 Boot recommendations?
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A young man I know was involved in a rather minor accident recently, he escaped for the most part uninjured with one glaring exception. His one foot got mangled pretty bad, requiring multiple operations and eventually losing one toe. It got me thinking about the boots I wear. I'm thinking about something sturdier. So...you have a boot that works for you that's tough as nails, sturdy toe box( but not steel toes..too cold) oh and did I mention under $150. Let's hear about it. Thanks
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 Re: Boot recommendations?
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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I wear black Workforce boots from Wal Mart for $25. My last pair has lasted me 3 years now and still going. (I think maybe 4 or 5 but at least 3.)
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains. Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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 Re: Boot recommendations?
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You know I have been looking at motorcycle specific boots, but some of those do look pretty darn tuff, I might have to reconsider the steel toes. They really do add a huge safety factor.
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 Re: Boot recommendations?
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Yes and no on the steel toes, if the steel toe gets crushed you lose toes rather than just have broken toes. Saw it happen at work quite some time back. The back of the steel toe got crushed down and cut 2 of my friends toes off.They do get cold as mentioned too.
(Not sure if they would have been lost anyway or not.)
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains. Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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 Re: Boot recommendations?
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Joined: Mar 2009
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Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
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Motocross boots are the toughest and they're not all fugly. Here's a couple of examples in tall and short versions. 
Live to love, love to live.
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 Re: Boot recommendations?
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You know I've actually thought about motocross boots, I was looking at some short ones that are sold locally. They kind of remind me of ski boots, I wasn't sure how hard they'd be to walk around in.
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 Re: Boot recommendations?
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Joined: Sep 2010
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Second Wind
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Second Wind
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I have some Icon boots that don't look bad but are very sturdy.  I think they look pretty cool. They are water proof too.
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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 Re: Boot recommendations?
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Joined: Dec 2006
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New Tires
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New Tires
Joined: Dec 2006
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Quote:
Motocross boots are the toughest and they're not all fugly. Here's a couple of examples in tall and short versions.
Those motocross boots reminded me of Gen Patton's calvary boots. I thought about getting a pair off Ebay, but I couldn't find any appropriate calvary pants.http://www.motorcowboy.com/product/NEW32/George-Patton-Cavalry-Boots-Riding-motor-patrol.html
Last edited by MACMC; 10/09/2011 8:49 AM.
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
H. L. Mencken
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 Re: Boot recommendations?
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Joined: Jan 2007
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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I wear Red Wings. The 6" boot I have now is designed for electricians. Instead of a steel toe box it's fiberglass (I think). With the King Toe option, you've got wiggle room. I'd compare Red Wings to a Corbin seat. Uncomfortable at first, then 30 days later - the best thing you've ever worn. Back when I got a clothing allowance, they were an approved vendor. 
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 Re: Boot recommendations?
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Second Wind
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Second Wind
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I think comfort is important. If you ride to places that you are going to be working, socializing, or general hanging out and walking around. I'm not so sure I would go for a motocross boot for that. I'm not going to change boots every wear I go.
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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 Re: Boot recommendations?
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Yeah, that's the fine balance I guess, trying to find something that has superior protection and still something you can wear all day.
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 Re: Boot recommendations?
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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I have a pair of converse that i love. they are waterproof & have a zippered side. I got them @ the sportsman guide, i wouldnt do motocross boots if you break down & have to hoof it a few miles you wont be happy. never liked steel toes for riding I like to feel the shifter.
we should do this every weekend!
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 Re: Boot recommendations?
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Joined: Mar 2009
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Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
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Quote:
i wouldnt do motocross boots if you break down & have to hoof it a few miles you wont be happy.
Good point. A friend wears motocross boots but carries a change of footwear should the need arise to do some walking.
Live to love, love to live.
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 Re: Boot recommendations?
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Joined: Aug 2007
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
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I wear these Redwing 11" engineer/motorcycle boots. Model 970 or 988 They are very comfortable, and available with steel toe if desired. Also found them online for under $160. I love Redwing boots, they are high quality and still made here in the USA.
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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 Re: Boot recommendations?
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Joined: Mar 2009
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Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
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Redwing's rock. And a tall boot is a sensible way to go. Back when I busted my leg in two in a m/c accident, I was wearing a tall boot and it stopped my shin bone from breaking through the skin and becoming a compound fracture.
Live to love, love to live.
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 Re: Boot recommendations?
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
I love Redwing boots, they are high quality and still made here in the USA.
Not all of them. Some are China made (but still great quality). Surprised me too!
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 Re: Boot recommendations?
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Joined: Aug 2007
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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Quote:
Quote:
I love Redwing boots, they are high quality and still made here in the USA.
Not all of them. Some are China made (but still great quality). Surprised me too!
yeah, but they sell them cheaper under another brand name WORX by Redwing
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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 Re: Boot recommendations?
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Are we there YET? I gotta go pee!!
08 SpeedMASTER, Black and Red!
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 Re: Boot recommendations?
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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 Re: Boot recommendations?
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https://www.denniskirk.com/dk/product_images/dk/600pix/dk3571166.jpgThese are what I'm leaning toward. Tour master Solution 2.0 . Reinforced toe box, heel cup, ankle armor and shin protection.The only problem is the warehouse that distributes them burned down. And it's going to be awhile before they have more inventory.
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 Re: Boot recommendations?
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Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
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How are they for walking around in, Soren?
Live to love, love to live.
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 Re: Boot recommendations?
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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Quote:
How are they for walking around in, Soren?
Fantastic! Very comfortable.
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 Re: Boot recommendations?
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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Quote:
Yes and no on the steel toes, if the steel toe gets crushed you lose toes rather than just have broken toes. Saw it happen at work quite some time back. The back of the steel toe got crushed down and cut 2 of my friends toes off.They do get cold as mentioned too.
(Not sure if they would have been lost anyway or not.)
Just saw this 
Working construction for many years, I've had my toes saved by the steel toe several times. I once saw a guy get his toes ran over by a Cat 980 loader, again saved by the steel. I always get a laugh when i hear the "if something really heavy falls on the steel toe the steel will smash my toes".
Uh-huh. And if you don't have safety toes on and something really heavy falls on your toes, they'll be just fine. ooooooooooooookay.
The amount of force that it would take to crush an ANSI rated steel toe would turn flesh and bone into pulp.
Back to riding boots I have Cruiserworks boots. But they're spendy and the heels tend to wear down pretty fast. Really light and comfortable though. And I don't like steel toes for riding, the Cruiserworks have a reinforced box that has held up very well.
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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 Re: Boot recommendations?
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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Have RedWings (waterproof, toe cap--not steel). Love them. Look like hell after several years. Always wanted Cruiserworks boots. Ordered some about a year ago when they went through a change in ownership and/or a change in manufacturing. After countless delays I cancelled my order.
Last edited by FriarJohn; 10/12/2011 12:55 AM.
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 Re: Boot recommendations?
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I have RedWings w/the steel toe. Not because of any philosophy or wisdom, it's what they had in my size when I was buying boots. I can say I'm very happy I had them on when I was hit. Just wish I could have seen the sparks flyin' as the steel was being ground down! For what it's worth, I'm still wearing them.
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 Re: Boot recommendations?
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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I was glad that my boots had a steel toe cap when I caught the bumper of a parked car at about 40mph when I was about 18 y.o. It left me with a numb foot for about 20 mins and a scar in the leather of the boot. As for the cold, when I wear them I've got a thick pair of socks on, as I only use them for long distance Yup, same boots all these years later  Can't remember the make though One day, I might even polish them 
Too old to die young, too ugly to leave a good looking corpse
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 Re: Boot recommendations?
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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I have a pair of zip up Durango engineer boots, had them for years now, very comfortable.
Think my next pair will be Icon super duty.
Stewart
.......
"It's outside your field of expertise."
"Poppycock normally is."
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 Re: Boot recommendations?
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I was a welder for a decade in my twenties and was required to wear steel toe boots. Once I was moving a large plate of steel and it fell edge wise right on my toe, sliced the leather off exposing the steel toe. I never felt a thing. They really do work.
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 Re: Boot recommendations?
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Can't believe nobody mentioned combat boots! They're durable, look suitably badass, and actually fairly comfortable when broken in. And available at any surplus store or military/law enforcement supplier (Brigade Quartermaster, US Cavalry, and Ranger Joes all being good ones). For the issue styles, the green jungles (canvas side) are the most comfortable, but aren't as good with the ankle support; Jump boots are nice and sturdy but not the nicest to walk in; Tanker boots (with the straps) are good all around. I usually wear Magnums, a cop-style combat boot, synthetic leather with nylon side panels; comfortable, light but tough, good support. I have to say my actual issue boots are better in hot weather cause the real leather breathes better. When it's really cold out I wear my Matterhorn winter combat boots, keeps the toes nice and toasty. Of course, I already owned a ton of boots that I don't have any other use for now that the Army's gone to the stupid suede ones. How can you have a decent private that has never had to spit-shine????
SFC, US Army (Ret)
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 Re: Boot recommendations?
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Joined: Jan 2007
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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+1 on the Magnums if you prefer a lighter weight boot. I had a pair, but after a couple years of daily wearing, the pleather started peeling so I tossed them. I just found another retailer (Military Supply) yesterday and will be picking up another pair.
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 Re: Boot recommendations?
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Joined: Jul 2011
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Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
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Quote:
I have some Icon boots that don't look bad but are very sturdy.  I think they look pretty cool. They are water proof too.
i like these ones actually, i was thinking about boots this year, now maybe next, don't care for steel toes though , i need to feel the bike, even in my toes somewhat. short boots for sure, otherwise for me just to much of a pain to get on and off. i am lazy that way LOL
2007 Speedmaster and miss it!
2013 T-Bird Storm and Luvin it!
Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at 70 mph can double your vocabulary
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 Re: Boot recommendations?
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,227 Likes: 62
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,227 Likes: 62 |
Quote:
Quote:
Yes and no on the steel toes, if the steel toe gets crushed you lose toes rather than just have broken toes. Saw it happen at work quite some time back. The back of the steel toe got crushed down and cut 2 of my friends toes off.They do get cold as mentioned too.
(Not sure if they would have been lost anyway or not.)
Just saw this 
Working construction for many years, I've had my toes saved by the steel toe several times. I once saw a guy get his toes ran over by a Cat 980 loader, again saved by the steel. I always get a laugh when i hear the "if something really heavy falls on the steel toe the steel will smash my toes".
Uh-huh. And if you don't have safety toes on and something really heavy falls on your toes, they'll be just fine. ooooooooooooookay.
The amount of force that it would take to crush an ANSI rated steel toe would turn flesh and bone into pulp.
Back to riding boots I have Cruiserworks boots. But they're spendy and the heels tend to wear down pretty fast. Really light and comfortable though. And I don't like steel toes for riding, the Cruiserworks have a reinforced box that has held up very well.
Saw it myself Bill, The edge a a big tank came down on this guys foot with steel toes and he lost all but the little toe. He may or may not have lost them anyway, that I don't know.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains. Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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 Re: Boot recommendations?
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
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Red Wing Pecos with the SuperSole have worked well for me and are very comfortable, not to mention as tough as anything you will find, and still under that $150.00.
I would like to try a pair of the Aerostich Combat Light Touring Boots, but wonder if I ever will. Never had much luck mail-ordering shoes or boots.
It's been hard enough trying to determine, through trial and error, the correct Red Wing Boot size, and I have been wearing them for 30 years. Sturdy boots always feel different after they get broken in. They may feel good when new in the store, but after they break in, sometimes a size up might have worked better..
Keith Houston Ridin'Texas '04 Speedmaster AI removed, Pingle, UNI Filter, 1 shim, straight-through slash-cut TORs, Stage 1 DynaJet, 140 mains, 3 turns, 16/42 final drive, 115K 2020 T120 Black
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 Re: Boot recommendations?
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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Quote:
Saw it myself Bill, The edge a a big tank came down on this guys foot with steel toes and he lost all but the little toe. He may or may not have lost them anyway, that I don't know.
It would be a safe bet 
Nothing's foolproof. (There are some mighty clever fools out there)
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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 Re: Boot recommendations?
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
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I know Mythbusters had a show about steel toes shoes. It came down to, if something was heavy enough or came down fast enough to squash the steel toe, you would have lost your entire foot anyway.
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 Re: Boot recommendations?
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Joined: Sep 2010
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Second Wind
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Second Wind
Joined: Sep 2010
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Quote:
Quote:
I have some Icon boots that don't look bad but are very sturdy.  I think they look pretty cool. They are water proof too.
i like these ones actually, i was thinking about boots this year, now maybe next, don't care for steel toes though , i need to feel the bike, even in my toes somewhat. short boots for sure, otherwise for me just to much of a pain to get on and off. i am lazy that way LOL
Those are not steel toe. They have some kind of a plastic or hard toe but it's not steel. Its also not uncomfortable, or heavy like a steel toe.
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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 Re: Boot recommendations?
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Joined: Sep 2010
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Second Wind
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Second Wind
Joined: Sep 2010
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Steel toe boots will damage your foot over time. Take it from a person who did wear them for many years but refuses to now.
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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 Re: Boot recommendations?
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,227 Likes: 62
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Only problem I had was they made my toes cold working outside in the winter but I didn't wear them for long because I didn't like that.I stopped long before I saw that guy lose his toes.What damage will they do?
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains. Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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 Re: Boot recommendations?
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I actually really like those Icons, decisions, decisions.
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