Protective motorcycle footwear

[Flydoc]

Now that the day I can once again ride my FZ6 is near, I'd like to ask if anyone of you have any advice regarding ankle protective motorcycle boots. I broke my tibia on my FZ6 when i hit a muddy patch on a gravel road. Even though I was traveling at walking speed, the resulting fall torqued my left foot counterclockwise and broke my distal tibia in what's known as a pilon fracture. I'm not sure any type of footwear would have prevented the injury, but the whole event illustrates the need for as much foot protection as possible. What type of boots provide the best ankle protection, allow for reasonably comfortable walking, and, not to complicate matters, fit a wider than average foot?

 

[Motogiro]

What protective footwear were you wearing at the time of your injury?
I don't know what protective gear would help in the sense of a torque injury. I imagine that would be one of the worst types to prevent. I see boots with added ankle area reinforcement but how much it overcomes a torque injury is questionable to me. My neighbor had the same injury in an accident. He comes from dirt riding. His response was getting a foot out and on the ground and he spun.
I like these for my next boot! Sidi ST

 

[rsw81]

Unfortunately, the torquing motion is the one motion boots don't tend to help with. They are great at preventing dorsi or plantarflexion and later/medial deflection, and can even potentially prevent a crush or puncture injury to the ankle. But not really anti-torque protection.

The trick, in my opinion, is to prevent yourself from doing the natural thing... putting your foot down when you feel like you're falling. That's the worst thing you can do.

Those Sidi boots are the exact ones I'm looking at for this Spring Cliff.:thumbup:

 

[VEGASRIDER]

Unfortunately, the torquing motion is the one motion boots don't tend to help with. They are great at preventing dorsi or plantarflexion and later/medial deflection, and can even potentially prevent a crush or puncture injury to the ankle. But not really anti-torque protection.

The trick, in my opinion, is to prevent yourself from doing the natural thing... putting your foot down when you feel like you're falling. That's the worst thing you can do.

Those Sidi boots are the exact ones I'm looking at for this Spring Cliff.:thumbup:

Dr. Rob,

This forum is very fortunate to have medical professionals such as yourself to be able to provide great medical insight to the reasons how and why. We really ought to consider creating a medical forum. Of course with a disclaimer for liablity issues.

I wear my motorcycle boots (Sidi Cobra Air) which are mesh everyday. Even when I go out with my friends to go eat or to a casino, and end up as a passenger in their vehicles, guess what I wear? Yup, my motorycle boots and jacket. No, the riding pants stay off. I'm just so use to wearing them 14-16 hours a day, that I don't wear anything else, even at work.

 

[David Thompson]

i wear 8 inch police boots. not the greatest but they are cheap and better than flip flops.

 

[Kazza]

I have Berik GPX boots - great protection, quite a reasonable price and comfortable to walk in all day. AND they are waterproof :rockon:

 

[spock]

I have the Cortech Latigo Waterproof RR Boots and I love them

A pretty nice review from sportbiketrackgear
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ubPeY6vKr8&feature=player_embedded]Cortech Latigo Air RR Boots Review from SportbikeTrackGear.com - YouTube[/ame]

The first comment you see is actually mine

 

[Iron Cross]

These are what I wear. I know they're not high boots (but like previously stated nothing is going to stop the torque injury) but I personally like em, and they've saved my ankle from being crushed at least.



~ Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici ~

 

[ohgood]

i wear 8 inch police boots. not the greatest but they are cheap and better than flip flops.

the only protection those provide is a very very little bit of abrasion resistance. please, consider a full on motorcycle boot. those are worthless above walking speed.

 

[ChaosCrayons]

I actually use fly racking maverik vapor boots. They are fairly cheap at around 100 dollars and offer a lot of protection. They are however, terrible to walk in all day so I pack shoes for class and work.

Maverik MX Boots | Fly Racing

 

[Spideyrex]

You mentioned having a wider foot. My wife calls me her hobbit, yes I have wide hairy feet! I ride with Komodo race boots and they are comfy for a wider foot . Great protection and I added a arch support and they are now super comfy. I have also noted that Sidi's run narrow but Alpinestars are also a little wider.

 

[Motogiro]

You mentioned having a wider foot. My wife calls me her hobbit, yes I have wide hairy feet! I ride with Komodo race boots and they are comfy for a wider foot . Great protection and I added a arch support and they are now super comfy. I have also noted that Sidi's run narrow but Alpinestars are also a little wider.

Yes I'm a wide foot and my SMX-5 boots are pretty comfy. I have tried a Sidi on yet..

 

[FinalImpact]

.......
I like these for my next boot! Sidi ST

Those are a nice looking boot. As mentioned above - in my testing i also found the Sidi to be narrow in relation to the same size boot in Alpinestars. I usually fit a EE in sneakers.... but not hairy or hobbit like. . .

 

[motojoe122]

Yes I'm a wide foot and my SMX-5 boots are pretty comfy. I have tried a Sidi on yet..

Good to know, I have the smx-4's now but will prob get the 5's this summer:thumbup:

 

[PhotoAl]

Plus one on the Komodo boots. They are race proven, durable and can be worn all day long. They do look like race boots but are pretty subdued color wise. Wear them to work every day, swap to dress shoes when get to my office. I called to ask about the size and they were very quick and personable. After a couple of years of everyday wear, they are showing signs of wearing out so will probably buy another pair. Always tempted by the SIDI's but they are more $ and I need another helmet.

Thanks for all of the input - helps all of us looking for boots.