verboten1
Member
Other than the squeak, my Sidi Adventure Goretex are fine for short walks
ADV Boots vs Work boots?
- Thread starter taskmaster86
- Start date
shrekonwheels
New Member
Laces should be frowned upon.
I have a pair of Alpinestar Stageboots which are perfectly comfy to walk around in as well. I suppose if you want to feel part of the crowd get yourself a leather kit and type adventure on them
I have a pair of Alpinestar Stageboots which are perfectly comfy to walk around in as well. I suppose if you want to feel part of the crowd get yourself a leather kit and type adventure on them
taskmaster86
Active Member
Ok, after being torn between the discovery rain and the cape horn, I decided to bite the bullet and order both from revzilla. I will check them both out and send back the ones I don't prefer. I normally wear a size 11.5 in most boots and shoes with some 11 wide's fitting also. I did the best I could matching up the sizing charts and everything said I should be in between a 45 and 46 euro. I went with the size 46 for both of them and hopefully they fit. I have a fairly wide, flat foot so I tend to picky with footwear. revzilla has excellent customer service if none of it works out.taskmaster86 said:
As far as the other choices I was considering, The Gaerne midlands are no longer made and my size was too difficult to find. I also tried on the Gaerne G-Adventure at twisted throttle and while I liked the look, they were much too narrow for my feet. The TCX Infinity looks like an awesome boot but the price tag is too high, especially for a non replaceable sole.
I will let you know how the boots work out when they get here. Keep the input coming!
Bryn
New Member
A mate of mine was fiddling about with his FJR last year, wearing his lace up safety boots , and as he took a step the loop of one of the laces caught up in the other boot's quick lace hook thing, legged him over, and he broke his ankle, and both Tibula and Fibula ???shrekonwheels said:
He's still limping now.... so much for safety boots
FYI, the new Goretex version of the Midland is available from several European mail order dealers at great price thanks to current exchange rates.taskmaster86 said:
taskmaster86
Active Member
I may have to check that out if I don't like either of the boots I ordered. I am a little leery of Gaerne because they seemed to fit narrow and I have a rather wide foot. I am also hesitant to order something over seas because I cant imagine it will be cheap if I have to send something back that doesn't fit.
Something from TCX will probably be my next choice if the boot I ordered are too narrow.
Something from TCX will probably be my next choice if the boot I ordered are too narrow.
shrekonwheels
New Member
I have a borderline EE foot, depends on the maketaskmaster86 said:
Plus I have huge calves.Sidi and Alpine stars both seem to fit my feet well.
taskmaster86 said:
The AlpineStars Toucans are made for wider American feet.
I have wide feet, and the Gaerne G-Adventure boots.taskmaster86 said:
taskmaster86
Active Member
Update: The boots I ordered came in! I am about 98% sure the Sidi Discovery Rains are the winner and the Forma Cape Horns will be going back home to Revzilla.taskmaster86 said:
They both fit well and are surprisingly comfortable. The size 46 Euro that I ordered definitely IS my size. I like the styling of both boots and both were what I was looking for in terms of features, protection and style.
The Forma Cape Horns are going back because they are fit big, bulky, stiff and awkward. They feel more like a snow/ski boot and are going to be too bulky even when they are really broken in. The soles also squeak pretty badly on the floor and I don't like the rough grain leather Forma used. I did prefer the more shallow tread lug design and replaceable buckles but those aren't deal makers for me.
The Sidi Discovery rain (disco for short) was actually much smaller and lower profile which was the opposite of what I was expecting. They allowed my ankle to bend more and seemed like they will be very comfortable when they are broken in. The discovery had a bit more arch support and seemed to conform to the bottom of my foot more. I also preferred the 3 buckle system and larger shin protection the disco has. I LOVE boots that have no raised heel on the sole, which can be very hard to find. The disco's have exactly that, no pronounced heel, just a very slight taper. I do wish the disco had built in ankle protection and replaceable buckles but I think I can live with those short comings.
I can see wearing the Sidi Discover Rain boots most of the year and for most of my riding. I do want to look at a light weight, mesh touring boots for the really hot weather in summer. Maybe something like the Firstgear mesh boot.
Thanks for your help and Insight on this! I hope this helps somebody else who might be in a similar situation. Feel free to keep the input coming.
taskmaster86
Active Member
Update:
After a few more hours of wearing my new Sidi discovery rain boots, I have decided I am thoroughly confused and can't make up my mind about anything..... :'(
I have decided I do not want an the discovery rains. They are just much too heavy, stiff and clunky for what I want. I am going to try a smaller, lighter, lower profile touring boot.
I am looking at the TCX X-Five evo or the Forma Jasper now.
Back to square one....
After a few more hours of wearing my new Sidi discovery rain boots, I have decided I am thoroughly confused and can't make up my mind about anything..... :'(
I have decided I do not want an the discovery rains. They are just much too heavy, stiff and clunky for what I want. I am going to try a smaller, lighter, lower profile touring boot.
I am looking at the TCX X-Five evo or the Forma Jasper now.
Back to square one....
IMHO, I don't think you'll be able to find one boot that does all those things.taskmaster86 said:
Comfort and protection on bike, with a little bit of walking, yes -- The TCX you're now trying seem like an excellent choice. But you won't likely be wanting to wear them all day, and certainly not hike.
Minimal protection on bike, with lots of walking, yes -- any of a number of TCX riding shoes should fit the bill:
http://www.revzilla.com/tcx-boots#v2-facets%5B%5D=354&page=1&page_size=96&sort=featured&tab=all&implicit_facets%5B%5D=134
My choice is to wear protective boots, and bring other footwear with me wherever I go, or have other footwear at the destination waiting.
It takes very little time and effort to switch, but yields hours and hours of benefit. Just my opinion.
taskmaster86
Active Member
You're probably right. The discovery rains I had were still just too large and uncomfortable. I would have to majorly move the shifter up because the toe box was large.
I went ahead and ordered the new Forma Jasper and will give those a try. I am hoping they will be much lower profile and more comfortable. If those don't work out either, I will try a riding shoe. If I can't get used to those either, screw it, work boots it is.
I will post a review of the formas when I receive them.
I went ahead and ordered the new Forma Jasper and will give those a try. I am hoping they will be much lower profile and more comfortable. If those don't work out either, I will try a riding shoe. If I can't get used to those either, screw it, work boots it is.
I will post a review of the formas when I receive them.
taskmaster86
Active Member
I took a look at the Sidi all road and tour gore tex. I like the looks and features of the tour boot, the all road, not so much because of the Velcro closure. Velcro fills up with dirt and wears out too fast IMO. The tour boot looked like a good choice but My research has found that alot of the Sidi boots have a very hard, stiff sole and a narrow toe box, none of which I want. The discovery rains are one of Sidi's few wide foot friendly boots but apparently, those were too heavy and cumbersome for my tastes. TCX, Forma and Alpinestars seem to run wider and fit wide, flat feet a little better. According to the gear geeks at Revzilla; Sidi, Dianese and Gaerne seem to run more narrow, with a few exceptions of course.
You need to watch the AlpineStars by model. The ones oriented to the US market are made in Romania (or Czech?) and have the wide toe box which is super comfy. The Euro ones are about like the Sidis.
After following this post I have decided to upgrade my foot protection. The Tennis shoe foot was a very convincing reality check. I have the Gaerne Balance Oiled Boots but would like more protection. The Alpinestars Toucan is where I think I want to go. I have a wide foot so from what I have read these are cut wide. I have only been able to find locally Alpinestars Scouts size twelve and one half to try on. These were slightly tight so thinking maybe a size thirteen in the Toucans?
The TCX line, in general (but not always) run a little wider than others, and I think their products are the greatest, having owned 4 different ones.
I'd highly recommend to those with slightly wider feet, but maybe not full E width.
I'd highly recommend to those with slightly wider feet, but maybe not full E width.
taskmaster86
Active Member
During my research, I heard alot of good things about the Toucans. If you are between sizes, you could always order the next size up and then replace the insole with a big, thick, comfy, heavy duty insole. I strongly recommend these insoles from your local wal-mart! Instantly makes any boot more comfortable and can really help a loose boot fit better.timothy.davis said:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Airplus-Ultra-Work-Memory-Plus-Insoles-1-pr/44781802
I also heard great things about the Sidi Adventure boots and the TCX X Desert as well, you may want to give those a look. I also really liked the look of the TCX infinity evo and am kind of kicking myself for not ordering those instead of the Sidi discovery rain that I went with.
As far as sizing boots goes, never buy a boot that is too tight, especially in the front of the toes. Here is a trick I learned in the Army: You should be able to put the boot on with the pair of socks you intend to wear, pound the toe cap straight down into the floor to make the boot ride up to the front of your toes. Now with the laces or closure system totally undone, you should just be able to slip one finger in between your heel and the very back of the boot. If your finger goes in with much more than just a tiny bit of wiggle room, the boot is probably a half size too big. If you can't get your finger in at all, the boot is too small. If the boot passes this test, pound the boot back to the heel of your foot by hitting the back edge of the sole on the ground. Tie or close up the boots and walk around for at least 3 minutes. The boots should feel comfortable with no rubbing in any spots, your heel should not lift up when you step and you should be able to wiggle your toes while standing. If you notice any of those problems or something just doesn't feel right, pick a different boot or at least try a different width and size.
timothy.davis said:
Taskmaster - Interesting way to go at sizing that sounds like it'd work.
As for the Toucans, I've got a bit of a wide foot, like mine, and find them super comfy. They are truly waterproof too. The ankle hinges squeeked with each step for a long time, which seems to have gone away.
Jeff Milleman
Active Member
A lot of info ?????? looks like I'm going to get some new boots ! Thanks for the size info Taskmaster86... Toucans for me !!