Boots

[Ho Lee Kau]

I wear Alpinestar Supertech R.
These are really nice boots, light and easy to walk in.

I really want Daytona Security Evo G3 in red, but they are very expensive.

Otherwise I have Daytona AC4 WD for daily commuting.

[Gunk]

IMO All the new stuff feels plasticky and Chinese. My favourites are still my 20 year old Astars GP pros, made in Italy and although now a bit old fashioned (rather like me) still look as good as new

Edited by Gunk on Tuesday 7th March 13:30

[Myles Peraua]

2OOM said:

I've been wearing these for the last few years and they have been great, once broken in they are very comfortable and never let any water in, they work fine for me in both hot and cold... I've done about 18k miles in them and they clean up a treat .. so are wearing very well ..I've just realised they are discontinued now though so getting them in the correct size might be an issue but they are still about ..

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/...

Edited by 2OOM on Saturday 25th February 11:31

What bike do you ride in those? Just seen a new pair in my size for £189, but I don't have my bike at present, and I know from experience that when I tried to ride a road bike in Tech 3s, I couldn't get under the gear lever?

[cmaguire]

Myles Peraua said:

What bike do you ride in those? Just seen a new pair in my size for £189, but I don't have my bike at present, and I know from experience that when I tried to ride a road bike in Tech 3s, I couldn't get under the gear lever?

Tech 3's are motocross boots. And no good either (I bought some, they're like skiing boots).
Why would you even try to ride a road bike in those?

[Myles Peraua]

cmaguire said:

Myles Peraua said:

What bike do you ride in those? Just seen a new pair in my size for £189, but I don't have my bike at present, and I know from experience that when I tried to ride a road bike in Tech 3s, I couldn't get under the gear lever?

Tech 3's are motocross boots. And no good either (I bought some, they're like skiing boots).
Why would you even try to ride a road bike in those?

Because I had hurt my ankle and needed the support and something which I could get on my leg; I wanted to ride the bike so I thought I'd try them. I turned round 100 yards from home. Note I said "tried".

I've done a lot of offroad work and I like the Tech 3s for that. My current pair have been across the Sahara on a 450EXC a couple of times so they can't be that bad.

[308mate]

I've had alpinestars smx for 10+ yrs. the same pair. Never a lifted a finger to clean or maintain them, still comfortable, still waterproof. Spent two hours in the pissing wet in them on Friday. Shoei XR1100 was arse. Alpinestars SMX boots were perfect as usual.
Also, you'll be wanting toe sliders on the RT.

[2OOM]

Myles Peraua said:

2OOM said:

I've been wearing these for the last few years and they have been great, once broken in they are very comfortable and never let any water in, they work fine for me in both hot and cold... I've done about 18k miles in them and they clean up a treat .. so are wearing very well ..I've just realised they are discontinued now though so getting them in the correct size might be an issue but they are still about ..

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/...

Edited by 2OOM on Saturday 25th February 11:31

What bike do you ride in those? Just seen a new pair in my size for £189, but I don't have my bike at present, and I know from experience that when I tried to ride a road bike in Tech 3s, I couldn't get under the gear lever?

I used them on a Tdm and now have a 1250 bandit, they work fine for me on those bikes although I think I did adjust the gear lever up a little so I could get my toe under the gear lever ...

[kurt535]

My pipe and slippers boot? Daytona Roadster GTX.

I got told the other day various companies who sell their boots have asked them to change the Daytona lettering style all on the front of the boot but they refused 1970's it is then )

[Pothole]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I'm still very happy.

[mgv8]

Brads67 said:

Altberg.

Yep, very well made and if after 15 years they are looking a bit sad, then just send them back and for very little cash you will have them rebuild!

[dibblecorse]

308mate said:

I've had alpinestars smx for 10+ yrs. the same pair. Never a lifted a finger to clean or maintain them, still comfortable, still waterproof.

My experience of SMX's has been similar, do what they say they should Only replace my first pair after a crash put a hole in them, no damage to me as ankle armour did its job but abrasion wore through the leather to the plastic cup inside .. all held together, went straight out and bought a new pair !!!!

[Wedg1e]

I have a pair of Alpinestars touring boots that I bought in 2006, they're still in great shape although as they have no toe protectors there's a small amount of scuffing from the gearlever.
Also have a pair of A* properly waterproof boots in similar style (i.e. all black, no silly Robocop enhancements) that genuinely are waterproof... but they're also 100% synthetics so I expect they'll start to fall apart at some point. They were £50 in a sale at Lids Direct a couple of years back, you could barely buy a pair of trainers for that. They come in handy for long hauls down European motorways in the tossing rain

[Myles Peraua]

2OOM said:

Myles Peraua said:

2OOM said:

I've been wearing these for the last few years and they have been great, once broken in they are very comfortable and never let any water in, they work fine for me in both hot and cold... I've done about 18k miles in them and they clean up a treat .. so are wearing very well ..I've just realised they are discontinued now though so getting them in the correct size might be an issue but they are still about ..

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/...

Edited by 2OOM on Saturday 25th February 11:31

What bike do you ride in those? Just seen a new pair in my size for £189, but I don't have my bike at present, and I know from experience that when I tried to ride a road bike in Tech 3s, I couldn't get under the gear lever?

I used them on a Tdm and now have a 1250 bandit, they work fine for me on those bikes although I think I did adjust the gear lever up a little so I could get my toe under the gear lever ...

Ah cheers, that's interesting, I have a TDM in the shed which is for sale and a 1250 Bandit courtesy bike outside so I could try them with both of those!

[Motorrad]

2OOM said:

I've been wearing these for the last few years and they have been great, once broken in they are very comfortable and never let any water in, they work fine for me in both hot and cold... I've done about 18k miles in them and they clean up a treat .. so are wearing very well ..I've just realised they are discontinued now though so getting them in the correct size might be an issue but they are still about ..

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/...

Edited by 2OOM on Saturday 25th February 11:31

+1 bloody great boots and great to walk in off the bike as well as totally waterproof and comfortable on it. No problem using them on a Blackbird.

Edited by Motorrad on Monday 6th March 21:23

[kurt535]

mgv8 said:

Brads67 said:

Altberg.

Yep, very well made and if after 15 years they are looking a bit sad, then just send them back and for very little cash you will have them rebuild!

I made the journey up there back in '04 from London for fitting a pair of lace up bike boots. They got the size wrong. Sent them back 3 times to stretch but they were never comfortable so never went back.

I also recall they have a load of boots made abroad too. Not sure how that works.

[Pothole]

kurt535 said:

mgv8 said:

Brads67 said:

Altberg.

Yep, very well made and if after 15 years they are looking a bit sad, then just send them back and for very little cash you will have them rebuild!

I made the journey up there back in '04 from London for fitting a pair of lace up bike boots. They got the size wrong. Sent them back 3 times to stretch but they were never comfortable so never went back.

I also recall they have a load of boots made abroad too. Not sure how that works.

It appear to work like this, according to their website:

"Our home factory is in Richmond, North Yorkshire and our second factory is in the Treviso region of Northern Italy. The senior Alt-Berg® bootmaker shares his time between both factories, which use the same lasts, materials and manufacturing processes."

Not sure it gels with your use of "abroad" as a sensationalist inference of poor quality, though.

[robinh73]

I used Alpiinestars for my first 2 years of racing, but went through 3 pairs of SMX Plus boots and got a bit fed up of them falling apart in crashes. I have since bought a pair of Daytona Evo 3 GP boots and whilst they are silly money, they are without a doubt the best boot I have ever worn. I had an off at Oliver's Mount last year, the boots were hardly marked despite the fact the bike landed on my foot. I had no injuries or bruising either. Well well worth the money.

[308mate]

robinh73 said:

I used Alpiinestars for my first 2 years of racing, but went through 3 pairs of SMX Plus boots and got a bit fed up of them falling apart in crashes. I have since bought a pair of Daytona Evo 3 GP boots and whilst they are silly money, they are without a doubt the best boot I have ever worn. I had an off at Oliver's Mount last year, the boots were hardly marked despite the fact the bike landed on my foot. I had no injuries or bruising either. Well well worth the money.

What have Daytona got against making a boot that looks good? Or contemporary, at least? Its like they lack any marketing department at all.

[robinh73]

308mate said:

robinh73 said:

I used Alpiinestars for my first 2 years of racing, but went through 3 pairs of SMX Plus boots and got a bit fed up of them falling apart in crashes. I have since bought a pair of Daytona Evo 3 GP boots and whilst they are silly money, they are without a doubt the best boot I have ever worn. I had an off at Oliver's Mount last year, the boots were hardly marked despite the fact the bike landed on my foot. I had no injuries or bruising either. Well well worth the money.

What have Daytona got against making a boot that looks good? Or contemporary, at least? Its like they lack any marketing department at all.

I personally quite like the fact that they haven't really changed with their looks. Granted their look isn't for everyone, but I guess there is the phrase "if it ain't broke don't fix it".

[Renn Sport]

I have bit of a boot collection..

Daytona EVO Security - for track and the feel like wellingtons in that they have space. They feel indestructible. I guess my least favourite boot. I only wear these as they are the best safety wise on track.

Sidi Vortice - these are some seriously awesome track and road boots. The only issue I find is that these are a bit of a faff to get on. Feel secure but a little narrow.

Dainese Axial Pro in - (Rossi's race boot)tuck inside my other Dainese leathers. Love them and my favourite boots if I am honest. Love the look.

Alpinestars - SMX5 the most comfortable day to day boot. Wear them rain or shine, especially for longer days in the saddle. Textiles go over these very well and they are surprisingly water resistant. Only torrential downpours do they let water in. I have done track days, tours, commuting in all weathers in these boots.


If I were to buy a new do it all boot I would go for Alpinestars or perhaps Daytona GTX Voltex, which have that waterproof membrane. They look fugly though.