Reddit mentions: The best powersports footwear

I am a fellow maker of things. I make all kinds of stuff like you. TONS and TONS of stuff!! Here is but one tiny item:

An upcycled geeky/girly/Star Wars purse back

Another view front

I love Star Wars (who doesn't?). The vintage/thrifted fabric that I used is pretty but I kind of hated how kinda too girly it is--for me personally. So one day I thought....storm trooper + flowers = WIN! It's quilted and really one of the best purses ever because it can hold a ton of stuff and is really sturdy.

I'm not sure about my ring size....I think a 9?

And if I am being completely honest the thing that would make my day over any other are these boots. But they are super pricey. And really I think probably anything from my wishlist at all would make my day. It's a wish come true! It's awesome!

> Work boots are not designed to hold together

Since when? Work boots are built to be durable. That's their entire selling point. I've had mine for fourteen years and they're holding up perfectly fine. If it's about the sole, I'd put money that the sole of a work boot is as good or better than the sole of a motorcycle boot designed to look like a work boot. Some brands of work boots are even CE certified, apparently.
> or stay on your feet during a crash

Basically, CE certification states that you can't have laces on the outside of your boot. So essentially, make sure your laces are tied and you're within CE safety limits.
> don't have much ankle protection if any, don't provide as much ankle support,

I admitted to motorcycle boots having better ankle protection earlier. Many motorcycle boots provide impact protection with steel, plastic, and/or rubber.

In regards to ankle support, not all boots provide support to help prevent against sprains. The ones that do essentially offer this . A piece of plastic that prevents your ankle from bending too far. So 16 bucks or so solves that problem.

BUT, if CE can certify these horse shit boots, then a simple ankle brace meets their standards for impact protection. Those boots have nothing more than a circle of plastic that sits on top of your ankle.
> laces which can be a liability.

Yes, laces can be a problem. But it isn't a complicated issue. I don't have trouble with my laces. If I did have trouble with them, or if I was taking a long trip on highways, I'd tie them on the inside of my tongue. Or I could get something to hold my laces down. Companies sell straps to hold laces down. They even come with protection for your shoe from your shifter. If I didn't want to spend any money, an old sock does the trick.
> it's pretty easy to find good boots for under $120.

I'll admit, I've never tried the site in the fall, so I don't know what their deals look like. But right now, footlocker is selling timberland work boots for as little as 70 bucks. I've seen them on sale at malls for less. I don't expect the motorcycle boots on sale for $120 to provide any better protection than a pair of boots with slip on ankle support. The $150 pair on that link doesn't provide any better protection than that.


TL;DR: So, right now, if I pay $86(Based off of a quick google serach), I can buy timberland boots with a pair of ankle supports and properly tied laces, and not only would I meet the CE protection requirements, but also match the level of protection provided by boots that are currently selling for $200 and under.

EDIT: OP was wearing essentially the same boots as timberland boots when he suffered his injury. He has since bought these boots, which sell for $190 on multiple sites.

The only thing those boots provide over his other boots is ankle support. 2 of those ankle braces that I linked to above would have saved him a total of $174 and provided the same exact amount of protection.


EDIT2: I'm gonna do a bit of research and make a post on /r/motorcycles about boots. I see more and more posts of people being okay with buying ~$200 "motorcycle boots" when they aren't really getting any extra protection.

Lower extremity injuries account for a majority of injuries sustained when riders go down. It also accounts for a VERY large majority of medical costs that riders incur when sustaining injuries. We have minimum standards for helmets. Some basic standards for jackets and pants based off of customer review and satisfaction. Knee protection is very straightforward. But there's nothing in regards to boots despite the huge need for it and the serious physical and monetary risks involved (Sometimes longterm rehab is required). After a helmet, boots are the next most important protection one can wear, and we're seeing some very low standards being accepted in the riding community.

I don't want to come off here saying that timberland boots with an ankle brace is acceptable for a boot. I'm just saying that it's equally as safe as boots that are hovering around the $200 price range. Really, we should all be wearing riding boots with serious levels of protection. The boots we're seeing that are getting praise on reddit for their style really don't provide nearly enough protection, but nobody seems to bat an eye.

I recently got the Forma (urban) Hyper boots for when I have to ride and walk during classes.

http://imgur.com/a/XEPBJ - Wore them on my ride today.

And they are on Amazon.

Absolutely love them. Good ankle support when tightened up properly and comfortable all day long.

The ones that you linked are off-road boots and while they would be great for riding all day they wouldn't be very comfortable for more than minimal walking. I'd suggest, like others have, to check out the more sneaker-style boots that are available. I live in the panhandle of Texas and our summers get pretty brutal and the best option I've found for comfort from the heat were high-top Converse sneakers. Now I have a better option.

I rode last year with a joe rocket USMC jacket. In the spring, I left the liner in for the ride to work in the morning and took it out in the afternoon. It has a nice mesh that still protects skin somewhat, at least to military standard, but breathes nicely. I rode in jeans and doc martens, because that's what I had.

In the intervening months, I have added to my gear collection quite a bit. I have multiple jackets, all much of the same theory, mesh with a lining. They've worked for me in temps down to 26 degrees and up to 100.

I just purchased some motorcycle jeans (example) with armor in the knee pockets. I have worn those down to 40-ish with some long johns underneath.

I have a pair of textile motorcycle overpants I've worn down to 26 degrees. They come with knee and hip armor. I did pull the inner lining out of those and wear them with jeans and long johns in the colder weather.

I have some flannel looking riding shirts. They look like a regular flannel shirt, but they have armor built into the elbows and shoulders. They're good to down about 50 degrees with a tee shirt underneath. Here is an example for girls.

I do have a balaclava but only wore that once. It's not really needed, even at low temps.

I have a pair of speed and strength shoes that look like "normal" high tops. I haven't really gotten used to them. Downshifting is kind of a weird experience. It just doesn't click sometimes. On the otherhand, they're made for riding. They have armor in the ankles, they have a non-slip sole and a lot of support.

Gloves I have a love/hate relationship with. My "summer" Icon gloves are great, but not good at heat retention. I've purchased Bilt "warm" gloves. Yeah, they're not. Even those gloves with freezeout liners I still get cold hands. I have no advice there.

At the California MSF I was at, gear is mandatory. By Gear I mean a minimum of boots or motorcycle shoes (i have this) basically anything that covers up your ankles, your leather work gloves should be fine, and they can provide you a helmet free of charge, but i recommend you find a helmet that fits you well and has a good saftey rating (not just D.O.T. Certified, but also has sharp ratings). And bring sunglasses, and a jacket.

Words of advice for the course: listen to exactly what they are asking for in EACH exercise and make sure you are doing it by asking them on each round if you missed anything. Also before each exercise they have a list of required action items, make sure you know what they are. It is pedantic but they are trying to save your life. Straight line braking before entering every turn, for the rest of your life, then press look and roll. move your head. etc.

I knew I couldn't be alone in my neuroses about shifter marks on my boot (what I like to call "shift toe"). Every now and then when I think about getting new boots I try and see if anyone has had any experience with how it holds up to a motorcycle toe shifter, but I never see anyone make mention of it.

Your post reminded me about it, and finally got me to do a search. Turns out they make toe shifter guards, like this one. I also see through Google image search that there seem to be more robust ones, including ones made out of leather. Of course, I don't know if that would help with any dent it makes in your boot. I mean, like others have said, you could take pride in the wear/tear on your boot. But, I know for me, it's the asymmetrical nature of the "wear" that would bother me.

http://www.amazon.com/Shifter-Skinz-Motorcycle-Protectors-Accessories/dp/B001036KGO/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top/188-0989347-5944613

Something like that I assume? Quite honestly, I don't see the point. If he has proper motorcycling boots, it won't be an issue. Hell, my boots are white leather and they still look fine after 3 years. If he isn't wearing proper boots, maybe lead him that direction instead, because it'll look way better and be safer too.

Additionally, you'll have better luck in /r/motorcycles

Couple of my friends use their straps from their motorcycle gear to protect their shoes. I only use my sneaks for OTF so it doesn't bother me but I do use these when riding to protect my nicer shoes from the shifter.

https://www.amazon.com/WetherKrueg-Products-Motorcycle-Shoe-Protector/dp/B01N5SSVZ5

I currently have the Adidas Terrex Swift GTX Mids that I’ve added DWR on top of the Gore-Tex.

I prefer 8-10” boots but haven’t had any luck finding any that are waterproof. I’m a backpacker so I need them to be lightweight. The boots in the ad look perfect :(

There’s some motorcycle boots that seem like they could work but I think they’re probably bulky.some of them are duel purpose

/u/noctiseternum

I street ride with these when I'm going to be doing some walking. They are very comfortable but there is way too much ankle movement for off-roading in this style of boot.

I recently bought a set of these Sidis for $350 with supermoto soles. You can switch back and forth between MX and supermoto soles. I have a motocross background so the stiffness is not an issue for me. I bought these for the track and for MX, but I'll street ride them when I'm not walking anywhere.

You'll have to compromise on flexibility or protection, or buy 2 pairs.

I usually wear a Dainese textile 2 piece suit, but it's so hot here now I've ordered this Astars armor to wear under my vented MX jersey on the street. It's as solid as the armor in the jacket, or better, and it gives you options of what you can wear over it.

I don't like wearing backpacks and thought that simply covering my shifter was easier than carrying extra shoes. If this product existed (http://www.amazon.com/Shifter-Skinz-Motorcycle-Protectors-Accessories/dp/B001036KGO) I would have certainly purchased it. Seems like a nice compromise.

Personally, I have a heal/toe shifter, so upshift wear not an issue I have to be concerned with.

You could try one of these to save the top your shoe.

*I think I've posted this link 3 times ITT. I have nothing to do with this product, company or Amazon. I just know they exist and thought they may help some here.

I got these to wear on my pcx and they're perfect. I do change shoes for the work day though, so I'm thinking about getting some all-purpose boots like red wing, chippewa, or wolverine for days I want to ride in the same shoes I wear.

From what I've heard, getting motorcycle-specific boots doesn't help a whole lot since you don't need e.g. the toe reinforcement for gear shifting, just the ankle protection.

Something like these? I've been looking at them in my size for a bit. O'Neal Rider Boots (Black, Size 8) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MB01MKO/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_0-w9wb4XDADF7

Alpinestars make a great set of non-power-ranger boots. http://www.amazon.com/Alpinestars-S-MX-Boots-Red-Gender/dp/B001E78KJQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1345510993&sr=1-1&keywords=alpinestars+boots

My riding boots have a plastic pad sewn on the left boot right where the shifter hits so the surface is a little more scratch-resistant.

Otherwise, maybe something like https://www.amazon.com/Shifter-Skinz-Motorcycle-Protectors-Accessories/dp/B001036KGO ?

I wear some Alpinestars I bought on sale. However, I keep hearing that "MX" (motocross style) boots are mandatory if you don't want a broken shin.

http://www.amazon.com/ALPINESTARS-BOOT-TECH-BLK-201419-10-11/dp/B001TXJ16G

Yeah I've been thinking about getting the S-MX1 boots for my commuting boots. The Fastlane boots are cheaper though and probably even comfier but it has laces and stuff.

I wear dr. marten 8053 http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00B1I5OEW

Gmax GM68s Paid $110 http://www.amazon.com/G-Max-GM68S-Helmet-Silver-668546/dp/B003CKAIUW/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1367598366&sr=8-12&keywords=Gmax+68s

TMS leather 5 piece armor Paid $89
http://motorcyclejacketmenwomen.blogspot.com/2013/04/tms-mens-motorcycle-armor-racing.html

Bilt Boots Paid 80-90 bucks
http://www.amazon.com/BILT-Trackstar-Leather-Motorcycle-Boots/dp/B0089FGOHQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367598635&sr=8-1&keywords=bilt+boots


Carbon Fiber Gloves - Paid 33 bucks
http://www.amazon.com/CARBON-KEVLAR-Motorcycle-Leather-Gloves/dp/B001A1PPBM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1367598680&sr=8-3&keywords=motorcycle+gloves

Calvin Klein Jeans at Marshals= paid 29
All for under 350 bucks!

https://www.amazon.com/ONeal-Rider-Boots-Black-Size/dp/B00MB01MT0/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1501211988&sr=1-1&keywords=dirt+bike+boots
non homo version maybe?

I try to. Here's my current gear -

• Gloves: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CUSIJRG/ref=pe_385040_30332190_TE_3p_M3T1_ST1_dp_1
  
  
• Helmet: http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/hjc-cl-17-mission-helmet
  
  
• Jacket: http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/alpinestars-gp-plus-r-perforated-leather-jacket
  
  
• Pants: http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/agv-sport-willow-perforated-leather-pants
  
  
• Boots: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004QPI15Q/ref=pe_385040_30332190_TE_3p_M3T1_ST1_dp_1
  
  
• BP: http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/alpinestars-bionic-air-back-protector-insert

Buenas, para traer estas BOTAS cuanto me cobras? Pesan 2kg

https://www.amazon.com/RaceQuip-30500150-Carbon-L-Black-Racing/dp/B004QM89GK

Or maybe buy one of these