Gaerne Balance Oiled Boots for touring?

[Cool Runnings]

Looks like I can get me a new pair for $270, would these be a great touring boot for the Norge?

[JeffOlson]

I'm probably in the minority. I wear waterproof hiking boots when I ride (Danner or Zamberlan). I wear them almost all the time, even off the bike. I simply like the comfort and function of hiking boots. I even wear them with suits and ties!

Can't help you with the Gaerne boots.

[bigtex]

Yes, they are outstanding for that.  I just did a 3500 mile trip to Seattle, rain included.  Comfort all the way and perfectly dry.  Highly recommended for tourism that includes walking.

[charlie b]

My boots are Danner too.  Worn daily when on the bike, at work, or touring.

[Green1000S]

Look at Forma Adventure boots too, very light and comfortable to wear all day. I used them in 98F weather through Texas last summer, no problems.
Waterproof and good boots to walk several miles if you have to. My favorite boots right now.  Similar price range of $279.

[PeteS]

I have two pairs of Gaernes. They are comfortable and were water proof for about 4 years then the membrane started to deteriorate. I still wear them around town but not for trips. I have two pairs of TCX boots now, adventure style and summer breathable. Both are waterproof and seem to be much better quality than Gaerne. Also got them at great prices at motorcycle gear.com

Pete

[Cool Runnings]

Yes, they are outstanding for that.  I just did a 3500 mile trip to Seattle, rain included.  Comfort all the way and perfectly dry.  Highly recommended for tourism that includes walking.

Walking in comfort is very important as I have chronic foot problems!

[Cool Runnings]

Ordered today, will follow up with my impressions... 

[BoatDoc]

I've had a pair of the Gaerne Balanced Oiled Boots since 2010 and have about 80K miles with them (I literally rode around the world with them). I also had the membranes fail (at about 20K miles). It seems like they fail where they fold. I cleaned the membrane and stuck some spinnaker repair tape available from boating supply stores across the tears and that seems to have solved the leaks. I wax them regularly to keep them waterproof and watch carefully to make sure the membrane is tucked when I cinch them up. They are the most comfortable dual sport plus walking boot I've tried. I walked about five miles with them once with no pain (carrying a gas can, but that is another story).

I had three pairs of motorcycle boots before these (BMW, Coretech, HD) that only lasted about 20K each. These have one really great feature, they use standard lug soles! I've replaced the soles four times now due to the grinding caused by standing on pivot pegs. With a molded sole you can't replace them. I did find that the sole was just a bit too flexible for standing on the pegs all day, and I mentioned that at the cobbler the last time I replaced them. He inserted an 1/8 inch thick piece of leather between the old (cut off) and new soles and now the stiffness is perfect; still comfortable for walking and good support for the pegs.

A funny story when I bought them. I ordered them direct from Italy as no one in the US had them at that point. The first box showed up with two left boots. I returned one, but the replacement was black, not brown. I returned that one and the replacement was not the matching size. Finally, after nearly four months of shipping back and forth I had a matching pair!

[Dean Rose]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Firstgear-Kathmandu-Waterproof-Motorcycle-Boots-Black-Mens-12-45-/381495464635?hash=item58d2e6d2bb:g:89wAAOSwo3pWdEvx&vxp=mtr

[Cool Runnings]

I've had a pair of the Gaerne Balanced Oiled Boots since 2010 and have about 80K miles with them (I literally rode around the world with them). I also had the membranes fail (at about 20K miles). It seems like they fail where they fold. I cleaned the membrane and stuck some spinnaker repair tape available from boating supply stores across the tears and that seems to have solved the leaks. I wax them regularly to keep them waterproof and watch carefully to make sure the membrane is tucked when I cinch them up. They are the most comfortable dual sport plus walking boot I've tried. I walked about five miles with them once with no pain (carrying a gas can, but that is another story).

I had three pairs of motorcycle boots before these (BMW, Coretech, HD) that only lasted about 20K each. These have one really great feature, they use standard lug soles! I've replaced the soles four times now due to the grinding caused by standing on pivot pegs. With a molded sole you can't replace them. I did find that the sole was just a bit too flexible for standing on the pegs all day, and I mentioned that at the cobbler the last time I replaced them. He inserted an 1/8 inch thick piece of leather between the old (cut off) and new soles and now the stiffness is perfect; still comfortable for walking and good support for the pegs.

A funny story when I bought them. I ordered them direct from Italy as no one in the US had them at that point. The first box showed up with two left boots. I returned one, but the replacement was black, not brown. I returned that one and the replacement was not the matching size. Finally, after nearly four months of shipping back and forth I had a matching pair!

Thanks for the tape tip. What's most important to me is a boot I can walk in without pain (bad feet). That's why I picked  Gaerne.

[donn]

What I'm curious about is why you guys went for "trial" boots, when they have "touring" and "adventure touring" models, also made in Italy the epicenter of great stuff?  I don't have the foggiest notion what kind of exercise a trial is, just a hunch that the boots are probably somewhat stiffer, though the "adventure touring" would probably be close.

[sturgeon]

I did find that the sole was just a bit too flexible for standing on the pegs all day, and I mentioned that at the cobbler the last time I replaced them. He inserted an 1/8 inch thick piece of leather between the old (cut off) and new soles and now the stiffness is perfect; still comfortable for walking and good support for the pegs.

Another option to add stiffness, one that is transferable, is a carbon fiber insole plate. I have a wicked bunion on one foot, and the nice lady that makes my orthotics recommended it to add stiffness to all my footwear. They come in different sizes, L or R, and different stiffnesses. I think mine were about $20 each. They'll last 12 lifetimes. I walk and backpack a lot, but it just so happens that they also work very well for standing on footpegs such as Pivot Pegz. I started using those pegs after rupturing an Achilles tendon a few years ago. The pivot action really helped to keep my ankle from seizing up after being in one position for a long time.

[BoatDoc]

What I'm curious about is why you guys went for "trial" boots, when they have "touring" and "adventure touring" models, also made in Italy the epicenter of great stuff?  I don't have the foggiest notion what kind of exercise a trial is, just a hunch that the boots are probably somewhat stiffer, though the "adventure touring" would probably be close.

Good question. When trials riding you spend a lot of time standing, leaning, pushing, etc. with your feet on the bike, plus some climbing to check the route while off the bike, so the boot needs to be more flexible than motocross boots. At the time I bought mine I had a choice of cruiser or motocross boots and a friend who did a lot of trials, motocross and dual sport riding, plus regular touring recommended them. A compromise for sure as someone noted that they are not as protective as motocross boots, but a lot nicer to walk in. I've tried a couple adventure boots recently and my hunch is that they were a bit stiffer than the trials boots, but that might just be the difference in break in.