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I have a pair of these (3 years now) and they have become my favorite riding boot, for all the different motorcycles I ride. Warm enough in cool weather, cool enough in warm weather. Laces to adjust the boot on your foot, zipper entry for ease of donning and doffing.
A little pricey but worth it for comfort and protection. CE Rated.
Comfortable when walking around while not riding.
To answer your question:
The Drytex lining keeps you feet dry in moderate rain; however, your ankles will get wet from rain running down your leg if not wearing good rain pants or wicking up the boot if your rain pants are not tight around the boot. Additionally, they dry quickly once the rain has stopped. The Drytex is breathable and your feet do not get sweaty if you wear wicking sports socks. A good waterproof lining will keep you mostly dry and allow breath-ability, just like a good pair of hiking boots.
Riding boots, etc. are a personal preference and like oil threads, everyone has their favorite.
Just adding what I use as I have tried about 10 different styles of riding boots over the years and most of them were good, but not excellent.
You are the one who has to wear them and if you have been riding a while, you will find what suits you. Good Luck!
Last edited by CoolBreeze3646; Apr 2, 2023 at 07:06 PM.
You are worried about your feet roasting in the summer? You live in Maryland. I live in Texas and don't worry about that.
OP, you are overthinking this. If you don't want waterproof boots because you don't think they are breathable then don't buy them. Get yourself a pair of comfortable boots you like. If you find a pair of boots you like and they happen to be waterproof then just get them. You're not going to notice any difference from any other boot. Go for comfort like they are not hurting my feet comfort.
Ultimately, if you don't like the boot you bought, what are you out? $100?
Thanks. Appreciate the input. Another vote for membranes don't matter.
I have a pair of these (3 years now) and they have become my favorite riding boot, for all the different motorcycles I ride. Warm enough in cool weather, cool enough in warm weather. Laces to adjust the boot on your foot, zipper entry for ease of donning and doffing.
A little pricey but worth it for comfort and protection. CE Rated.
Comfortable when walking around while not riding.
To answer your question:
The Drytex lining keeps you feet dry in moderate rain; however, your ankles will get wet from rain running down your leg if not wearing good rain pants or wicking up the boot if your rain pants are not tight around the boot. Additionally, they dry quickly once the rain has stopped. The Drytex is breathable and your feet do not get sweaty if you wear wicking sports socks. A good waterproof lining will keep you mostly dry and allow breath-ability, just like a good pair of hiking boots.
Riding boots, etc. are a personal preference and like oil threads, everyone has their favorite.
Just adding what I use as I have tried about 10 different styles of riding boots over the years and most of them were good, but not excellent.
You are the one who has to wear them and if you have been riding a while, you will find what suits you. Good Luck!
lots of strange opinions and comments here. I spent my life working in manufacturing. Company I retired from required safety shoes. We got an "allowance" towards a new pair of work boots annually. I usually bought Red Wing, Worx, and there may have been others. I still have couple pair that I wear....steel toe and weather resistant. I use Sno-Seal on my boots as an aid to keep weatherproof and soft/supple. I have been in many rain showers over the past years. My feet will get wet from rain coming down pant leg or spray from wheels. I do not believe you can keep yourself, or your feet completely dry during rain storms. I like the steel toe aspect. I like the comfort aspect. And I will always treat my boots with Sno-Seal or similar product. Comfort is important to me. So my suggestion is to find boots you like, like the looks, style, and fit. Treat them with a leather treatment. And enjoy your ride. Everyone has their opinion, and as you can see, they get testy if you don't like it!! Buy what you like, and don't worry about what others say!!! Good luck on your decision.
Well no comment on the waterproof / or not. All my work boots have been waterproof, never bothered to look for something else. BUT on the heat comment, I've noticed a big difference in 6" vs 8" boots. I switched to 8" for work boots and had to get used to it. My "riding" boots are a pair of Redwing slip-on, I absolutely hate slip ons for walking in but luckily I don't do a lot while riding.
I too keep my boots separate, work boots are black but not because I bought them that way. Oil / grease / metal shavings don't belong on the bike
I suffer from plantar hyper-hydrosis (over active sweat glands of the feet) and have found that so-called breathable membrane waterproof boots do make my feet sweat more than Plain Jain good quality leather boots that are not waterproof.
If only Florida style rain, heavy then it stops and its sunny and hot again. Non-waterproof boots are just fine. But when on road trips where prolonged rain is possible, dedicated motorcycle boots with safety features are the way to go; most of them are waterproof and changing socks frequently at gas stops and what not is how I handle it.
Interesting. I generally try to keep my work boots and my riding boots separate for various reasons.
Red Wings were my old man's favorite (roper style pull-on work boot). I've had a couple of pairs I've liked myself. But I'm a tightwad and generally can't bring myself to pay the freight for them.
Normally... for my typical use cases, I wouldn't consider waterproof motorcycle boots as necessary. On rare occasions where I might have to endure an extended run through a downpour, I might reach in the bags for the rain gear. But, if these waterproof membranes aren't a factor, then I wouldn't limit my options either.
Happy feet make for a happy foot owner, older you get the more that means trust me. Did the budget BS when I was young, broke and just didn't know any better. Everybody is different but I've found outside of serious silly money footwear the Red Wings in my particular style are money well spent for me. Think the bastards discontinued my fav model so I'll be on the hunt again come time. Now I'm not wearing a pair a year out on the job that dance won't happen but once or twice more in my lifetime hopefully.
Most comfortable boot footwear I've ever worn. Great riding gear too.
You are worried about your feet roasting in the summer? You live in Maryland. I live in Texas and don't worry about that.
OP, you are overthinking this. If you don't want waterproof boots because you don't think they are breathable then don't buy them. Get yourself a pair of comfortable boots you like. If you find a pair of boots you like and they happen to be waterproof then just get them. You're not going to notice any difference from any other boot. Go for comfort like they are not hurting my feet comfort.
Ultimately, if you don't like the boot you bought, what are you out? $100?
I've lived in TX for a while, so I'm familiar with your kind of heat. I've also lived out in the Antelope Valley. Typical refrain there is that it's a dry heat. I don't care - still effing hot. Burn you hands on your steering wheel after work kind of hot (even if you leave your windows cracked). I've even traipsed around the jungles in Central America for a couple of years. I still know a few folks that live out there (TX or CA) but on occasion have to travel to Maryland for business. Funny how they caterwaul about the heat and - in particular - the humidity when they have to come up here during the summer.
Another vote for the membranes don't matter. Good to know. Thanks.
I suffer from plantar hyper-hydrosis (over active sweat glands of the feet) and have found that so-called breathable membrane waterproof boots do make my feet sweat more than Plain Jain good quality leather boots that are not waterproof.
If only Florida style rain, heavy then it stops and its sunny and hot again. Non-waterproof boots are just fine. But when on road trips where prolonged rain is possible, dedicated motorcycle boots with safety features are the way to go; most of them are waterproof and changing socks frequently at gas stops and what not is how I handle it.
A vote for membranes make a difference/there is a tradeoff.
I have to imagine theres got to be something to it. Some of the pro reviews I've encountered suggest so. Would make sense.
Happy feet make for a happy foot owner, older you get the more that means trust me. Did the budget BS when I was young, broke and just didn't know any better. Everybody is different but I've found outside of serious silly money footwear the Red Wings in my particular style are money well spent for me. Think the bastards discontinued my fav model so I'll be on the hunt again come time. Now I'm not wearing a pair a year out on the job that dance won't happen but once or twice more in my lifetime hopefully.
Most comfortable boot footwear I've ever worn. Great riding gear too.
Yeah... I hear ya. But... For the purpose of being a work boot, they are almost too pretty to muck up. Makes me want to cringe when I start doing them in.
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