what sort of boots?

[ocatoro]

what sort of boots should i be looking for as a first time rider?

i've bought a honda h100, so i won't be going very quickly, or getting my knee down, but obviously due to being brand new, there's a good chance i'm going to fall off at some point.

a lot of boots look like total overkill for someone who's likely going to be doing 50 everywhere for the forseeable future.

i quite like the look of the paddock boot ones, bit more subtle but do they offer enough protection? i don't want to lose my feet!

[stinkwheel]

I've worn British army combat or assault boots on my bikes for many years. I still do.

They aren't armoured but they are very tough, totally waterproof if kept well waxed, highly abrasion resistant (double skin leather) and comfortable to walk about in.

I personally reckon they give as high a level of protection as you could hope for without resorting to rigid armour.

Actually, I think it would be very interesting if someone like ride magazine tested a pair of second hand para boots alongside the latest crop of plastic fantastic storm-trooper boots. Maybe they have?
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Clanger]

I've worn Rock Wood boots since my crash 15years ago, because the damage to my ankle/foot mean I cannot wear biker style boots at all anymore (my Rock Woods are soft leather and lace up, and warm and super comfy for walking once off my bike).

Other bikers will come in this thread and gasp at the horror of my boot choice (and the fact I have laces) but that's only because they haven't got a gammy foot/ankle to contend with, and also they assume their bike kit will save them, rather than concentrate on good riding skillz.
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[blito]

[Rogue_Shadow]

When I first started riding, I wore leather hightops.
Dead comy and easy to move about it ... but not water proof.
So after alot of umm's and ahh's I decided I WOULD spend abit more and get some real motorbike boots.
No regrets.
Waterproof, comfy on and off the bike and most importantly safe.
I get what you mean though, alot of boots look like something robocop would wear.


https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/product_images/rst_boots_raptor-wp.jpg

RST raptors are what I'm wearing, cost around £50ish.

But I'm sure you can find a good comprise between these and what other members suggest. Just make sure they are comfy and that you will use them.

[Rogerborg]

I've tried touring boots, motocross boots, gaybear cruiser boots, but have now settled on stinkwheel's suggestion of army surplus boots.

Goretex lined, rigid sole, rigid (but not steel) toe, completely waterproof - tested on the bike and by sloshing ankle deep through a Highland peat bog in lashing rain. Comfy on and off the bike all day long, great sole grip, fine for the office if kept tidy - they're the only thing I wear now except while pedalling.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[pinkyfloyd]

Not much point expanding too much on whats been said. Bike boots are designed to be worn on a bike and walking around in them is a secondary design. As a result they offer the protection in the event of falling off. They have more protection in key areas than your standard DM's or even the above mentioned army surplus boots.

But.

The trick is to try not to fall off. Yes you could spend the guts of £270 on a pair of top of the range Sidi boots that will protect your angles, shins and toesies should you fall off and they will do exactly the same job as the £60 lace ups that Roger and Stink wears should they not fall off.

Bottom line, wear what you find comfortable wearing and what you can afford. Minimum protection is better than none but try not to fall off and need it.
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[Easter Bunny]

I wear Sidi Couriers moto cross type boots but without the mud
https://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii284/mkbiker/images.jpg

not cheap at around £230 and surprisingly comfortable to walk in
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The light at the end of the tunnel is an oncoming train!

[Benno]

[ocatoro]

cheers for the input guys

obviously i'll be trying to stay on the bike and not get hurt but if that was a cert we'd all have tshirts and shorts on wouldn't we

i've gone for some relatively un-fussy weise lock touring type boots. the extra protection for a total noob swang it against the low tops

[stinkwheel]

[Benno]

[stinkwheel]

[Benno]

[Derivative]

I use issue boots for short journeys and proper boots for long journeys.

To me, the military boots are frankly comfortable to walk in. I could just have metal feet though. I've never had blisters on exercise, for example.

Motorcycle boots are a bit of a ballache to walk in, but it depends really. I had to buy boots that were tight length wise to get ones that didn't flop around on my feet too much.

[Rogerborg]

On the subject of lacing, Ian's Shoelace Site is just... well, it's Ian's Shoelace Site.

I swear, the Ian Knot has raised the quality of my life.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[thepuma]

If its anything like my commute this morning then make sure they are waterproof!
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YBR125 (SOLD) - CBR250R(SOLD) - CBR650F(SOLD) Current - Street Triple
765 RS

[yaigi]

There were two major factors for me when I bought my boots - they needed to be waterproof and have ankle protection. The boyfriend's ankle was saved by his ankle protection and it doesn't matter how long you've been riding for, there's sometimes just nothing you can do when someone in a car pulls out on you

I wouldn't worry about your boots looking 'overkill' for a smaller bike, chances are you'll still have em when you get a bigger bike (assuming you want to go that way?) and then you haven't got the hassle of finding a whole new pair for that.

I ended up going for these (or something very similar to these, not sure these are the exact ones) which are super comfy, have some protection, are totally waterproof (tried and tested!) and don't look crazy: https://www.motorcyclefootwear.co.uk/Daytona-Burdit-XCR-Gore-Tex_A100CO.aspx
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What would you do in life, if you knew you could not fail?
Currently own - Fazer 600, 2000, Red. (But no riding as baby on board atm)

[Mark 37]

I'm using a pair of Blacks touring boot that fit like a glove cost about £80. There way more comfy than my high leg combat boots. I can't really comment on durability yet as I've only had a couple of months but I've never wore anything as comfy.


Mark
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No matter how fast light travels, darkness was always their first.

[Benno]

More people need to shop at J&S. Incredibly comfortable boots.
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[Derivative]

Completely off topic, but that GPZ looks nice Benno. Slightly jealous.

[map]

When I started I got a pair of Akito Miami boots.
Cheap and chearful and I still like them for summer.
My daughter has a pair and uses them year round on her scooter (well mostly, depends on where she's going and fashion).
I like them because you can actually walk in them when off the bike.

I think can be got for anything from £40 to £60 now - google it.

In fact rode through winter and rain in them no problem. Only addition was wearing some of the Gortex like socks for a little water protection.

See Akito catalogue - page 40.

HTH
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[the_quick]

Since day one on the bike I wear DMs. I had them before and feels they are sturdy enough. They do not offer as much protection as proper bike boots.

But I had DMs already so it was mainly budget choice. Water protection is not brilliant, but if polished often they will protect your feet from water to some degree - of course not for heavy rain.
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Bandit GSF600 '00

[Andy_Pagin]

Avoid Spada boots, absolute garbage, I got some for last winter and the leather started cracking up in a matter of days, one of the insoles came out every time I took the boot off and the outer sole has started separating from the upper. £89 down the drain basically.
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Yamaha Vity -> YBR125 -> FZS600 Fazer -> FZ1-S Fazer

[ThoughtContro...]