Boots - what’s your minimum in terms of protection?

[JulianHJ]

I’ve been riding for 4-5 years now, and my Altberg Roadrunners have been brilliant on the bike, but are not so great off it. I’ve been thinking of getting something a bit lower and more comfortable to walk in, particularly in the warmer months when I’m wearing jeans. The Altbergs are very sturdy, and I know that if I get something easier to walk in that I may have to compromise. I tried on some Dainese Motorshoe D1 D-WPs an hour or two ago, and whilst they seemed to fit the bill in terms of style and comfort, I was a bit put off by their ability to keep me safe in an off. The toe didn’t feel reinforced, the ankle protection was okay, but not great.

I guess I’m after a modern looking short(-ish) boot with reasonable sturdiness. Does anyone have any experience or suggestions?

[Pothole]

Interesting, as I find my Roadrunners to be the most comfortable bike boots I've ever had for walking around in...maybe some of them hipster "urban" boots that look like Timberlands are beckoning.

[bogie]

Ive been wearing some Alpinestars boots for a couple of years now, they really feel as light and comfortable as regular shoes to walk in but still offer decent protection. Tried some short ankle boots but always found them a bit draughty around the ankles in all but the warmest days.

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

[Stuart Fordyce]

Obviously you pay your money and take your choice, but based on a couple of mishaps I've had where I've been sliding down the pavement with my boot between the angle of the kerb and 200kg of bike, I've never been convinced by shortie boots. Also, don't your socks get wet?

[JulianHJ]

Stuart Fordyce said:

Obviously you pay your money and take your choice, but based on a couple of mishaps I've had where I've been sliding down the pavement with my boot between the angle of the kerb and 200kg of bike, I've never been convinced by shortie boots. Also, don't your socks get wet?

I'm not so concerned about getting wet, it's the crash protection that I'm after. Maybe I just need to stick with the Altbergs...

[JulianHJ]

bogie said:

Ive been wearing some Alpinestars boots for a couple of years now, they really feel as light and comfortable as regular shoes to walk in but still offer decent protection. Tried some short ankle boots but always found them a bit draughty around the ankles in all but the warmest days.

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

Thanks, I'll give them some thought.

[Tribal Chestnut]

Pop a pair of flip flops under your saddle.

[Rusty569]

JulianHJ said:

I’ve been riding for 4-5 years now, and my Altberg Roadrunners have been brilliant on the bike, but are not so great off it. I’ve been thinking of getting something a bit lower and more comfortable to walk in, particularly in the warmer months when I’m wearing jeans. The Altbergs are very sturdy, and I know that if I get something easier to walk in that I may have to compromise. I tried on some Dainese Motorshoe D1 D-WPs an hour or two ago, and whilst they seemed to fit the bill in terms of style and comfort, I was a bit put off by their ability to keep me safe in an off. The toe didn’t feel reinforced, the ankle protection was okay, but not great.

I guess I’m after a modern looking short(-ish) boot with reasonable sturdiness. Does anyone have any experience or suggestions?

I ride in normal altberg boots when commuting to work which is 10 miles of 50/50 30mph urban and 50mph dual carriageway. If I’m going further or faster I do prefer to wear proper sidi boots.

Side note absolutely love altberg as a company and for their products, can’t fault them as work boots at all and almost everyone I work with also has a pair. How do you find the motorbike boots?

[crofty1984]

I think if something's going to hit me side-on and squish me between it and the bike (including tarmac in a fall) it'll be above the ankle. Not saying that you'll immediately die as soon as you lace them up, but personally I wouldn't feel safe in boots that aren't full size.

[tjlazer]

Rokker urban racer are very smart, almost too nice to ride with so I normally wear my tcx gtx boots which just slide under my jeans so don't look too bikey and are slipper levels of comfort and fully ce2 rated.

[wa16]

daytona pro

i believe they saved me from a broken ankle and i use them as site boots for work i get about three years daily use from them

longer if i just used them for biking once broken in i find then comfortable to walk around in all day

[gareth h]

Daytona for me too(the ones with the inner boot), try bending them laterally at the ankle, you can’t, then try the rest.
They’re expensive, but what price your ankles?

[castex]

I almost always wear Dainese rain things. They're great.
My minimum would be Timberland 6" boots.

[trickywoo]

crofty1984 said:

I think if something's going to hit me side-on and squish me between it and the bike (including tarmac in a fall) it'll be above the ankle. Not saying that you'll immediately die as soon as you lace them up, but personally I wouldn't feel safe in boots that aren't full size.

It would have to be a hell of a boot to make any difference with over 1 tonne of car going into it a speed.

General down the road abrasion and some light tumble protection is where a full boot will help.

[JulianHJ]

Rusty569 said:

I ride in normal altberg boots when commuting to work which is 10 miles of 50/50 30mph urban and 50mph dual carriageway. If I’m going further or faster I do prefer to wear proper sidi boots.

Side note absolutely love altberg as a company and for their products, can’t fault them as work boots at all and almost everyone I work with also has a pair. How do you find the motorbike boots?

I really like my Roadrunners, they feel pretty heavy duty. I have some Altberg Warrior Aquas that I used to use as work boots, I hadn't considered using these on the bike. They're very comfortable, I've walked 10-15 miles in them previously without issue.

[JulianHJ]

Thanks for all the replies, I'll take a look at TCX and Daytona as well.

[Pothole]

crofty1984 said:

I think if something's going to hit me side-on and squish me between it and the bike (including tarmac in a fall) it'll be above the ankle. Not saying that you'll immediately die as soon as you lace them up, but personally I wouldn't feel safe in boots that aren't full size.

A good many years ago someone ran a red light and did just that to me at a junction. My leg was uninjured. I was wearing high top trainers

I flew about 20 feet and landed on the back of my head, wearing what, at the time, was an expensive lid for me - £100 and it was about 1989 - a Bell Aerostar. The double vision caused by a bruise pressing on my optic nerve corrected itself after about 6 months.

What one feels safe in and what will happen in a real world scenario are not necessarily always related.

[Salted_Peanut]

One factor to consider is the CE rating, even though it needs a bit of deciphering:

The label consists of a motorcycle icon, the designation of the test they’ve passed and then a series of up to four numbers. The numbers will be either a ‘1’ for a Level 1 pass or a ‘2’ for a Level 2 pass, which is superior. Our image will explain what each part of the label displays.



It's surprising how boots at the same price point, with similar looking protective features and weight, can have completely different protection levels. Also, there are some very expensive race boots that only score 1 for abrasion and cut resistance.

[NJH]

JulianHJ said:

Thanks for all the replies, I'll take a look at TCX and Daytona as well.

I only started riding this winter but have a pair of the TCX Street Ace. There amazingly comfortable as a casual boot, as long as your foot and ankle fit TCX OK. I use mine as a general casual boot more than for riding. I also have a pair of their race style boots with the TCS, you couldn't find two more extremes in terms of flexibility. Both have a tight fit around the top of the foot and ankle so anyone with chunky ankles/feet I think will struggle with TCX in general. They all fit me perfectly though so I am a bit of a TCX fan, I wish I could say the same about much of my other kit. Finding motorcycling kit that fits nicely and is comfortable on and off the bike is one of the great frustrations of this game.

[AceOfHearts]

I have some waterproof Alpinestars trainer things that I often wear on the Royal Enfield if I'm going to be walking about after the ride.

I only wear them on the Enfield as it has a heel and toe shift so doesn't scuff the top, plus trundling around on that I don't really feel the need to be in full leathers most of the time.