Who wears heavy duty boots/shoes while scooting?

Penguinboy · Post by **Penguinboy** » Fri May 23, 2008 1:40 am

Hi all-

I've been weighing weather to wear more heavy duty boots while riding, rather than the sneakers/tennis shoes I wear now. I'm 6 feet and wear a size 12 shoe. So with riding boots, Dr.Martens, any sort of lug soled shoe is going to really limit my foot positioning on the scoot. I like having the ability to shift my feet around a bit, and I fear I'll run out of room with big clunky boots on. What do YOU wear?? Thanks! -Danny

nissanman · Post by **nissanman** » Fri May 23, 2008 1:41 am

When riding for fun... side zip tactical boots. When going to work, dress shoes.

Sparky · Post by **Sparky** » Fri May 23, 2008 1:54 am

Six year old hiking boots. I keep meaning to get new boots, perhaps one of the "scooter" shoes that are a mix of motorcycle boot and sneaker. But dammit, these ones are so comfy...

Post by **jmazza** » Fri May 23, 2008 2:04 am

I chose boots because I mostly ride in my Doc's but I also wear sneakers sometimes.

Sparky wrote: I keep meaning to get new boots, perhaps one of the "scooter" shoes that are a mix of motorcycle boot and sneaker.

What kind of scooter shoes are you talking about Sparky?

louie · Post by **louie** » Fri May 23, 2008 2:13 am

i wear

either a pair of 10 year old doc martins i bought brand new at the outlet store for $12 or a $500 pair of hand made italian leather boats i bought on ebay for $35.

i love deals.

MikieTaps · Post by **MikieTaps** » Fri May 23, 2008 2:17 am

What are the risks of wearing less protection on your feet?

redcass · Post by **redcass** » Fri May 23, 2008 2:25 am

My reply depends upon the time of year. Now that it's warmer, I'm wearing sneakers, but when it's cooler--Sept to Apr--I wear (Harley) motorcycle boots. They've got a low heel, helps me hit the ground better than my sneaks, and a fabulously pliant sole.

I really don't get the flip-flop thing. They're quite unwieldy imo, and wouldn't enable me to have a secure connection to my scoot or the ground. That seems dangerous. If I set my foot down in a boot or sneaker, my foot won't slide around like it would in a sandal. I'd be better off in 3 inch stilettos.

gt1000 · Post by **gt1000** » Fri May 23, 2008 2:25 am

Moto-specific riding boots about 90% of the time. I've said many times that if you've weighed the risks and choose not to wear certain (or any) gear, that's fine by me.

But, if you do choose to gear up, be advised that your most vulnerable areas are head, hands and feet. So, good helmet, nice fitting gloves with some knuckle protection and over the ankle boots because shoes tend to fly off your feet during a slide or impact. Laces are bad, bad news, if your boots are laced make sure the laces are carefully tucked before you start riding.

Post by **illnoise** » Fri May 23, 2008 3:04 am

I think this is one of the most overlooked things by scooterists, including me.

As everyone knows, Renae sheared off two toes when she crashed a buddy wearing Converse All-Stars. I had two other friends crash scooters in All-Stars and seriously mess up their feet, requiring surgery.

I always wear leather shoes, usually at least indoor soccer shoes or dress shoes. If I'm riding a longish distance or at high speeds, I wear army boots. But I really should ALWAYS wear boots with toe and ankle protection.

In any case, I've seen Renae barefoot several times in the last two years, and I'll NEVER ride in canvas or fabric tennis shoes again, and certainly not in sandals or flip-flops or crocs or Birks, which I see many people do every day.

Bb.

KRUSTYburger · Post by **KRUSTYburger** » Fri May 23, 2008 3:12 am

I voted sneaks, just because I can't wear my boots to
work and they are a pain to take on and off... My job
is literally 2 miles away, so I don't sweat it. If I'm going
somewhere farther or on busier streets, I definitely
strap on the paratrooper boots!!!

Post by **ericalm** » Fri May 23, 2008 4:06 am

I voted boots, but in all honesty(and I've said this before), I sometimes wear sneakers. Almost always leather sneakers at the very least. I have some leather Converse-style low tops I wear every once in a while. And when I'm feeling particularly flashy, I wear my Adidas Gumball 3000s. I can't help it. They look good with the scootah!

Well, at least I have my modular, gloves and Corazzo on!

For me the best solution would this: more boots. Different boots. Boots of many styles and colors.

Really, I probably just need to go look at more photos of bloody feet without toes.

Elm Creek Smith · Post by **Elm Creek Smith** » Fri May 23, 2008 5:17 am

Hiking boots or my last pair of US Army issue boots (manufactured 10/1989). End of story.

ECS

Penguinboy · Post by **Penguinboy** » Fri May 23, 2008 12:25 pm

Hearing about the missing toes was all I needed! I ride in Merrell Chameleon light trail hikers, but they're not leather. My kid brother just got back from Iraq and he had his army boots that zipped up the side and were ventilated. I thought they looked light and sturdy. I may have to track down a pair in my size....

Thanks all for the info!!

-Danny

Othergods · Post by **Othergods** » Fri May 23, 2008 1:50 pm

Thanks to the images in my head of feet with no toes, I just bought a pair of new Bates Paratrooper Boots off ebay for $45. I have been wearing my Rockport hiking boots.

StacyB · Post by **StacyB** » Fri May 23, 2008 2:00 pm

My Icon Bombshell boots, or another pair of motorcycle boots. No flip-flops, sandals, etc... for me.

Johnny · Post by **Johnny** » Fri May 23, 2008 3:13 pm

I'm a huge fan of Red Wing boots - which may seem like overkill but my toes are staying where they belong.
http://www.zappos.com/n/es/d/722621395/page/1.html

DennisD · Post by **DennisD** » Fri May 23, 2008 3:17 pm

Oxtar Matrix II boots. Lightweight, comfy, lots of protection and best of all WATERPROOF. Sometimes don't change out of them at work. Tested and found to be waterproof on a long ride.
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcyc ... ar/matrix/

I don't care for the huge clunky lugged Mad Max type of boots.

Dennis

scooterstud · Post by **scooterstud** » Fri May 23, 2008 3:19 pm

I wear some leather ankle high mack boots I bought from target. I think they were under $40.00 when I got them. While affordable I wore them to work at a waiter and they took some abuse. Non-slip, leather, comfortable, and a great price!

Penguinboy · Post by **Penguinboy** » Fri May 23, 2008 3:34 pm

Are you folks wearing steel toes, or staying away from them?

scooterstud · Post by **scooterstud** » Fri May 23, 2008 3:36 pm

Penguinboy wrote:Are you folks wearing steel toes, or staying away from them?

Mine have steel toes.

EP_scoot · Post by **EP_scoot** » Fri May 23, 2008 4:29 pm

I wear work type boots, like those you see on constructio workers everywhere. No steel toe. I keep a pair of loafers at work to change into.

brimstone · Post by **brimstone** » Fri May 23, 2008 4:38 pm

my old combat boots when i'm cruising or my hiking shoes when i'm working.

DennisD · Post by **DennisD** » Fri May 23, 2008 5:01 pm

Steel toes might seem like a good idea, but when the toe bends back in a crash, you could lose some toes. Ankle protection is really important. That's a pretty complicated little joint there and could be difficult to put together.
Hard Toes - Yes
Steel Toes - NO

I turned a corner on my motorcycle and hung my foot between the road and shifter one time. Only one time. My foot slid back as far as the peg and hung up there. OUCH! I was lucky, but it hurt like hell. Yeah, I learned the hard way. Of course, you won't be shifting the Buddy.

Dennis

sunshinen · Post by **sunshinen** » Fri May 23, 2008 5:01 pm

At 5'1, I find my toes pretty useful. =) I, too, ride in boots and change into my sandals and dress shoes at work.

It's important to realize how easily shoes are knocked off people's feet in crashes. You often see people's shoes several yards from the person, just from the impact with a vehicle, not to mention any dragging or slidding on the asphalt. So it is important to consider your footwear not just in terms of durability but in terms of attachment to your feet.

MikieTaps wrote:What are the risks of wearing less protection on your feet?

Obviously, there are levels of protection that will reduce more or less of the potential damage, such as
road rash,
wearing your feet down to the bone,
having the bone actually worn off,
lost/amputated toes,
broken bones,
crushed bones
mangled feet/ankles
...

The more padding, steel, leather, etc... the better off you could be.

Edited to add: I typically wear my leather waterproof hiking boots with a steel shank in the sole.

piceloni · Post by **piceloni** » Fri May 23, 2008 5:17 pm

MikieTaps wrote:What are the risks of wearing less protection on your feet?

I could send you the link to one truly horrifying picture that would immediately answer that question for you. Let's just say there a missing piggies involved. NOT PRETTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If your foot gets caught under your bike when you go down, it's bad news and tennis shoes will most likely just fly off.

Post by **ericalm** » Fri May 23, 2008 5:50 pm

DennisD wrote:Steel toes might seem like a good idea, but when the toe bends back in a crash, you could lose some toes. Ankle protection is really important. That's a pretty complicated little joint there and could be difficult to put together.
Hard Toes - Yes
Steel Toes - NO

Mythbusters on the steel toe amputation:
http://kwc.org/mythbusters/2005/11/epis ... tatio.html

In essence, "myth busted" as they say. Caveat: they tested for weights falling on the toe of the boots, which could allegedly cause the steel to bend back or become dislodged and shear off the toes. But, given the physics of a scooter crash, most heavy leather boots will prevent the toes from being bent back. The real concern is damage from friction and abrasion, the toes being dragged on the pavement.

Ankle protection serves two purposes: to make it more difficult for the ankle to twist and rotate, and to protect the protruding joint from abrasion.

Davek · Post by **Davek** » Fri May 23, 2008 6:02 pm

I just got these Shift Fuel motorcycle shoes that look like sneakers:

Review:
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle- ... t-shoe.htm

Haven't worn them much yet though.. I usually wear a size 10-10.5 and ordered an 11 off newenough; they fit fine.

http://www.newenough.com/boots/sport_st ... shoes.html
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/ ... Ib5ZeQ9QXw

The other one I was looking at, which looks even more like a normal shoe but it a lot more expensive is the Sidi Doha:

http://www.newenough.com/boots/sport_st ... boots.html
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/ ... Boots.aspx

Post by **jmazza** » Fri May 23, 2008 6:20 pm

ericalm wrote:I voted boots, but in all honesty(and I've said this before), I sometimes wear sneakers. Almost always leather sneakers at the very least. I have some leather Converse-style low tops I wear every once in a while. And when I'm feeling particularly flashy, I wear my Adidas Gumball 3000s. I can't help it. They look good with the scootah!

Those are great looking shoes. I think Adidas Sambas go great with scooters too and wear them a lot, but no, they don't really offer much protection!

Kodos · Post by **Kodos** » Sat May 24, 2008 8:45 pm

Those shoes! WANT. Too bad I'm a year late!

Oh, and I'm wearing some heavy duty over-ankle timberlands right now, but I think I'm going to buy some docs this weekend. I just feel safer with leather and steel toes.

DennisD · Post by **DennisD** » Sat May 24, 2008 8:56 pm

Eddy Merckx · Post by **Eddy Merckx** » Sun May 25, 2008 1:23 am

Eveything from Boots to Docksiders, it depends on where I'm going or the look I'm doing that day...

Pita1963 · Post by **Pita1963** » Sun May 25, 2008 1:34 am

jmazza wrote:I chose boots because I mostly ride in my Doc's but I also wear sneakers sometimes.

Sparky wrote: I keep meaning to get new boots, perhaps one of the "scooter" shoes that are a mix of motorcycle boot and sneaker.
What kind of scooter shoes are you talking about Sparky?

Ditto here - Doc's and sometimes my Converse

Robb

cdwise · Post by **cdwise** » Sun May 25, 2008 2:20 am

I said sneakers because that was closest to what I'm wearing this time of year. Usually leather shoes with good arch support and padding with straps not laces in warmer weather.

Boots in the winter, got a nice dressy pair of motorcycle boots at the Houston Motorcycle show and some Rockport boots that I wear when the weather is cooler.

Cortech denium jacket for winter and mesh for summer, both armored and always wear a helmet.

Post by **ericalm** » Sun May 25, 2008 3:05 am

Someone (Corazzo?) needs to start making scooter boots.

I think it may be hard to ever have something like a sneaker that provides adequate protection. But there has to be a middle ground between sportbiker and cruiser boots. Maybe something like a chukka/desert boot/jump boot style, built for scootering. Then perhaps a model for warmer weather.

ryder1 · Post by **ryder1** » Sun May 25, 2008 4:18 am

I have the Sidi Dohu boots but they are stiff compared to my Nike Air Max's that I wear all the time.

Course I haven't worn the Sidi except to try them on out of the box.

They are a nice shoe/boot...I just need to break them in a bit.

Kevin K · Post by **Kevin K** » Sun May 25, 2008 4:27 pm

nissanman wrote:When riding for fun... side zip tactical boots. When going to work, dress shoes.

+1. I wear my Bates Enforcers as they are perfect for scooting, as well as being very comfortable off the bike.
-K

Kevin K · Post by **Kevin K** » Sun May 25, 2008 4:28 pm

nissanman wrote:When riding for fun... side zip tactical boots. When going to work, dress shoes.

+1. I wear my Bates Enforcers as they are perfect for scooting, as well as being very comfortable off the bike.
-K

scooterdyke · Post by **scooterdyke** » Sun May 25, 2008 7:46 pm

To those of you who wear tennis shoes - Next time you're in the Cleveland area, stop by Pride Of Cleveland and ask Renae (the shop manager) if you can see what 1/2 a foot looks like after dropping your buddy on it's side and scraping away part of your foot until the scooter stops. Not a pretty sight, and not a smart thing for anyone to do.

Howardr · Post by **Howardr** » Sun May 25, 2008 9:37 pm

I can't help but wonder, though. Has there been any research comparing the risk of loosing one toes but dragging your tennis shoe clad foot vs catching a hard soled boot on something as you go around a corner because the boot won't safely on the deck of your scoot.
I have size 12 feets. I generally wear crocs, because I'm going to work and I'm too lazy to bring a change of shoes. However, this thread caused me to think a bit. I used to wear boot occassionally on my bicycle, e.g. riding to a hiking area. I quit because I would catch the boot on the curb or rocks etc. My big feet barely fit on the deck as it is. I don't want to catch a boot on a curb whilst zipping around a corner or something.
I don't want to loose toes, but I imagine that is an extremely rare injury. Boots on a MC make sense because your foot is so close to the exhaust pipe.

Just some thoughts
Howard

voodoosix · Post by **voodoosix** » Sun May 25, 2008 10:23 pm

i dont leave the house unless im in a plastic bubble! if i go riding, i have a suit of armor from a renaissance festival.

just kidding.

i wear steel toes to and from work, tennis shoes on occasion,
and yes... i wear Tevas on my scoot sometimes.

pugbuddy · Post by **pugbuddy** » Sun May 25, 2008 10:47 pm

Someone (Corazzo?) needs to start making scooter boots.

I think it may be hard to ever have something like a sneaker that provides adequate protection. But there has to be a middle ground between sportbiker and cruiser boots. Maybe something like a chukka/desert boot/jump boot style, built for scootering. Then perhaps a model for warmer weather.

And stop making the darn things in only BLACK! Could we have some color please?

I wear Merrill's or my brown leather boots. I don't think either offer a great deal of protection. I'd love to get some good boots but I hate black boots in general although I could buy a pair if I had too.

gt1000 · Post by **gt1000** » Mon May 26, 2008 4:16 am

I can't help but wonder, though. Has there been any research comparing the risk of loosing one toes but dragging your tennis shoe clad foot vs catching a hard soled boot on something as you go around a corner because the boot won't safely on the deck of your scoot.

Let's face it, most of the potential injuries we talk about are rare, and that's a very good thing. Riders just need to consider the risks and make choices based on those considerations. Frankly, it's hard for me to visualize one size 12 shoe being larger or smaller enough than another to make that much of a difference.

I wear size 8 1/2 boots and even those are a bit awkward on the Buddy's floorboard. That's one of the main reasons I almost always ride with my feet on the passenger "pegs", sort of tucked like on my big bike. Not only is this more comfortable and natural for me, I also think it lends better cornering balance to the Bud and it definitely keeps my feet out of the way. I've been singing the praises of this riding position since I got my Buddy and I'm still riding this way. It also allows me to easily lift off the seat if I see a major bump coming.

voodoosix · Post by **voodoosix** » Mon May 26, 2008 12:25 pm

there is a difference, i wear a 13 and when i go shopping for sneakers i have to look high and low for 80's style Reboks to keep from looking like im wearing clown shoes!

i need to go sit on a Buddy with my work boots on, theyre 13 1/2 inches long compared to 12 1/2 inches of the Rebok (outside dimensions- not foot bed) id like to be able to keep my feet/legs behind the legsheild to get the benefit of having it since i commute every day by scooter (rain/sleet/shine or snow). the Buddy just may be too small for me.

Post by **ericalm** » Mon May 26, 2008 4:23 pm

scooterdyke wrote:To those of you who wear tennis shoes - Next time you're in the Cleveland area, stop by Pride Of Cleveland and ask Renae (the shop manager) if you can see what 1/2 a foot looks like after dropping your buddy on it's side and scraping away part of your foot until the scooter stops. Not a pretty sight, and not a smart thing for anyone to do.

For anyone who wants to see the photo, just click here. But I warn you, it's not a pretty sight. In fact, any time the image gets posted in a thread, I have to change it to a link.

KRUSTYburger · Post by **KRUSTYburger** » Mon May 26, 2008 4:28 pm

aw... the link's not working. I guess I could just google stuff like that if I really wanted to see it.

Kevin K · Post by **Kevin K** » Mon May 26, 2008 4:37 pm

They still make Doc Martens in other colors besides black, right?

Another popular alternative is hiking boots. Get something that is tall enough to cover the ankle and is leather--NOT MESH-- and you're good to go.
I know a lot of scooterists that wear hiking boots while scooting in town.
-K

Post by **ericalm** » Mon May 26, 2008 4:38 pm

KRUSTYburger wrote:aw... the link's not working. I guess I could just google stuff like that if I really wanted to see it.

I just tried it and it works. Huh. Try it again, I edited my original post at some point. Or just use this direct URL:
files/toe2_750.jpg

Post by **jmazza** » Mon May 26, 2008 4:41 pm

ericalm wrote:
KRUSTYburger wrote:aw... the link's not working. I guess I could just google stuff like that if I really wanted to see it.
I just tried it and it works. Huh. Try it again, I edited my original post at some point. Or just use this direct URL:
files/toe2_750.jpg

Not working for me either, though that's a good thing... I've seen that pic before!

Post by **ericalm** » Mon May 26, 2008 5:11 pm

jmazza wrote:
ericalm wrote:
KRUSTYburger wrote:aw... the link's not working. I guess I could just google stuff like that if I really wanted to see it.
I just tried it and it works. Huh. Try it again, I edited my original post at some point. Or just use this direct URL:
files/toe2_750.jpg
Not working for me either, though that's a good thing... I've seen that pic before!

Huh. Keeps working for me. And looking at it so much while testing the link is going to make me vomit.

ScooterDave · Post by **ScooterDave** » Mon May 26, 2008 9:29 pm

Size 12 steel toe cherry red Grinders.

Modern Buddy

Who wears heavy duty boots/shoes while scooting?

What do you wear on your feet while riding?

Who wears heavy duty boots/shoes while scooting?

Shift Fuel