motorcycle boots

[Spidey]

I don't think there is any such thing as "too much boot" for your purposes.  There are boots that might *look* too flashy, but frankly, many race-oriented boots are comfortable enough to walk around in and provide a great level of protection.  I've taken to wearing my high-end Daytonas for commuting.  An ankle doesn't distinguish whether you crash during your commute or on the track in the middle of a race.

Don't get a lower boot.  Unless you're going to be wearing them to walk around all day every day, you're buying less protection for no reason. 

You don't need a toe slider, but they're nice to have.  Depending on your riding experience and style, you might end up dragging your toe occasionally.  It'll save your boot some wear and tear.  There are some folks who drag their toes a lot.  But that's cuz they're doing it wrong.   

On some of the more expensive boots, you'll find that there are more replaceable plastic pieces than on cheaper boots.  The reason is because the boots are made to deal with multiple crashes (like if you're a racer or track rider).  You can just repalce the plastic bits and move on.  Some less $ boots don't have those features, and may take a bit more damage if you crash.  Then again, if you crash, the fact that you might need to replace your boots is going to be one of th least of your concerns.  I crashed My Sigi Vertigos a buncha times and they ended up paying for themselves.  A cheaper boot would have given up the ghost much earlier and I would have had to buy at least one (or more) replacement pairs. 

[Spidey]

would i be better off just getting a lower mid-high boot such as the Puma Flat V2

I just looked at those boots in your link.  As I said in my post above, I'd stay away from those kind of boots.  I'm currently working on two cases where people wearing boots like that suffered significant ankle injuries.  I think they were both Alpinestars.  For that kind of $, you can get a real boot.   [moto]

[leungevity]

thanks Spidey!  low boots are out then!

would you commute in your sidi vertigos?  you're making a stronger case to opt back towards the puma 1000's

[Triple J]

I agree with Spidey. The Sidi boot I posted is a good boot and I still wear mine in bad weather, but it was chosen due to the price range and style you were looking at in your link. I broke my ankle in them in a track crash (the boot did survive though, and kept the break as minor instead of the major break/crush it would have been).

However, get the most boot you can afford. I too commute in my Daytonas (when it isn't raining...I just can't bring myself to get boots that expensive wet with road grime  ).

[Spidey]

would you commute in your sidi vertigos?  you're making a stronger case to opt back towards the puma 1000's

Yup. 

For a while, I commuted in some slightly less expensive Alpinestars that were super comfy and Goretex (Alpinestars WEB, maybe?).  I also just wear them around whether I was on the bike or not b/c they were so comfy.  But after a bit, I shifted to wearing Vertigos for commuting and only wearing the A*s if it was raining.  If figured if I was wearing boots anyway, I might as well wear the more protective ones.  Then again, the Vertigos felt decently comfy (though not as comfy as the less-protective A*).  There are some boots with lots of protection that suck to walk around in.

[WarrenJ]

Anyone have any experience with the Vendramini Marathon Steel boots?  They are sort of pricy but look like great long life boots with good protection.http://www.trophycycleapparel.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=70_82&products_id=207

[DucatiTorrey]

do you guys tuck jeans into boots?

[Spidey]

I don't wear jeans on the bike very often, but if I do, I don't tuck them in.  I'm not sure why I would.  Then again, I never wear jeans that are so baggy that they'd flap in the wind too much or otherwise ride up. 

[Triple J]

I don't tuck in my jeans if that's all I have on my legs (very rare). Looks stupid.

If I have jeans beneath my A'Stitch Darien overpants (which is my usual riding gear), then I do tuck them in. It is more comfortable as it causes the jeans to pull less...and it also keeps the bottoms of them dry if it happens to be raining.

[leungevity]

ugh, i'm torn between the puma desmo and the puma 1000 v2.  the 1000 has obvious benefits in case of an accident, the desmo look like a nice compromise between comfort and some protection...

choices choices choices

[leungevity]

or possibly the Sidi Vertigo...

[DesmoDiva]

As mentioned already, the Vertigos are great boots.   

Originally purchased for track only boots; they have become my commuter boot as well.

They are just simply easier and less time comsumming to get on than my touring boots.

The only issue I have run into is the heel slidder makes it hard for me to put my SBK kickstand down (no issues when riding the ST.)  This may be do to my lack of height though. 

YMMV.

[leungevity]

i'm short also, so i'm not sure how that would impact me with the vertigos, but how comfy are they to walk around in if you need to do some walking?  how much support do they have laterally to protect your ankle from rolling?  i haven't seen anybody say how stiff they are in their video reviews.

[DesmoDiva]

They are pretty comfy.  Not sure i would want to walk miles in them.

The upper is fairly stiff new, but gives a bit with use.

They have really good ankle support. 

[DRKWNG]

Leung, try to find a way to try both (Puma and Sidi) on.  I've got a pair of The 1000V2 and the Vertigo.  The Pumas fit very snug across the width of the foot, and I ended up going up a size to get the correct fit, thus necessitating the addition of insoles to tighten up the heel-cup.  The Sidis fit me dead on, so take that into consideration.  Over all, I generally find myself reaching for the Vertigos unless it is going to be a chilly ride, as the Pumas are much warmer (i.e. don't really breathe/vent worth a damn).  The Pumas do offer a bit more protection though, especially in the ankle department, so I would grab those if I'm going to hit the track.  Hope at least some of that helps...