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beau bo boots :)

RJVB

RJVB

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Joined
Oct 28, 2008
Messages
1,936
Location
Paris
I've been looking for a long time for a pair of boots that give protection during riding (and crashing...), are waterproof, can be worn all day including at work, and are comfortable enough and not afraid of walking/hiking. Riding boots often aren't made for walking at all, I've learned through (bad) experience. So repairability or at least a resistant sole are high on my list of criteria...
The ubiquitous Timberland, Caterpillar (etc) booties would be fine but aren't high enough: my riding pants "ride up" high enough to allow water to enter from above, in case of serious rain. Not good.

I'm not convinced that most of the advanced protection shells in riding boots are that important in touring.

Some months ago, someone suggested I have a look at the sort of shoes the french pompiers (firefighters but also those who intervene with medical support during all kinds of accidents) wear — and to avoid all shoes that have an armored nose (easy to imagine what that will do to a foot in case of forced flexion...). Added bonus: this kind of boots is often less expensive than real riding boots.

So last weekend, I finally went to a "dump store" (and spent a lot of money :blush: ) I tried a pair of Magnum Stealth II, which would have been perfect at about 90€ a pair, but they were too wide/loose for my feet. Next was an Italian boot, worn by commandos of the Italian army: heavy duty leather, protection in front of the toes and of the heel, padding (no hard shell, I hate that) for the tibia, and a Vibram sole. (I've forgotten brand and model names, sadly):


I love the look, they're amazingly light given how solid they appear to be. I don't like the kind of fastening (waxed laces running through loops made of nylon ribbon), and wasn't too comfortable in them. Flexing my feet caused the leather to press/cut into my toes. Maybe it would have worn/broken in, but at 170€ a pair I wasn't too keen on taking the bet.

I ended up with an even more expensive pair, which until now have been great to wear (as long as I don't think whom they are apparently made for :evil: ): the Cripsy SWAT HTC Nero:
ce modèle
The leather is of a finer quality, so I'm not so sure how well the upper side of my feet is protected, but there's a shell in front of the toes, at the heel, and one protecting the outer ankle. I'd never heard of the brand, but looking at their website, it appears to sell high-end trekking and specialty shoes. I seem to have gotten a previous model, not with the ribs ("C.S.F.") giving extra protection to the sides, but for now I think I couldn't have scored much better.
 
Some folks around here go for the military Viet Nam jungle or desert type boot and wouldn't wear anything else. Some haven't let go of theirs since the Viet Nam era and just keep rebuilding them. I would like a pair myself, but was in the Navy at the time.
Less protection in a get off but are comfortable. Especially in the heat of summer.
What you bought defiantly looks good.
 
I've had good luck with that type of boot made by Converse, famous for their basketball shoes. Over the years, I've had several pairs of the miltary style boots, as they are popular in law enforcement work, too. The Converse boots are very comortable, and feel more like athletic shoes.
I have two pair - black for most of the year, and and the tan suede version for the next couple of months of heat. The both cost under $90.
 
You can get that sort of boot, but designed specifically for motorcycling:
HoggAWOrig.jpg


Company is Altberg; they also make classic style bike boots, boots for hot climates, etc. They make a big range of military, hiking and mountain boots and specialist footwear for desert and jungle too, so you get stuff that works as footwear as well as bike gear.

Hand made in England. They'll resole, replace leaking waterproof liners, or do pretty much anything else you need for repairs -- though I've been wearing mine nearly every day for 5-6 years and they don't show any real sign of needing any work.

http://www.altberg.co.uk/Web/motorcycle.jsp (slightly rubbish web site; superb boots).

Main problem is you have to buy from the company direct, and be prepared to wait 1-2 months for them to make the boots for you. But, you can judge something about how good their boots are from the fact that they hardly advertise at all, and most people seem to hear about them from existing customers, and yet they still have waiting list!
 
I purchased a pair of the Altberg boots this year and so far I am very pleased. It is a bit of a leap of faith to buy from the UK when you live in the US and have to translate your American foot size to UK sizing - but there are some web sites that help in the conversion process. Shipping was less than estimated, but it did take about 2 months for them to arrive. Extremely well made and very comfortable. They are thicker from the bottom of the sole to the top of the boot than 'normal' motorcycle boots, but the Norge shift and brake lever adjustsments compensated for this. They are a bit on the high side for price, but I can't get a decent fit on any of the boots I find in the stores. It is either the Altbergs or Bates Leathers.
 
StormShearon said:
Altberg ... are a bit on the high side for price
Click to expand...

YMMV, but I factor in an expected life at least 3 times longer for Altberg than other makes :)

Years and years ago,I had a pair of Prexport boots than lasted me 3-4 years, apart from that I don't think I've had boots last me more than 2 years, other than Altberg.

I have 2 pairs of Altberg bike boots, bought in 1995 and 2004 (the older pair are fine but went into semi-retirement in 2004 when I bought the new pair, for the different style).

I don't think I own any other bike gear that old, except a pair of Hideout gloves (and I'd be raving about them, but sadly you can't buy them any more).
 
The resoling prices I've seen are more than reasonable; if in addition they can replace inner linings and return a shoe that hasn't changed (reduced) in size, price no longer is a real issue. I've come to buy shoes that are as cheap as possible because it's so hard to find models that will last more than 2 years of good service (apart from the occasional new pair of Timberlands), but I'd go for lasting quality over price without hesitation.

BTW: Timberlands can be re-made too. I've had that done once, for a very interesting price, but they became a bit too small in the process. A pity, they're of a clearish leather that's become a wonderful shade of brown with the years, they look real classy :)
 
Well I expect the Altbergs to last at least as long as my Bates Leathers boots (almost 20 years on the first pair, going on 4+ on the current pair), so the price was not really that big of an issue to me. Besides, I did not have to pay VAT, which dropped the price a fair bit, and put the Altbergs into the same price zone of the Bates and any other decently constructed boot designed to last.

They may not be 'stylish', but I'll always take function over form - besides, I do not like the boy racer look of most of the models available in the moto sotres in my area (plus they don't fit).
 
I've used those tactical squad boots and they don't last long. I bought a pair of waterproof sport touring boots that are comfortable and very good for walking in. I've had them about 3 yrs and they are standing up very well. The company is Prexport in Italy and their boots with the letters WP are of course waterproof.
Bob
 
HI

I've had good use out of Dickie Legend boots - thick leather, toe protectors, smooth sole , sadly no longer available here and have been looking for something similar.

I've found bike specific Hein Gericke Tricky ankle boots which are a textile/leather mix and the clincher for me - Gore-Tex. Listed at £139 but they always have discounts/vouchers across the board.

Shops in Gemany/Austria/Nederlands/Belgium/Italy/Luxembourg/UK - not sure about orders outside these countries.

Only had them a week or so but they are comfortable both on and off the bike, and I seem to have Neandertal features - short wide calfs/ankles/feet when many boots seem designed for Italian whippets..

Struggled to upload a photo - check them out at hein-gericke.com if interested

Art
 
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