Originally posted by maniac1886
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I think you were on the right track in your original post. I've just gone through a few weeks of research, and watching reviews on YouTube from Revzilla, and Sportbike Track gear, etc., and settled on a pair of sport/touring boots - Firstgear Mesh Hi - which offer much of the protection of a race boot, but look more conservative. The main advantage of the boot over the shoe is the shin protection.
A race boot will also offer more lateral support to the ankle than a touring boot, and bigger/thicker/harder protection in the same key areas. If I'm correct, the touring boot is made for crashing at road / highway speeds (60/70 MPH?), and the race boot for crashing at much higher speeds.
That being said, there are many choices available these days as far as riding shoes are concerned. TCX and Cortech have some styles that look like the Converse upper, with the exception that they have toe, heel, and ankle protection. You can choose lace up, or zipped enclosures, and you can have them ventilated or waterproof.
Without going into too much detail, the riding shoes should be as easy to put on as your tennis shoe, and these days they can look just as good. If your gear is too difficult to put on, you are less likely to wear it.
I'm looking into one of the following for my next purchase:
+ Alpinestars: SMX 1
+ Speed and Strength: Moment of Truth
+ TCX: X-Square Sport, or X-Street
+ Sidi: Doha
As one source said, a $100 riding shoe will offer more protection than a $200 tennis shoe. Feet are the most frequently injured body part in motorcycle accidents. You know what to do. [thumbup]
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