personally I wear full length over short, other than that just go with what's comfortable.
I use alpinestars web Gore tex. Get geared also have a forum discount
https://www.getgeared.co.uk/alpinestars-boots-web-gtx
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Always above the ankle. The rest is negotiable.
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Full length every time for me, I have lightweight adventure style boots, and find them comfy and good protection.
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Take a look at the Altberg range
https://www.altberg.co.uk/category/motorcycle-boots/
Really high quality boots.
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Don't want to put you off but buy the best protection in boots, gloves, jacket and trousers that you can afford. Imagine being thrown into moving machinery and then dragged down the road for thirty yards and that's what 'can' happen. It may not happen but if it does you must be prepared to survive it.
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I went for these as a newbie - RST Tundra CE Leather Boots - Black
Haven't been disappointed, but nothing to compare them with. Read an artical about how difficult feet and ankles are to reconstruct and that after a helmet boots are the next most important thing, so I always wear long length.
Cheers, Tam
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I've used nothing but German Army Para boots for the past 30 years. Always comfortable and have never let in a drop of water. Never pay more than 50 quid for a used pair.
They won't offer the same level of protection as other far more expensive boots but there you go.
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What Brockett said. It may cost an arm and a leg but might save the other one in the event of an unscheduled dismount.
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I have TCX Infinity Gortex boots which are good :thumb:
I also have a low pair of summer boots that just cover the ankle.
I suppose it really depends on the type of riding you do. All year round = invest in decent waterproof boots, if just a sunny day outing then perhaps you don't need gortex so concentrate in comfort/protection.
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Having ridden with cold and/or wet feet I’d say make sure they are waterproof.
It’s a pretty miserable, and consequently distracting ride otherwise.
I bought a pair of second-hand Gore Tex Frank Thomas ones for about £25. They’ve been excellent and 100% waterproof (I’ve even walked through streams in the Isle of Man wearing them.. while accessing good viewing spots :grin:).
Like these https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/frank-thomas-motorcycle-boots-Size-9-GORE-TEX/292606098957?hash=item4420aebe0d:g:emIAAOSwj2RbJSGY
If you’re a Geek.. they are also allegedly the same ones Darth Maul wore in Star Wars.. not sure which Vstrom he rode.
Maybe check out second-hand stuff and go from there.
However, having said that, I don’t usually bother with ‘proper’ bike boots these days, instead I wear Brasher walking boots. They might not afford the same level of protection, but I can use them more off the bike, so have less to carry in my panniers when away on a trip.
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I've gone for these as they don't look too 'bikey' when off the bike. Went for the Cherry red and they look a lot better in the flesh that in the pictures. For the uninitiated eye the just look like a pair of DMs' when teamed with armoured jeans.
https://www.spadaclothing.co.uk/product-detail.php?subcat=72&cat=3&product=3257&productname=Pilgrim Grandé
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Altberg road runner ....
Super comfortable, totally waterproof, made in UK and have a proper midsole which makes walking easy.
Also have vibram outsole which has saved me from dropping my bike a couple of times when putting a foot down on slippery roads. They are also very subtle, you won’t look like a power ranger.
Multiple test winning boots, and issued to many UK police forces as standard issue boots.
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Daytona Road Star. So comfortable on and off the bike. Worn by London Ambulance Service and some police forces, so I'm given to believe. Expensive, but I've had my pair for about 8 years now and they're as good as new. https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/97883
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RST paragon 2 here. Very well made and 100% waterproof (got caught in torrential rain last month in Spain). Great price, can be picked for about a 100 quid, excellent quality as well, super comfy for walking. They were Rides magazine best buy I think, so I got a pair and never looked back. My next pair of boots will be the same. :)
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Another vote for TCX Infinity. Great protection, goretex and you won’t believe how good they are to walk around in, so great if you are on tour.
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Boots normally last me 6 months tops, only 3 months of dry feet though. that's regardless of paying £50 or £150.
I've had a pair of Forma Adventure boots for about 2 years now. Still keeps my feet dry and look tidy. I don't wear them everyday now but thay have had a god 6 months solid use in the beginning.
I now use a pair of Hiax x21Gortex Light boots for my commuting boots. 18 months and still dry, still has thickness left on the soles and I still use the original laces.
I'd happily and will buy another pair of each when the time comes.
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Thanks for all the advice and the links to different boots. I have spoken to a bloke in J&S in Manchester and he showed me his shin after taking a minor tumble and the bike(a CB500X) landing on him. I'm definitely going for full boots!!
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Dainese Fulcrum. I'm very happy with them.
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had apair of bullson maddox waterproof for 30k mls,they only were replaced because one of the zips went. bought a pair of tcx xtour pro goretex, they seem quite good.
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I had 3 pairs of boots all recommended by a shop and all leaked within a few months.
Came across this link https://www.visordown.com/features/products/tested-sub-%C2%A3100-waterproof-motorcycle-boots
And ended up with these https://www.rst-moto.com/rst-adventure-ii-waterproof-boot.html
Highly recommended.
Regards
Graeme
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Currently wearing a pair of RST Adventures, no leaks a comfortable when off the bike, can't say how they'd fair in a crash, but compared to my Gaerne mx boots and Alpinestars race boots they are a lot more flexible in the sideways movement around the ankle.
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I bought a pair of RST Adventure 2's based on the Visordown test - first time it rained and they have leaked like a sieve!
Sorry for the necro, but I think perhaps quality control with RST is slipping and wanted to update the recommends.
I'm going to return mine to Sportsbikeshop (who are fantastic btw), and go for a pair of the Oxford Explorers (same price and look)
My search for a boot which will keep the toes dry continues.... :)
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I have had pair of Altberg Clubmans for over 25 yrs,they have never leaked a drop of water.About 10yrs ago the soles were worn out and I called in at the factory,had my feet measured and bought a pair of shorter lace ups for warmer weather riding.After I had paid for the new boots,they salesman asked me what I was going to do with the old boots.I told him I was going to get them re-soled and he said they would re-sole and reline the boots for £50 and post them back to me.I took him up on his offer and the result is I still have a great pair of cooler weather boots.They re-soled,re-lined and re-velcroed the boots,when they came back to me they looked like brand new.Great advert for Altberg,they are expensive,but the quality is just first class.I have really looked after the boots and coated them with the LederGris that you get with each pair probably 3 times per year,I leave them in the conservatory and the leather treatment just soaks in and disappears.I used to do about 8,000 mls.per year when I first got them,but only around 6,000 per year now.They should last me for the rest of my biking days with a bit of luck.
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Thank you Ian :text-goodpost: I'm just in the process of doing the same and visiting the factory shop and getting measured up, They're supposed to be my Christmas present from the wife but I've been too busy with work to get a visit through the week, so I see on their website they're up and running again on the 3rd-Jan so I'll try then!
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Those altbergs are lovely boots, advice wise I paint L and R on mine to get them round the right way, the Mrs has c&a labels in her bloomers, I think for much the same reason... :grin:
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aye the old jokes are the best :lala:
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@ wurzel is that for her benefit or yours?