Footwear question

[bumlbe]

I was wondering if any of you had any suggestions on what type of footwear you like to wear when riding.

I know that its best to have something that covers the ankle, but what about the type of sole, and is it best to have a lace up shoe or a boot.

I would like to hear from some of you experienced riders.

thanks

[Blondie Gal]

John insists that our ankles be covered on long rides, so we have SWAT-style boots with steel toe caps by Rocky, style 2165. They are very lightweight with thick lug soles - like 'em a lot. For short trips, he lets me get by with regular running shoes - I like New Balance because they have thick cushioning soles. We ALWAYS wear gloves and helmets - our noggins are not as hard as asphalt & concrete - and John rarely wears shorts to ride; I never do.

[Juju]

I'm very attached to my feet (literally!) and I want to keep them healthy and happy, so boots it is for me.

My boots are not steel-toed, but they are sturdy leather. I like Red Wing boots for their durability, but have not been able to find a pair that fits me, so I opted for HD boots--overpriced but they fit well and feel comfy. Those are for fair-weather riding. I also have a pair of waterproof boots (made by Sidi) for longer rides that may involve rain.

[rickt]

Harley boots for long rides, some ankle high shoes for shorter ones. Once in a great while regular tennis/sneakers/gym shoes -- whatever the correct name is for them.

[trikeleader]

I only ride my trike now so I wear what ever is comfortable. I have the running boards on my CSC trike so I wear tennis shoes. My feet do not touch the ground when I stop, anything that would fly up from the road would hit the running board and not my feet. Comfort is what it is all about... Period. Long sleeve shirts and jeans are great on a 2 wheeler because you could lay it down.
On a trike it is very unlikely that you would end up laying it over. I wear short sleeve shirt and shorts if it is hot out side.
This is my thoughts.

[secondroy]

I have always used the simple black pull on with the strap and buckle around the ankle. Several companies make them so I just buy the one that fits best.

I've also started riding with the Red Wing lace ups that I like much. They are very comfortable and come in many price ranges. I find myself going to these more and more as I get used to them.

[Blondie Gal]

I only ride my trike now so I wear what ever is comfortable. I have the running boards on my CSC trike so I wear tennis shoes. My feet do not touch the ground when I stop, anything that would fly up from the road would hit the running board and not my feet. Comfort is what it is all about... Period. Long sleeve shirts and jeans are great on a 2 wheeler because you could lay it down.
On a trike it is very unlikely that you would end up laying it over. I wear short sleeve shirt and shorts if it is hot out side.
This is my thoughts.

I agree with Tom on most things but, on several occasions, I've had small rocks or road debris hit my feet, ankles or higher on my leg. Our CSC ground effects may protect John, but not me. I figure they're thrown up from other bikes or cars, and I don't like any more bruising than necessary, thus the jeans. (We both wear calf-high Harley boots on our 'big trips' - they're waterproof, too.)

[Big_Un]

I was wondering if any of you had any suggestions on what type of footwear you like to wear when riding.

I know that its best to have something that covers the ankle, but what about the type of sole, and is it best to have a lace up shoe or a boot.

I would like to hear from some of you experienced riders.

thanks

Magnum Interceptor tactical boot. I've been wearing Magnums for years... super comfortable and they have a side zipper. They're also water resistant!

For me the main considerations are comfort... easy on/off... and non-slip sole. The zip side of the Magnum makes it easy to just unzip for comfort sitting around in the evening without taking them completely off. Some may say not to worry about non-slip unless you are riding on two wheels. But our trike doesn't have reverse... non-slip is my friend!

Lastly.. if you wear lace-up boots... tie them in a knot and tuck the ends in... having a loose loop or lace get snagged on the shift or break pedal is no fun... trust me on that... I've done both!

[Ozarkryder]

Bates Enforcer series have been my favorite. Most comfortable boot, no, make that most comfortable footwear I have. 8" tall, zipper side, reinforced hard toe that is non-steel - steel toe boots get real chilly in the cold. I actually have 2 pair. One all leather and waterproof for cooler riding, and a summer pair the same except the upper and side is a woven textile. Stick it out in the breeze and it's cooling relief for your feet. I figured that if uniformed police can wear them every shift they would be comfortable on and off the bike & trike.

[Calman]

I wear Milwaukee brand boots with reinforced toe and double front zippers for ease of getting in and out of 'em. If I'm not going to a military base I wear lace-up Keens or Keens sandals with a heel strap. I never, ever wear flip flops - that's definitely inviting disaster. Helmet and gloves are second nature as is a jacket or long-sleeve shirt (hot weather).

[DanDolfn]

Deck shoes.

In Florida, when you wear shorts and deck shoes, tho, it makes your feet look like this:



:-)

[Boscoporp]

I know that not everyone is going to agree with me on this but to that I say to each his own!

We wear shorts and a long sleeve t-shirt with soft shoes. We never put our feet down. We never get our feet wet from the rain. I have never had anything hit my feet from the road.

I can't think of any reasons to be un-comfortable!

[Juju]

I know that not everyone is going to agree with me on this but to that I say to each his own!

We wear shorts and a long sleeve t-shirt with soft shoes. We never put our feet down. We never get our feet wet from the rain. I have never had anything hit my feet from the road.

I can't think of any reasons to be un-comfortable!

But the real issue for you, BoscoP, as I recall, is..............your unique headgear!!!

[retdpd]

I wear Cruiser Works the best boots I ever owned on the hwy if its hot wicking tee-shirt

Locally New Balance tennis shoes.

[John Luciano]

I wear Cruiser Works boot. I have 2 pair a zip up and the original slip on. I wear them not so much for the protection I wear them for the waterproof aspect of them. I rode in a down pour for 20 miles . When we got home everyone had soaking wet feet except me . I was soaked to the skin but my feet were dry. Caught with no rain gear. My friend with their brand new Harley boots had boots so wet they had to buy sneakers at Wal Mart as the boots took 3 days to dry out .

[Big_Steve]

I agree with Tom on most things but, on several occasions, I've had small rocks or road debris hit my feet, ankles or higher on my leg. Our CSC ground effects may protect John, but not me. I figure they're thrown up from other bikes or cars, and I don't like any more bruising than necessary, thus the jeans. (We both wear calf-high Harley boots on our 'big trips' - they're waterproof, too.)

+1 :wtg:

Although for short rides, (like to Home Depot) I might hop on wearing shorts and sneakers.

[Casper]

If you have a police or military supply store near by, I would check with them for a nice selection of boots...

I have several pair, I like the Harley boots, can't remember the style number, side zip, light weigh.....I also wear Honda boots ( sneakers ) comfortable.....

No shorts, jeans and t-shirts, mesh jacket, leather jacket...depends on weather and temps.....on e trike I'm going to be comfortable....

[Maryland Triker]

I wear tennis shoes locally and Cruiserworks boot for distance riding. I mainly wear the boots because their waterproof. Back when I just two wheeled it I only wore Cruserworks boots because they were the most comfortable both riding and walking and kept my feet dry, didn't even carry another pair of shoes. I rode in the rain all day long from LR, Ark to Bristol, TN a few years ago and my feet stayed dry. Love those cruiserworks. Of course on a trike you don't have to worry about going over like a two wheeler

[2fromTX]

99% of the time,its a pair of Vans or DC Shoes........bought a pair of semi-closed toe sandals for when its wet,but have not tested them out yet.

Saw a couple last spring when we visited the Texas Hill Country riding in the rain with full rain gear and sandals,and I thought it made purty good sense,cuz when my socks get wet I get really grumpy,but oddly enough wet feet don't bother me.

Yea I'm a weirdo,but heck someone's gotta do it.