Reddit mentions: The best motorcycle & combat shoes for men

Ok, so here are all the ones I've tried. And I did, in fact, purchase them all on Amazon. All of them came from Vivobarefoot's store on Amazon with the exception for the Scott. The Scott was had on 6pm.com's Amazon store and I got them for $89.99 and that is excellent value, IMO.

I was skeptical like you are, based on the reviews I read but you always should keep in mind most people aren't going to write reviews unless they're unhappy. Your data is going to be negatively biased and what's more we as humans generally remember negative feedback more than positive. Better to err on the side of caution, but if you're able to take a chance you might be pleasantly surprised!

And I have been.

I can't say these shoes are "built to last" in the sense that, like you say, they're not made to be re-soled, but they don't feel any less durable than the majority of sneakers I was wearing before hand from brands like Nike and Adidas. I tried wearing 'nicer' shoes like Allen Edmonds and just could not find ones that agreed with my feet, so I can't really compare quality there.

The boots I can compare my Scott to are my L.L. Bean Bean Boots and my Jack Erwin Chelsea Boots. The bean boots were sized as properly as I could get them, but they were never comfortable. They're made to be rugged and they're made to be worn with really thick socks, I have a really narrow build and my calves, ankles, and feet are lean like the rest of me. I always felt like I had too much room and would sometimes get rubbed in places because of it. The Jack Erwins Chelseas are kind of the opposite in every sense, they're made for less rugged activity and I liked pretty much everything about them. They felt formed to my leg and foot well and while I am not in love with the arch support, it doesn't kill me. If I was going to be walking around all day I probably would opt for something else.

Comparing the Scott to those, they're functionally my favorite boot. Hard to get on sometimes like I mentioned, but I hardly realize I'm wearing them when they're on. Zero "support" and lots of ground feel and I love it. I don't live in a cold area and I haven't tested the weather resistance or whatever they called it, but I imagine they would be fine for a rush to or from your vehicle.

Everything else I've gotten from them are shoes, I'll give a brief comment on each of them.

• Vivobarefoot Men's Bannister Premium Classic Sport Shoe: I didn't really like anything about these, would not recommend.
  
  
• Vivobarefoot Men's Lisbon Shoe: like I said I'm very impressed with these. They have creased up more than I would like, but they have stood up to scuffs well enough. I haven't tried cleaning them up or polishing them but I wear them almost every day at work and have had them since April 13.
  
  
• Vivobarefoot Men's Ra Lite Walking Shoe: These are quite comfortable but I don't like how they look at all in person. They're rather see through, I'm not a fan of the contrast lacing... they look like "swim shoes" as we called them when I was a kid.
  
  
• Vivobarefoot Men's Mata Canvas Walking Shoe: Mixed feelings about these. I got them as my quest continued to find a tasteful and comfortable pair of white shoes from Vivobarefoot. The "natural" color is not white and I'm sad about that, but it's not a bad color. It doesn't go very well next to my skin tone, but it looks fine in some outfits. The shoe is really comfortable and I ware it a lot, in spite of not being in love with the way it looks. Considering trying a leather pair but I don't particularly love any of the colors there, either.
  
  My advice would be to either review their return policy on their website and buy there or to just order through Amazon, who has a tremendously forgiving return policy.
  
  And--not to be rude or whatever--but I think expecting to re-sole a ~$150 pair of shoes is ambitious for most brands. Even if it's possible, I don't know that it'd be worth it. I say that, but I've never re-soled a pair of shoes and am pretty ignorant in that regard so I could be totally mistaken.

Sounds like Target, JCPenney, and Old Navy will be your friends, along with Amazon.

Ok. So you're looking for footwear. I'd recommend something like these ones from JCPenney. These ones are also good, though if you like this style then consider Clark's Bushacre II. Any thoughts on these?

Note: I'm not sure what the quality is like anymore - last time I checked out info on JCPenney boots, I knew they had boots marked as made in India (MiI) or made in Bangladesh (MiB). Both are the same shape/model and price, but one of the two was remarkably better quality - I believe it was MiB that was better.

If you're looking for something more rugged, try some Golden Fox boots (you can look on Amazon for other styles). These are a pretty good quality for just around your budget.

Next, you're looking for jacket/coats/vests. First: look for some inspiration. Here are three good albums: one, two, three. Focus on the coats, and see which styles you like more. If you see a style you like, comment below and I can help you find a specific model or store/brand to try. For purchasing - do you have a Target nearby? Right now they have heavier coats, probably starting to go into discount, but they'll fit into your budget. Ooh, also Gap would probably fit this budget nicely.

For jeans, Target, JCPenney, or Old Navy (or even American Eagle - their jeans are good) would work. What brand do you currently wear? Maybe you can try an athletic fit (generally is looser in the thighs but tapers down so it's not loose) or a straight fit. You could also consider chinos (in navy or olive).

There's not a whole lot to go on here, what is your goal? Some people would recommend the sidebar, but personally I think it's a bit much and it tends to homogenize how some people look.

I would say, start off with finding some well-fitting casual clothes. Some white t-shirts, a pair of nice blue jeans (Try Levi's, 511's or 513's. Or spend a little more and get something nicer, like Second Narrow or 3sixteen.), and most importantly some footwear would be a good start.

For footwear, I'd recommend a pair of sneakers. What you get is up to you. Some recommendations I would make would be:

Vans sk8-hi's

Vans Old Skools

Adidas Stan Smiths

Air Force Ones

I'd also suggest a pair of boots, but it might be out of your price range. I'm a fan of black boots, although most people on this subreddit would recommend brown ones. Some nice boots to start off with would be:

Thorogoods (the plain toe is nice as well)

Chippewas

Clarks, although personally I would recommend you get Sand or Oakwood instead of "beeswax". The beeswax ones do not age well, and they are kind of boring.

Doc Martens I am a huge fan of this model in particular

Finally, I would recommend a black jacket to start you off with. What you get is up to you. It could be a bomber, a trucker, a varsity, a parka, an m-65, or whatever. An olive jacket would also be good, though maybe not as cool.

Other than that, it's hard to give you recommendations without knowing what you like.

Don't cut your hair.

(also, your face reminds me a little bit of The Arm, if he was less menacing.)

Nice looking boots, and they seem very well thought out as well. These would normally be out of my price range, but also sounds like something I'd be willing to save a bit for and splurge for a quality item, much like the dainese jacket I just picked up from Craigslist.

I've been wearing an inexpensive boot for the last 6 months and have been fairly happy with them. I don't know how well they'd protect me in a crash, but they're comfortable, water resistant, and I can wear them all day at work after commuting in on the bike.

Ferro Aldo MFA-808561 Brown Mens Lace up Military Combat Work Desert Ankle Boot (7.5) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PFXPP20/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_yZufzbNKZYBNJ

I would love a chance to upgrade to your new boots and provide a review. But to be totally honest, with a quality product like that I think you'd be better off offering half a dozen pairs of boots to known users at say a 50% discount. You'd still have no problem filling these orders.

Best of luck!

I can't tell if you want a strictly work boot or strictly fashion boot. Either way, truly well made offerings are available.

I have had my pair of White's Farmer-Rancher boots for ~10 years and they have held up to everything. They are true work boots. I.e. not necessarily designed for fashion whatsoever. They are made in America (Spokane Washington). Each pair is custom made. You have to go to a White's dealer, where you will be custom fitted and select the options of you pair of boots (sole, color, stitching, etc.). They're pretty pricey, but IMHO the best boots money can buy.

White's website:

White's boots

Farmer-Rancher boots that have served me well:

Farmer-Rancher

On the fashion end of the spectrum, I have a pair of Frye 12" Harness boots that I bought in high school. At that time, they were still made in America, but since then the company has outsourced to Mexico. They have served me quite well albeit I do not wear them everyday. I also have a pair of their 'Mexican' boots as well. The black James Lace Up. The quality of each is great, but I prefer American made because... 'Murica!

All of the boots I have mentioned have served me well, and they are all rebuildable. I.e. If a part wears out or you pull a heel off, it can be replaced by a cobbler. I would give a close look at Whites boots. They are pricey, but they will outlast any financial remorse you might incur by many years.

TLDR:
Whites Boots has many offerings for work or fashion boots - both built to the same amazing standards.

Frye Boots makes a good fashion boot however, they are no longer made in America. Try to find vintage USA Fryes if you can.

Happy hunting.

Combat boots and riding boots are very in style. (Also, don't worry, under $100/75 is plenty, you'll definitely be able to find one, two or three boots with that.)

If you want a pair of black boots, I'd go with the combat ones you linked. Or, if you really wanna go for comfort and splurge a little bit, Doc Martens are freaking amazing and will last absolutely forever (assuming you take good care of them).

Personally, I own these and it's one of the best decisions I've ever made! After breaking them in, you will never want to take them off. They're also a little out of the ordinary and stand out, especially in North America.

Riding boots are really nice too. They're so versatile and can go with practically any outfit. I really like this one:
1

My last piece of advice would be to hit up your local thrift or vintage store. Not only do you sometimes find fantastic deals on shoes that have been barely worn, you can also sometimes find some inspiration.

Hope this helps, and update me on your shoe decisions haha. :)

EDIT: Style examples added to bottom of post.

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Hey--sorry if I misunderstood the question!

So I fucking love shoes, but my #1 piece of advice is to be RUTHLESS in your selection process. Never buy a pair you don't absolutely love, and never pay full price unless you absolutely have to.

With that out of the way, my #1 boot recommendation is Frye. The quality is excellent, and the price is reasonable, especially if you can find a sale. I usually check 6pm and amazon first. I have two pairs of Frye lace ups and it kills me to have to put them away for the summer. Timberland also makes some nice casual styles, but you have to dig for them and be prepared to walk away with nothing most of the time. When you do find a pair you like, though, Timbs will last forever.

As far as something along the lines of converse, check out Toms. They have great spring/summer styles, and they are super affordable.

There's also Sperry, but those are a specific look. I'm from the northeast, though, so the government issued me a pair of boat shoes at birth that I am required to wear at least a few times every summer. They do make some canvas-upper casual shoes, but for me it's usually hard to find a style I like--those brown preppy dock shoes are what they do best.

Also--I am posting from my mobile, but will try to remember to add links for you later.

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Style Examples (in order of appearance):

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Frye Classic Black Laceup

Frye Rugged Combat Laceup

Frye Chelsea

Frye High-Top Sneaker

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Timberland Shoe 1

Timberland Shoe 2

Timberland Boot 1 (I'm not in love, but wanted to show that they do make a more elevated boot in addition to the classic timberland you undoubtedly pictured in your head)

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Toms Neutral Sneaker 1

Toms Neutral Sneaker 2
Toms High-Top Sneaker

Toms Black Chukka (Not what I usually look for from Toms, but liked them too much not to link)

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Sperry Neutral Sneaker 1

Sperry Blue Palette Sneaker

Sperry Black Sneaker (Sick Price)

That's a pretty sweet looking helmet! I'd definitely recommend pants and boots. I personally like the kevlar reinforced riding jeans with knee pads. The ones I have have a zipper in the seam around the knee so it's fairly hidden, but it makes pulling the knee pads out a breeze. They get a little warm when just wearing as jeans due to the kevlar, but they're super comfy on the bike and jeans go with pretty much everything.

There's tons of boots out there so I'm sure you can find something that fits your style =) I have a pair of these and my step dad got me a pair of these. The Chippewas are super nice, but they don't really fit with my SV650 so I don't wear them much.

Been looking at a few brands in particular I need opinions on, as they do not show at all in the beginners guide. I own a pair of one of these brands, and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with them; however scuffed they may be now.


Matterhorn & Corcoran (I own a pair of Corcoran Men's 10 Inch Side Zipper Jump Boot-M)
Rocky's (which I ordered and set back for size matters)
Bates (eyeing off for a while, but reviews all say quality's dropped.)


I wanted to ask why these brands don't appear (my expectation is poor quality), to which I say, my Corcorans have done really well over the last 6 months, they can very much handle the Australian climate.


For reference, the boots I'm most interested in looking at are paraboots (essentially): Above the ankle; cap-toe; military style; and preference in a side zipper. Are there any other brands which are easily accessible in Australia that are good quality for 100-300 dollars USD (150-450 AUS)? That fit that style of boot?


I've been looking at Thorogood's side zipper jump boot on Amazon, and I think when there's another sale, I'll be purchasing them. But I wanted to see if there's more options on the horizon. Thank you!

That first one looks good. CE1 certified, has hard parts around ankles, and made of microfiber, which is like leather but doesn't require any maintenance like leather. If they have a soft, padded shin that's ok; if the shin part is hard or has plastic bits that's even better.

https://www.amazon.com/Alpinestars-Waterproof-Street-Motorcycle-Boots/dp/B01CENQR1Q

Cross-read the reviews here and see what people say. They look pretty good for 180 bucks.

Working on my last final at this very moment, and then I'll be off for a whole month. I'm pretty excited about it. Hopefully it will give me time to catch up on some sleep, cook some great meals, smoke a lot of pot, get some bowling practice in outside of league, go downhill skiing a few times, and work on some projects that need my attention (like going through the shit in my spare bedroom and packing it in a way that it will be easy to move).

The boyfriend and I are having his parents at our house on Christmas day and mine here the week after...so no pressure there... heh

Also, I kinda hurt my knee last Saturday when I put a snowmobile into a guardrail, and I didn't take any time off work this week plus I bowled like usual and as a result my knee isn't healing up at all. And I have plans to go downhill skiing on Monday... I'll probably go whether my knee feels better or not, because I'm stubborn like that.

Also, trying to justify either the Dr. Martens Diego or Dr. Martens Finnigan because - you know - Dr. Marten obsession and they're so comfy.

I'd definitely wear something like these for days in the office but I'm looking for something more in the $200 range that will last a few years and I could beat up.

My problem is I can't seem to find anything that is a functional work boot that is made to look like a dress boot with a leaner cut. All work boots seem to have very rounded tips and are clunky looking.

I'm leaning towards these. They are still more work boot looking than I would prefer but this is the closest I'm able to find of something that sits nicely between the types of boots.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006GJHYIA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Edit: These are similar to what I'm currently wearing now when I have a lot of work to do. I would love something exactly like these except lace up and padded on the insides like a work boot.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/161663852819?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true

My favourite boots in the world

I live in Vancouver where it's perpetually raining and I got tired of having wet feet. Picked them up (in the darker colour) on amazon for $90 at the time.These boots (plus some spray to waterproof them) are amazing.

Soft flannel on the inside, good sole, thick leather, waterproof, and fit perfectly for my wide feet. I cannot recommend these boots enough.

Plus, they look badass. and you know who loves badasses? Chicks.

I don't know if they're factory seconds or not, but I got my Golden Fox 6" Boondocker Service Boot Pro off amazon, they're $80-90 depending on the size. I like mine a lot, put some oil/conditioner to protect and darken the color a bit and it looks like a dressy-ish casual boot. It's comfy as well.

https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Fox-PU6336K10-090-Boondocker-Brown/dp/B01F7OXM30/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1505788134&sr=8-2&keywords=golden+fox+boondocker

I would not recommend those. I loved my Altama 7852 I was issued. I wore them for years after I got out. They are just the perfect boot for me. I wore my original pair out, like flat sole no tread. I bought the Rothcos you referenced. I polished them just like back in BMT, wore double socks for the first few days, and was so excited to have my favorite feel back. They took about 2 weeks to break in, and I was in love. Within a month the heel completely seperated on one and the toe box started to seperate on the other. The initial fit and wear of them was good, but the construction and durability was crap. I am still heart broken. I should have checked the Amazon reviews: https://www.amazon.com/Rothco-Leather-Speedlace-Combat-Black/dp/B000GXGLJ0/

I'm running the 5.11 ATAC Storm side zip because I got a good deal on them, they are ok; only time will tell on the construction and durability.

I did just see that Amazon has someone else as a source for these though. I have no experience with the company, but the look is right, these may be next buy if the 5.11 do'nt work out: https://www.amazon.com/McRae-Footwear-Combat-Panama-Outsole/dp/B0098DKDRU/

Here’s a good pair of jungle boots (they are very easy to spit shine.) And if you like the modern look these are rated pretty nicely as well. One tip, these are not for very heavy use considering the price of both.

Well, like many have said, you're gonna want a black dress shoe, and a simple sneaker.

For the third shoe, I like ~this~ because IMHO it can basically cover everything else in between. It's waterproof and will make it through intense rain/snow, but it's not big fat and clunky, so it actually looks nice and crisp with jeans and a sweater or button-down, and it's comfy in nice weather too. Pick your favorite color.

Sweet, Laidback Luke will be dope this weekend. Every single dude wears the loose fitting untucked button down and jeans and imitation leather shoes out, so just by subscribing to this sub I'm guessing you're better than that already. If you're gonna be dancing don't go with anything you'll heat up in too quickly. Bring a warm coat or sweatshirt to check and get rid of quickly. Usually at venues like this I try and combine comfortable with functional. I usually wear something like my slim fit gap khakis, they're like a darker burnt khaki and roll the cuffs with my black Aldo boots and a slim black Henley or a slim black V-neck shirt. Uniqlo and H&M are great for these clothes that you'll wear out and dance in and spill drinks on and generally destroy but it's cool because they're not too expensive! I try and go minimalist but stylish, simple, and comfortable. Sorry for the links, I'm on my phone at work and couldn't do imgur

http://m.gap.com/product.html?dn=gp351367112&dv=0&shopid=0&pdn=gc80799

http://www.amazon.com/Aldo-Mens-Struzik-Combat-Boot/dp/B00M5223W4

Edit: is it Laidback luke Saturday or Michael woods Friday? Fuck I'm jealous if it's Woods, I'm out of town and couldn't go see him this weekend. Have fun!!!

Something like these Chippewas look like they'd work well.

Love my Golden Fox boondockers for the price

edit: though tbh they are a little rough after a year of wear. but at 1/4 the cost of some red wings im not mad.

I am looking to pick up a pair of combat boots, Struzik Combat Boot - Cognac. I really like the style but is it worth taking the risk? If not, are there similar boots that you could recommend?

How do you feel about engineer boots, with buckles instead of laces?

Red Wing

Chippewa

Wolverine

Or maybe you could go for a chelsea style boots like these Chippewas for j crew.

I think most boots with zippers on them are for women, at least from what I've seen. I don't see why they couldn't make them for men, however.

Amazon Link

https://www.amazon.com/Corcoran-Inch-Side-Zipper-Jump/dp/B00D40090Y

I have a pair that have been kickin for 10 years.

Those are engineer boots not rainboots. See also '50's greasers