This entry was posted on Friday, April 10th, 2009 at 6:49 pm and is filed under Motorcycle, Motorcycle Boots. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
April 10, 2009
Your motorcycle boots need to be able to do a variety of things. You want them to be comfortable, but also sturdy and protective. They must also have great traction and not wear out quickly. The reality is that a motorcycle boot must also be able to protect you properly as well as also look attractive and be comfortable. If on a long ride your motorcycle boots are uncomfortable then it will add stress and fatigue to your ride. Ideally you wouldn’t even notice that you were wearing a pair of boots, but would be able to focus on the ride ahead of you.
How do you know if you’re looking at a good motorcycle boot? There are many different factors that go into a great book, which this guide will explain. But nothing can replace a personalized fitting. While it may not be feasible to have a boot custom fitted and made for your foot, much like a high end suit, you can still get a boot that is comfortable and provides the protection needed while driving.
Doesn’t a slip on boot sound great? Yeah, it does, but it’s also not usually a good motorcycle boot, because it is also likely that it will slip off during a crash, and not protect you.
There are also many boots that promise to have membranes which make them both breathable and waterproof. In practice many of these don’t work as well as advertised, so read reviews before you buy. The problem with these types of membranes is that the boot cannot have too many of them or the strength will be compromised. That being said it is good for your feet to breath while wearing boots.
Whatever size calf you have, a good motorcycle boot will close completely, with a covered zipper. An exposed zipper will allow either water or wind into your boot while you’re riding.
A good motorcycle boot needs to have the right amount of flexibility, but still give you protection. Make sure to give yourself time to break your boot in before you go on a long ride. This can often take some time, you may only be able to wear your boots for a short period of time before you cannot wear them due to them being stiff and inflexible. In time though, they will become more comfortable and will form to your foot, ankle and lower leg.
In a good motorcycle boot, you should also be looking for extra ankle protection, to avoid breaking your ankle. This can come in to form of a hard plastic insert that is placed into the boot before it’s closed. This can make a huge difference if you ever do have to lay your bike down or if another motorist does not notice you are there and hits you.
A good motorcycle boot isn’t hard to find. One of the most important aspects of the boot is that it fit you comfortably. Any boot should offer you superior protection and comfort as you ride. Remember that being protected during a ride is critical. Not only is it a good idea to protect yourself with a helmet, gloves and jackets but wearing proper footwear is equally important.
Article courtesy of Isnare.com author Frank Medley
Disclaimer: www.motorcycle-leather-gear.com and www.openroadcyclegear.com are wholly owned by RobyCo, Inc. of Reading Pennsylvania. Excerpt articles do not represent the management opinions of RobyCo, Inc or its holdings. Selected information is provided for discussion purposes.