best motorcycle boots

[the_jen]

Hi...

I am looking for the best pair of motorcycle boots I can get. Money is no object... if it's $300 and under. I did a search of the forum and only saw one topic, and the Chippewa brand ones look good, but I am concerned about the sizing of the calf. The circumference of the shaft isn't listed on any website I've seen yet.

I am short, and my calves are strange - most boots that are taller than mid-calf are too tight and I can't tuck in pants or wear thick socks, and they end up being pushed down and get slouchy around the ankle. I would wear fashion boots from Lane Bryant or Avenue but they are too big, and I would never wear "fashion boots" to ride in anyway, leather or not.

So, what I'm looking for is a mid-calf or knee-high leather boot, one that can accommodate an "athletic calf" (laces are OK), and can be resoled.

The soles are what I'm most concerned about. I have a cruiser and a sport bike, I ride all year (in KY), but I don't want Sidi boots or anything like that because I want them to be cross-functional and have real soles. Harley boots look nice but don't fit the bill - all that pretty leather doesn't do much when the soles peel off after a year.

I currently have two identical pairs of engineer-style Rocket Dogs. They are tight in the calf and they have about given up the ghost. I've had them since 2005 so I'm not going to complain - they were worth every penny and I've had them resoled countless times.

I'm thinking of going to Doc Martens again but I have read that since they shipped their production to Asia that they are not as reparable as they used to be. They do have a few kinds that are knee-high with laces and a side zip, although they may still be too narrow at the top. SIGH.

So, long post... any help out there?

[wingryder92]

Good Morning, I don't know that my input will help in your search but maybe it'll help the thought process a little. I do strictly wear m/c boots. In my 23 yrs of riding I've usually had to buy new boots about every 2-3 years. The ones that are retired aren't discarded but I don't wear them as often. I like a water proof boot with a good sole and maybe a little heel. This keeps me from having to check the weather to see what it's doing so I'd just rather be protected and forget about it. Generally I wear the mid-calf but have a BMW pair that's taller. It's a pain to change after I get to work but that's what many commuters do. My favorite pair was a pair of Kochman (from Europe) but the last time I checked they weren't shipping to the US so I keep checking. Right now I have a pair of Tourmaster Solution boots and the BMW. I feel that if they last a couple of years that I've gotten my money's worth. I usually put about 15,000 miles or so on two m/c's so they get plenty of use. I can usually wear them if we decide to go through a craft show or walk around and check out the stores of town without my feet hurting. I had foot surgery in '03 so when I put on that right boot it's got to feel just right or I move onto the next one. I never "expect" the boot to "stretch/give" to much since I can't wait for that to happen..my foot just won't tolerate that breakin period. So they have to feel pretty good when I first put my foot in it and comfy to walk around in the store.
I know this doesn't meet what you said you wanted in a boot but at least it's a different view. Oh yeah...it doesn't matter to me what the name is on the boot as long as it feels good on my foot and will do the job that I want it to do.
Debra
HAVE A SAFE RIDE

[PCYA]

Hey Jen, I'd run into a similar problem before. I'm only 5ft & wear a size 5 1/2 in women's sizes which I often couldn't even find for most m/c boots whether on line or in the stores. I had previously bought little boys' m/c hd boots which lasted only about a yr & were priced much less then womens'. I recently had to buy a new pair & found a pair of "tactical" boots which are now working great for me. They were under $35 including tax & the shiping was free. I found them on the Academy website http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_174226_-1?color=Black&N=625408691+933739032
They are made by Brazos, are waterproof, & fit true to size. While I prefer a pull on boot vs lace up, these have a side zipper which made it even easier to take off & put on once I got the laces where I needed them. No hassling with the calf area any more at all & no slouching. They are also pretty comfortable. Hope this helps. Good luck in your search!

[the_jen]

I recently found a pair of 20-eye Doc Marten's with a side zip on eBay for $50. I'm going to try those for a while. And if they aren't what I need, that wasn't a totally obnoxious price to pay for boots that I can use for everything else for the next 100 years...

If that happens, I think I'll resign myself to Sidi boots. They aren't stated anywhere as being able to be resoled, but I have a friend who had his done by some local shop.

OYE!