Boots - Ducati Miles or BMW Street Sneaker 2 opinions

I'm not a fan of boots with laces for motorcycle riding. I've heard of people falling because the lace got wrapped around a shifter or brake lever. Neither of those look like they have good ankle support, either. I like hard armor in the ankles. If you want something less "racer" looking than Spidi, etc., check out Daytona boots. www.helimot.com
Otherwise, Spidi is good, and so is Alpinestars.

I agree with DucatiGal -

I wear boots that (1) protect my shins (rocks, road trash, etc.) with a plastic/fiberglass plate and (2) keep my ankle from bending/breaking if I crash. I’m not sure that either of those boots would do that.

When a boot maker uses words like “trendy and fashionable” do they have your safety in mind? (I know that they say their boots offer protection but I do not see a plate. And when you get wacked on the shin by a chunk of pavement while you are doing 80 mph it's going to hurt! I know. Thank goodness I had a protection plate.)

Bottom line is that it’s your choice. They are certainly better than tennis shoes or flip-flops. They are probably not as good as racing/touring boots.

I almost went with something like that or the Icon Super Duty, but just couldn't convince myself.

If you're wanting protection, but don't want to look like Robocop, take a look at the Sidi Strada or Sidi Champion. Not a race boot, but not a fancy hiking boot either. I went with the Sidi Strada Evo Air (don't plan to ride in the rain on purpose) and have been very happy. They're comfortable and they do vent well. http://www.newenough.com/sidi_strada_evo_air_boots_page.htm

Again, either of those are better than sneakers, but for about the same price or a little more you can do better.

http://www.sierrabmw.bigstep.com/item.jhtml?UCIDs=820323|1286260&PRID=1519437

Would either of these boots offer good protection, as I like their style, or would I be better off with a more normalized touring/racing motorcycle boot such as Sidi, etc? Any boot will be worn with either leather or textile motorcycle pants. Help? Thanks.[/QUOTE]

Let me just say that I spent over 9 months out of work, 3 surgeries, and lengthy rehab to repair my severed peronial tendon on my right foot! If I had been wearing decent boots with good ankle protection I would have walked away from my accident.

I recommend that you stay away from the lace boots and go with a good pair of protective, armored boots. Their are many different styles out there, so you should find something decent.

I am wearing Sidi boots now, very comfortable and protective!

Don

I've been wearing the Sidi Vertebrae w/gore tex for 2 yrs. They offer great protection and , believe it or not, are actually quite comfortable to walk in.

bruce19

Ask yourself if you can take a hit from a rock kicked up by a car or truck.

Ask yourself if those would protect you from a low side and your bike landed on top of you. Would they come off?

Talk to Ducati Don as he has relevant experience with what can happen if you don't wear the proper gear.

Dress for the crash not for the ride (or the walk after the ride)

level7 said:

Ask yourself if you can take a hit from a rock kicked up by a car or truck.

Ask yourself if those would protect you from a low side and your bike landed on top of you. Would they come off?

Dress for the crash not for the ride (or the walk after the ride)

Click to expand...

+1

Like many others have posted, Sidi offers excellent protection. I like the Sidi Strada Evo Tepor boots as well, but you can check out some of there line here.

http://www.newenough.com/product_group_boots_sidi.htm

I'm currently using Chippewa brand boots (purchased locally) which are somewhat similar to the Strada's and held up well in a low slide, but Sidi's will definitely be my next pair of boots!

Cheers,

Thomas

There is no question that almost any "above the ankle" boot will offer more protection then a low cut one (ankle & shin). Unfortunately the better protection offered the less flexible the boot is for walking around which becomes another "safety" issue. A friends wife fell and broke her wrist while walking around in her "highly protective boots", yes she gets teased unmercifully for that. The BMW boot appears to the safer of the two you are looking at. Two boots that are similar to them are the Tour Master- Response SC road boot and the Sidi Escape Scorpion. Both of these offer good protection for a "low boot".

Dianese makes a very nice casual boot that reminds me of race car boots (but much better protection):

DAINESE: Dr. Jekyll Shoe

http://www.motowheels.com/italian/myProducts.cfm?parentcategoryid=773%7CDainese%20Collection&productID=4600&showDetail=1&categoryID=774|Boots&vendoridtodisplay=0&filterFor=&collection=773%7CDainese%20Collection

This board is great! I think I knew what the right answer was but everybody on here does a nice job of reinforcing why I should do the right thing. Ducati Don definitely sold me on the importance of good boots. Thanks for the help .