Boots

[Trev B]

A quick question for anyone in retail or similar..are motorbike boots dreamed as safety ware!if so are we actually paying VAT on them....saw a nice pair of short summer boots and were £300, whereas a pair of good safety boots ( ok with steel or composite toe cap ) £50, Any ideas !!!

[DJ123]

i guess they are deemed to be safety wear on a motorcycle and designed to offer protection in a crash. But that is the only situation in which they are designed for, so unless your profession was a motorcycle rider (courier, racer, Police etc) then you probably couldn't claim the VAT.
Try Altberg boots as they can make custom boots for you which could fit the profile of both.

[Trev B]

Understood, but what I’m saying is I can buy a pair of safety boots from screwfix and I’m not business, just a DIYer, for £50.so have I paid VAT on them and can a business person claim the vat for them back or are they totally Vat free for everyone ???

[daktulos]

They're zero-rated, but I don't think it extends to motorcycle boots. For what it's worth, they'd only be £10 more with VAT, so there's more to it than just tax.

[Trev B]

Yes as I thought !!!

[daktulos]

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/protective-equipment-and-vat-notice-70123

2.6 Meaning of ‘industrial use’
This has its ordinary and everyday meaning. Boots and helmets that meet all the other conditions for zero rating but are not for industrial use, such as motorcycle boots, are standard-rated.

[GeorgeRYoung]

2 cents worth from Canada. I use work boots for motorcycling for frugality reasons. Motorcycle stuff is often premium priced and whenever I can, I use alternatives from other activities (e.g. automotive, camping, industrial ware).


We do have a VAT here, 13%, and it's added to the price at purchase.

[Trev B]

Your two cents is more than welcome sir. My original question was more about the ridiculous cost of motorcycle boots! I have come to the conclusion that bike boots are protective equipment as opposed to safety equipment! in my eyes that are the same thing more or less, but someone will tell me different I’m sure. Even taking the VAT off the pair I saw only £30 I still beggars belief how they justify £270 for basically a pair if high ankle trainers ( sneakers ) !!!

[daktulos]

I guess a lot of it will be down to the brand, and if they're waterproof, etc. Plus, I imagine there'll be a difference in costs for CE approval. That said, here are a pair for £50:

https://www.jsaccessories.co.uk/buy/jands-super-tour-boots-fw-132-black/10692.htm

I suspect you could probably find a pair of work boots for £300 if you really tried!

[Trev B]

Seen them,had a pair similar and a pair of Daytona journeyman (£180) and wasn’t that much difference to be honest. Both with mega hard thin rubber soles and not comfy to walk around in for any length of time so I just wanted something with a thicker yet rubber Bounce type sole !!!

[SV650rules]

Riggers safety boots come up quite high and are cheap, may be difficult to get toe under gear lever though..

https://www.screwfix.com/c/safety-workwear/rigger-boots/cat850522?ds_kid=43700034477983518&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Generic%20%7C%20Work%20Boots&utm_term=safety%20rigger%20boot&utm_content=Rigger%20Boots%20-%20Merged&ds_rl=1245250&ds_rl=1249475&gclid=CNizlKTtguQCFcSQGwodMCEOfQ&gclsrc=ds

[Heorot]

I guess a lot of it will be down to the brand, and if they're waterproof, etc. Plus, I imagine there'll be a difference in costs for CE approval. That said, here are a pair for £50:

https://www.jsaccessories.co.uk/buy/jands-super-tour-boots-fw-132-black/10692.htm

I suspect you could probably find a pair of work boots for £300 if you really tried!

I had a pair of those super tour boots. The sole separated from the upper after less than a year. On both boots.

[Heorot]

I have a problem with water retention in my legs and feet; they are about twice the size they should be so buying normal motorbike boots is impossible for me as a). I struggle to get my feet in even a size up and b). even if I get my feet in, I can't close them up. The only boot I could get my feet in and do up is the RST Urban II Boot at £80. It is laced so I can tie them as loose as I need.

https://www.ridemoto.com/rst-urban-ii-boots-black.html

[Dave20046]

On the ‘safety boots’ comparison You shouldn’t really use work boots on a bike ( but probably better than trainers)

Bike boots have reinforced soles (not just toes) to stop crushing and go up way past the ankle with mechanical protection to stop joints being pulled the wrong direction - a common smidsy crash is a car tboning you, the bumper hits above the ankle so most work boots won’t protect

[SV650rules]

On the ‘safety boots’ comparison You shouldn’t really use work boots on a bike ( but probably better than trainers)

Bike boots have reinforced soles (not just toes) to stop crushing and go up way past the ankle with mechanical protection to stop joints being pulled the wrong direction - a common smidsy crash is a car tboning you, the bumper hits above the ankle so most work boots won’t protect


Pretty much every safety boot has reinforced sole as well to prevent penetration if you step on something like a nail, and rigger style boots come mid calf or higher. Lets face it you pay for the name with motor bike kit ( as with many other things ).

[Dave20046]

Pretty much every safety boot has reinforced sole as well to prevent penetration if you step on something like a nail, and rigger style boots come mid calf or higher. Lets face it you pay for the name with motor bike kit ( as with many other things ).


I’d happily pay £100 for something that’s designed specifically for the application I’m using and tested somewhat accordingly - especially when it comes to the chance of losing a body part etc
Not to mention the fact they’re goretex so kept me tootsies dry

I’ve no idea how much rigger boots are but my last midstop PPE boots were about £35, it’s not a huge jump.

[Bibio]

you payz your money.... seriously proper bike boots are not cheep coz they do a job. i would never buy a pair that were not goretex. i paid the wonga for a pair of sidi armada gore and they are worth every penny i paid. yes i have crashed in them and they saved the sticky out bits on the ned of my legs.

they are still like new even after the crash (hit a bambi at 60mph) got thrown off the bike. i hit a deer then went into a tank slapper after smashing into the deer, i then got thrown off the bike landed hard from about 9ft, tumbled along for a good 100yds then slid along for a good 30yds. i got up and walked away. yes i was sore with bruising but i was in one piece and nothing broken or out of place. the other gear i was wearing was Rukka. my gear is worth more than the bike but it proved itself.

its the age old question.. how much do you value yourself?