Steel vs. soft toe boots...
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 66
Likes: 1
From: Chicago burbs
Steel vs. soft toe boots...
Another seemingly ridiculous question from me but I'd like some opinions before I spend the $100-$150 or so...
I'm wishing to purchase another pair of boots to complement my Red Wing steel toe work boots I now use for riding. On looking at the 6" 'work' boots from H-D, Sears, Red Wing, etc. I see that both steel toe and soft toe versions are available.
Questions: once the soft toe boots are worn in, will I be able to feel the shifter on my toes as I up-shift? Will the soft toe boots develop a dimple or a mushed spot from the shifting? In general, any drawbacks to the soft toe version as they are a whisker less expensive. Also, the Wolverine boots from Sears look well priced and of good quality; any comments on them?
Thanks.
I'm wishing to purchase another pair of boots to complement my Red Wing steel toe work boots I now use for riding. On looking at the 6" 'work' boots from H-D, Sears, Red Wing, etc. I see that both steel toe and soft toe versions are available.
Questions: once the soft toe boots are worn in, will I be able to feel the shifter on my toes as I up-shift? Will the soft toe boots develop a dimple or a mushed spot from the shifting? In general, any drawbacks to the soft toe version as they are a whisker less expensive. Also, the Wolverine boots from Sears look well priced and of good quality; any comments on them?
Thanks.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 156
Likes: 1
From: Eau Claire Wisconsin
I know that you didn't ask this but make sure you get steel in the arch....unless you have boards. Otherwise you will get crows foot after long rides....hurts. I don't have steel toe and shifter is fine.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 94
From: Massachusetts
Actually Wolverine makes the boots that you find at the Harley dealership.
I have never used steel toe boots for riding.
You will feel the shifter through the boot when shifting.
Usually there is a dimple on the boot from shifting, but so what?
I see no drawbacks on the soft boots, I use them for riding and don't really care what they look like.
I have never used steel toe boots for riding.
You will feel the shifter through the boot when shifting.
Usually there is a dimple on the boot from shifting, but so what?
I see no drawbacks on the soft boots, I use them for riding and don't really care what they look like.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,719
Likes: 60
From: Los Angeles
Read this thread of mine, and you'll probably want to stick with steel toes. If not, to each their own.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/gener...six-weeks.html
It's your money of course, but the extra 20 clams or so for a steel toe really isn't much of an expense if you think about what you could lose without it. In fact, IHMO you may want to think about just getting boots designed for motorcycle riding.
Plenty of options out there. The better ones are not budget, but you get what you pay for.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/gener...six-weeks.html
It's your money of course, but the extra 20 clams or so for a steel toe really isn't much of an expense if you think about what you could lose without it. In fact, IHMO you may want to think about just getting boots designed for motorcycle riding.
Plenty of options out there. The better ones are not budget, but you get what you pay for.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 11
From: Kentucky
Steel toe give you a lot more safety, when you are talking about your foot possibly getting caught between a sliding motorcycle and blacktop. A guy in a local HOG group here went down and slid and literally ground the toes off his foot, wearing soft toe boots. With that said, I mostly wear soft toes for weight and comfort.
Last edited by brenn; Mar 6, 2014 at 06:06 AM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,466
Likes: 425
From: Illinois
I wear my wolverines for work,and for riding. All I've ever noticed is a slightly clean spot from the shifter.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,190
Likes: 5
From: Eastern Washington
I love my redwing steel toe for riding. However my work supplies me with a new pair every year so I just recycle them to riding boots. If I had to buy a pair just for riding I would get the same as they will last a very long time in a riding environment
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