Recommendations for new Motorcycle boots wanted

I need a new set of boots my Sidi's are leaking like a sieve and I
don't want to go through winter with wet feet. I commute daily. I
rather like the look of the Daytona Voyagers but would like to hear
your experiences before I go out and spend money.

 

I've not tried the Voyagers but I'm very happy with the 2 sets of Daytona
boots I've owned since 1996. My first pair were Highways (Highway GTXII has
replaced them) and as they are a bit warm for summer use I got a pair of
Non-stops.

Both pairs are comfortable and waterproof. My only criticism is that the
soles are not as grippy on some surfaces as I would like e.g. the bricks on
my drive which have an algal bloom need to be negotiated with care when
wet.

 

Sidi Black Rain Evo. 100% waterproof, nice feel on the brake and
gears, easy on and off, good shin protection, light weight. Happy
with mine.

 

I've used a pair of Alpinestars SMX GoreTex (189.99) for the
last 5 years and they're still going strong. Really comfortable
with plenty of grip on the soles. I use them for racing and
have crashed in them plenty of time but they're still fine.

The only criticism is that the plastic toe sliders wear out
too quickly, so I had to pay 15 quid for a pair of magnesium
one instead. But that's just me being picky.

 

I used a pair of similar, though cheaper, Alpinestar Gore-tex boots in
all weathers for about five years and ~40,000 miles. Highly
recommended. No probs with them, but at the end of that time they were
just getting a bit tatty and the soles worn (at the toe, due to the
way my feet tend to angle out from the pegs and touch down) so I
replaced them with a pair whose brand escapes me.

But really, the gore-tex label is more important in my view that the
maker, provided of course that they feel comfortable and give the
protection, wear and looks you're looking for.

--
_______
..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom)
\`\ | /`/ DS#8 BOTAFOT#3 SbS#2 UKRMMA#13 DFV#8 SKA#2 IBB#10
`\\ | //'
`\|/`
`

 

4ax.com:

The Goretex brand does not guarantee a waterproof product. It's the quality
of the assembly that determines the effectiveness. With Daytona I'm
confident that the product will be fine. I don't hold the same view of
Goretex products made for Hein Gericke for example.

 

I've got some HG boots with a Sheltex lining that seem work as boots and
seem to keep my feet dry even when it's absolutely bucketing down. For
80 quid they're bob on.

Can't comment on crash-worthiness, as the only time I've crashed in the
last 13 years I was wearing shorts, tshirt and trainers. Of those, the
tshirt was fucked, the shorts left my legs and arse unscathed, and the
trainers were fine once I'd washed the blood off.

 

W.S. Gore rigorously protects its name by ensuring that all garments
carrying the Gore-Tex label meet their own standards. Any manufacturer
not meeting said standards won't be allowed to use that branding.

So yes, it _is_ an effective guarantee of a waterproof product.

--
_______
..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom)
\`\ | /`/ DS#8 BOTAFOT#3 SbS#2 UKRMMA#13 DFV#8 SKA#2 IBB#10
`\\ | //'
`\|/`
`

 

That's what I'd expect but, admittedly anecdotal, evidence suggests their
follow processes may leave something to be desired.

Lozzo might be able to give a more informed opinion.

 

Really? I've never heard of anyone having a problem. Of course, it's
not going to be 100% waterproof - it never makes that claim, but it
will resist quite a high water pressure for quite a long time. Leaks
around the crotch, for example, mainly through seams, are sadly still
going to happen eventually.

I'd be interested to hear if he's had any horror-stories.

--
_______
..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom)
\`\ | /`/ DS#8 BOTAFOT#3 SbS#2 UKRMMA#13 DFV#8 SKA#2 IBB#10
`\\ | //'
`\|/`
`

 

Mo says...

I've had my Daytona RoadStar GTXs for about 5 or 6 years and they've
done close to 60K miles on my feet. They've never leaked a drop and are
dead comfy. The soles aren't quite worn out yet, but I think they may
well need a rebuild after this coming winter. Daytona are the only mass
boot manufacturer who offer a rebuild service, and it'll cost you 60% of
the price of new boots. For that they replace everything except the
leather uppers.

Excellent boots, buy some now.

--
Lozzo
Triumph Daytona 955i SE
Suzuki SV650 K3
Honda CBR600 F-W
Suzuki GSX-R750L
Yamaha SR250 SpazzTrakka

 

Ditto - I'd buy the same again.

 

ogden says...

I've got some HG Shelltex sports boots that are about to be thrown out.
The toe pads are broken up, which isn't surprising after 5 years
constant abuse. They've never leaked, and nor has any other Shelltex kit
I've got.

--
Lozzo
Triumph Daytona 955i SE
Suzuki SV650 K3
Honda CBR600 F-W
Suzuki GSX-R750L
Yamaha SR250 SpazzTrakka

 

wessie says...

The Goretex kit is fine, but I would be a little wary of buying HG's own
Shelltex kit now, despite my older stuff being of excellent quality. I
have seen more recent examples leak like sieves, Tori's for instance.
She took it back and upgraded to Goretex kit, which has been 100%
waterproof.

--
Lozzo
Triumph Daytona 955i SE
Suzuki SV650 K3
Honda CBR600 F-W
Suzuki GSX-R750L
Yamaha SR250 SpazzTrakka

 

My recently-replaced HG Shelltex boots let water in, but they were
pretty trashed.

 

Adies weren't the waterproof version and her feet would be soaked
within 10 miles of riding in rain. She now uses Sidi Black Rain boots
and rates them very highly.

I've got a pair of Swift boots which are really a bottom end of the
market boot. They're waterproof and pretty warm but I wouldn't expect
them to last long if used every day.

 

Have you considered Altberg? You pay £120-140 for quality boots and
get to support a British company at the same time. If you have a
problem with the boots they do their best to sort it out [1] and they
have a full refurb service. To top it all, if you actually go to the
shop you get to ride on the A6108.

[1] My mate bought one model and the style of the boot didn't suit his
heel shape. They upgraded him to a more expensive style that did suit
his foot FOC.

 

I have Gaytonas and Altbergs, they are both excellent in their own way. I
would recommend them both. The Alt's are far better for walking and kicking
Muslims. The Daytonas are better for sprotbikes, long distance work and
weatherproofing.

 

Altbergs - loads of ukrmers will no doubt sing their praises too & I
have a pair of boots on order (birthday pressie from t'other half) on
the recommendations from others. Warm, waterproof & comfortable seems
to be the general opinion. I've not heard a bad word about them.

 

depends on what you're after - the most waterproof[1] boots (and
indeed the most waterproof anything, bike clothing wise) I've had/got
are my Sidi Top Action Evo Motocross boots.

[1] they're effectively made from solid plastic with metal inserts, so
it's not surprise they don't leak from the body of the boot, and
they're sealed at the top with a sort of rubberised membrane and
closed with 5 clamps each boot.