Grafters boots

[Christoffee]

I'm sorry, I know the boots thing is done to death. I have a short bike ride, a train ride, then a 1.5 mile walk. So I'm after some high ankle, walking boots.

The Austrian boots have come up a few times, and I'm considering these. Grafters boots also seem to get good reviews. Does anyone have experience with these?

https://www.patrolstore.com/Grafters-Sniper-8-Waterproof-Police-Boot-Leather-and-Nylon---M482A.html

Cheers guys
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Bike: CBF125

[wr6133]

No first hand experience but back when I was an Infantry squaddie (got out in 09) those and magnums were seen as camp slippers for REMF's that would never actually walk far in them, to flimsy to last any serious abuse and the nylon melts to your legs when petrol bombed.

From a biking view I would say that nylon side offers bugger all ankle protection.

[G]

I wear Goretex UK army boots for everything from long distance walks to office work, including biking.
Have crashed in them a few times and they've been fine.

They are fairly stiff, but you (well, I) get used to it.

Reasonably tough and so on.

[CBRMAN94]

Use these all the time when riding. You'll not get much ankle protection and they let water in whilst out in heavy rain but i've had mine for 3 years and they have worn very well and they'll hold up well if you have a trip down the road IMO. They outlasted my friends Army issued boots by far!
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Honda CBR-RW6 (Sold) - Kawasaki GPZ500s (Sold) - Honda CG125 (Project) - Honda CB750 Cafe racer (Project) - Yamaha FZR400RR

[sabian92]

I wear TCX X-Move boots which are a bike boot but a bit more sensible looking. Still has ankle protection and all that although not as much as a proper, "non-walking" boot would.

Waterproof, comfy as buggery and wearing well so far. Bloody warm as well - only wear normal socks and never had cold feet barring once - at 65 and it was shitting it down and just above freezing. Not that I go much faster than 65, being on a 125

130 quid and doing well, would buy again.

[Christoffee]

The comments sent me looking again. What about Lowa boots?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lowa-Unisex-Adult-Seeker-Gore-Tex-5340_100/dp/B0045P2U0O/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1396498828&sr=8-4&keywords=lowa+boots
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Bike: CBF125

[Mr_Cynical]

Alt-Berg boots, every time. Definitely not the cheapest, but god damn they're good boots. I rode through last winter's delightful rain, and not one sign of leakage.

These are a combo bike/walking boot:

https://www.altberg.co.uk/product/hogg-all-weather-original/
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Bikes: '05 Better BT125-20 => '79 Honda CB750KZ (Now a project bike) => '99 Suzuki Bandit 600 => '01 Triumph Tiger 955i
"What's my motto? I like ham."
"It's a good motto, sir."

[wr6133]

[map]

Regarding OP original Grafter boots.
I have used the shorter version.
https://www.patrolstore.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/458x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/g/r/grafters-_boot-m870a_sherman_1000.jpg
image from here.

Worn for about 3 or 4 years while stood on the touchline watching my lad play rugby. They had a thermal inner which helped. No issues, except would recommend replacing the insole with one of the sports impact ones. The tread wore down over the time so was pretty unusable. Hence why I replaced, with another pair of the same.

Leather can become quite supple and scruffs so I don't know how it'll stand up to gear changes without too much damage.

For a low cost, lower cut set of boots for the bike that I've found excellent to actually walk around when off the bike (not hill-walking but just pedestrian use) I'd recommend the Akito Miami boots (do a google, many prices/sellers).

HTH
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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[Motorhate]

[G]

Very waterproof for what they were desgned for - can walk through water just below the top fine.
However, unfortunately they weren't designed to be hit by a 'pressure washer' of water at 70mph or whatever you're doing on the road, so damp does get through for extended rides in the rain - fine for shorter stuff.

[spooks007]

Lowa or Alt berg are the dogs. End of!

I know they are expensive but mine have lasted 10 years now and I only paid £90 for them and they are still going strong. Granted they been resoled twice in that time and I do look after them but well worth the money and investment. They are like a pair of slippers

[Motorhate]

[stiglet]

+1 for Altberg. I use them for riding, wear them all day at work, and a bit of walking inbetween (Roadrunners).

[Christoffee]

[Pigeon]

In case its of use to anyone.

These £13 socks have been good. I wear them in the rain, or when cleaning the bike.

Got these for the wet/cold winter for £40 Cat boots which are not waterproof.

[BTTD]

I got a set of the grafters for Chrimbo for general walking and stuff, changed the insoles for something more supportive and so far have no complaints. Haven't used them on the bike yet.

Would love a pair of the Altbergs, hang on, have their prices gone up a fair bit? I remember them being expensive, but... hmm maybe I'm getting forgetful.

[Christoffee]

[Robby]

It's getting warm. Your feet will boil in decent strong boots. Assuming you work in London, I wouldn't want to be sat on a busy train with hot, itchy feet.

Bike boots on the bike. Leave them in the top box and wear shoes on the train and the walk. If it's a short bike ride I would just wear shoes the whole time. They may get worn out a bit on the bike gearchange, so get cheap shoes and buy a new pair each year.

Or stop using the train and ride all the way in to work. I despise public transport, the only advantage for me is that I can go for a drink after work occasionally and not have to ride afterwards.

[G]

[map]

[rhys1005]

I wear normal trainers for a 1 mile 30mph ride to my college.

I've been fine but obviously my ankles will be less protected if I come off.

Thing is.. It's a 1 mile bloody ride! I'm not going to bring an extra bag everyday and spend the few minutes I save over cycling, changing into my boots. My arrogant 'riding for 30 years and know it all tutor' doesn't understand this though as he only rides once in a blue moon when the stars are aligned properly and the sun is at it's peak.

Slightly off topic but yeh.. And old shoes are fine IMO for short practical rides.

[Sload]

Trainers are about as effective as just wearing socks alone, virtually no abrasion resistance and they are easily pulled off your feet, can you not use anything else at all?

Grisly but should be sfw https://imgur.com/r/gore/cXzXqmx
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Honda Varadero >> Triumph Speed Four >> Honda CBR1100xx

[Baffler186]