Combat Boots?

[Rushiku]

I am the proud owner of a pair of combat boots, graciously issued to me by the US military

Basically, these, but with a bit more of a 'lived in' look to them.

Finally, the question: Are these adequate protection?

[Scorphonic]

Drive a car over your foot and see if they protect your ankle!!! :P

I wouldn't say they will help you much, considering they are not built for motorcycles and for simply walking in!!

Anyways its up to yourself but IMO, steer clear if you enjoy your feet.

[Rushiku]

Fair enough.

I've been wearing my work boots: 6" high 'hiker' style, steel toe - better or worse?

I'd like to get 'real' boots, but I want to avoid looking like an idiot with racing boots sticking out of my jeans.

They're great with full leathers, on a track, but I'm just an average joe, riding on the street - is it so much to ask to have boots that don't look like hand-me-downs from a stormtrooper or flipping 80's moon boots?

Vanity...

[Nelly]

Originally Posted by Rushiku

I am the proud owner of a pair of combat boots, graciously issued to me by the US military

Basically, these, but with a bit more of a 'lived in' look to them.

Finally, the question: Are these adequate protection?

I disagree with Scorph on this one, I wore German Para boots when I was a courier (at the time they were the only boot that was waterproof).
During that time I had a car hit my right leg head on which resulted in a bruised toe. I fell of doing 65MPH and friction burnt through the top laces my boot stayed on.
I have also fallen off wearing a pair of Sidi race boots and had a closed fracture of my left tib and fib. The boots are leather ( as long as they are in good working order as with any boot) if they are all you are able to afford at the moment they will offer better protection than a shorter boot. It would be advisable to get proper biking gear asap despite the fact you consider yourself an average joe, just like the rest of us.

Nelly

Nelly

[fast blue one]

I have a pair Alpinestars race boots, but if I want to do a bit of walking about when I get off the bike then I wear these.

[Hellgate]

They are better than Nikes, but they are not a real riding boot. That said I do ride to drill in my desert jungle boots 80040-001 US ARMY ACU APPROVED DESERT TAN HOT WEATHER BOOTS [80040-001] - $149.95 : Wellco Enterprises, Providing Quality Footwear For Over 60 Years!. The 'cruit boot has two kinds of soles, the old one is platicy, the new one is more rubbery. The old one can be very slick on a wet surface.

[Nelly]

Originally Posted by Hellgate

They are better than Nikes, but they are not a real riding boot. That said I do ride to drill in my desert jungle boots 80040-001 US ARMY ACU APPROVED DESERT TAN HOT WEATHER BOOTS [80040-001] - $149.95 : Wellco Enterprises, Providing Quality Footwear For Over 60 Years!. The 'cruit boot has two kinds of soles, the old one is platicy, the new one is more rubbery. The old one can be very slick on a wet surface.

So top,
You don't condone neither condemn them? I think Danny aka sportrider wore his work boots for a long while before getting riding boots.

Nelly

[mdr]

Originally Posted by Rushiku

I am the proud owner of a pair of combat boots, graciously issued to me by the US military

Basically, these, but with a bit more of a 'lived in' look to them.

Finally, the question: Are these adequate protection?

I'm with Nelly on this one. I think the combat boots will be fine under most crash circumstances. I have both Frank Thomas "racing" boots and some HD boots - what we used to call "Engineer Boots" in my day. Neither is going to protect me if my ankle gets run over. What you're looking for is abrasion resistance as you're sliding down the asphalt and the ability of the boot to stay on during said slide. Both my boots pass those tests as will your combat boots. The "race" boots have what looks like a titanium plate on the outside to assist with the abrasion resistance but for "Street" riding it might be overkill - though to be fair I have seen pics of the boots of crash victims with wear in exactly that location... YMMV.

I've worn both in public and neither will generate much attention - unless you wear them with a tee-shirt and shorts. As for walking around comfort - I wouldn't want to walk 10 miles in them, but for walking a few miles a day they're fine. I very seldom pack separate walking shoes when I do a long trip.

Bottom line - gear up and ride safe.

[mastakilla]

These are the boots that I always wear on my bike :



Oxtar HP Touring Waterproof. They are super comfortable, I love 'em! They look good enough under jeans, not as flashy as some of those racing boots.

[Nelly]

Originally Posted by mdr

I'm with Nelly on this one. I think the combat boots will be fine under most crash circumstances. I have both Frank Thomas "racing" boots and some HD boots - what we used to call "Engineer Boots" in my day. Neither is going to protect me if my ankle gets run over. What you're looking for is abrasion resistance as you're sliding down the asphalt and the ability of the boot to stay on during said slide. Both my boots pass those tests as will your combat boots. The "race" boots have what looks like a titanium plate on the outside to assist with the abrasion resistance but for "Street" riding it might be overkill - though to be fair I have seen pics of the boots of crash victims with wear in exactly that location... YMMV.

I've worn both in public and neither will generate much attention - unless you wear them with a tee-shirt and shorts. As for walking around comfort - I wouldn't want to walk 10 miles in them, but for walking a few miles a day they're fine. I very seldom pack separate walking shoes when I do a long trip.

Bottom line - gear up and ride safe.

Just to add fuel to the fire I looked after a guy last month who hit the central reservation on a supa scooter. He had the Alpine Star short boot (comfy for walking) he broke his Tib & Fib above the boot line.
So even an Alpine star bike boot won't necessarily save you.