Steel-toe boots?

[M50-ish]

Anyone have any opinions, experience, good or bad about wearing steel-toed boots for riding?

[chinard]

well, they suck for shifting with, but they are great for kicking cagers in the nads

[artistic_gore]

I've never ridden without them (16 years now) so I can't say anything about the shifting thing but I can say that they make me feel safer. I'd like a pair with a steel instep or whatever you call it, it would make kick-starting a lot less painful.

[Navy_p503]

I wear a pair of Red-Wing work boots with the plastic toe. It does make shifting a little harder, but you get used to it pretty quickly. High tops to protect my ankle. I like them for commuting, but I want to find another pair of boots for longer rides.

[tricker]

I've never had shifting problems with my wolverines. They are all i've ever worn while riding.

[Deno]

My employer requires me to wear steel-toed shoes, and reimburses me $75/year for them, so I get a new pair of boots every year. Haven't noticed any problems shifting.

[Hotform]

I wear my steel toes when I ride to work, but they are just plain nasty looking from all the material that gets on them.
I have a pair of Schmidt waterproof plain toe boots that I bought at Tractor Supply for regular rides. They are very comfortable, easier to shift in, and I don't get wet feet.

[M50-ish]

I was referring to steel-toe "work" boots, not the outside-steel pointy ones for looks... I was wondering about protection in a crash... versus: comfort... heat.. do they get real hot on a hot day?... do they make gear-shifting too awkward.. etc.

[artistic_gore]

Well, tricker has wolverines, and navy has red wings (both work boots) Myself, I've worn no name clod hoppers, red wings, doc martins and the CG Super boot II; None of them had outer steel or even a low profile toe. Shifting may be aqward at first but you get used to it. No they don't get hot on a hot day but if you do any cold weather riding the toe will get very cold. Also make sure you're boots are water proof just in case. Is that better? Also, why "moderator?"

[M50-ish]

Originally Posted by artistic_gore

Well, tricker has wolverines, and navy has red wings (both work boots) Myself, I've worn no name clod hoppers, red wings, doc martins and the CG Super boot II; None of them had outer steel or even a low profile toe. Shifting may be aqward at first but you get used to it. No they don't get hot on a hot day but if you do any cold weather riding the toe will get very cold. Also make sure you're boots are water proof just in case. Is that better? Also, why "moderator?"

Oops... I thought that the moderator had moved the thread to a section thinking it was about "looks"... "upon further review", I see that it's the only appropriate place for it... my bad.

[old codger]

I sometimes ride using steel toe boots, shifting is a problem. If your shift lever is adjusted higher to compensate for the extra hight of the steel toe you may not have a problem.

old codger

[Uncle B]

Haven't noticed any problems shifting.

[Navy_p503]

I've ridden with the red wings in cold rainy weather. My feet got a little wet but were still warm, and since they have the poly toe that didn't get cold at all. They have been getting fairly hot when i'm in traffic, but once I hit some open road they cool back down pretty quickly.

[frostbitevinnie]

Shifting is a problem with steel toe? You guys are freakin' nuts. J/K!! I always worn steel toe but then I have to for work so it is second nature for me. I have ridden with tennis shoes and I feel very uncomfortable!!

[Burnt]

I am similar to some others who have posted. In the office I do not need, but to go on the production floor I need steel toe. Work pays for some of it, so I purchased good quality steel toe combat style work boots. I have become used to riding with them, I get the protection when I am riding and for work at the same time. Actually I wear them all day, sometimes they are a little hot, but I seam comfortable enough.

Yes the bigger toe does make it a bit more difficult to get under the shifter, but you get used to it and after a short bit you never notice it.

I then road around the block one time in running shoes and it was a big difference, I kinda missed the ridgy and safety of my boots.

Will I alway wear steel toes, probably not, one of my next purchases will probably be a proper pair of harness boots. But I really don't need them.

[Uncle B]

My now riding boots are
Alpinestars Web GORE-TEX Boots are waterproof, breathable, and ready for every day of the year.
Features and Benefits
Protection
Molded plastic shinplate covered by a pressure-stamped leather section
Internal support provided by injection-molded plastic on the ankles
Internal heel counter
Internal toe counter layered under the leather
Alpinestars' exclusive vulcanized-compound sole with unique side-wrapping design
PU-injected shifter area
Rear reflective insert for increased visibility Comfort
Water-resistant full-grain leather upper

[M50-ish]

Thanks for all the input gentlemen.

I went ahead and got a pair of steel-toed work boots. They're great. I think I am a better rider with them on. I am more steady when I stop and put my feet down. My feet feel a lot more safe and secure. There's just a huge difference from my old boots. (Not steel toe and not quite covering the ankle completely). No problems at all shifting with my Suzuki M50. Actually they're better in that department as well. The Suzuki is a little firm and clunky in shifting and the steel toe makes it a lot more comfortable and easy to shift.

My advice to anyone thinking about it: Try them, you'll like them.

[oklahoma_mike]

Just remember steel toe boots are not designed to limit movement of the ankle and wont help you in this regard in a accident.

[Falcopilot]

I lowsided in a left hander while wearing RedWing steel toed boots. The boot caught the pavement as I went down and violently twisted my lower leg, shattering my tibia into multiple pieces and breaking my fibula in two places. Spent nearly three days in the hospital. WHile there I kept complaining about my toes bothering me but no one eve looked at them, not even an x-ray. When I made it home and went to my orthopedist I again complained about my toes. He x-rayed them and discovered that four of them, working right to left from my big toe, were broken at the base, in a very straight line. My foot was torqued so hard inside the boot that the back edge of the steel cap snapped the bones at the base of my toes, and caused permanent nerve damage in my foot!

Six months later when I'd recovered and started riding again, I bought proper motorcycle boots.............I will never wear steel toes on a motorcycle again.

But that's just me........I also have a permanent 15" titanium rod in my leg and four titanium screws from those boots.

[Uncle B]

Originally Posted by Falcopilot

I lowsided in a left hander while wearing RedWing steel toed boots.

The boot caught the pavement as I went down and violently twisted my lower leg, shattering my tibia into multiple pieces and breaking my fibula in two places.

He x-rayed them and discovered that four of them, working right to left from my big toe, were broken at the base, in a very straight line. My foot was torqued so hard inside the boot that the back edge of the steel cap snapped the bones at the base of my toes, and caused permanent nerve damage in my foot!

It sounds like any boot could have caught on the pavement...