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Motorcycle Boot Reviews
Boots Introduction  Motorcycle tour boots A high design made from comfortable materials. Included are the basic protection shells however not as many as on race boots. They are commonly used of the bike as well. Of course they include extra features to avoid problems while riding (e.g. burning sole on exhaust or shoelaces around gear shifter)  Motorcycle race boots Often very technical boots with armour shells on impact areas. High design that can be tightly rapped around foot and calf. All features are to accommodate rider while riding (but not off the bike). Mostly for race bikes and off road bikes.  Motorcycle shorty boots A lighter version of the 'normal' boots. The upper design is shorter and often made of softer material. Generally such a boot contains less features than the previous two and is often used as a daily boot.  Motorcycle shoesAn alternative solution if you just don't feel like wearing boots. Such shoes are a great combination for on and off the bike. They have features for riding: shifter pad, waterproof material and a strong design.
Boots Advice & Checks  Upper design Select motorcycle boots that at least cover your ankles. This has two advantages (1) your ankle is protected (2) and your foot becomes more strong and thus better able to handle anything the bike wants to do (eg. tip over, slide away from you and onto your foot, burn your feet  (engine) It helps if the upper section has shell protection. The upper section can be reinforced at the front, the back, the heel, toes and ankle. On some boots you can adjust the shells for a perfect fit. Without a doubt such protection is the safest. Foot design Two things are important for a good foot design. (1) How well does the design grip the ankle and heel. (a good grip prevents heel from lifting and makes for a more comfortable ride). (2) Does the motorcycle boot have a shifter pad (the boot is going to be used a lot in this area) Yes, I know some bikes don't need this and have heel shift too. Sole design Grip! On and off the bike. Motorcycle boots should include a heel under the sole so you can rest it easily on the foot peg. On the road the motorcycle boot should give you great grip in mud, water, sand and oil. Boot materialMost motorcycle boots are made of leather with reinforcements on all the essential places. The leather can be supplemented with newer kinds of materials like Gor-Tex (which increases the breath ability).  A stiff rubber sole forms the basis for motorcycle boots. Chin, ankle, heels and calf are often protected by a carbon Kevlar material which protects the foot at the critical areas. Motorcycle boots can get very high-tech, explaining all this would go beyond the purpose of this guide. Opening & closing Do your motorcycle boots use a step in system with Velcro or shoelaces. It doesn't matter as long as you don't have loose material hanging from your feet. You could get it caught on the shift leaver or other places. Just check how your motorcycle boot handles this. Ventilation Apart from engine heat just wearing (big) motorcycle boots will heat up your feet. Does your boot have a ventilation system? Maybe something like Gore-tex which lets your feet breath without letting water in. Good leather is also known for it's ability to breath. Water resistant It is great to have water resistant motorcycle boots! It can just poor down, water can splash up against my feet... but I won't notice a thing. I highly recommend finding good water resistant motorcycle gear but especially boots. Boot usability Are you going to be using your motorcycle boots for other things. You might want all round boots which will easily let you go for a hike, take them out to town or walk around the office. Are you going to only wear them riding or all day? Think of this before you select.
Useful Boot Tips  There are a lot of boots which look good, are great to ride in and can be warn doing many other things. So take your time selecting the right pair. What I am about to say doesn't work with every biker and bike type but still ... I have great experiences with finding good strong boots which fit all of the criteria above at more general shoe stores. I got a pair of strong black leather motorcycle boots which are great for riding in. After a while all material starts to loose it's power. It becomes dirty, stinky and less effective. So you decide to give it a wash (like a new start)! Oops.. often you are much worse off. The material looks good again but isn't waterproof & effective anymore. A cheap and effective solution is NikWax - you can get it at outdoor shops. I myself need a strong sole because I test the road conditions with it. It gives me a better feeling while I ride. A soft sole wouldn't last so long doing this :o) Check how flexible the boots are. You want to avoid or prevent hyperextension / flexion /inversion of the ankle, get a strong boots. On lighter boots check if it's sturdy enough to resist flapping in the wind and has a good seal around your leg (especially if worn on the outside of your pants).  Boot Fitting Guide: Get a perfect fit 
A few selection pointers. (doesn't apply for every type of boots): (1) strong toe protection / shifter pad - (2) good ankle / heel grip & protection - (3) anti slip sole / stiff sole - (4) ankle protection - (5) strong waterproof material / flexible - (6) extra padding if wanted - (7) easy step in - (*) strong zippers / closers
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