In July I had a spill on my V. I was wearing good gear and good armor in the right places and ended up with no abrasions at all on my body. Just a few bumps and bruises. However, when I went down the bike ended up on my ankle and my ankle (malleolus) broke. I was wearing Icon Accelerant boots, which, while pretty comfortable, didn't protect the ankle bone.
I'd prefer a street / touring boot above the ankle, waterproof or not, depending on the model, with good malleolus protection.
Also is there a frame slider that would be mounted low to keep the bike off the foot in the event of another slide-out?
The cast is now off the foot and I should be able to ride in another couple of weeks. It's been a pretty lousy summer but I'd love to get some autumn riding in. I was very glad I was in all my gear at the time of the accident.
I bow to the collective wisdom of the forum for suggestions.

I wear these...Lots of protection at ankles...Pretty light weight and very warm in the winter, semi ventilated for summer...

http://www.rei.com/product/789515

Hope you are back in the saddle soon :thumb:

swing arm spools/sliders, front axle sliders and an engine guard / crashbar could have helped. Hard luggage could keep your ankle from getting caught between the bike and road as well. I haven't laid my V down so I'm just guessing these things would help. As far as boots go I wear a pair of Alpinestars gps boots I got on clearance. They have some armor on the outside of the ankle but nothing on the inside.

I have laid mine down with H&B engine guards and they did a great job of protecting the bike and me. Anythin that keeps the bike off of your body parts will work.

I have laid mine down with H&B engine guards and they did a great job of protecting the bike and me. Anything that keeps the bike off of your body parts will work.

X 2 on the H-B guards, NOT the lay-it-down! And, a lot of the time I ride with MX boots which have way more ankle protection. :yeahsmile:
Ed :cheers:

check out the THOR 50/50 about $100 bucks, very rigid, good ankle protection. Easy on and off, very comfortable. I've had them two years. Love them. Look somewhat normal when not on the bike. No laces a plus.
http://dirtbike.off-road.com/dirtbike/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=503218

Contractor... Are you referring to the Sorel boots? Sorels were (are?) made here in Quebec and I have always admired their quality boot making. Never thought of them as riding boots, though.
I also should say that I had the SW Motech crashbars. They protected what they were supposed to...just not me.

I also wear these ( http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/36/8878/ITEM/Alpinestars-Web-Gore-Tex-Boots.aspx ) boots.

I wear these.

http://www.ridersdiscount.com/street-gear/boots-men/89437.php

Great protection, armor on the ankles and shin, comfortable, even for walking. Got them off eBay for about $160 including shipping, but that was about a year ago.

Machog

Yup...Sorel boots of Canada...Spent 3 months looking at boots and settled on these. I tried on some Sidi's, Alpinestars etc., but I just can't get head wrapped around the way they look, on me at least. Always get the feeling I should put on a mask and cape and look for some tall building to jump off :interesting:
It comes down to protection and comfort and these work great for me :D

If you are worried about your safety I wouldn't wear hiking boots on a bike. They are not designed to provide any impact protection like you would from motorcycle boots. I'd also say that all these "new" hiking boot like motorcycle boots (Accelerant, Thor 50/50, etc.) are also a compromise. They provide a little better ankle impact protection, but no shin protection and they allow a lot more lateral movement than tall boots.

The boots Mac uses are a good example of good riding boots (I am particularly partial to Oxtar/TCW, I have had several pairs, both street and dirt, and they make good boots). If you want more protection, there are street racing or dual sport/dirt designs that are even more rigid, but then you have to give up some comfort in daily use. In the end, it's a question of managing your risks. If you want the best foot/ankle protection, it's hard to beat real MX boots. But they are seriously uncomfortable to walk in. Street sport or touring boots will probably give you the best compromise.

Gustavo

The TCX's look good to me. I had noticed the donut malleolus protector last year. Perhaps I should have gotten them then. I'll try to source them in Montreal if I can. Some boots I am a size 10 in and some I am an 11. Returns become more difficult cross border.

Sorry to hear about your spill, and glad you are doing better. Thanks for the insight, I wear the Icon Accelerant boots and will duly note your experience. Do you think a different boot would have made a difference in your situation?

Yes, the Thor 50/50.

I have a pair of Sidi's, great fit, armor on the heels, ankles, and shins, nice vents, and comfortable to walk in . http://www.Motorcycle-Superstore.com/1/1/36/105/ITEM/Sidi-Strada-Evo-Air-Boots.aspx

I second the Sidis, with reservations. I can't say I am 100% happy with them and am going to move back to some A* boots, most likely. The A* are just a bit more comfy, imho.

Tourmaster makes some nice boots that are reasonably priced. I bought a pair from Whitehorse Press in New Hampshire, which is a pleasant ride from Montreal.

+1 on the 50/50s.

+1 on the 50/50s.

Vindicated, finally. :D

Re the Thor's... I don't see where there is sufficient ankle protection on them. They look padded and very comfortable but then so did my Accelerants. Please enlighten.

Thor makes dirt bike boots. These were initially intended for when you wanted to hit the trails but at a mild pace. They are heavily padded at the ankle and the sole is very rigid for standing on the pegs. (kick someone in the nuts with these and they're going down) I would say they have great crush resistance. As for the tall boots, I like Dorians Sidi's and are probably worth the extra money. I would stay away from touring boots as they are generally softer and don't have the crush resistance. I would try the Sidi's and the Thor 50/50 if you can. One thing, I take an 11 1/2 shoe but the Thor size 11 fit me just right. You've asked a good question, when the time comes, you can never have too much protection. Don't let a couple of bucks make up your mind when you probably will own them for years.

Thanks for the help guys.

Sidi's as long as you get in to the higher end boots offer the best protection in the industry.

Sidi's as long as you get in to the higher end boots offer the best protection in the industry.


This is based on...? I'm sure they make good boots, but what makes them the best protection in the industry?

Gustavo

The TCX's look good to me. I had noticed the donut malleolus protector last year. Perhaps I should have gotten them then. I'll try to source them in Montreal if I can. Some boots I am a size 10 in and some I am an 11. Returns become more difficult cross border.

I purchased a pair of TCX Competizione S Boots as they are one of the few CE certified boots, TCX also got a great review on Ride magazine. They have ankle protection (protects you against hyper extension during a fall), great crush protection, and are quite comfortable to wear.

I can't say I'd want to wear them all day off the bike, but in terms of safety they are nearly the best you can get.

Personally I wish the soles had a little more grip, and that the boots had a little more flexibility as it can make shifting especially when new a little difficult. But otherwise they are some of the best safety boots you can get for street riding.

This is based on...? I'm sure they make good boots, but what makes them the best protection in the industry?

Gustavo

Age of the company, amount of testing under real conditions. Facts and figures of testing protective gear can't be beat. A company like Icon while good plays a lot of catch up as they learn from people that have crashed and reported back to them. A company like Sidi fine-tunes its already deep knowledge base.

Year round I'm in these. With a little mink oil they are water proof enough to commute in. http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/2/6/3/2417/ITEM/Alpinestars-Tech-3-Boots.aspx

I use the Alpinestars Ridge (http://www.ridersdiscount.com/street-gear/boots-men/58812.php) boots. They're comfortable, waterproof, and should provide as much protection as the work boots I used to wear.

Are they as good as some of the other ones mentioned? I don't know. But they should be better than the lower-cut boots.

Dave C

They look pretty good too. I bet they're hot though. You guys probably don't notice that, being near Santa & all.

:D


:joke:




Still, the price is great & I like the style...

They look pretty good too. I bet they're hot though. You guys probably don't notice that, being near Santa & all.

:D


:joke:




Still, the price is great & I like the style...

You want us to put in a good word for ya?:D

I wear 2 styles of boots. Each pair cost about $250 cdn

The Vectors, which are a dual sport boot are stiffer than a typical street boot, but they don't feel as stiff as a ski boot like a normal MX boot. They are a very comfortable boot despite their stiffer build. Also the toes are slimmer, so they fit under the shifter nicer than a bulky MX boot. I wear these on rides on any type of gravel roads where rocks will fly up and hit my feet.

The boots I wear on the majority of my rides (street) are the SMX boots. They give excellent feel on the pegs and are as comfy as the Vectors, but allow for a bit more free movement. All the protection in all the right places.

I ALWAYS wear boots on all my rides and wouldn't leave the driveway without them on. I tried the hiking boot route years ago but after riding just once with a pair of motorcycle specific street boots I was sold.

You want us to put in a good word for ya?:D

I think it's working! Our weather has been SOOO nice this week! Thanks for the good word!

:thumb: :D

Boots are something I struggle with. While I want the protection, I don't care much for the flashiness that comes with a lot of the better boots. Plus I want to be able to walk around in them, I want to be able to go into a place & eat, or shop, or look around without feeling like I'm wearing cement shoes. Comfort is as important to me as safety. Looks are also important...

Well guys, I finally made the purchase (drum rolls). It was based on what was available to me and a bit on price (drum rolls again). While my heart went out to the TCX Matrix 5 or X-Fives, nomenclature depending on the year, and was anxious to try them I ended up with (more drum rolls please) (really loud drum rolls and a lot of flashing lights) Dainese Stivale Apache... a touring boot with hopefully adequate ankle protection and surprisingly comfortable for its size and height. I have a feeling that they were an end of line model but they feel great. May the Master of Malleoli protect me.... and us all everyone.

They look pretty good too. I bet they're hot though. You guys probably don't notice that, being near Santa & all.

:D


:joke:




Still, the price is great & I like the style...

I've always worn work boots with thinsulate in them, so they're no better or worse than anything else I've ever used, heat-wise. I didn't find them overly hot over the summer, and I've found them to be very comfortable to wear. Given how wet our summer was, the waterproof feature was a great feature.

Dave C

Carbo, sorry to hear about you taking a spill. I think to some degree your boot choice will have to be about the most boot you can get for your budget. I think if you are looking for something that will guarantee no more ankle fractures well.... there are others that could post here saying they crashed with those boots and they were damn glad to have them. Certainly what you were wearing was far better than flip-flops or sneakers. I saw a boot the other day that I figured would prevent just about any injury yet perhaps it is not exactly daily driver wear because it is too substantial for many folks.
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/2/6/3/2417/ITEM/Alpinestars-Tech-3-Boots.aspx
these things were as sturdy as ski boots. Of course when 400 pounds falls on you HARD!, you may be able to reduce the injury but not totally eliminate it. While the boots you were wearing did not completly eliminate the injury, you might have totaly crushed your foot had you been wearing sneakers. Hope you found something that gives you peice of mind, and should you fall provide some help.

I wear TCX Infinity Gore-Tex®. They are awesome fitting and great quality.
http://www.bikebandit.com/tcx-infinity-gore-tex-touring-boots?WT.mc_id=1484958&CAWELAID=338433335

Got them much cheaper in their native country!

oh yeah oops I forgot this is what I wear
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/36/17137/ITEM/Alpinestars-Ridge-Waterproof-Boot.aspx
I commute everyday to work the bike is how I get around every where and in nearly all weather so far they have been good boots.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-boots/sidi/on-road-boots/

how about the southern riders....what boots are recommended?

I have been wearing Alpinestars Web Gore-Tex (http://www.kawasakiversys.com/forums/showthread.php?p=65494#post65494) for the last 18 months. They are comfortable and waterprrof (except in extreme conditions) and have held up very well. They do well in hot or cold weather. They seem to keep my feet warm down to the lowers 30s unless I am spending a lot of time at highway speeds.

There are probably more choices in boots than helmets or gloves.