What Riding Boots do you use?

[nvmike24]

I have decided to go to Track Day here in Las Vegas. I need to get all the gear and do not know much about the Boots. It will be my first time on a track. So, what boots do you use and why do you like/dislike them. All advice greatly appreciated.

[FJ111200]

I use these motocross boots. Made by Sidi, very strong, come up to the knee for extra protection. The only downside is that they are not waterproof.

[terryk]

Sidi made for large human beings.

The Sidi Way Mega Rain Boots. At the time they were the only wide boot they made.

Sidi

[mst3kguy]

get a boot that provides a lot of ankle bone protection, as well as one that provides a lot of support for the ankle joint.  ankle injuries are one of the most common in motorcycling accidents.

[ribbert]

I couldn't agree more about ankle protection, but on a road bike you do need some movement in the ankle for gear changing and braking. I can't ride a road bike in dirt bike boots, too heavy, too stiff, which affects control and is why you rarely see them on road bikes.  Also consider that a day out riding might involve some walking.  Try doing hundreds, if not thousands of gear changes in a day in stiff boots!  There is a style of boot generally considered to be a "raod/touring" boot that everyone makes. Your local bike shop will no doubt point you in the right direction. You need to compromise between absolute protection and useability.
Noel


"

[FJ111200]

Also consider that a day out riding might involve some walking.  Try doing hundreds, if not thousands of gear changes in a day in stiff boots!  

I spent the best part of 13 years as a London despatch rider and never had a problem. So yeah, hundreds if not thousands of gear changes in a day made no difference, plus the odd little jaunt where bikes can't go in pedestrian areas, and up flights of stairs when the escalator was slow/out of action/full.
It became quite the fashion in London to use motocross boots, so much so to the point that Sidi actually caught on to the fact and made a boot called the Courier based on the style. And yes i used an FJ1200 then an 1100 at one point.
Anyway, horses for courses as they say.

[mst3kguy]

the next day and days, i wondered why my ankle was sore (but no injury/treatment needed)...  ( :

[nvmike24]

Wow, 3Kguy, did that power slide end with both wheels on the ground?

[the fan]

For the street I prefer a minimalist street boot similar to the TCX SS sport. Good support, light and comfortable. They provide good support and protection without being too bulky or awkward when off the bike. For track riding you really need to be able to move around on the bike and I feel a MX boot is too restrictive. Fine for the street but a bit much for the track.



The track is a little different. I prefer to wear a more substantial boot in an environment where I will be pushing hard and riding at my limits. Support and crash protection outweigh fashion and comfort and up until recently I have worn a Gaerne full race boot which had excellent ankle and impact protection. They finally wore enough that I decided to replace them and after shopping around I went with a pair of Alpinestar Supertech R boots. These things offer great protection and feel more like a favorite pair of sneakers than a serious race boot (At that price they better...)



I purchased mine from STG who sponsors our AMA supersport team and they seem to have very good pricing. As an added bonus Brians video reviews are very helpful when looking at new gear and they have a great return policy.

Fit wise I have a very wide foot. I tried sidi boots and they were way too narrow, Gaerne fit a bit snug (similar to normal shoe width) and the TCX felt very good. The Alpinestars simply felt better. Plus our rider has been wearing them for 3 years now and they crash very well....

The fit of the A star SMX boot was also very nice and they offered good protection but The Supertechs really are that good and I got a killer price...

[moparman70]

I have a pair of these .. very comfortable for street and tours.  Again ... Cycle Gear .. they are putting out some very good stuff for the price.  I think for the track I would get something with more protection because you are not walking around as much... agree with the last post.  These look very similar to the minimalist version in one of the posts but you can get these on sale for 80 bones -- regular price is 150 but it you can wait they go on sale a lot.  The only thing I didnt like was the insoles -- but that was easy to change.

http://www.cyclegear.com/eng/product/trackstar_leather_motorcycle_boots/web1001106

Stevecc

[WhiteBeard]

I wear these when touring:



They are super comfy and fit my 12EE feet perfectly.

Only thing I don't like about them is the "space invader" look...

Thinking of getting the Aerostitch Combat Boots next time. But the price tag... ouch.

Beam me up, Scotty!

[RichBaker]

I use these motocross boots. Made by Sidi, very strong, come up to the knee for extra protection. The only downside is that they are not waterproof.

I want to see a pic of THOSE on your feet.......   

I recently got a pair of Cycle Gears "Bilt"  Hurricane street boots. They're comfortable and appear pretty well made, and they were on sale for $60US,  IIRC.

[FJ111200]

  WTF?  How did that happen?   
Anyway, i said they are not waterproof.

[andyb]

They look awfully coiled. 

[moparman70]

I have a pair of the BiLT models as well -- very good boot for the money -- if interested wait for the sale --they always go on sale ( I actually think they are now for the month of May) --they go on sale all the time for roughly half of the list price.

I found the inner sole to be the only drawback ...not much for comfort --- easily fixed I just bought one those inner comfy soles you can buy and the drug store etc... turned it into a very comfortable boot.