The Time is fast approaching...

ScaredyCat · World Chat Champion Joined: 19 May 2012 Karma :

...when I'll be fit enough to get back onto my bike again and I need some recommendations for boots.

Considering the last pair I had didn't really offer any support from the ankle upwards* I'm looking for something a little more sturdy and, particularly, more protective. I'm very much aware that I can feel the screw heads near through my skin at the ankle so any extra protection near there is going to be good.

Another consideration is my 17" calves (well, one is that size, the other hasn't caught back up yet). I'm also going to want something that I can open up quite a bit to get my foot into and then tighten up. Still suffering from my leg swelling up so being able to adjust them quickly would be useful.

Any ideas?

Andy

* wondering if that was a contributing factor to the break.
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Muscle Bike Rider · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Jun 2009 Karma :

Sidi Black Rain, good sturdy comfortable boot with protection in the right areas, calf fitting is fairly adjustable in my opinion.
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Rogue_Shadow · World Chat Champion Joined: 10 May 2012 Karma :

Been wearing RST Raptors for just under a year

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

Never leaked under monsoon rain, flexible but well padded & also really comfortable off the bike for long periods Thumbs Up

Cannot fault them

joncwl · Scooby Slapper Joined: 25 Sep 2010 Karma :

Werny · Traffic Copper Joined: 02 Feb 2011 Karma :

R-Johnny · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 04 Oct 2011 Karma :

My personal recommendation is Sidi Vortice's.

Expensive but they are adjustable all over, have loads of protection, and are surprisingly comfortable after they have been worn in.

I'm in love with mine.

Edit* the ratchet system the Vortice use means if your leg swells up you push 1 tab and ping! All the tension is released Thumbs Up

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Benson_JV · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 May 2010 Karma :

Another shout for Sidi Black Rain's - I've had mine for two years and they have never let me down.
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bikertomm · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Jul 2010 Karma :

Sidi vortices look pretty sturdy, will cost though! Thumbs Up

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moppy · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 Apr 2011 Karma :

I nabbed some Gaerne G-RT Aquatech boots on eBay. Very impressed.

Ariel Badger · Super Spammer Joined: 02 Dec 2006 Karma :

Altberg made to measure, best boots ever.
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ScaredyCat · World Chat Champion Joined: 19 May 2012 Karma :

Thanks for the responses,

moppy · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 Apr 2011 Karma :

R-Johnny · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 04 Oct 2011 Karma :

Couldn't really comment about the couriers as I've never worn them.

However from a quick look the couriers have less adjustment in them, and would be harder to get on ( the vortice's zip down the side from top to sole ), look a lot heavier, and like there would be less feel through the pegs.

But that is just from looking at the pics and I can't comment for sure. Nice boots I'm sure though.

Edit - Marmalade did once upon a time tell me the courier boots were like having both feet in plaster casts ...
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Alpha-9 · Super Spammer Joined: 19 Jan 2012 Karma :

nowhere.elysium · The Pork Lord Joined: 02 Mar 2009 Karma :

Sidi Couriers are fantastic boots. They took a few days to break in, but I wouldn't swap them for anything now. Couriers+leathers=feeling invincible.

I've had no problems with sensation through the pegs: I can still feel feel what's gong on, and they're far from being restrictively inflexible. They're a little heavy, but I'm big enough and ugly enough to be able to cope.
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andy_uk · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Aug 2011 Karma :

Another vote for the Couriers.
I hated them to start with...but I'd been used to a pair of 2nd hand ankle boots which were nicely worn in.
Once the bad weather started though I wore them daily, got them broken in and absolutely love them now!
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Aprilia Classic 125, GS500E, ER5-A1, ER5-C4, ER6 & an XJ6 project frame...

Ariel Badger · Super Spammer Joined: 02 Dec 2006 Karma :

I have the Clubman Classic Altberg . no laces just Velcro. The thing is that as your feet have been mangled they will build a pair that fit you.
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ScaredyCat · World Chat Champion Joined: 19 May 2012 Karma :

Seb · World Chat Champion Joined: 19 Jul 2007 Karma :

I've got a pair of Supertech Rs for when it's warm and I want to feel what's going on and an old set of Daytona Travelstars for the day to day commute. I've used them for years and they are still as good as the day I got them (And they don't stink like the SMX4 WPs they replaced). I bought mine used for ~£80 from ebay and I certainly don't know of anything else that comes remotely close for that sort of money.
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BigDan1190 · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 03 Mar 2010 Karma :

Big recommendation of the Astars SMX5+ WP. They've been absolutely perfect for me, protected me in a crash, not much damage to them, vented for summer but somehow 100% waterproof... amazing.

But I also have a pair of Altberg (non motorcycle) boots and can also vouch for their quality.

I'd say, what you need to take away from this thread is you get what you pay for. Pay over £150 at a decent brand such as Sidi, Astars or Altberg, and you'll be reet Smile

Although, I know a lot of people with various Sidi models, and almost all begin to squeek when walking after about a year.

Kierran · Trackday Trickster Joined: 18 Mar 2012 Karma :

Id see about trying on a pair of lowa mountain high leg gtx. The whole boot is heavily padded with a system for cycling air as the coot moves. If ur worried about ur in built scaffolding and looking for padding id def recommend them. Lasted me 5 years as work boots before the leather gave out where the toe section flexes
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Nick_Giles · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 01 Jan 2012 Karma :

.
I have a pair of these.

No complaints, very comfortable and easy to get on an off.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ALPINESTARS-ASTAR-WEB-GORE-TEX-MOTORBIKE-MOTORCYCLE-RACING-SPORTS-BOOTS-BLACK-/251034775514

Nick
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Ariel Badger · Super Spammer Joined: 02 Dec 2006 Karma :

fox · Spanner Monkey Joined: 06 Feb 2013 Karma :

I've been using Sidi Vertigo Goretex boots for the past year. I cannot rate them highly enough. Kept my feet very warm and dry. The protection is also brilliant, plus they look pretty good.
I got mine in mega size, which is wider at the calf and foot as I have very wide feet. They are very comfortable.
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