View Full Version : Army boots safe for riding?
What's your view on riding in army style/doc martens type boots? I've tried a couple of pairs of bike boots but just couldn't get on with them. They were so bulky! Couldn't feel the pegs, couldn't even get my foot under the gear shifter properly. Felt really unsafe and not in control of the bike as a result.
Love my army boots. I know they don't offer the same protection but...
BBadger
18-06-12, 08:17 PM
Well its better than trainers or the likes and if they are decent patrol boots im sure they will hold up but in an off its the impact thats the problem as they have the protection and rigidity the army boots dont.
first things first change the gear/rear break lever positions, and wear the boots round the house to wear them in they soon soften up and have more give then you might feel more comfortable wearing them on the bike.
rictus01
18-06-12, 08:20 PM
have you tried some of the more normal footwear types, rather than racing boots? they have far less plastic bits and are less restrictive? as to Army boots, personally I wouldn't use the fabric/mesh type, but a solid soul/ full leather boot would be OK in most circumstances, on occasion I use my old DMS boots , as long as you know the limitations and are happy with that I see no problem.
Cheers Mark.
The bike boots I had were akito and swift. didn't like either. the usual ones I ride in are all leather
The downside I def noticed on a longer trip was the vibration you feel in the foot. Plus it can get chilly
its the only footwear a mate of mine wears, he doesnt like normal bike boots.
I thought the tongue would let water in, but theyre well sealed, and looks like they last years if looked after.
DJFridge
18-06-12, 08:32 PM
When I was learning, I used a pair of hike boots that I knew were comfortable for exactly the same reasons as you. On my Mod1 I bounced a bit (details elsewhere) and the hike boots definitely stopped my ankle actually breaking, but I bashed up my totally unprotected lower shin quite badly. I tried a lot of different styles, some really bulky and some not so. My only real thing was I knew I didn't want zips - crud builds up in them and then they jam and then they break. I finally settled on these (http://www.ghostbikes.com/products/on-road-gear-motorcycle-boots/1560-blytz-k4-long-motorcycle-boots.html) which are available from lots of other shops too. They're pretty light, I can wear them on the bike or walking around, they're just velcro to fasten and they are long enough to have saved my shin if I'd been wearing them at the time!
Have you tried Sidi Black Rain ?
I had a pair of them and they were so so comfy. They are not bulky at all and I reckon you should get on OK with them.
What size are you ?
Try these http://www.altberg.co.uk/ for boots
Fallout
18-06-12, 08:37 PM
I think you'd get used to normal bike boots quickly. Gear lever doesn't need any feel. You just push it up or down. You could argue that the rear brake pedal needs some feel, but you'll get used to it.
I wouldn't compromise on the ankle protection you get from bike boots. I've heard a story of a guy who came off and the medics on the scene were surprised by a white line leading up to the crash victim and his bike. Turns out his foot was tapped under it as he slid along and it ground his ankle bone into the tarmac. He was wearing trainers.
But I suppose it's all a compromise on safety. You have to make your own choice as to whether you are comfortable with the slightly increased chance of injury. When I wear my Hornee jeans, which have no impact protection (just kevlar lining), I have to accept the fact I'm more likely to shatter a knee cap or hip on impact. I ride accordingly.
Balky001
18-06-12, 08:42 PM
Try some MX boots for a week and you'll find road boots feel like slippers
IMO Dr Martins/army boots aren't the best and its better to get used to proper gear.
I found Daytona's £500 boot horrible but the TCX RS Comp super comfy so don't go by price but you will find a pair that suits you. You try Held?
I was wearing ex-army 18 hole leather boots when I had a nasty accident in '95 when I left my CX500 wedged in the side of an Astra van (writing off both vehicles).
The leather had a tear on one boot and I chipped a bone on my ankle but that was all. I had the boot repaired and they're still going strong as my winter boots. They do take bit of getting used to but I also wear thick socks so you can't feel much.
So to answer the question of "do they do the job". In my experience yes, definitely. I think it's one of the best £10 I've ever spent.
However, I wear Alpine Stars until it gets too cold/wet.
femaleacid
18-06-12, 10:22 PM
I suppose it's whatever you feel comfortable in riding with and what you feel would be best to protect you.
If you don't feel as 'in control' then maybe consider wearing some boots that are less bulky but if you are used to riding with them on then so be it.
I used to wear military boots as a passenger back in the days when I only wore jeans and a thin leather jacket and it made me feel so uncomfortable and vulnerable I don't think I could wear them again.
Jayneflakes
18-06-12, 10:33 PM
I have tried riding in Docs, but I find that the toe is too thin to comfortably change gear. I also have some proper riding boots that have armored shins and to be honest, they fell apart after a year and never offered the support that good mountain boots offer.
These days I ride in thick leather, semi stiffened, three season climbing boots. These will take a flexible crampon so have a stiff sole for support and comfort. However, being a high boot, they cover my ankle and come a little up my shin.
Riding in them felt strange after the light weight biker boot, but the added protection and comfort makes them worth it. I do make sure though that they are always well waxed and use coloured polish before waxing so that they don't look too weird! On very wet days, I even use my old Gore Tex snow gaitors. :D
if your going to use lace up boots on a bike then please make sure that you either tuck the laces into the boots at the top of use a gator of some sort. one of my mates got laces trapped in his chain years ago. it was not nice.
femaleacid
18-06-12, 10:43 PM
if your going to use lace up boots on a bike then please make sure that you either tuck the laces into the boots at the top of use a gator of some sort. one of my mates got laces trapped in his chain years ago. it was not nice.
I can imagine that wasn't a good experience!
I heard about some guy who had a pair of jeans in his rucksack and they slowly came out and the leg got caught on the chain and took him straight off!
Ah yes, got to agree with Bibio. I always keep the "bow" as short as possible and double knot it.
rictus01
18-06-12, 10:58 PM
I've heard a story of a guy who came off and the medics on the scene were surprised by a white line leading up to the crash victim and his bike. Turns out his foot was tapped under it as he slid along and it ground his ankle bone into the tarmac. He was wearing trainers.
As I've said I see not problem it robust leather boots per se, but I will add a tale that isn't anecdotal.
in 2005 I was riding my bike home on the A3, I came across (what I later found out was a road sign) grey metal disc in the road a bout three feet in diameter, I saw it, but it those moments it took to work out what it was I reached it with the front wheel ( the car in front had just gone over it so a second or to at most I had to deal with it), the front wheel slid out on the metal (well the metal slid taking the front wheel with it) as it was on a bend and the bike wasn't upright, the bike went over on it's side trapping my foot between it and the road, it felt like hundreds of yards, but was only about 70 or so before it came to rest, I pushed the bike off got up and felt light headed, so sat down in the road, looked at my left foot, the boot appeared to be misshapen with a white patch on the left toe side. this seemed to quickly fill with a black fluid, then overflow to red onto the road, I passed out.
later I was to find the bike had ground my toe slider into the road, worn through it, through the reinforced base and the toecap and ground two toes and a section of foot away, this was in proper motorbike boots, toe slider and everything, but the combination of a concrete type surface and the weight of a 50 mph Triumph speed triple had effectively gone through 1/2 inch of plastic, two layers of thick leather and my foot.
the moral of the story? nothing is total protecting....
Cheers Mark.
femaleacid
18-06-12, 11:00 PM
As I've said I see not problem it robust leather boots per se, but I will add a tale that isn't anecdotal.
in 2005 I was riding my bike home on the A3, I came across (what I later found out was a road sign) grey metal disc in the road a bout three feet in diameter, I saw it, but it those moments it took to work out what it was I reached it with the front wheel ( the car in front had just gone over it so a second or to at most I had to deal with it), the front wheel slid out on the metal (well the metal slid taking the front wheel with it) as it was on a bend and the bike wasn't upright, the bike went over on it's side trapping my foot between it and the road, it felt like hundreds of yards, but was only about 70 or so before it came to rest, I pushed the bike off got up and felt light headed, so sat down in the road, looked at my left foot, the boot appeared to be misshapen with a white patch on the left toe side. this seemed to quickly fill with a black fluid, then overflow to red onto the road, I passed out.
later I was to find the bike had ground my toe slider into the road, worn through it, through the reinforced base and the toecap and ground two toes and a section of foot away, this was in proper motorbike boots, toe slider and everything, but the combination of a concrete type surface and the weight of a 50 mph Triumph speed triple had effectively gone through 1/2 inch of plastic, two layers of thick leather and my foot.
the moral of the story? nothing is total protecting....
Cheers Mark.
WOW! That is actually sounds fecking painful.
rictus01
18-06-12, 11:04 PM
WOW! That is actually sounds fecking painful.
I've had worse.....;)
and more over that's true as well....:-s:nemo:
femaleacid
18-06-12, 11:08 PM
I've had worse.....;)
and more over that's true as well....:-s:nemo:
Then I feel so sorry for you!
I suppose it could be worse... Could be a gimp I can imagine that's quite a painful occupation.
WHY HAS THIS FORUM DAMAGED MY MIND?! I am sick in the head!
rictus01
18-06-12, 11:11 PM
I fear you've been exposed to idle banter a little to much, but this bit is in the real ( well real-er) world....;)
femaleacid
18-06-12, 11:13 PM
I fear you've been exposed to idle banter a little to much, but this bit is in the real ( well real-er) world....;)
I think I have. Oh lord.
Good job I've downloaded this bloody tapatalk because I'm actually commenting on the 'real world' stuff.
Dave-the-rave
19-06-12, 01:40 AM
I've ridden in British Army high leg boots since they were first issued in the eighties.
Doc martins are kak though.
Gimps are fine (allegedly).
Okay, my 2p worth from the years of conversations and advice I've had on this subject.
Army boots are probably better than trainers - but DM boots are not, they're just too soft.
Anything with a steel toe cap should be avoided - this will cut your toes off in any crushing accident.
Motorcycle boots are made with lots of lateral rigidity to protect your foot in the event of a crush; they usually also have lots of heel, ankle and calf protection for the same reasons. Army style boots just don't offer this.
Practically speaking, motorcycle boots are easier to put on and off... while I'm a fan of laces, I'd go made if I had to get in and out of a 12-eye boot every time I got on the bike. Plus laces get caught in brake/gear levers which is a pain.
I had DM's on when i had a car pull out on me.
Broke most of the bones in the middle part of my foot.But it held together and did its job.
The steel toe cap likely saved my toes and most bike boots don't have that.
timwilky
19-06-12, 07:01 AM
Once got laces caught up. Embarrassing come to a stop and you cannot get your foot off the peg. Too late to try to tip it the other way. Over you go.
Lesson learned 30 years ago. Always proper boots for me.
Mark... that sounds awful... and you say you've had worse! You are the terminator!
Thanks for advice guys! Lots to think about. Any good shop recommendations? The ladies section is often not the best.
in 2005 I was riding my bike home on the A3...
2008 wasn't it?
rictus01
19-06-12, 07:18 AM
nope 2006 was the "something worse", I'd just got over the amputation the previous year.
+1 on the sidi black rains. Most comfortable things I think I've ever had on my feet, right from trying them in the shop. Unfortunately mine were as waterproof as a sieve so I use them as summer boots now. Oh and the zip broke on one.
dizzyblonde
19-06-12, 09:21 AM
Alpinestars goretex apex boots. I'm female I don't like bulk and they fit nice. Or the web version which my OH has.
Like a pair of trainers to walk in and they don't leak or squeek.
Hth
Another thing to consider is how you have your feet on the pegs. If you ride on the arch of your foot it can be tricky to get a toe under the changer. If you ride on the balls of your feet you just slide your foot forward. Forward and up to change down, forward and down to change up.
I've met loads of people who want new rear-sets, different gear levers, thinner boots etc and they are pretty much all "fixed" with better foot positioning.
Often these are new riders who learnt on a school's knackered GS500 whose levers were bent all over the place and only got the "problem" when they got themselves a decent, sporty bike where everything is a bit closer together like it was supposed to be when it left the factory.
Many other benefits of riding on the balls of your feet but shan't go into those here.
mister c
20-06-12, 05:41 AM
I had quite a severe off a few years ago hitting several objects of scenery before coming to a stop in the road. I had 1 cut, which was on my ankle.
I was wearing full motorcycle gear EXCEPT for my boots, they were leather, steel toe cap work boots. I don't know if it was the tree, or fence that I hit, but it ripped straight through the leather & into my ankle.
I now wear proper motorcycle boots. Mine are Alpinestar touring boots & they feel like a pair of slippers. I can wear them all day without any problems. As someone said on here, racing boots are full of plastic etc & aren't too comfy, I never got on with mine.
I had a nasty interfacing with a volvo, (why is it always f*ing volvos?) in feb 2011. A typical SMIDSY, and he pulled into my left foot, the doctors couldnt believe I hadnt broken anything, particularly my shin bone, as I had a lovelly bruise outline all around the shin plate on my Oxtars. They think that the shin plate did its job and dissipated all the energy of the impact around the shin plate, effectivly saving my shin. (My foot was another story, with a very black and blue ending). So it isnt just about covering up ankles, though I do ride in army boots occasionaly, as they are beautifully comfortable, but I wouldnt wear them on long ridesany more.
Damn... thought Volvo drivers were meant to be the safest around
You've it not followed me then ......
Another thing to consider is how you have your feet on the pegs. If you ride on the arch of your foot it can be tricky to get a toe under the changer. If you ride on the balls of your feet you just slide your foot forward. Forward and up to change down, forward and down to change up.
I've met loads of people who want new rear-sets, different gear levers, thinner boots etc and they are pretty much all "fixed" with better foot positioning.
Often these are new riders who learnt on a school's knackered GS500 whose levers were bent all over the place and only got the "problem" when they got themselves a decent, sporty bike where everything is a bit closer together like it was supposed to be when it left the factory.
Many other benefits of riding on the balls of your feet but shan't go into those here.
I always ride with the balls of my feet on the pegs
andrewsmith
20-06-12, 01:24 PM
Okay, my 2p worth from the years of conversations and advice I've had on this subject.
Army boots are probably better than trainers - but DM boots are not, they're just too soft.
Anything with a steel toe cap should be avoided - this will cut your toes off in any crushing accident.
Motorcycle boots are made with lots of lateral rigidity to protect your foot in the event of a crush; they usually also have lots of heel, ankle and calf protection for the same reasons. Army style boots just don't offer this.
Practically speaking, motorcycle boots are easier to put on and off... while I'm a fan of laces, I'd go made if I had to get in and out of a 12-eye boot every time I got on the bike. Plus laces get caught in brake/gear levers which is a pain.
Agree with Billy on this.
I've ridden bikes short distances in DM safetys and it didn't feel too safe or comfortable IMHO
If your needing a more comfortable boot, thing like these
Clicky (http://www.topgearsuperstore.com/mega-clearance-sale/motorbike-boots/targa-zenith-motorcycle-boots.html) and clicky (http://www.jofama.com/motorcycle_wear/product_details.php?lang=2&id=109&cid=13) are safe and comfortable (albiet the latters are a chunky boot)
Can't agree with the steel toe cap comment.
Myth bustsers also had no issue and disproved that one too.
My toes were fine.
the bit between well that's a different story .
which shops in London have a good range of stock?
Infinity on Hangar Lane usually have a few in.
Mikey10
20-06-12, 10:34 PM
Personally i don't even think about it i have 2 proper bike boots and gloves both i would never go for cheap options as im a very skinny lad and last thing i want is to bugger my ankle or shin.
you can get very well priced high quality waterproof bike boots sidi alpinestars etc.. for £200 that will do everything you need for bike riding just need to commit to them and ride round the block a few times changing up and down, rear braking alot get a good feel its take a quite a few miles of riding for the boot to soften up and feel like an old comfy pair of slippers.
can't really say anythign that has'nt already been said. :smt023
200 squid is a lot. I need new tyres and a bar conversion or new clip ons... I only bought the bike two months ago... I'm blooming broke :(
rictus01
21-06-12, 09:06 AM
well as I said it's a bit like kevlar jeans, as long as you know the limitation of what you wear on the bike, you can ride appropriately, but as far as kit is concerned, you've missed the main "kit" show which is the BMF rally in May, but they have a smaller one at the start of November called the "tail end", it's a good place to get some bargains( not only clothing, but locks chains/ puncture kits tents, just about anything bike related) and you can try before you buy mostly so you know it fits, I'll be shooting up for that as I normally do.
Cheers Mark.
Is it in London? November is a while away...
Tail ends peterbrough .
If your a size 5 can lend you The Mrs ones
I am a size 5 :) but I do need to buy my own to keep. Thank you for kind offer tho
rictus01
21-06-12, 09:21 AM
Is it in London? November is a while away...
You have a motorbike love, you'll enjoy a proper run on it.....:cool:
Hahaha, but don't necessarily have the time off work...
I got these (http://www.twowheel.co.uk/sidi-vertigo-ladies-boots.html) in 2010 and havent looked back.
Sure as with any new shoes/boots they take a bit of getting used to, but I was amazed at how much more "safe" I felt wearing them over previous footwear.
Well that give you breathing space. Till November .
they are black with pink ( go well with Sarah s white and pink leathers )
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