Need input from Military guys/gals and/or Vets. on these boots...

[ElectroJoe]

How do y'all think any of these would be as riding boots?

http://www.militaryboots.com/waterproof

Any preference between any of 'em?   

[steve]

These might be good for riding...

http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=5010&L2=40&L3=960&L4=961&item=BLT_BLB3-BZ-008_G&name=BILT_Trackstar_Leather_Motorcycle_Boots

 

Those other boots are probably fine, but I try to go with gear made for riding.

sre

[ElectroJoe]

I just wondered, as many of these are available for around $40 or so at the Army surplus store.  Just wondering.... 

[SPANKY]

Here are what I use. Great, lightweight...sturdy ankle, good grip on the pegs. On my third pair now and generally last about a year before the support goes away. About as light as a pair of tennis shoes!   Caution...do not kick softball sized rocks at 30 mph with them!!!        


www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/converse-waterproof-side-zip-desert-tactical-boots-desert-tan.aspx?a=674522  

[Wlfman]

http://www.compacc.com/p/Fly-Racing-Maverik-ATV-Boots

http://www.compacc.com/p/Fly-Mens-Maverik-MX-Boots

[MacGyver]

I have the Bates GX8 tactical boots. They are fine to run to the store in and the side zip is really nice for easy on /off. They have been very waterproof so far(3 years). On the down side they don't have good ankle protection and the shift area of the toe isn't extra thick so shifting a lot can make the foot sore. A BIG plus is that if I am walking a lot,they are very comfortable. I usually prefer my riding boots for the protection and seldom wear the others .

[larry0071]

I have a pair of $150 5.11 Tactical Sleet boots, advertised 100% waterproof and bloodborne pathogen proof. They are water proof in standaing water, but the power spray from the front tire blasts right through.

These are about the most comfortable boots I have owned, and great for woods, hiking, and outdoors. Waterproof as advertised but not on a bike!



http://www.511tactical.com/All-Products/Footwear/8-Boots/Sleet-8-Boot.html#Product_Description

[steve]

My Alpinestars are waterproof.  But when the road spray goes up the leg and then drips back down into them, they hold water in as well as they hold it out.

sre

[swjohnsey]

Military boots work both waterproof and not. Look on eBay for them cheap.

[TrailRider]

I wore "military boots" for 26-1/2 years as required on Reserve and Active Duty assignments.

In my opinion, NONE of the boots shown is designed for motorcycling application.

Absent from the presentation are Corcoran "jump" or Paratrooper boots; themselves NOT designed for motorcycling.

The stresses and "insults" of motorcycling remain unique; great research and development efforts have produced footwear designed for this application.  Rejecting the protection and servicability available from motorcycle boot technology appears to me not unlike wearing a construction site-type hard-hat in contrast to a helmet certified by D.O.T. and/or the Snell Foundation.

Going "cheap-John" on boots invites common and serious toe, foot, ankle, and leg injuries, IMHO.

Do what you gotta do, but--I wear my military-issue combat boots when riding ONLY when in uniform in the Memorial Day Parade, a straight-and-level walking-pace ride of a mile.  Otherwise, I wear proper motorcycle boots; footwear proving its worth more times than I care to remember.

I APPRECIATE military boots, for military service duty applications.  For motorcycling?  Not so much.

Back to the initial post on this thread:

How do y'all think any of these would be as riding boots?

In a word, UNSATISFACTORY.

YMMV!

[oldstove]

Narrow down the search of those listed to include only steel toe versions, and you've got yourself a fine boot for most applications.

[swjohnsey]

BS. There is nothing you can point to in motorcycle touring boots that you won't find in military boots.

[CoastieShep]

I've got to second the Converse boots. I'm a cook, so I'm on my feet all day long. These boots are the most comfortable I've had. I ride  to and from work every day with these boots on. Plenty of support. Mine aren't waterproof, but I didn't buy them for that.
While I wouldn't use them for long distance touring, they're plenty fine for commuting.

[chinkymo]

I wear my 5.11 Duty Boots to ride and find them to work well with the exception of the heel being a bit too tall for foot peg mobility, but alas, I'm used to it now. At the time, I had to choose one or the other due to a financial situation and obviously I can't wear riding boots on the ambulance.
The ankle and foot support is great and the fiberglass shank keeps the sole from flexing too much while standing on the pegs. I do tuck the laces in to prevent them from hanging up on the pegs and causing an embarrassing incident when coming to a stop. The addition of knee/shin guards would compliment them nicely as they aren't as tall as riding boots.
They are waterproof (to a degree) but breathe nicely without creating that sauna-shoe effect. As an added bonus, there is a pocket on the outer part of the uppers that is designed for a pocket knife to slip into. The side zipper eases the on/off process and speeds up those dispatch calls that come after bedtime (I dont know how some of these guys can sleeps with boots on  ).

http://www.galls.com/uniformstyle?assort=general_catalog&style=SP725

[swjohnsey]

BS. There is nothing you can point to in motorcycle touring boots that you won't find in military boots.

1. Why would you be wearing a touring boot on a dual sport bike? Do you wear golf cleats playing basketball?

I feel as strong about freedom of choice as I do about honest assessment when it comes to safety. Reporting that milsurp boots are adequate riding boots IN THIS APPLICATION is less than honest in light of the conflicting evidence. I do, however, fully support your right to wear what ever you wish.

No, but I ocassionally wear basketball shoes while playing golf. You won't find anything in something like the Aerostitch Combat touring boot that you won't find in a leather combat boot . . . except you can walk in the combat boot.

[TrailRider]

BS. There is nothing you can point to in motorcycle touring boots that you won't find in military boots.

A rather absolute statement . . . one exception, and the statement's FALSE.  I think many exceptions abound.

Consider only one of many examples of enhanced fit, protection and support (beyond military boots) available from motorcycle boots like Sidi Adventure Rain Boots:

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/389/7653/Motorcycle-Article/Sidi-Adventure-Rain-Boot-Review.aspx

(Just one hit from a bunch on Google.)

No way military boots match the fitment, protection, and support, tailored for motorcycling, in stomps like these, IMHO.

The hinged ankle construction alone separates boots like this from issue military boots.

A matter of degree; dress for the RIDE (then your G.I. stomps, or your Marlon Brando Memorial Wild One Engineer Boots may be fine), or dress for the CRASH.  In the latter instance, motorcycle boots hold an edge, IMHO.

Yet, I'm all for "freedom of choice;" wouldn't interfere with that, presume to dictate anyone else's choice in footwear, but--sincerely doubt G.I. boots offer the specific protection designed and built into quality motorcycle-specific boots.

FULL DISCLOSURE:  I can't AFFORD Sidi Adventure Rain Boots!

[Indiana Bones]

I usually wear these....



Lighten up fellas...

[TreeMan]

I wear my Danner Acadias from time to time.  They are very sturdy boots. I was wearing them when I went down, breaking my thumb in September. But if you are going to spend $200+ on boot to ride in you might as get M/C specific boots.

Personally, I would stay away from the "tennis shoe" type duty boots if I was looking for boots to ride in.  They are real comfy to walk around in but in regards to strength, not much more than "high top" tennis shoes

[TreeMan]

From the boots in your link, I have a now worn out pair of these
http://www.militaryboots.com/mens-bates-delta-9-gtx

I have ridden in them a couple of times. They are just not enough support for me

[TrailRider]

Final "exhibit:"



From left, US Army boot, Harley touring boot, O'Neal motocross boot.

Regarding the Army boot, Nancy Sinatra said it best:

These boots are made for walking, and that's just what they'll do
one of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you.

  Made for walking, all right, but--not for motorcycling, IMHO.

CAVEAT:  Not responsible for the chick-magnet effect consequences of the Harley boot.

[Indiana Bones]

CAVEAT:  Not responsible for the chick-magnet effect consequences of the Harley boot.

 

[SPANKY]

Yeah...I don't think there is anyone here saying that this style of boot is the best for what we do. I certainly don't! If I am going on a ride that I know will be aggressive I will wear the appropriate footwear. If I go to the lake I don't wear my Malcom Smiths. And anyway....I am a "feet up and sideways" rider...unless I have a hotshoe on...my feet are on the pegs!    

[SLO-KLR]

There is nothing wrong with wearing a good work boot for every day general purpose riding.  They won't have the ankle protection that a high quality m/c boot will have but will provide adequate abrasion protection. I'm not going to hassle with putting on m/c boots for the commute to work then change when I get there.  One word of caution, the molded style soles with the big side lugs on the outer edge are hazardous to your ankles and knees if they catch the ground.  I have on a couple of occasions had my foot yanked off the footpeg when I hit a bump while turning.  It hurts like hell!  Choose a boot with a hard rubber sole like Vibrams.

[TrailRider]

There is nothing wrong with wearing a good work boot for every day general purpose riding.

Riding, yes; crashing?  Not so much; for example with a frame member from a 400-pound bike and a concrete slab making an ankle or a shin  sandwich . . .

Yet, choose your own risk-management strategy; I'm more-or-less ATGATT; work boots would be considered lacking to some extent in the "G" category by me; better than flip-flops or running shoes, but scoring lower in crash-worthiness than quality purpose-built motorcycle boots.

I know, I know; then, "Don't CRASH!"   

[swjohnsey]

You must crash alot.