[Viking Power]

I’ve read through multiple threads and a recurring theme is that the boots being recommended are now discontinued.

I’m posting here on the off chance I can get some 2022 advice. Haha.

I’ve been riding with TCX motorcycle shoes since I got back into riding in 2020. These are good but require being laced up each time. That is lame (I know first world problem right?). I’m also not thrilled about laces near the controls. I’m looking to replace them.

Requirements:

• Tall boots that I can tuck my armored jeans into.
• A fairly low toe to fit under my T120’s shifter. I tried on Forma Adventure boots the other day and they looked just retro enough in the brown but were way too bulky in the toe. I looked at my shifter and estimated that even if I raised it the max amount given the available room, it would not be enough to fit the boot under. I’ve worn a pair of steel toe boots a few times and had to shift with the side of the boot which was okay but not ideal by any means
• Style that fits with my classic styled bike. I’m not super style conscious but refuse to wear racetrack space boots with my Bonneville.

What I’m considering so far:

• Gasolina Classics - cool looking, minimal safety features, no way to try them on in advance, long wait time for custom production.
• Dr. Martens - I’m an old punk and these were all I ever wore on bikes in the past. No modern safety features, no weather protection, most require dealing with laces.
• Engineer style boots - never owned a pair, have always liked them, not sure they’d actually stay on the feet in a get off since they’re usually slip on.
• TCX Fuels - tried a pair back in 2020 and the toes were too bulky on these so I sent them back. IIRC they weren’t as bulky as the Formas I tried on yesterday so maybe I could adjust my shift lever to make them work?

I’m open to any suggestions. Thanks in advance.

Not sure if any of you are familiar with “The Paradox of Choice”, but this is a perfect example of this phenomena. It actually leaves me feeling a little silly as I type this. 20 years ago I would have put some boots on (Dr. Martens or something military issue, whatever I had available) and got my ass on my bike. If I didn’t have a pair for some reason, my research and obsessing would have been short and sweet so I could get back to riding ASAP. End rant

 

[FLY-TRI-GUY]

if u happen to have a cycle gear around that would b cool where u could try on boots, but if not Check out Cycle Gear website, they have a big inventory of mc boot choices to choose from…FTG

 

[Viking Power]

if u happen to have a cycle gear around that would b cool where u could try on boots, but if not Check out Cycle Gear website, they have a big inventory of mc boot choices to choose from…FTG

I have a Cycle Gear about a mile away. That’s where I tried in the Formas the other day. The rest of their inventory was more bulky ADV boots and race track boots. Nothing in a classic or even cruiser kind of style.

 

[Steve Ford]

Do I ever have boots!
Most of the boots today just bite, it's all how cheaply can we make them.
The Red Wing Heritage Series are well made, the "regular" Red Wings are a mix of imported leathers and/or imported boots, the Irish Setter line is from Asia.

I had a cobbler sew on shifter patches on my old Red Wing Heritage Engineers (discontinued) or wear one of their less expensive lace up models on a bike.
The Heritage ones can have new heels and soles put on by a cobbler, the molded ones require a trip back to the factory and for the price, they obviously want you to buy a new pair.
Do you need waterproof, insulated, something for warmer weather? There's no one boot does all.

I gave up on motorcycle-specific boots years ago, they just wore out or fell apart.

While I think of it, engineer boots usually come with a tall heel. They'll slide your foot all the way forward but you can get a lower heel stuck on so you can actually walk normally in them.

 

[oldgoldie]

I have a pair of Daytona spirit gtx boots. Not retro but not at all gaudy. Not sure how durable they are I haven't ridden too far in them but they seem well put together. I have dealt with fc-moto and am pleased. The boots arrived pretty quickly from Germany, however that is no guarantee there won't be shipping problems etc in the future.

https://www.fc-moto.de/en/Daytona-Spirit-GTX-GORE-TEX-Boot?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqvXLov3H-wIVzODICh3I1g_GEAAYAiAAEgJM4PD_BwE

 

[oldgoldie]

if you like engineer boots and want to spend lots of money

West Coast Shoe Company

builder.wescoboots.com

 

[Pudge]

These are part of my rotation.

Daytona Classic Oldtimer Motorcycle Boots - buy cheap ▷ FC-Moto

Daytona Classic Oldtimer Motorcycle Boots - order cheap at FC-Moto | excellent customer reviews ☆ fast delivery all over the world ✓

www.fc-moto.de

 

[Steve Ford]

These should get you to the front of the line no matter where you go:

https://builder.wescoboots.com/DiscountedBoots.aspx

 

[Viking Power]

These should get you to the front of the line no matter where you go:

https://builder.wescoboots.com/DiscountedBoots.aspx

Too funny. I come from a family of loggers and have seen spiked soles like these on boots my various uncles had.

 

[Viking Power]

These are part of my rotation.

Daytona Classic Oldtimer Motorcycle Boots - buy cheap ▷ FC-Moto

Daytona Classic Oldtimer Motorcycle Boots - order cheap at FC-Moto | excellent customer reviews ☆ fast delivery all over the world ✓

www.fc-moto.de

I’m interested. Will research further. Thanks!

 

[deadbroke]

I've been riding with these for years.

Heritage Roper Western Boot

Heritage Roper Western Boot

www.ariat.com

Toe fits under shifter,heel is low enough to walk comfortably.

 

[Viking Power]

Do I ever have boots!
Most of the boots today just bite, it's all how cheaply can we make them.
The Red Wing Heritage Series are well made, the "regular" Red Wings are a mix of imported leathers and/or imported boots, the Irish Setter line is from Asia.

I had a cobbler sew on shifter patches on my old Red Wing Heritage Engineers (discontinued) or wear one of their less expensive lace up models on a bike.
The Heritage ones can have new heels and soles put on by a cobbler, the molded ones require a trip back to the factory and for the price, they obviously want you to buy a new pair.
Do you need waterproof, insulated, something for warmer weather? There's no one boot does all.

I gave up on motorcycle-specific boots years ago, they just wore out or fell apart.

While I think of it, engineer boots usually come with a tall heel. They'll slide your foot all the way forward but you can get a lower heel stuck on so you can actually walk normally in them.

Thanks. I know Redwing makes a great boot or at least have the reputation. I’ve owned one pair of their work boots and they were definitely well made. That was 15 years ago though.
To answer your questions about what I’m looking for- I don’t know that I really need an all weather boot. Being somewhat water resistant for the times I do get caught in the rain would be nice. I’m not sure if they need to be good for hot weather as I can keep my TCX shoes for that.

 

[Viking Power]

I have a pair of Daytona spirit gtx boots. Not retro but not at all gaudy. Not sure how durable they are I haven't ridden too far in them but they seem well put together. I have dealt with fc-moto and am pleased. The boots arrived pretty quickly from Germany, however that is no guarantee there won't be shipping problems etc in the future.

https://www.fc-moto.de/en/Daytona-Spirit-GTX-GORE-TEX-Boot?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqvXLov3H-wIVzODICh3I1g_GEAAYAiAAEgJM4PD_BwE

Not quite what I’m looking for but like you said they aren’t gaudy. I’ll bookmark them as a possible contender. Thanks!

 

[Viking Power]

if you like engineer boots and want to spend lots of money

West Coast Shoe Company

builder.wescoboots.com

Yes, those are some steep prices. Nice looking boots.

 

[Steve Ford]

A vendor at the annual Triumph Rally in Emmaus always has the Wesco boots for sale.
Their Engineer boots must be twice the weight of my old Red Wings, they are really stout.
To answer your question, Engineer boots would probably get ripped off in a crash depending how you land, they don't grip the calf real snug.

If the boot doesn't have that Goodyear welt the sole is molded on so they get pitched when they wear out.
If you're lucky you can get years out of the molded soles but the manufacturers are all cost cutting like crazy.
AlpineStars six months and they split at the seam, my Sidi beater winter boots are made in Bulgaria or someplace like that, they fake leather shifter patch is disintegrating.

Thorougood would probably be my second choice, I really like the look of their all black moc toes but their repair costs are crazy. Maybe get some of these to beat up and keep my Red Wings in decent shape (not what you're after, though):

AMERICAN HERITAGE MIDNIGHT SERIES 6" Black Moc Toe

Made with black full-grain leather, American Heritage Midnight Series 6" black moc toe work boots with the MAXWear Wedge sole delivers performance and style.

thorogoodusa.com

 

[FLY-TRI-GUY]

These Icon look intresting as a retro tall boot style, not sure if it has the toe clearance your looking for but doesn't look to bad...FTG

 

[Viking Power]

A vendor at the annual Triumph Rally in Emmaus always has the Wesco boots for sale.
Their Engineer boots must be twice the weight of my old Red Wings, they are really stout.
To answer your question, Engineer boots would probably get ripped off in a crash depending how you land, they don't grip the calf real snug.

If the boot doesn't have that Goodyear welt the sole is molded on so they get pitched when they wear out.
If you're lucky you can get years out of the molded soles but the manufacturers are all cost cutting like crazy.
AlpineStars six months and they split at the seam, my Sidi beater winter boots are made in Bulgaria or someplace like that, they fake leather shifter patch is disintegrating.

Thorougood would probably be my second choice, I really like the look of their all black moc toes but their repair costs are crazy. Maybe get some of these to beat up and keep my Red Wings in decent shape (not what you're after, though):

AMERICAN HERITAGE MIDNIGHT SERIES 6" Black Moc Toe

Made with black full-grain leather, American Heritage Midnight Series 6" black moc toe work boots with the MAXWear Wedge sole delivers performance and style.

thorogoodusa.com

Really looking to get away from laces though.

These Icon look intresting as a retro tall boot style, not sure if it has the toe clearance your looking for but doesn't look to bad...FTG View attachment 799599 View attachment 799600 View attachment 799601

I’ve been eyeing these. They do have a cool retro vibe though I am wondering what the toebox height would be like. They look pretty bulky in the pictures.

 

[oldgoldie]

if your looking for a motox style boot here's a pair, more expensive more protection however shifting may be a problem as the ankles are not very flexible.

Alpinestars Oscar Supervictory Boots - RevZilla

Worn by riders like Roger DeCoster and Bob Hannah, the Super victory is the natural evolution of Alpinestars’ original Victory motocross boot.

www.revzilla.com

 

[ND BonnieT100]

Being in North Dakota, lots of people up here have western boots. You can get the shank as tall or short as you are comfortable with. They are slip on, but if they are fitted correctly, they should not come off easily.

 

[Steve Ford]

I try not to torture test them but I've never lost an engineer boot in a crash.
Chippewa made some engineer boots with shifter patches and velcro closures but they let water in so up for sale they went.
I'll stick with the old Red Wings, go down 1/2 size from a sneaker.