Signal

[ConPilot1]

In the interest of balancing my own personal signal-to-noise ratio.  

On the subject of MC boots. I've now got three full riding seasons and about 30K miles on my 'Stich Combat Lites. (Sidi)

I wear them daily, in the office, on the road, rain, cold, heat, etc. etc. They are an extrordinarily tough and comfortable boot without getting into a
$500 pair of DS boots like the Sidi Discoveries or the B-2 road boots, which are a nice boot, but too Ricky Racer for daily wear.

I am totally convinced that I have the very best boot money can buy for $237. When I finally send these to boot heaven or turn them over to the cat for her scratching pleasure, I'm getting another pair.

The reason I'm posting is that I'm going to need soon some cobbler attention and get these resoled, as the original soles are getting a little thin. I'll get the rest of this year out of them and
probably into the spring, but their getting farmed out to the shoemaker over the winter.

I bought the originals with the yellowish flatter sole. They've been good, but this time I'm going with the chunkier Vibram lugged sole. Reason: the yellow-soles are quite flat and not a lot of tread.
I cant tell you how many times I've put a foot out, caught a PEA-sized chunk of gravel, and my foot slid like I stepped on a marble, and have almost dropped the bike.

I think that the deep-treaded Vibram type sole is going to be better with this issue as the gravel can find it's way up into the tread, and you've got solid foot contact on the ground.


That's it.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

I can second the love for the CBT(Lite) boots    I bought mine in '05 and have probably 100,000 on them. I've had to replace the laces once and the inner "liner" behind the lace area is getting a little ragged, but they're damn good boots.  Unfortunately, I bought mine a tad too big (and yes, I put sole inserts in there to take up some room), so I get heel blisters if I try to walk too much in them, but other than that, I have zero complaints. I, too, will be buying another pair when the time comes.

I take comfort in knowing that I can have them re-soled when the time comes (not all boots have this option) and that my cobbler glued on a shifter patch well before the area needed it, so the original leather underneath is still in good shape  

[coho]

Another +1 and a   for the Combat Lites.

And yes, the grey sole is considerably more tractiony than the tan.  They seem to last longer, too.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

I also have the grey and love it. The left boot is a little more worn, from where my foot spins on the balls of my feet when getting off/on the bike, but no where near "replacement level" yet  


Oh, and a more relevant thread title would be nice...  

[ConPilot1]

I forgot to mention also that I've got nasty, rotten sweaty feet that generates some sort of alien black slime between the toes. everyday.
I rank out your average pair of sneakers or synthetic material hikers to the point of unusability in about 2-3 months.

These boots don't stank, which is a very good thing. I think it's just the multiple layers of natural leather, and they breath to a certain extent.

[Justin]

I need to get my Oxtar Matrix GTX's resoled as well. I really like these boots, and the uppers are still in great shape, and they are still waterproof, so cheaper to get them resoled. Need to find the link for that place that does moto boots again - or find a local cobbler who can do them. Getting hard to find independent cobblers anymore though

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Need to find the link for that place that does moto boots again - or find a local cobbler who can do them. Getting hard to find independent cobblers anymore though

Dave Page in Seattle - crusty old fart, but he knows what he's doing  

[Justin]

Dave Page in Seattle - crusty old fart, but he knows what he's doing  

That's the one   - thank you very much! Looks like it will be about $100 when you add in shipping.

[MuddDawg]

I love my CBT lites.  Bought on recommendation of Mrs. DD and have not looked back.  I can wear them all day (even at the office) and have on many occasions without any trouble.  I have the Grey sole and have not had any issues with them at all. They are even less slippery on wet slate then my Docs.   I did finally break a lace, but replaced with some parachute (550 type) cord from REI and so far its working great.  I have ridden thru fish drowning rain storms and don't recall ever getting wet.

I did notice it was slightly cooler for longer rides in cooler weather (5+ hour sub 40 degrees F) than my Alpinestar Goretex engineer boots that these replaced.

My $.02

Thank you DD for all the info a few years ago.