OfficerImpersonator
Seattle-area Rounder
Aerostich Combat Lites
Combat Lites are made by Sidi. Both Aerostich and Sidi sells replacement buckles and soles for these boots.
I'm on my 2nd pair. First pair lasted 60,000 miles, and I had them resoled once. The plastic buckles broke on both the right and left foot, approximately three years apart. Find a local cobbler and they'll love working on your fancy Italian leather motorcycle boots. A true craftsman appreciates true craftsmanship.
First thing I do is remove and ditch the yellow speed laces. The buckle and the velcro tab keep my foot plenty secure in the boot. My first pair took about a month to break in, but my second pair required very little break-in at all. Second thing I do is put in a "SuperFeet" insole.
You can scuff 'em up, get 'em dirty, and they clean up nice with a stiff brush, some leather food, and some black shoe polish. Living in Seattle, I give 'em a good coat of waterproofing wax every Fall. They've never leaked, no matter how deep the puddle.
I'm of the belief that Gore-Tex in shoes is nothing more than a marketing ploy. I camp, hike, kayak, backpack, climb mountains, ski, and bike in the Pacific Northwet, and I've come to rely on Gore-Tex in my jackets, pants, hats and gloves. I've also learned to avoid it in footwear. The best way to waterproof boots is to start with a top quality leather boot, and then waterproof it.
Gore-Tex becomes useless when the pores clog up with dirt and oil. Jackets, gloves, pants and hats can all be washed to remove the dirt and restore the breathability. You can't do that to shoes, and thus the Gore-Tex has a limited shelf-life in footwear. I don't care what the marketing materials, warranty, or salesperson says. Dirty Gore-Tex might as well be denim for the amount of waterproofing and breathability it provides.
One of the nicest things about the Combat Lites is that I can wear them into a courtroom and no one raises an eyebrow. Try doing that with your white Alpinestars plastic moon boots.
Combat Lites are made by Sidi. Both Aerostich and Sidi sells replacement buckles and soles for these boots.
I'm on my 2nd pair. First pair lasted 60,000 miles, and I had them resoled once. The plastic buckles broke on both the right and left foot, approximately three years apart. Find a local cobbler and they'll love working on your fancy Italian leather motorcycle boots. A true craftsman appreciates true craftsmanship.
First thing I do is remove and ditch the yellow speed laces. The buckle and the velcro tab keep my foot plenty secure in the boot. My first pair took about a month to break in, but my second pair required very little break-in at all. Second thing I do is put in a "SuperFeet" insole.
You can scuff 'em up, get 'em dirty, and they clean up nice with a stiff brush, some leather food, and some black shoe polish. Living in Seattle, I give 'em a good coat of waterproofing wax every Fall. They've never leaked, no matter how deep the puddle.
I'm of the belief that Gore-Tex in shoes is nothing more than a marketing ploy. I camp, hike, kayak, backpack, climb mountains, ski, and bike in the Pacific Northwet, and I've come to rely on Gore-Tex in my jackets, pants, hats and gloves. I've also learned to avoid it in footwear. The best way to waterproof boots is to start with a top quality leather boot, and then waterproof it.
Gore-Tex becomes useless when the pores clog up with dirt and oil. Jackets, gloves, pants and hats can all be washed to remove the dirt and restore the breathability. You can't do that to shoes, and thus the Gore-Tex has a limited shelf-life in footwear. I don't care what the marketing materials, warranty, or salesperson says. Dirty Gore-Tex might as well be denim for the amount of waterproofing and breathability it provides.
One of the nicest things about the Combat Lites is that I can wear them into a courtroom and no one raises an eyebrow. Try doing that with your white Alpinestars plastic moon boots.
