Bonneville America Forums Forums Rider Safety Forums Helmets and Gear No Business Like Shoe Business

Checked out some Redwings today...not sure what I want. The Triumph boots look good but my dealer doesn't stock them and buying them without a good audition from a website seems like a waste of time. So what kind of boots compliment the TBA or SM?

Check out Cruiserworks. I ride with the men's side zip, they're waterproof and comfortable. They also sell some excellent socks for use with their boots. The prices are pretty reasonable for a quality boot. Cruiserworks

A couple months ago I picked up some new Redwings. Black. Waterproof. Very nice and very comfy. I can get the model number if you're interested. Cost less than Cruiserworks boots (which are no doubt worth the money but I ain't ever again buying clothing items through the mail).

I have a pair of GBX boots. They are comfortable and I like the looks of them and they were inexpensive.


If I didnt get those I would have maybe gotten a pair of combat boots (which I might do anyway).

Soren

I like the look of the heavy lug sole, but my feet are so big it makes it hard to get my foot under the shifter. I'm thinking about the Cruiserworks Classic. Half sizes through 14. I haven't seen that anywhere else.

John

Friarjohn,
Yes, if you could forward the Redwing model number that would be great. They have a pretty good selection to choose from. They also have a new motorcycle line of shoes, which of course have to be special ordered. Always 'somthin!
Thanks

I used to really like the Nastyfeet boots that Paisano publishing (Easyriders, Biker, In the Wind, several other magazines) used to sell, but they might not be available anymore.

Ok ya'll anyone know of a place you can get boots in hard to find sizes.

I wear a size 13 width A

I like wearing combat boots. The full laces give plenty of ankle support.

I use a plain old pair of the tall black Timberlands. They are comfy and only about $70. Water resistant and waterproof if you apply the special spray on silicone I use for boat covers.

I'll add my voice to the Cruiserworks fan base. I've had mine for a long time, wear them all day, every day. They are rock solid waterproof and go with either casual or formal business dress so I can leave them on when I get to work. Great product and great company to deal with.

I picked up a pair of black Wolverine 8-inch workboots. Heavy leather, shock absorbing soles, Gore-Tex lining and waterproof. $130 bucks...felt great in the store. If they don't work out on the bike I can always use them in bad weather.

I wear a pair of combat-style boots from Sears, $29 with a nicely padded ankle. They look a little too clunky to wear in nice restaurants, etc. when I out with the wife on a Saturday night so I picked up a pair of Justin Ropers -
10" boot, low heel
They are quite simply the best shoe/boot I've ever purchased. I had them on all night the first time they were worn and my feet never felt more comfortable. The only downside is their leather sole. BUT, I discovered for the princely sum of $40 you can get the same boot with a rubber sole which would be perfect for bike wear:
Justin Basic Roper's
I'm tempted to get a 2nd pair just for bike wear.

I am a bit of an Imelda when it comes to boots. Double H and Fryes are what I wear on the bike; harness and engineer styles. Both brands and styles have rubber non skid soles and they feel great all day long and are flexible on the bike.

They are not cheap though.

For work I wear Carolinas, Chippewas(logger style) and Wolverines. On the occassions that I have been able to take the bike to the job I found the loggers to be uncomfortable on the ride. Just too much boot.

Shoeline.com has a great policy on returns. No return shipping or restocking fees. They sell lots of boots. I think I got my Double H harness boots from them. Lots of sizes too.

It is a matter of preference, trial and error, etc.

...These boots are made for walkin'
mert(shari)

My Redwings are the 6680 model.

Wanted pull-ons until someone here suggested they tend to come off when you might need them most. Found the Red Wing 980 the answer. They lace up (speed lace), they're waterproof, with a deep gusseted tongue, 9" tall, very comfortable from day one. Vibram sole grips, never slips. Stitched on sole, not glued on like a lot of "bargain" boots - these could be resoled again and again if ever needed. I gave $189 last year, but believe I've seen them on sale since for maybe as low as $149.

If you take good care of your boots and give them a good shot of waterproof/silicone spray they should do fine in
the rain. The whole really soaking monsoony kind of rain question I can't answer as I have never gotten in caught in a really soaking monsoony kind of rain. Soaking rain yes, but not long enough for the boots to get saturated.

Hope this helps,
mert

I kinda like my Dr Marten industrial boots. Fairly chunky sole, but it's made to not slip so much on the greasy stuff, steel toe, padded ankle, real comfy. Thinking of shopping around some more this year tho as they are fairly well broken in and losing their ankle support.

I use a pair of plain black Sidi Gortex boots in the wet and when I was in Arizona in Feb, I got some Durango 'cowboy' boots.
360 miles yesterday and it wasn't particularly warm but they felt great and I wasn't cold - even though the boots aren't lined at all.

I was looking for a lace-up motorcycle boot as well and finding one that doesn't say Harley Davidson on the side was pretty tough. I drove the guys at the Redwing store in Boulder crazy bringing in all sorts of different sizes. I think the 980 is a great boot but it just doesn't fit my foot. I wish I had known about CruiserBoots although I don't know if I would have gone for a boot that expensive mailorder without trying them on first.
I ended up pretty much were I started; I have an old pair of Merril hiking boots that I have been wearing to ride in and they're pretty beat up so I bought a new pair of 6" Gore-Tex lined Vasque hiking boots. After thinking about it a while I realized this was probably a better choice for me than a motorcycle specific boot anyway. It is also easier (at least for me) to justify the cost of something nice if it is multi-use.

Keith

No Doubt,
Justin Ropers. Low heel, leather soles, great fit, good protection and very comfortable. There is one drawback for most: If they fit good, you will probably need a boot jack or a friend to get them off. If I don't have room for my boot jack, I'll be the only one in Georgia this May to sleep in my boots.
And they look great!
Dennis

Yep, they fit like a good pair of gloves. I'm really tempted to order the version with the rubber, oil-resistant soles but I'm afraid Mrs. Jones will give me a kick with one of her boots! (many...)

Bought a pair of cop-like combat boots from shoe carnival, lace up, black, inside zipper, gortex, anti slip lugged sole, look like shoes if the pants leg comes down far enough, Magnums, I think they were called.... really liked the lugged sole until the hound dog left me a present in the back yard.....Almost too warm this spring with wool socks...

Black Sidi Goretex boots or, since I was in America, my Durango cowboy boots (dry weather only!)

After reading everyone's comments, it's clear that everyone's style and needs are different. Personally, I went for performance first. By this I mean... I needed a boot that would allow me to go over and under the shifter without ANY extra bulk, which would impede my ability to change gears. So... I needed a boot with a sole that was not lugged (like hiking boots and work boots are). Also, I needed a sole that gripped the ground in ANY type of road condition.... because I'll admit it... there have been a couple of times when I put my foot down at a stop light/stop sign, or worse yet... a gas station (where the pavement is smooth and often oily) and my foot slipped and almost dropped my baby.

Since I'm a novice rider, I've had the trial and error process of going to the local motorcycle shop and asking what they suggest. This ended up with me returning a pair of boots! Specifically, I purchased First Gear Kilamanjaros (sp?). I found them too stiff and more suited to street bikes--they wouldn't allow for me to bend my foot forward to get it under the shifter. My next experience was Redwing Shoes. Like I said earlier... everyone has their specific styles and needs; however, personally, I found Redwings to be too cumbersome (i.e., not being able to get my foot over and under the shifter. I'm not criticizing Redwings--they make TOP NOTCH work boots. So... those of you who have them and enjoy them... right on!

One day I came across Cruiserworks boots--a bit pricey (in the $200 range), but they were exactly what I was looking for. I bought the side zip (the regular height, not the short height) because pulling on boots is cumbersome for me. I like it because I can simply slip my foot into the boot, while grapping ahold of the boot strap for leverage, and then ZIP!... I'm ready to rock! They are comfortable to walk in, they keep my feet warm and dry, and they grip like the pavement and the boot are one. I like them because they are flexible, yet sturdy. Quite simply, they feel like a part of my body. The most important feature of my boots is the flexibility, the thin sole, and the grip on the pavement.

Cruiserworks side zip boots are hands down THE best motorcycle boot that I have tried on. I'm the type of guy that would rather purchase equipment of the highest efficency, rather than buy something that would compromise my safety. Plus, they look presentable in case you want to go to dinner after a long ride--you want to put on a nice shirt, good jeans, and look good. Don't get me wrong, they aren't a fashion statement (i.e., you cannot wear them with dress pants and pull that look off!). They are comfortable to walk in, which is in direct contrast to the ski boot feeling of some of the other boots out there.

But again... Performance was key for me--thin sole (so I could shift without getting my foot stuck), flexible for walking, AND they are VERY sturdy. I have NO DOUBT that my feet are protected (as protected as they can be) in the event that I take a spill.

If you are contemplating purchasing Cruiserworks boots, feel free to drop me a line and I'll answer any questions that you may have.

Be well and ride safe...
Jason