--
Plus! Your feet will thank you when you find the best motorcycle
boot online deals. . .
HOP-Links
Sportbikes .::. Touring/Commuting
.::. Cruisers/Custom .::. Dirt
Bikes
When you're riding a motorcycle, your feet are in the danger
zone. They are closest to the road (or track), and closest
to the hot parts of the bike. When it's time to stop, your boots must
make good contact with the road or your bike will end up horizontal.
That
makes your boots one of the most important motorcycle accessories.
They can also be one of the most expensive. There are tradeoffs
when picking a motorcycle boot just like other motorcycle accessories,
so read on and you'll have the info you need to get the most for
your money.
I
know, you'd rather be riding than reading this article. That's why
I've organized the information based on different riding styles.
You can use the HOP-Links above to jump straight
to the section that is geared to the way YOU ride.
SportBikes
Ok,
let's get technical. A racer's feet are probably
busier than any other type of rider. They are:
- Braking
- Shifting
gears
- Shifting
weight
- Dragging
the pavement . . .constantly!
This
makes it very challenging for the boot manufacturers. Their task
is to create a motorcycle boot that is resistant to crush and impact
damage while giving you the maximum
flexibility and movement on the foot pegs.
Don't
forget ventilation and comfort while off the bike.
Any
motorcycle boot needs to be comfortable off the bike or you will
have a tendency to leave them behind for last year's sneakers. For
pure racing though, off bike comfort is less of a concern.
Examples:
The
Teknic
Speedstar is a good example of a highly technical racing
boot. The absence of leather in this boot is notable. It's got everything
from carbon fiber to kevlar. Get out your wallet though. They retail
at four bills.

Teknic
Speedstar Boot
For
a more basic sportbike boot, try on a pair of Joe
Rocket Sonic motorcycle boots at about $140. All the
features you need PLUS they are 100% waterproof!

Joe
Rocket Sonic Boot
Look
for boots that offer replaceable parts like toe sliders.
If you frequently touch down in the twisties, this tip may keep
you from buying a whole new pair of boots too soon.
Touring
and Commuting
Even
though you may spend a lot of time on your bike between stops, off-bike
comfort is a must when considering a motorcycle boot for
touring and/or commuting.
The
next must-have in my book is waterproof. You can
get around spending the extra bucks on a built in Gore-Tex membrane
by getting a pair of gaiters or a pair of Gore-Tex oversocks.
Examples:
I've
had a pair of Fieldsheer
boots for years that have served me well. The late model version
is the Fieldsheer
Ace Boot.

Fieldsheer Ace Boots
Don't
forget to check out the sole when choosing a touring boot. A heavy
touring bike makes getting a good grip on the pavement a must. Even
more so with a passenger.
Cruisers
and Customs
In
the past, you may have seen most cruisers wearing a pair of cowboy
or combat type or work boots. While not a terrible choice, there
are boots made just for cruisers these days.
Most
notable of the cruiser boots are the
(of course). These don't stray too far
from black, but sometimes you'll find a pair that will appeal to
your wilder side.

Harley Fireside Boot
Yeah,
sure you need to get a comfortable pair of boots for cruising with
a sole that grips the pavement well, but above all just make sure
your next pair of motorcycle boots match not just your *real* personality,
but the image you want to portray while you're riding.
Riding
a cruiser or custom bike is an escape. Step into a great pair of
motorcycle boots and you can step away from that 9 to 5 grind and
leave it in a cloud of dust.
Dirt
Bikes
Here's
another example of a highly technical motorcycle boot made for racing.
The
uppers are set at an angle for riding position, so you'll look a
bit funny walking around in them. Although these are available in
basic black, many colors are available to match your riding suit
and/or bike. Of course the whole outfit stays covered in mud most
of the time, so the color coordination won't last long! ;)
Examples:
The
O'Neal Element Boot is a good example of just
what you need for offroad riding without breaking the bank. This
all leather example will set you back less than$100 at most dealers.

O'Neal
Element Boot
Check
out the pair of dirt bike boots that you have your eye on carefully
and make sure they have plenty of shin and toe protection with good
padding. The dirt track racer's feet take some incredible forces
especially through ripples and jumps.
If
you're a serious racer, this is definitely not the place to pinch
your pennies.
More
Resources:
Related
M-A-W Content:
To
learn more about motorcycle accessories, make sure you don't miss
the next *FREE* issue of BrainBuckets
Etc. News!
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