Knockin boots

[Drey]

Hey guys

Looking to get a pair of decent boots... just thought i'd ask an opinion.

Do u guys reckon its worth buying full racing boots when I have no intention of doing more than just daily sensible commuting?

Specifically was looking at the Puma 1000 Roadracing



or the Puma Desmo



Would it be overkill and would I look like an ass wearing them on a 250?
Its purely a safety issue for me.

Would it be better to go for something shorter and simpler like the Flat 2?



And yes they're expensive but I guess better than a life-time of buggered ankles.

Opinions? thanks

[Commander Keen]

Some middle range dririder boots will do just fine, even if you want to do a level one trackdayz or champions.

Of course they dont look as sexy do they?

[Ice]

I reckon go for it. Plenty of us wear race boots on a daily basis. Go for something that's all black like the 2nd one and noone will even really notice them.

[Stoneville]

As long as you think you can walk aroound in them all day if needed, the second pair looks more descreet, you need to go try lots on and walk around the shop in them.

Tip though, just like shoes they don't all fit the same, you need to try different types till you find a pair that fits properly

[filbert]

I probably shouldn't even comment since i wear lace up steel cap workboots and hi-viz uniform for my daily commute lol. But can you be "too safe" if you're buying good gear to protect yourself then you might as well have the best you can afford, they will last for years anyway so if your goal is more spirited riding, then go for it, you won't look any more of an ass than wearing a $1200 helmet and $800 leather jacket on a 250, and i don't think anyone would look twice at the jacket and helmet, why would they worry about your boots.
Definitely shop around and find what fits right though.

[Arwon]

I have race boots and road shorties. RJays have a nice range. My road boots are Falco from Dale Brittons, they are good.

[TheMenace]

Ive got a pair of these for my daily commute to and from work. Its safe and comfortable to walk around in all day long.

Joe Rocket Big Bang boots.

Plus I cant seem to fit into Race boots properly, the zippers tend to stop at my ankles, unless i buy the race boots 2 sizes bigger than my usual sizes.

[Gambino]

I use the boots Auspost provides, I had to nag and whinge and bitch to get me a set of the race boots from work, but was worth it, specially when u run over a snake, gives you protection all the way to the knee. Im tempted to buy some boots, if only for the looks, but would rather keep the cash and keep getting the Rossi boots for free

[Renden]

I have a pair of Alpinestars One O One in black; you can get them in white (they look like basketball shoes!), expensive (200 bucks!) true but well worth it. The top ends about 3 inches above the ankle. Very comfy and easy to wear as normal street wear when off the bike. But hey, it all boils down to what u find comfortable (and fashionable!) yourself.

[Ryven]

I'm the same as filbert. Lace up steel caps and a jacket on those times when I need the pockets/gloves. If you want more protection and can afford the smexy stuff, go for it. If you do end up in an accident, you won't likely regret the extra money spent.

[jules_1972]

Alpine Star boots for me on the road.
Oxtar boots for track.

Colorado boots used when on XR600....

Puma Desmo look pretty comfortable!!!
Whats the price on them?

[Ice]

...expensive (200 bucks!) true but well worth it...

$200 is expensive?

The end of my foot was crushed in a steel cap boot in an accident. I started wearing the race boots everyday shortly thereafter.

[Drey]

Thanks for the opinions guys

The Desmos are US$250 from superbiketoystore.com plus an additional US$60 for postage. Reviews say they're comfy as all hell and pretty decent.

The top ones (1000 Roadracing) are US$300, plus postage, reviews say really tech-y ankle protection.

I'm gunna get a jacket as well from the site (saving me $200+ compared to getting it in perth) which cuts down on postage, but they don't have my size in the desmos. So just waiting at the mo'.

Pricey yes.

[Ryven]

$200 is expensive?

The end of my foot was crushed in a steel cap boot in an accident. I started wearing the race boots everyday shortly thereafter.

Could we have a little more detail about what happened with that? Collapsed cap, etc? Where the force was applied? It's something I've heard about before, but it always happened to "someone some guy knew".

[Batten]

I have sidi Vertigo, i use them for country runs and stuff like that,

But im paranoid about snapping my ankle

[Darkbyte]

I reckon go for it. Plenty of us wear race boots on a daily basis. Go for something that's all black like the 2nd one and noone will even really notice them.

^ WSS

<3 Tex for hassling me about rjay's speed boots (ankle boots) all those years ago when I rocked up to scarbs on my shiney red gpx.

Replaced the speed boots with some black Sidi vertebra 2s (2003) and they did save some skin, the last time my rear end overtook my front end whilst travelling at slow suburban speeds.

People generally dont notice my boots, unless I threaten to kick them in the shins. Comfy as to walk around in all day....

though, they smell horrible these days and need a new sole...

[Ice]

Could we have a little more detail about what happened with that? Collapsed cap, etc? Where the force was applied? It's something I've heard about before, but it always happened to "someone some guy knew".

In my case the force was to the front of the boot (like a kicking motion) towards the top of the cap. In a bike boot there's some give and a more snug fit; it would have absorbed the impact as I rolled. In the case of the steel cap, the boot hit the road and because the cap (by its design) is meant to be away from your toes and allows movement within the boot, my foot was forced forward in the boot (basically inertia) and when the cap didn't give my foot did. It wasn't a case of the cap folding back or getting crushed as always seems to happen to "a mate of a mate", but rather the lack of shock absorption and the boot allowing too much movement of the foot within. (Yes the boot was the correct size for me, it's the way a steel cap is supposed to work. They're primarily designed for impact from above in drops etc and not any other directional impact.) The best description I can give is my foot impacting with the inside of the cap, rather than the cap being folded back.

[Ryven]

I follow you. That's an interesting factor to take into consideration in any steel caps vs riding boots argument, and one that I've never heard mentioned before now.

[BB6]

Would it be overkill and would I look like an ass wearing them on a 250?
Its purely a safety issue for me.

If a guy on a cbr250 and a hayabusa are both in the same crash at the same speed, I don't see how their injuries would be any different. I don't agree with the "big bike needs better gear" thing, I went all out for my safety for the 250 as well.

I went with some boots i bought from overseas as well and they are actually the comfiest thing I have ever worn, just heavy.

Those boots look pretty sweet too, good choice.

[Gambino]

crashing at 80-100km/h hurts the same no matter what your on