Need advise on what waterproof boot/shoe

[Perazzimx14]

I'm tired of getting wet feet wearing my Redwings and am now looking for a decent waterproof riding shoe/boot. Looking to spend $300 or less and would like the following features:

-Waterproof or extremely water resistant even after several hours of riding in the rain a few damp spots on my socks are acceptable.
-Leather or breathable (no knee high rubber sheep lovin boots)
-Reasonable comfortable for walking around sight seeing
-Have a reasonable level of protection at least like my Redwing 953
-non-insulated
-Reasonable to break-in
-Laces or buckles nothing slip on

Leaning towards the Gearne "oiled balance" leather boots but not sure I want something that bulky. What say ye? What works for you?


 

[fotoguzzi]

Combat Boots, get the lug sole.. if ride is all day rain I put some rubbers over them but if I just get caught in a shower my feet never get wet..

[rboe]

They may be over your price point but Sidi Adventures have kept me dry. Just got some Sidi Canyons (more comfortable to walk in) and they got kinda tested on the way to the rally - dry.

[PeteS]

Lots of good waterproof boots out there now. I picked up a pair of TCX Air Techs last year. Longest heavy rain I rode in was about an hour and half. Kept my feet totally dry. Plus they breath and actually let air in. Didn't require any breaking in, comfortable from the git go.

Pete

[Perazzimx14]

Combat Boots, get the lug sole.. if ride is all day rain I put some rubbers over them but if I just get caught in a shower my feet never get wet..

No interest in carrying shoe condoms and after years of working construction in the mud and muck have cured me from deep lugged vibram pattern soles. To hard to clean out. For the last 20+ years I have bought smooth bottomed Redwing 953's and don't worry about tracking debris with me everywhere I go. 

[rboe]

I was all set to but Forma (highly recommended here and on the net for walking in, as well as being a good biking boot) but decided in the end I wanted the protection Sidi offers (comfortable walking, as far as I can tell, means compromises are made in the protection department). But for you, it tics a lot of your boxes and comes highly rated.

Side bar: I bought from Revzilla; with them you get free shipping and one free shipping back if the size turns out to be wrong for you.

[radguzzi]

The Sidi Tour / Gore-Tex have been very good for me.   A riding buddy here swears by his Sidi Adventures...

They have a good bladder that really works.

Best,
Rob

[ratguzzi]

In my close to a million miles on motorcycles, from low end to high end, I never had "breathable" and "waterproof" work in the same piece of clothing but maybe because I don't pull over, I go through the storm head on but every single piece of waterproof/breathable clothing/boots I ever bought left me wet. Some through leaking down my neck but most from the toes/fingers inward.
Better to look for clothing/boots warm when wet!
JB

[ITSec]

I've got a lot of miles on my Sidi boots, and they have always kept me dry. As for comfort while not riding, these are comfortable (for me) even while providing good protection. GoreTex is still the class of the field for waterproof breatheability, but Hipora isn't bad and I would buy a boot with either one. I have some Hipora lines gloves that have stayed completely dry and were well-enough ventilated to not get uncomfortable.

A little less expensive alternatives are boots from Alpinestar and Dainese, who produce some good stuff about $50-100 less than the similar designs from Sidi.

[BoatDoc]

I feel your pain! Having said that, and having owned a pair of the Gaerne Balance Oiled boots for eight years and a motorcycle trip around the world with them, I don't think they are what you are looking for. They are tremendously comfortable riding and walking but started leaking within two years and now are completely impossible to keep dry. I have heard the same from many folks.

 I liked them so much however that I bought the new Gaerne All Terrain, which rumor has it, are guaranteed waterproof for life by Goretex. I found the best price at Atomic Moto in Oregon. They are slightly snugger than the Balance Oiled but seem just as comfortable. I stood for 15 minutes in a galvanized wash bucket with water up to an inch below the top and had no leaks. I've only put a few hundred miles on them since then, and only one T-storm, but so far, so good.

[rodekyll]

I rode for years in various offerings from Hi-Tec's "magnum" line.  They're worn by the USCG guys up here as duty boots.  I used them for hnting, hiking, biking, and sauntering about the shoreline.  They're reasonably waterproof, breathe, etc -- and are on sale now at your . . .blah, blah blah, no affiliation

https://us.magnumboots.com/

[O]

No need to leave the comfort of Red Wing.  Check out the 4435.  Great protection (better than the 953), waterproof, and good for all day walking.  I don't usually ride in the rain, but got caught in a torrential downpour last summer and my only dry parts when I got home were my feet.

http://www.redwingshoes.com/red-wing-shoe/4435-red-wing-shoes/4435-red-wing-mens-8-inch-boot-brown

[canuck750]

I bought a pair of water proof boots from Cycle Gear in Phoenix last year, they have been great.

https://www.cyclegear.com/gear/bilt-hurricane-waterproof-boots

[swooshdave]

I use my Gaerne Balance boots (not the oiled ones) and waterproof them about once a year. I think I use Nikwax.

Trials boots offer great protection and are pretty flexible. Under jeans they look normal. You can walk all day in them. Or at least all the sections at the trials...

[Zoom Zoom]

Sidi!

Many, many miles in pouring rain. Some all day. Not ever have I had wet feet since I began wearing Sidi boots.

John Henry

[rocker59]

Sidi.

I use the "On Road" model.

Above the top of your budget, but worth it.

[wahoo650]

Picked up a pair of these Bates Adrenaline two weeks ago.  Incredibly comfortable.  Combination of a Bates tactical boot with motorcycle specific protection added.

http://www.batesfootwear.com/US/en/adrenaline/20367M.html?dwvar_20367M_color=E08800#cgid=powersports&start=1

[leafman60]

Sidi On Road (even though they've gone textile lately)

Regular non-motorcycle, construction-type boots do not have the height for my desires.

[Zoom Zoom]

Just to elaborate a bit, I wore the soles smooth on my Sidi On Road boots. Although I could have them repaired, I decided to investigate their current offerings. I replaced the old ones with these: http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/sidi-tour-gore-tex-boots

They are leather and have the zip and velcro closure in the inside if the leg making them easier to deal with. My old boots are over 10 years old and still keep my feet dry, there is simply no tread left. The new ones did not disappoint either. $325.00 for boots that WILL keep your feet dry for 10+ years turns into a good value when you think about it in those terms. That is less than 35 bucks a year for dry feet!

This subject comes up a few times a year. Since wearing Sidi Boots, I have NEVER had wet feet under any circumstances.

John Henry

[Nick]

SIDI Black Rain Boots
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/sidi-black-rain-boots

Reasonably priced and, so far, waterproof.

[Solojoe]

I have a pair of Forma Horizons that leak so badly that I won't wear them on a road trip. Had a pair of BMW boots that never leaked even-though the soles were worn beyond smooth. The Horizon's are the most expensive footwear I have ever invested in - huge disappointment.

[rocker59]

Just to elaborate a bit, I wore the soles smooth on my Sidi On Road boots. Although I could have them repaired, I decided to investigate their current offerings. I replaced the old ones with these: http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/sidi-tour-gore-tex-boots

They are leather and have the zip and velcro closure in the inside if the leg making them easier to deal with. My old boots are over 10 years old and still keep my feet dry, there is simply no tread left. The new ones did not disappoint either. $325.00 for boots that WILL keep your feet dry for 10+ years turns into a good value when you think about it in those terms. That is less than 35 bucks a year for dry feet!

This subject comes up a few times a year. Since wearing Sidi Boots, I have NEVER had wet feet under any circumstances.

John Henry

I got my Sidi On Road Sympatex boots in 2003 or 2004.  Can't remember.  They've seen a lot of miles, and the soles are worn out.  The leather is still good and they are still water proof.  I've ridden lots of rain with them, and even waded a few low water bridges.  Real good boots.  They were a huge investment for me, at the time, but they have proved their worth over the past dozen years.

[KBuck]

A lot of good options today. I did my research about 5 years ago after seeing these at various motorcycle events over the course of several years. I also had a few discussions with current owners, and then decided to purchase a pair of Cruiserworks boots. They offer a few different styles. MSRP:$325.00. No regrets. They still look great, and my feet have remained dry through the worst of conditions. I would certainly buy them again, but to tell you the truth, I see no need too, I believe these will last several more years. Of note, they had a problem with their heels for a few years, but replaced them free, and they eliminated the problem. 

[Red Dog]

Been wearing them almost every day for over a year.  Easy on, easy off, lite & comfortable. True weatherproof my feet have never got wet.

Under $100.00 http://www.leatherup.com/p/Xelement-Boots/Xelement-Mens-Black-X19409-Performance-Boot/321377.html

[Nic in Western NYS]

BMW Motorad boots have worked well for me.

[arveno]

whatever shoes or boots that is made with gore tex.


I got a pair of dainese tempest for a great price , not goretex , still good water proof.