"Tactical" boots

[Mastros2]

Tuck in the laces inside the shoe.  It looks cleaner and is safer as well.  

I feel the same with laces hanging out and imo, looks sloppy in uniform.  Tuck in, feel safer and look good doing it!  

[jadziadax8]

I have some Tourmaster Solution boots.  They're great, though New Enough does mention they can be problematic for people with wide feet or high insteps.

[Sport]

I have some Tourmaster Solution boots.  They're great, though New Enough does mention they can be problematic for people with wide feet or high insteps.

That's what I wear and I had to go up a size just to get them on!  Very comfy on and off the bike and a real bargain for waterproof touring boots at around a hundred bucks.

[stefrrr]

I have some Tourmaster Solution boots.  They're great, though New Enough does mention they can be problematic for people with wide feet or high insteps.

I really like Tourmaster, but I tried them on at SheRides in Suches and it hurt.  

By the way, did you see that Cortech made an LRX Air jacket?     Now with mesh panels. I can't wait to get one!

[jadziadax8]

By the way, did you see that Cortech made an LRX Air jacket?     Now with mesh panels. I can't wait to get one!

I've seen them and liked them, and if I didn't have a jacket, I'd buy one for all-purpose wear.  What I currently need is a pure mesh jacket, with maybe just a waterproof liner for if I get caught in the rain.  My current regular LRX jacket works just fine for all weathers up to about 80 degrees F.

[bandit-o]

I ordered the Ridge boots by alpinestars today - they should be here on Thursday.  

I'll let you all know how they work out.

I've got the Ridge boots myself.  I've got wide feet and these fit perfectly for me (men's 11).  Don't expect to walk any kind of distance in them though.  They feel and even look like ski boots IMO.  I went to these from some basic Timberland boots and the difference is huge on the bike.  I had to adjust the height of my shifter and it took a few rides to get used to the boot.  There is a lack of feel and dexterity that I had on the Tim's.  But once I got used to them I can't imagine going to anything less.  They broke in fully after about two weeks.

[maddjack]

I  wear Bates  zip sides or Danners,been wearing those for many years,no issues great comfort and they hold up well.I feel as others have stated ,unless you get high end mc boots the run of the mill ones really aren't better than a good tactical boot.

[stefrrr]

New boots!

I wore my Ridge boots home, and it's really weird. I can't feel the ktnk of the shifter any more. I think that after getting a little used to them they'll be fine. I had no idea how nice the stiff sole would be. I can see that feature alone stretching out my mileage.  

I had some trouble getting them on, especially the left one (the most damage) but it's a lot better than any other zip boot I've tried.

The left foot is a little wide but hopefully after a little break-in I'll be able to strap them a little tighter.

[jschmidt]

Crap, a happy ending.  

 

[stefrrr]

Well, I adjusted the shift lever (ok, I didn't do it myself) and now it is perfect!

I had no idea that the stiff sole of the boot would be so great. My feet and ankles feel so much better. There's a little more vibration through the sole, but that's no big deal compared to how much easier and more comfortable it is to rest my feet on the pegs.

And because  



Kitty wanted to be in the picture, sorry.

[jadziadax8]

Kitty wanted to be in the picture, sorry.

She pretty.  I want a dilute calico!

Oh, yeah, and nice boots.  I'm glad to hear you found some comfy ones.

[stefrrr]

She's a great cat. We found her on a ride when I pulled into a park to clean the love bugs off my visor. She rode an hour home in my jacket. She was about 6 weeks old and 1 lb, 4 0z. That was a year ago. We've found out since then that Ray is allergic, but we're trying to find ways to deal with it.

Oh, and the boots are

[jschmidt]

She's a great cat. We found her on a ride when I pulled into a park to clean the love bugs off my visor. She rode an hour home in my jacket. She was about 6 weeks old and 1 lb, 4 0z. That was a year ago. We've found out since then that Ray is allergic, but we're trying to find ways to deal with it.

Oh, and the boots are

I liked you better when you didn't have boots.  

[Walker]

OK, here's my take on them... You won't be happy with them and its a waste of money.  After having spent over 8 years in the Army, 6 of those in the Rangers, I've gone through more boots than I can remember.  I have used nearly all of my different type of GI boots for motorcycle riding, as I used to ride my bike to report to post every morning... and for many years after I got out I continued to wear them rather than buy motorcycle specific boots.

I've used everthing from basic issue 'leg' boots, to my corcoran jump boots, to jungle boots, cold weather Danners, and yes, the 'tactical' Hi Tec Magnums.  

The Hi Tecs were made for SF units to have a tennis shoe like boot that could be used for running long distance and be really quiet when used in both forrest and urban environments.  The Army banned their use many years ago, as they didn't even offer minimal protection against foot injuries.  They are really only little better, maybe worse, than a pair of nylon topped hiking boots.  I still own a pair or two of them, and I wear them around to go hunting and fishing on occasion, or maybe to mow the yard or work in the garden.  I've found the Hi Tec brand to be far supperior to the other brands, and in fact on of my favorite pairs of winter hunting boots is made by Hi Tec.  (Brown leather, highly waterproof and warm with really tough stitching and lace eyelets.)  But, like previously said, with use they really only last for about a year.

The best GI issue boots I've worn for riding was hands down, my Corcoran jump boots.  They had great ankle, toe and heal protection, were very comfortable, fairly waterproof when properly polished, and gave great feel when riding... gear shifts and braking.  The dissadvantage was having to lace them up, and they weren't that great in the cold, even with thick boot socks on.  Also, if you are still in the service, using them for riding will really scuff the polish.

Danner cold weather boots (Fort Lewis model) are nice and waterproof and warm, but have lousy feel on the gear shift and can be cumbersome.  They make great hunting boots though.  

The coldest my feet have every been was after getting caught in a summer downpour between Seattle and Ft. Lewis while wearing jungle boots.  I'll never make that mistake again.  I'd rather my feet were too hot than too cold.

So about 5 years ago I bought a pair of Alpinstar GPS boots.  I love them.  I got them for $150 on sale.  Perfect feel for riding, shifting and braking, CE approved protection, waterproof, and as it turns out, the most important feature for me is EASY ON and OFF.  A single zipper up the instep and velco.  I wear them every day to ride to work, and change into my office shoes when I get there.  So I take them on and off twice every work day.  In five years, they are just now starting to wear significantly.  I had a shoe repair place put new velcro on, and they should be good for another year.  I've ridden with them in blazing heat, huge downpours, and cold weather, and have never been dissatisfied with them.  

But that being said, I am looking for a new pair soon, as I don't like to completly wear out a pair before I get a new pair fully broken in.  I'm thinking Oxtar Matrix 2 Gortex boots from New Enough for $189, and hopefully I'm good for another 5 years.  Compare spending $50 on a new pair of those Sears boots every year to paying $200 on a pair of boots you'll really be happy with for riding and will last you a minimum of 5 years.  That's $40 per year for you mathematically challenged folks

[stefrrr]

So far I'm loving my first real motor-sickle boots. The big things I'm noticing about them are:
1. The stiff sole makes it easier to rest my feet on the pegs
2. The anti-slip or whatever makes touching down at stops really easy. I only have to toe down.  
3. Shifting was weird at first, but with a shifter adjustment, fine.

I got some coolmax blend socks, and my feet have not overheated at all. I rode about 150 miles yesterday to the Leesburg Bikefest (another story) and had no issues with heat. I did go the cheap route - pack of 6 coolmax crews at sears for about $7 with my employee discount.  

I also bought some memory foam/gel insoles and now the left foot fits better. The right foot is a little squished. However vibration is now completely non-existent. Really nice. I just have to figure out how to liberate my right foot.  

[Beach Boy]

stefrrr,

I'm late on this and congratulations on your new boots.  I'm not sure if they would have had teh size that you need, but I had and recently sold a set of Motophoria Vortex boots.  These opened on boot sides of the shaft for ease of getting foot in and out.
You may wish to keep in mind or future purchase.

http://www.motophoria.com/Catalog/product.php?StyleCode=M13002&Category=Boots