Aerostich Combat Lite Boots

[andrewdonald1]

Gentlemen:  I want to get some new boots this year.
Some of my wants in them:
Something of value,
long lasting,
I don't want some piece of crap plastic boots.. I am tired of that..
post purchase support if I need it,
don't need fancy bells and whistle just for the glory of it,
Main mission for them is on the Stelvio so that's gravel roads to high way miles,
Water resistant to proof.. although I know that's a fine balancing act
May get a Yamaha TW200 to putt around the trails by my house at some point so something that is reasonably protecting
But most of all now.. I don't want some piece of crap boot that in 4 years from now I am replacing for some failure.. I am done with that.

That has lead me to the Aerostich Combat Lite Boots.

Looking for some feedback from folks who have experienced them for a while, and also the company support.

What do you think of them?  

Would you purchase them again?

How was your experience with Aerostich?

At some point I am thinking of replacing my jacket as well.
I am considering Aerostich for a lot of the same reasons above (these of course are my perceived reasons but I don't have experience).
So I am thinking I enter the Aerostich market with the boots first.. see if I like them and the company.  
If that is positive I may do a jacket (Darien) even though in my opinion behind the times in styling..
But ultimately in a jacket I am done with crap wearing out without having some factory support to keep the stuff going.
I don't want to do the disposable item thing anymore in my life if possible,  I want to tread lighter on the earth.

Experiences wanted...

Thanks!

Andrew

[Lannis]

I have a 10-year-old pair of Combat Touring boots.  (Not "Lites").

The boot itself is indestructible.  Even after all these years and miles, they're still a bit stiff, although well saturated with "Sno-Seal" over the years.    The big fuzzy laces stick to the Velcro and eventually come apart (I need to replace mine), and the buckles might fall off and get lost (when they're undone and in a closet or bag, I'm missing one now and need to order a new buckle).

But really a high-quality, waterproof, protective boot.

Lannis

[fotoguzzi]

I totally love my Combat lights! had for 7 years or more, crashed once in them, scuffed the toe is all.
I'm on my 2nd set of soles, got the gray (cleated) replacements and don't like as much as the yellowish style (wedge) which had a heel and was easier to walk around in. so I'm saying order the wedge sole, you can walk all day in them if need be. they stay pretty stiff, forever.
 
I prefer the Roadcrafter for jacket, great armor that works! pretty waterproof accept the crotch (depends on your bike/seating/wx protection) the company is in Duluth Mn and they sew the suits right there, it's impressive if you can ever get a tour. they stand behind everything.

[Bisbonian]

Immediately replaced the fuzzy laces which get stuck in the velcro with leather laces. Keep an extra pair of laces on long trips as they will stretch and break at inopportune moments.

Mine have loosened up some and are no longer quite as comfortable walking for long distances. It could be because I've lost some weight and my calves have shrunk.

I bought mine in 2009 and they are still together with no physical issues. If you have sharp footpeg points, they will probably dig into the sole and make a mess. This hasn't caused any problems for me as I don't look at the bottom all that often.

Pleased with my purchase, sometimes wish for something a little better in the heat but then I just get over it as I hate spending money more than I hate sweaty feet.

[ChuckH]

My Combat Lites with the wedge sole are on their fifth year now and still look and wear like new.  They are comfortable (after the initial break-in period) and can be worn for walking tours off the bike.  I would buy another pair in a heart beat.  I treat mine a couple of times during the riding season with mink oil.

As far as Aerostitch as a company, I'm a believer.  Started out 17 years ago now with a two-piece Roadcrafter and heated jacket.  Added a Darien jacket in '08 that I now use with the Roadcrafter pants most of the time.  Still use the RC jacket off and on.  Customer service is excellent.  Their employees, either on the phone or in the shop, are knowledgeable about the products and willing to help whenever possible.  My bike is programmed so that anytime I'm within 300 miles or so of Duluth, it heads there.

Ride safe.

[Cross-tie Walker]

No doubt these are good boots. I am totally sold on my Sidi boots however. They are taller up the calf and seem to me to be completely waterproof having gone through some pretty heavy rains in the past. This is my 2nd pair after the first over 15 years. yes they are expensive, but this is a textbook case of getting what you pay for.
Looks like a closeout sale here:

http://www.revzilla.com/product/sidi-on-road-gore-tex-boots

 

[Lannis]

No doubt these are good boots. I am totally sold on my Sidi boots however. They are taller up the calf and seem to me to be completely waterproof having gone through some pretty heavy rains in the past. This is my 2nd pair after the first over 15 years. yes they are expensive, but this is a textbook case of getting what you pay for.
Looks like a closeout sale here:

http://www.revzilla.com/product/sidi-on-road-gore-tex-boots

 

Maybe just a terminology thing but the Aerostich boots (Combat Touring and Combat Lite) ARE Sidi boots .....

Lannis

[Cross-tie Walker]

Maybe just a terminology thing but the Aerostich boots (Combat Touring and Combat Lite) ARE Sidi boots .....

Lannis

Wow...I did not realize that until looking at the Aerostich site. I seem to remember them carrying the more traditional combat boots (like you wore in the service) and calling them such. Personally, I don't think I'd want to do a heck of alot of walking in these Aeorstich "Combat Boots" where I remember military combat boot were comfortable walkers too.   Terminology ++ to you Lannis!

[G-zulu]

 Open house this weekend at Aerostich   ;-T

Almost 10 years on my CL Boots, good boots.  I only wish they had a little bit more crash protection/ankle support..

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

I've got a pair I bought second hand and tho they had a few years on them before I got them they are still great

Can be hot in the summer and they are a little stiff and storm trooper duck walk off the bike.. But overall, great boots!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Cam3512]

Bought my Combat Lites barely used from a member here that thought they were too stiff.  Replaced the laces with better, but am having a hell of a time breaking them in to where I can feel the shifter.  Any suggestions on extreme break-in methods to speed up the process?

Cam

[andrewdonald1]

Bought my Combat Lites barely used from a member here that thought they were too stiff.  Replaced the laces with better, but am having a hell of a time breaking them in to where I can feel the shifter.  Any suggestions on extreme break-in methods to speed up the process?

Cam

You could do like the germans did in the second world war apparently.
Get all your buddies together, pee in the boots and let them sit over night.
Flush them the next day with water and off you go.

If my memory is right, I read that a couple weeks ago.

I think I also read on aerostich's site, they have recommendations on how to break them in.
It's not peeing in them..

[ChuckH]

I think I also read on aerostich's site, they have recommendations on how to break them in....

Mine were almost new, and quite stiff, when I left on a trip to Western Montana.  It took a bit of time but by the time I returned home, they were well broken-in and very comfortable.  I did not soak them in water, or any other fluid, just got out and rode them.  They are great boots.

[Lannis]

Bought my Combat Lites barely used from a member here that thought they were too stiff.  Replaced the laces with better, but am having a hell of a time breaking them in to where I can feel the shifter.  Any suggestions on extreme break-in methods to speed up the process?

Cam

Well, depending on how tough your feet are, don't use your feet to do it.

Mine were slow breaking in, so I decided to wear them all day and walk in them everywhere to loosen them up and break them in.

Only things that "broke in" were my feet, they were sore for a week and no change in the boots .... !

Lannis

[OlderSlower]

I have had my Combat Lites for 3 years now and I like them.  They keep my feet dry and offer plenty of protection.  I am finally getting them to where they feel comfortable to walk in, but damn it has taken a long time.  I can't imagine what you have to do to wear a pair of these boots out!

[nikwax]

about three years on mine. They take some work to break in, very comfortable and sturdy, surprisingly easy to walk in.

[Andrew Culpepper]

Yes, I sold mine to Cam.  The ankles were very stiff.  The boots appear indestructible but I wasn't willing to suffer the discomfort while they broke in.

I have 3 pairs of boots but my favorite is the BMW Airflow 2.  If I were to buy another pair, it would be the unvented version of the Airflow, the BMW Allround.

Can't beat Aerostich for quality and support.

[dee g]

This will be year three for my CL's.  Took about a week of commuting and walking around work to break in.  I did have to adjust the shifter lever on my little Honda Rebel as the boot toe area was slightly taller than my old Sidi's.  i can wear them with or without socks. Keep my feet warm in cold weather.  I have worn them in downpours and my feet have stayed dry.  They are comfortable enough to spend 7 hours walking around the Arlington (WA) airport during the EAA fly-in.

The stock laces are a PITA, so I replaced them with some like sized, bright orange and reflective silver para cord (from Seattle Fabrics).  I probably should clean them and treat them to some leather conditioner or such, but I'm kinda lazy.   ::)

Best of all, there are no zippers on them.  I had hoped to wear my old Sidi's for one more year, but one of the zippers blew out on them in the middle of a four day trip. grrrr......

[Yeahoo Whoyah]

I have 3 pairs of boots but my favorite is the BMW Airflow 2.  If I were to buy another pair, it would be the u

I do a lot of warm weather riding so I must have airflow too. I've found that waterproof boots are way too hot for the riding I do.  We're in a drought here in California so getting wet while riding is a low probability event.
How are the Aerostich/Sidi boots in hot weather?

[fotoguzzi]

 
How are the Aerostich/Sidi boots in hot weather?

hot

why don't they design a vent that you could slide open to catch some air? just around the arch on the inside of foot would be swell, it could be a vent like helmets have and snap closed for wet weather.

[blackcat]

I have a pair of vented Sidi boots but when it is really hot outside I don't feel much of any difference between the vented and non vented Sidi boots.

[sturgeon]

I find that when it gets really hot, no amount of venting helps. In fact, I prefer to remain well covered to help with dehydration. That includes boots. For me, really hot is 30C and above. Of course, I'm a northerner who rides in -10C temps, so it's likely all relative  ;D

[kirb]

I'm sold on Sidi Canyon Gore boots. They have been water tight since new.
Combat lights were on my hit list up until I tried the canyons. The protection is mid-way between none and the plastic adventure stuff they sell. Enough, but not too much for daily use.

[samfrank]

Did the waterproof feature come stock out of the box or is some waterproofing recommended? Just got mine and seem comfy. Thought, at first, they were a bit big but realized I didn't have my bulkier riding sox on. Thanks for any waterproofing advice.
Sam

[Abbienormal]

I keep debating on the Combat Lites for fire roads.  Not quite ready to pull the trigger.
As for service at Aerostich I have only good things to say.  I have the Roadcrafter 2-piece bought new in 1998.  It has been sent back for torn liner and new padding a couple years ago.  A few years before I had sent it back to have an inch added to each side due to an equal amount of increase in my girth.  :food  I had sent them back probably 5 years before due to some velcro failure on the front pockets. Nothing major.  Mine had the earlier padding and it deteriorated to where it crumbled when I took it out to wash the suit.  I wash it once a year using NikWax cleaner followed with NikWax waterproofing.  This suit has never leaked at all, crotch included.  It is great that they can repair it.  Expensive up front price but after 17 years (a friends is over 20) the price per year is reasonable.  Even with the several hundred dollars of repairs and upgrades. One thing I found was it was much more comfortable after the first washing.