Any recommendations for boots?

[Zero]

Hi,

Can anyone give me a bit of advice on boots?

I've been riding a CG125 for a couple of years wearing some really solid Hein Gericke 'Touareg' touring boots, I got them as I wanted something really protective for the inevitable fuck up on ice and snow as I ride all year round and usually ditch the bike a couple of times when the weather's really bad. The only issue is that I have recently moved on to a Kawasaki GT550 and it's a right pain in the ass operating the gears with these, it has engine crash protector bars which gives even less space to get my foot in. I have some cheapy Frank Thomas boots that I bought to do my DAS with but they just aint as solid or protective.

So... sorry it's a bit long winded but does anyone have any personal recommendations of boots they have used for a good amount of time and grown fond of (hence me posting this in the touring forum) or any advice from any couriers? I was actually looking at the SIDI Courier boot but wasn't sure if this would just give me the same problems as my current HG ones. I don't really care if they're waterproof or not, I spend most of the year cold and wet (Glasgow) and have grown immune to it.

Thanks in advance!

- Adam
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'01 Suzuki GZ125 - scrapped
'91 Kawasaki GT550 - given away
'95 Honda VRX400 / '08 Yamaha XT660R - current bikes

[N cee thirty]

sidi black rains doing me well
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'00 Aprilia RS50 > '92 Honda CG > '99 Yamaha Fazer > '91 Yamaha RXS > '79 Suzuki X5 > 01' Honda Cg > 07' Honda Cg > 82' Kawasaki Z200 > suzuki gsxr 400 gk73a > honda vfr 400 NC30 Mod 2 Passed 09/06/2011

Jewlio Iglesias wrote: I actually did vote BNP once

[Kradmelder]

Depends on the riding you do. Nothing gives protection like an MX boot, but you will compromise comfort and ability to walk. MX boots cost really matters. the expensive ones have a hingled ankle and you can walk a bit.

I have a set of Garne 10s. Fantastic boot that i can wear all day. But I use them only for dirt riding. For an MX boot it is comfortable and I have had the bike fall on my foot with no problem. But it is still like a vice on your foot

I also have a set of Forma GT boots which are leather but rugged enough for off road use. Very comfortable but no hard shell. Also you cant wear them to work or in public without your pants tucked in.


I have a BMW all around boot whiich is good for town and you can wear to work or going out. As comfortable as a normal hiking boot, but lacking in protection for a serious off.

So there is no one boot. You need a range from comfort and presentability up to full protection, depending on the riding you do.


As in all bike kit, dont buy cheap. If you buy a cheap boot and it is not comfortable you wont wear it, and all you have is an expensive door stop.
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2011 KTM 990 Dakar
2009 BMW 1200 GS

[Alpha-9]

Think i've got these ones https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/54392

Bit awkward with gear changes and making me brake heavy, but the more I wear them and the more they get broken in, the easier it is and the more I like wearing them. Quite fond of them now.
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Fzr-600 1999

[mentalboy]

I wouldn't go anywhere without my Frank Thomas Tempests (H20325).
I know they're tourer type wellies but they're the only bit of my waterproof kit that never leak. Double Zip is great for high instepped square feet and they're comfy enough to wear all day
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Make mine a Corona.

[Zero]

Thanks for all the recommendations, those Spada boots look nice and a bit less severe than the HG ones I'm using.

Don't worry Kradmelder I know all about buying decent gear. My tent and sleeping bag cost about the same together as my bike. Mind you, it is a shit old bike
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'01 Suzuki GZ125 - scrapped
'91 Kawasaki GT550 - given away
'95 Honda VRX400 / '08 Yamaha XT660R - current bikes

[Charlie]

Altberg do some made to measure boots. Some people like them, others dont. The products are good in my eyes, but the customer service you receive from them isn't great.

I also believe they stopped the repair service that they used to do, which is a shame.
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Past: Honda x8rs, Honda City fly, Honda Hornet 250, Honda VFR750, Yamaha xt600e.
Current: Honda CBR929RR & Yamaha XT660Z Tenere

[Zero]

I was looking at those... but I work for a company that sells outdoor gear, and Altberg are one of the very few people we don't have an account with. It'd be like working for a motorbike shop that stocked (and gave you a massive discount) on every brand except Yamaha, no matter how good they are you just can't bring yourself to pay full price for it! I don't mind paying full price on non outdoor brand stuff though, obviously.
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'01 Suzuki GZ125 - scrapped
'91 Kawasaki GT550 - given away
'95 Honda VRX400 / '08 Yamaha XT660R - current bikes

[DrDonnyBrago]

Anything but Weise.

[Dazbo666]

Sidi Black Rain - 4 years and still going strong

Sidi Vertigo - 6 years occasional use, still great

Arlen Ness paddock boots - about a year old, and already looking like a local hobo/tramp donated them
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1st bike (Sept'06 - May'10) : 1991 GPZ500S / Current bike (since Nov 2009) : 2003 Suzuki Bandit 600N
Word of the day : DILLIGAF

[621andy]

TCX Infinitys.....loverly
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'93 Africa Twin RD07, C-90,MTX-125,H-100,XL-125, a 125UAG(CG copy!)

[shereen]

I still have my Alpinestar SMX 5 boots which I have had for 4 years nearly. They have survived 2 offs and im so fond of them, I have never worn the Alpinestar SMX Plus boots I purchased 5 months ago
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"The Internet is the first thing that humanity has built that humanity doesn't understand, the largest experiment in anarchy that we have ever had"

[tootall 123]

i have spada wp boots not very old, get wet feet last weekend.

[Hamayar]

OK,

in the last 40 years wore all kinda boots never really found a winner until 2000.

Talking to a bike cop advised he Hgericke master were the dogs.

OK bought me some master3 goretex 5 year wanteed dry.

did 50k miles uk roads, that included an off. didnt leak.
2003 went stateside for the next 5 years did 30 k miles in em
(didnt use them all the time, summer in Memphis way too hot for full length boots)
So, they had near 100 k miles on them when I came back to UK in 2008
Used em ever since, summer winter everywhere, at least another 50 k miles on em still dont leak but I admit they do look pretty tatty.

But sooo soft and comfy!
So, top marks for goretex.
Dont know if Gericke still make em but best Ive ever had for longevity.

Bought a pair of HG classic gloves same time, found they were so good bought a second pair for when the first pair starts to leak..
hey, still on the first pair but they have faded a kind of brownishgrey.

[iMark]

I got the ones that were on sale in ALDI a couple months back... They're not good for rain, after about 20 mins the rain manages to get in and you have wet feet...

https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=21384652&postcount=5

Those ones...


They are nice and comfy.. good for walking in too... but just terrible for rain after a 14 mile ride and rain, my feet are soaked after about 8 miles...
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K8 GSXR 1000
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