Motorcycle footwear: Are they always over the ankle?
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 951
Likes: 0
From: Florida, central on the right coast
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 43
Likes: 1
From: Pacific North-Wet
Footwear for Warm Weather
In Hilo, protective gear means tank top, board shorts, and flip-flops. It doesn't matter if you ride a Big Dog or a Roketa...same same.
Oh, and no shtinkin' helmets.
Me, I go against the flow...real jacket (or at least a real vest), real pants, real boots, and a real helmet. If others point and laugh, it just means I've brightened their day a bit!
As for below-ankle riding shoes, I've seen some nice ones, but mostly from European mfgs. Check the sport/street selections.
There are also over the ankle perforated leather boots that are supposed to be cool (Sidi makes one model), but I haven't tried them. Spendy.
I prefer Daytons. I'll take hot, sweaty, even smelly feet over bloody stumps any day
Oh, and no shtinkin' helmets.
Me, I go against the flow...real jacket (or at least a real vest), real pants, real boots, and a real helmet. If others point and laugh, it just means I've brightened their day a bit!
As for below-ankle riding shoes, I've seen some nice ones, but mostly from European mfgs. Check the sport/street selections.
There are also over the ankle perforated leather boots that are supposed to be cool (Sidi makes one model), but I haven't tried them. Spendy.
I prefer Daytons. I'll take hot, sweaty, even smelly feet over bloody stumps any day
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 858
Likes: 1
From: Kentucky
I wear "Ropers" all year round. I wear them with white cotton socks for comfort and the boot comes up high enough that my ankle is covered well
I think the trick that keeps it from being too hot is I wear them a little loose-er than normal, I can walk a mile in them with no problems
Another item I wish I had was my old original issue combat boots
They were a bit of a bitch to break in but after you did, they were like your feet and forget they were there.
I think that is one of the reason they run the hell out of you in basic is so they will be good and broken in when your 6 weeks are up
I think the trick that keeps it from being too hot is I wear them a little loose-er than normal, I can walk a mile in them with no problems
Another item I wish I had was my old original issue combat boots
They were a bit of a bitch to break in but after you did, they were like your feet and forget they were there.
I think that is one of the reason they run the hell out of you in basic is so they will be good and broken in when your 6 weeks are up
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 8,423
Likes: 2
From: Ellenwood, GA - The Ghetto Part
I'm not aware of any law that requires it, but over the ankle leather footwear is an excellent idea. Sliding down the road with your foot grinding against the road is a pretty common result in a MC accident. A ground down malleolus is a particularly painful and debilitating injury.
I always wear them and have a pair that my wife wears also.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,865
Likes: 168
From: Potsdam, NY
Just bought a pair of Side Adventure boots. Not the best boots for a long walk or hiking and they squeak when I walk, hopefully this will go away as they break in, but if I was going to low slide with my foot trapped under my bike they would be my first choice of foot ware. The sole is also stiffened in the rear 2/3 making them ideal on the pegs. They are supposedly latterly crush proof if you believe their marketing material - hoping not to verify this first hand.
Last edited by fat_tony; May 23, 2011 at 03:57 AM.