What is your favorite motorcycling footwear?

[SIR REAL ED]

For my needs, it must be comfortable for walking.  Some level of protection is also good.

Not really looking for cold weather application.

Appearance is not a significant factor.

Thanks in advance.

[Clifton]

My needs are the same. I've been wearing tactical boots like many police use. Comfortable for walking, light, breathable, side zipper for easy on/off. They are available with breathable waterproof membrane which still breathes but I find the ones w/o it to be cooler in hot temps.

https://www.amazon.com/NORTIV-Military-Tactical-Leather-Motorcycle/dp/B07V69N4XR/ref=sr_1_6?c=ts&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.dCyrFlDamR9K48sL9TjCr80w2B7aZCAT9uvpcU4gT1uQFvGM-EBf8_oAmp6ZuLLqGGJaYmq-r9Oxhalk75xvmMfsJqFHCsyaPmpcYM6NOTSvREIlwWHOd103CYWrZ6vXdRL1HYs9-RO_BDw3u8Sbre0H1lpbl22IgptszJxWgLhY0eaGk5_3MkDUCmxSPWLxjQea2y-4mTWZNInUYQB8gEeFrvw3ucD4vtDTf7eljassMzAXWENk-3SvDdOgKKQTFC7i7fk7jdOtcNK9HW-d3gBUiwcBD2g6mwUYLt8NC1o.-r3oRbq7NakXttj6NxP8Xv8Od-CaNFgohDAbD9mxvO4&dib_tag=se&keywords=Men%27s%2BMilitary%2B%26%2BTactical%2BBoots&qid=1764383034&s=apparel&sr=1-6&ts_id=6796862011&th=1&psc=1

[nwguy]

It is generally considered unwise to wear laced footwear riding motorcycles. This becomes immediately apparent if you ever get a loose lace tangled around a shift/brake lever, kickstand, etc. However you may always tie your laces securely.

[bronzestar1]

For me, I usually wear something that is at least high enough to cover the ankles.  Most of my riding footwear has laces, you can easily tuck the excess laces inside the footwear, or wrap them around to shorten the loops.  My favorite pair of riding footwear is a well-broken in pair of leather Doc Martins, with the second favorite being another set of Docs, but these are the "lighter" model.  I also have two pairs of canvas Doc Martin "high tops", with one pair that is insulated.  Both of these canvas pairs have the heavy lug sole, so they're comfortable to walk around in as well.  I've found that getting a size that's a half-size larger in the Docs fits me best.  Word of advice though, the leather for the original tall Docs is VERY stiff, and requires a lot of breaking in to be comfortable to wear and walk around in.  The canvas ones are good to go right out of the box.  Check your local FB Marketplace, that's where I found all four pairs of mine.   



     

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Alpinestars Air Plus V2 Gore-Tex XCR.

[jrt]

Redwing Pecos boots.  Very comfortable boots- I can almost wear them all day.  Ankle protection is limited to abrasion only- they are not stiff. 

[Dr. Enzo Toma]

I have Alpinestars Web Gore-Tex Boots and my only perceived grievance with them is that they don't have lateral ankle protection, only medial. They replaced Tour Master Solution 3.0 WP boots that I had crashed in at highway speed and did well except one ankle was sprained, which likely could have been prevented with better protection. I looked for a similar style of boot with better protection, and the Alpinestars was the best I could find without departing from a casual boot I could wear all day and ending up with a track boot. This year I put somewhere around 15k miles on the Alpinestars Web Gore-Tex boots, a lot of walking around at events, and a few short hikes though they're not ideal for that.

[Bill W]

I am also a AlpineStar fan.  I bought the Gunner model through Revzilla. Their review of these were dead on with what to expect and what size to order. Now this is my first and only riding boots that I bought about 7yrs ago so I can't compare them to anything else. I'm in Georgia and have not had any issues with them being to hot. I have spent several days wearing these boots at Daytona Bike week without issue.

[twowheeladdict]

My go to dry weather boots are the ICON Elsinore 1000 boots. 

My current gore-tex boots are adventure boots by BMW. 

I choose protection over walking around.

[JJ]

I have flogged a pair of Chippewa Odessa motorcycle boots for many, many, years now...

[Ncdan]

Blackhawk ruff outs, no insulation needed with wool socks.
If good enough for combat environment it’s good enough for riding motorcycles.

[Stretch]

Yep - gotta be able to walk in 'em.

I've got a pair of Chippewa work boots that I love.
On their 2nd set of soles. A pair of DMs as well - they
have a velcro strap to go over the laces. They're also on
their 2nd set of soles. A couple of pairs of Fryes, too.
They've been resoled as well, and have had more than
a few sets of replacement heels, too. 8" or 10" is good.

I'd like a pair of these, but I've got to save my pennies:
https://whitesboots.com/products/cykel-10

                                                   -Stretch

[Perazzimx14]

After multiple attempts at motorcycle specific footwear I have settled on just using my trusty Redwing 953's. All day comfort (walking, riding, standing), made in the USA, great quality and reasonably priced. I also like the 953's as the soles are smooth and do not collect mud and debris like cleated soles. Scrape, scrape and the soles are clean as a whistle.

Someone also mentioned Redwing Peco's, I also have a pair of Redwing 1155's that I also like. Easy on/off (gotta wear compressions socks or they ball up at the toe). These boots are also comfortable but I cannot walk around in them as log as the 953 as the heel has some slip. Still another great shoe from Redwing. 

I have also given up on "waterproof" boots and now just carry a small boot dryer with me when I travel. No more putting on wet "waterproof" shoes/boots in the morning!

[jcctx]

Red Wing Ranch Wellingtons; treat for water intrusion.

[jbhotchkiss]

Vendramini if I'm on the Indian, Gaerne if I'm on the Guzzi.

[theoneandonlymin]

Altberg boots.
Fantastic

[johnwesley]

They don’t make them anymore but I like my aerostich combat boots.
Also a pair of trial boot are good for walking and protection.
Gaerne trials boot or the Sidi Trial Zero. They have slim toes that is nice for shifting and they are flexible.

[Moparnut72]

I wear Danners' Super Rain Forest. Very thick soles so kind of like wearing ski boots.
kk

[faffi]

Back in the 90s, I had a pair of Italian made high shaft motorcycle boots (Sidi?) that were very comfortable. Then I had a low speed spill where my left foot ended up trapped under the bike, and broke my ankle, big toe and a cunei bone because the boots offered little more protection than a pair of slippers. Now I wear a pair of Alpinestar touring motorcycle boots that are noticeably sturdier than the old Italian pair, but not really strong enough for proper protection in a crash. They are comfy enough to walk long distances in, but being high shaft and insulated and water"proof", they are not something I would wear in the office all day.

Regardless, you must ALWAYS weigh up safety, comfort and versatility when buying M/C boots. You cannot have all three, and realistically you can only have one of those three at a top level, the other two will suffer to a smaller and larger degree. Basically, what is most important to you? Once you have established that, you can search for user experiences online to narrow the selection before going to a shop and try out the ones that seem the most promising. Because feet, like heads and hands, come on all kinds of shapes and sizes, meaning there simply is no one size/shape/model fits all.

[MikeP996]

Totally agree with Post #18.  To me comfort for walking is the most important.  On our last ride we walked 5 miles to/from the motorcycle and that sort of "riding" is common for us. 

[guzziart]

No favorite boot here.  Up until 15 years ago I rode in work boots but got tired of installing & replacing waterproof gaiters, etc to keep my feet dry in adverse weather so I finally caved and got a full blown riding boot.  My first pair of actual riding boots were Gaerna, I managed to wear them out in 5 years....soles & uppers began to take on water.  The pair I have now are Sidi's, they're almost 9 years old and showing their age. When they begin to take on water, they're done.  I'm not looking forward to replacing them because of cost and fit and Sidi doesn't offer this model anymore.  One thing that does bother me about the Sidi's I have is that when I bought them i didn't think the "straight"  heel design would be a problem but, for me, walking in them is a little awkward compared to what I've become used to in my other foot/shoe apparel.  So, my next pair of riding boots I'll be sure to choose something with a slight pitch at the heel in case I run out of gas (again) and have to walk.

Anyway, I'm interested in what's being discussed in this thread for future reference when I need to replace my current boots.
Art

[LowRyter]

It surprises me how quickly motorcycle boots and gloves wear out.  Particularly the gloves. 

[Vecchio Lupo]

GASOLINA custom made boots for less than off the rack

https://gasolinaboots.com

Ive got two pairs, Ankle high perforated brown and black high boots with lug soles. High Quality, great price and easy to work with.

[SIR REAL ED]

Excellent informative replies!

Thanks!

[TN Mark]

I've been wearing Bates work boots for a few years now. They're designed for cops and such. They're Gore Tex lined so they're also waterproof. They're extremely comfortable on and off the bike. In fact, I need to replace them soon because the soles are wearing out.

But, I won't get another pair. The reason is they offer little protection in a motorcycle crash. Not for the ankle and not for the toes etc. Previously, I wore TCX motorcycle boots (Daytona GTX?) which is very likely what I'll go back to. The added motorcycle crash protection is something I no longer want to be without. 

Comfort off the bike is important and the TCX boots were in fact, quite comfortable.

[mechanicsavant]

Because of my shoe size 11-4E , what Veccio Lupe said Gasolina’s 4me!

[Bulldog9]

My Long time "Go To" has been First Gear, for jackets and boots. Great quality and long lasting.

Most recently, I bought a pair of Sidi Adventure 2 boots from another Forum member that I really like. They were too big for him, and I picked them up for a song. Have about 4K miles on them, and after initial stiffness have loosened up nicely, are waterproof so far, and very comfortable. I've never had such tall boots before, usually go mid/lower shin, but these are 3/4 up my shin.

For around town local riding, my 30 year old Carolina Jump boots are my favorite. They are on their third set of soles, absolutely NOT waterproof, but they fit like a glove and keep trucking on.

Last year, because all my stuff was packed from my final move, and scattered between 2 houses and a storage unit, I couldn't find any of my riding boots. I was about to do my fly and ride for the Norge, and looked on Amazon for a reasonable and cheap option. Picked up a pair of Tourmaster Men's Trailblazer Boot off amazon for $135. NOT super high quality of First Gear or Sidi, but overall was impressed. They are my backup touring boot now.

[snobear]

I currently use Sidi Adventure boots which give some ankle support and are good for a bit of short hiking.  They have better support than the Alpinestar WP Scouts they replaced.
I usually carry a pair of low hiking boots with me as you just can't get good ankle support and comfortable hikers in the same boot.  I have broken both ankles at different times so won't ride without a reasonable amount of ankle support. 

[faffi]

I suddenly recalled the brand of my comfy-as-slippers motorcycle boots from way back; not Sidi, but Diadora.

Here I am wearing them before the, uhm, mishap

[guzziart]

My Long time "Go To" has been First Gear, for jackets and boots. Great quality and long lasting.

I hear ya!  I'm still using my FG Kenya riding jacky from '01 and a more recent FG Kathmandu for cold weather riding.  I also have a FG Scout leather jacket I bought from a friend 20 years ago but couldn't tell ya the last time I wore it. FWIW.