By now I think I'm up to about $200 in postage, to and fro. I just received my 10th pair of riding boots and they too do not fit correctly.
I need a wide (not super wide) boot and prefer ones that are at least 8" high to keep out the wind. My friend said his Doc Martins are super comfortable but I can't see where they come in wide.
Any suggestions as to who makes "really" comfortable riding boots that also come in wide?
I'm using Chippewa Moto Boots like these ,style 27862.I also have a wide foot and a high arch.These are widely available.Got mine at 'Boot Barn'.I can't wear engineer type boots due to my foot shape/arch.
[ This message was edited by: meatwagon on 2006-04-04 17:14 ]
I have a really high instep, and was able to have a saddle shop stretch out a pair of steel toe Chippewa engineer style boots. $5.00 (for the stretching.)
A saddle store/tack shop should be able to help fit you and lead you in the direction you want to go.
I have these Dr Martins, I have feet like a duck and they are wide enough for me... plus they look great and don't have a large heel like most engineer boots.
Check out the BMW line of boots-I have big fat feet and the BMW
"Savannah" boot fits like a glove. It is steel toed and very sturdy yet comfy. They are ITALIAN MADE AND ALL LEATHER-very nice but not cheap.
Bates make custom motorcycle boots for about the price of a regular good boot ($225-295). Since they are individually made you will have to wait. I ordered sport boots in November or December (they warned me it may take a few months). One of the boots fit a little too big so I sent it back and they made me a new one (they didn't charge me any extra). Tried them for the first time today and got to do about 150 miles in them. They are made from soft leather so are very comfortable and are hard in the toe and heel and have pads over the ankles, on the other hand they are not as protective as those ski boot style track boots. Overall they apear to be a well made set of boots, they don't look like they are from a Flash Gordon costume (mine don't even have the yellow patch which you see in the pictures) and are custom made to your feet. Bates Boots
I have a pair of Specter Road boots, very nice, hand made in Canada, fit my 13EEE clodhoppers, waterproof and they have a layer of Kevlar in them for in case you ever find yourself sliding down the road :evil: http://www.specterroad.com/en_hist.htm
Go to your local HD store and try their engineer boots to get the right fit. Then go to LeatherUp to buy them either with or without the HD insignia for less than 1/2 the price. They are exactly the same boot. I got mine for around $63.00 and they are very comfortable. I like shopping local but for that much difference in price you have to at least consider the web, unless the HD guy wants to discount.
I second the suggestion to go to leatherup.com. Good quality boots and they will work with you to insure a good fit. You can even send it a tracing of your foot to help them fit you, and they will allow returns no questions asked.
Take a trip to your local Western Wear store (you do have one of those up North, don't you :-D ) and look at the Ariat combination kilt boot. They have a steel shank, padded tops, and a super comfortable fit.
I have wide feet with a high arch and have found Oxtar Matrix boots to be comfortable. They are purpose built bike boots with a waterproof Gore-Tex liner and armour. They are plain black and more subtle looking than some of the race-rep boots I've seen. You could even wear them in the office under a pair of suit trousers and nobody would notice. If you have "difficult" feet you really need to try some pairs before you buy.
If you head out route 73 on the weekends, stop in at Zerns Farmers market. There is a great shoe stand that has just about every boot imaginable at 20-60% discount. If he doesn't have what you are looking for at the market, he has a store right next door that is a shoe junkie delight. If they can't help you nobody can.
This is a great post. Given they are the shoes of my youth, I'm partial to Docs. Now, however, I want something with more protection but with as much style.
Only problem is most bike specific boots seem to look like:
1. old engineer boots
2. joe racer boots
3. gay witch boots
I bought these boots earlier this year - decided to treat myself - I had been wearing the same boots I bought used in college (24 yrs ago). They are more comfortable than any shoes/boots I've ever worn. Pricey though.... They are available in narrow and wide sizes!!
On 2006-04-05 03:04, bdrav wrote:
I have Red Wing style 0980, they are waterproof, and come in widths. This style is lace up and 9 inches high. Mine fit good and very comfortable.
I pick up those biker newsletters at various East Coast shops. They seem to advertise a lot of boot/jacket shops in Berlin NJ, where ever that is, might be nearby Philly?
I've been wearing a pair of Sears boots, lace-up, $25 that look like combat boots, very comfortable, but don't remember the size range. I'm a DD width and they fit fine.
I've been mullling over these River Road boots, price seems right, offer a little more protection but don't look like combat boots or Space suit items either: River Road Turnpike Boots
I've used the Boot Barn in the past, great folks, easy returns if necessary.
Derby Cycles has Red Wing boots on the net-they come in widths and the guys on this thread seem to like them very much. Maybe I will try some for my next pair.
I wish that the Italian manufacturer of Triumph's, BMW's and Oxtars' boots (yes it is the same company, Jolly Scarpe) would invest in some American sizing lasts. (The formers that shoes are built on). European sizing is just not correct for North American feet. (Yes I'm totally serious here, there are genetic differences that have, over time, made North American's feet a sightly different shape that the average European foot... Look it up if you don't believe me). In short, American feet are slightly wider than European feet. So I ended up with a Euro size 42 pair of Oxtar Matrix that are OK, but not quite correct. 41s are too narrow, by far, and 42s are wide enough but a tad long...
Of course this would be a non issue if an American company made some real, modern, motorcycle boots, instead of "engineer" boots or slightly restyled lace up work boots.
I've been wearing these for the last five years or so; Matterhorn boots. You can find them cheaper then the price listed here, but the photo and specs give you an idea.
I wear these boots 8-10 hours per day at work, (USAF) and anytime I'm on the bike. They are SOOOOO comfortable! Wouldn't ride without 'em :upthumb:
I'm a 12.5 and have rarely been able to find a good fitting pair of shoes. Until I discovered Euro sizing. I'm a perfect 46. So with that said, someone on this site (an Aussie, I believe) turned me on to BMW's "riders boots". They are super comfortable, protective, a look great with jeans. There is a flap with a snap that won't stay snapped, but that is a minor flaw. Check them out.
-Gene-O
I got some Red Wing Motorcycle boots for my birthday (the gf gave me one and the other was from the dogs, god love'em).
I have a wide foot and I absolutely love these shoes. I never knew I was wearing a half size too big of a shoe for the width.
I have several pairs of sneakers and nice leather loafers but if I have my druthers I would always wear the boots. They are very comfortable, more so (to me) than any of my other shoes.
[ This message was edited by: dawgfan on 2006-04-07 12:00 ]
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