One of the dumbest things a motorcyclist can do is wear flip flops on a bike. Not only will this make it much more difficult to shift gears, but it exposes your feet to being trashed out by rocks on the road, or broken in an accident. When riding a motorcycle the thing that is closest to the ground is going to be your feet. They are most closely exposed to all of the debris on the road. Even your average tennis shoe will not offer much protection from larger rocks kicked up on the highway. Nonetheless, many motorcyclists including myself are guilty of wearing improper footwear most of the time. Though you will not catch me dead wearing flip flops! Though not a wise choice, motorcyclists are usually too excited to get out on their bikes that they don’t want to take the extra time to gear up properly. There are some much better choices to make before climbing on your bike, including slipping on some proper boots. This article will go over the benefits of the features of a well designed riding boot.
Types of Boots
There are two basic types of motorcycle boots. One is designed for sport bikes, and one is designed for cruisers.
Sport Bike Boots
First we will examine the sport bike boots. Sport bike boots come in a myriad of colors. This is because most sport bike riders like to have all their gear match their bike. They also come in either a three quarter length, or a full length boot. The full length boot is going to offer a bit more coverage higher up on the leg. Most sport bike boots are constructed with a micro-fiber material that is designed to resist abrasion. For impact protection, these types of boots have some sort of impact absorbing foam. There are many different types of foams of which could be a lengthy scientific study in itself. All of the foams however perform the same basic function: To absorb the impact of a harsh blow, and spread it throughout the boot instead of directly onto your foot and ankle. In addition to the safety features of the boot, there are also many different comfort features. These boots are ventilated in some area to keep the foot and leg cool. Each boot is going to have its own specific comfort features such as arch support, wider foot bed, and different kinds of Velcro straps that add to the comfort of the rider. On the bottom of the boot is usually a rubber tread that maximizes grip on the foot pegs, as well as on the ground.
Cruiser Boots
Cruiser boots have a more subtle look to them. They typically come in either black or brown leather. They also come in a three quarter, or full length size. Cruiser boots have the appearance of a nice work boot yet are engineered for more protection than the average work boot. Most cruiser boots have a steel or plastic toe to guard against debris on the road. Most of these kinds of boots have a steel ring on either side of the ankle held in place by straps that go around the heel of the boot. The ring is designed to give support and protection your ankle in case of a crash. In addition, they have a slip resistant sole to maintain grip on and off the foot pegs. Unlike sport bike boots, cruiser boots typically do not have an impact absorbing foam lining. For comfort, these boots normally have a padded insert. Cruiser boots are secured by laces instead of Velcro straps.
Fancier Options
There are some more expensive types of boots that are designed for cold, wet weather. These boots have a lining that serves to repel water, as well as keep the foot warm. These boots have similar safety features as most sport bike boots. In fact, if you can afford it, these boots are the best boot money can buy. Though they are designed for colder weather, wearing them when it’s warm will not be a problem due to their well designed ventilation systems.
Wrap-Up
The debate will likely rage on for years to come… What is the point of wearing riding boots? Riding boots are not going to make the difference between life and death in a crash like a helmet would. Obviously, this is because they are protecting your feet instead of any vital organs. However, they could prevent you from crashing due to getting hit in the foot with a rock and losing focus on the road. In addition, they will protect your feet in case you do happen to crash. Hopefully this article helped to answer any questions you might have about the benefits of a proper boot. Now you can make your own personal decision, are you going to wear boots or not?
{ 0 comments… add one now }