more on boots!

[bmdubyou]

I have been looking and comparing many different types of boots over the past few months now and decided on Vendramini boots as I'd seen advertised in ON. I ordered a pair of Daytonas...all leather with a heavy rubber sole, waterproof etc. Well, I got them the other day and I just wasnt thrilled. $275 and the "tuck & roll" part on the front of the ankle kinda reminded me of snow boots that I had as a kid. They didnt have the support I was hoping...construction seemed fine. They only have velcro fastening and there just didnt seem to be any way to get them tight.
I wore them for about 10 minutes and called to see if I could send them back which I did. I think my cowboy boots have more ankle support. Currently I've just been wearing some heavy hiking boots and Im sure wouldnt have much protection in a crash. Maybe MX boots would be better or Aero's Combat boots!?

 

[david46]

I just recently purchased a pair of New Balance Hiking boots (Model Rainier). I know there are protection issues with boots not designed for motorcycling. These boots I feel have more protection over my Alpinestars touring boot. Time will tell if I made a mistake, at this point the New Balance are more comfortable and cooler on my feet.

 

[Rpbump]

I have 2 pair of boots for riding. One is a side zippered HD boot about 10" high and the other made for/by Alpinestar and the closures are hook & loop/velcro. Both are comfortable for riding and walking. The Alpinestar boots have more padding than the HD boots and are warmer for cold weather riding but, the toe is higher making (shifting up) on the CLC slower. I wear 11EEE and am happy to have both sets of boots.
Ride Safe

 

[jeff488]

Have a look at the Tourmaster Solution boot.

 

[Polarbear]

Combats here, way happy

Aero's Combat Lights are mine now for a year plus and they are all I hoped for. I ride GS dirt and the protection is phenominal and not the full on m/x boot with less movement. The Combats are intensely tough and built with MORE leather than most all others and obviously a heavier boot for it. NOT a walk/hiking boot for any distance at least. I've been in water, no leaks and hit the hardest trails, just beating these boots hard and I'm safer for wearing them. I use mink paste and water pruf from WalMart occasionally for the leather upkeep. Combats are a real good GS Riders boot and I wasted no money buying these. One warning is tough boots are a breakin learning curve, so be patient as the breakin takes longer...Once broke in, many smiles and miles of safe feet/ankles! Randy

 

[bmdubyou]

Aero's Combat Lights are mine now for a year plus and they are all I hoped for. ........ One warning is tough boots are a breakin learning curve, so be patient as the breakin takes longer...Once broke in, many smiles and miles of safe feet/ankles! Randy

I keep looking at them and have come close to ordering. THen they raised the price! But I keep hearing abou the "break-in period" and wonder what kind of protection/ ankle support they have after the newness is over?

 

[JAMESDUNN]

Aero's Combat Lights are mine now for a year plus and they are all I hoped for. I ride GS dirt and the protection is phenominal and not the full on m/x boot with less movement. The Combats are intensely tough and built with MORE leather than most all others and obviously a heavier boot for it. NOT a walk/hiking boot for any distance at least. I've been in water, no leaks and hit the hardest trails, just beating these boots hard and I'm safer for wearing them. I use mink paste and water pruf from WalMart occasionally for the leather upkeep. Combats are a real good GS Riders boot and I wasted no money buying these. One warning is tough boots are a breakin learning curve, so be patient as the breakin takes longer...Once broke in, many smiles and miles of safe feet/ankles! Randy

I have considered purchasing a pair. Do they run true on sizes? If I wear a size nine street shoe will I wear a size nine Combat boot?

 

[TANDEMGEEK]

I keep looking at them and have come close to ordering. THen they raised the price! But I keep hearing abou the "break-in period" and wonder what kind of protection/ ankle support they have after the newness is over?

If you haven't heard, read or figured it out from the buckles and soles, the Combat Lights are made by Sidi. Nice stuff with replaceable soles and top grain leather.

 

[redclfco]

I have considered purchasing a pair. Do they run true on sizes? If I wear a size nine street shoe will I wear a size nine Combat boot?

I have 1 year of Combat Light boots. If this is the light version, I cant imagine the non-light! great foot support and tough as nails! Wedge sole is exactly what I was looking for; big lugs are not for me.

Great boot, everything I wanted, without the flashy chrome toes or white stripes that just is not me on so many other boots.

Size 12 fits my size 12 foot perfect, breakin...what breakin? I have heard peole say it takes along time. Not my experience at all.

I wear them sometimes all day at the office if I'm not going to a bunch of meetings, easy on, easy off, water proof as can be, care is simple as snow seal and mink oil mix concotion that I have used for 20 years.

1 year, about 10000 miles, and they look like new!

1 - 10? 10+

 

[sportridertex]

Tourmaster Solution WP boot

I have a 3 month old pair of the Solution Boot, so far, it's been great, and only $115.00 at BMW of North Dallas.

Took about a month to break in, and at first I was questioning how they would fit/feel, after a bit of break in, i'm glad, they are doing me just fine.

 

[markgoodrich]

Vendramini Marathon is the one I like. Better support than most boots I've looked at, very comfortable, waterproof. The only drawback is the sole is very soft, and wears out relatively quickly, but I found a solution to that, WHICH WILL WORK ON ANY BOOT the company which resoles the Aero boots can and will resole any motorcycle boot. ANY motorcycle boot. They put Sidi soles on them, either MX or Trials. My Vendraminis with Trials soles have served well for about 12,000 miles with no particular sign of wear. Comfortable to walk around in. Sole Performance is the company you want to search for. I crashed once in the boots several years ago, no damage to me or the boots.

 

[billfiler]

I love the BMW Santiago boots. They have great protection, are comfortable, and look good enough to wear anywhere. I like them so much I just bought a 2nd pair.

Bill
071200RT
09 KLR

 

[gvpurvis]

I use a pair of HD waterproof boots.They are very comfortable while riding or walking.Would like to get a pair of Sidi,but these still have several months worth of use left.

 

[BUDDINGGEEZER]

Have a look at the Tourmaster Solution boot.

+1 on the Tour Master Solution. You could spend more, but why? Great fit, doesn't leak, as comfortable to walk in as my running shoes and great price.

Ralph Sims

 

[globalrider]

These boots I feel have more protection over my Alpinestars touring boot.

You're not the first to use hiking boots.

I've been using Asolo hiking boots for about 15 years now. I'm on the road for over a month and dedicated motorcycle boots would be too limiting. Besides the Asolos offer more protection than an equivalent motorcycle boots that is comfortable for walking and hiking.

 

[Polarbear]

11" to 14" in Combats;

The only difference in between the lights and the regular 14". The lights are 11". I got the waffle stompers for soles. Wedge sole is just that, a wedge design, not as much grip. Leather is as tough after a year as ever and I suspect with care, a ver long wear cycle, moreso than most boots. Yep, SIDI made, too. I did find the boots stiff for a few months and they get much better with a few months wear. Sizes seem to run a tad large, I think they said at the Aero. Store. I wear 12 and the boots are 12's I ordered. I also wear inserts for heel protection, spurs! No issues. Randy

 

[jenkenj]

I don't know what model Vendramini boots you tried but I have the Vendramini Marathon Steel which replaced a pair of Sidi On-Road Sympotex. The Marathons are superior in every way to the On-Roads and 4 hours in heavey rain prove to me they are also waterproof. One of the few leather boots that meet European protection standards for racing. The two ratchet buckles and velcro give me all the fit options I need. I do agree that the sole seems a little soft and it may wear quickly but I have 3K on them now and they show minimal wear.

Jeff

 

[mistercindy]

Let me give you my warning on Vendramini, or at least their U.S. distributor, BikerWorldUSA.com. I really wanted to like Vendramini because every person who owns a pair loves them. But my experiences weren't good.

About a year and a half ago I emailed Vendramini (BikerWorldUSA) several times with questions about fit, etc..., and I got no reply. I used the email address on the BikerWolrdUSA web site. After the first email I waited a decent time (maybe a week), then I cut and pasted the email address from the website to make sure I got it right, and tried again. Again, no response. Then a third email, and no response.

A short time after the emails I called the telephone number on BikerWorldUSA's web site and I received no response to my voice mail. I never faxed, but why should I have expected any more response than I'd already received?

A little year ago I posted those experiences on ADVrider's Equipment forum, and a man who identified himself as Mauro, who either owns or works for BikerWorldUSA, saw the posting and posted a response. He apologized, said it was unusual, etc..., and asked that I try again. I did so with similar results. I got a response, but it too a couple of weeks. Then no response to a follow-up email.

All that being said, I know of a lot of people who've had great experiences with BikerWorldUSA. But, I'm officially spooked away from BikerWorldUSA and Vendramini. Maybe one day NewEnough.com will stock Vendramini boots, and I'll be first in line. But I'm zero for four or five on things as simple as emails and phone calls, so I ain't sending them money.

On a more general note, I've had bad experiences ordering motorcycle boots on line. I did it once around 10 years ago. The first pair didn't fit, so I sent 'em back. The next pair didn't fit, so I sent them back, too. Its like your life's savings is going to UPS. And after a while the whole damn process becomes tiring. Its something I'd rather not try unless I have faith in the people selling them to me (like NewEnough.com, who I'd order from any day with complete confidence).

I ordered a pair of Daytonas...all leather with a heavy rubber sole, waterproof etc. Well, I got them the other day and I just wasnt thrilled. $275 and the "tuck & roll" part on the front of the ankle kinda reminded me of snow boots that I had as a kid. They didnt have the support I was hoping...construction seemed fine. They only have velcro fastening and there just didnt seem to be any way to get them tight.

Do you mean Daytona from Helimot? That'd surprise me, as I've never heard of somebody being disappointed with their boots, or Helimots online customer service.

 

[marchyman]

Do you mean Daytona from Helimot? That'd surprise me, as I've never heard of somebody being disappointed with their boots, or Helimots online customer service.

Well, if he was expecting something like motocross boots the Daytona might be disappointing. I have two pair of the Roadstar GTX. I like them that much. The second pair is used when the first pair is in being re-soled.

 

[rtrider99]

I really wanted to like Vendramini because every person who owns a pair loves them.

I had been considering Vendramini Marathon Steel boots to replace my worn-out Sidi Open Road Sympatex.

A couple of months ago, I called Trophy Cycle Apparel and talked with the owner for about 15 minutes about the boots, the proper fit, etc. I decided to buy them, and received a confirmation email about 10 minutes after our conversation. The boots shipped the same day and I received them two days later.

The boots are extremely comfortable and appear to be very well made. The sizing is consistent with my other footwear and the boots required zero break-in. I really liked the Sidi boots, but I'm even more impressed with the Vendraminis.

If you're concerned about customer service from other vendors, you might want to give Trophy a call. My experience with them could not have been any better.

Usual disclaimer applies...no affiliation, etc.