Let's Talk About Your Go-To Riding Footwear
Tall, purpose-built motorcycle boots offer the kind of protection you expect for track days or off-road trips, where performance and protection matter more than anything else.
Then there’s the riding shoe. It blends into everyday life, passing for something you’d wear to the grocery store or a meetup with friends, but still packs reinforced panels and abrasion resistance. It’s a compromise—less protection than a full boot, way more than a pair of Vans—but a lot more convenient when the ride isn’t the only thing on your agenda.
Ryan's a big fan of the REAX Fulton Air:
Do you commit to full-height boots every time, or does the practicality of riding shoes make more sense for how—and where—you actually use your bike? At least one of you has been tempted to embrace the flip-flop lifestyle, no doubt.
That mix of choices—good and bad—raises a question every rider will answer differently. Let’s hear it, what's your go-to riding footwear and why?
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I usually wear tall Forma Adventure boots when riding my BMW R 1300 GS. They guard against my shins hitting the crash bars when braking hard. But occasionally, if I have other things to do, I’ll wear my Indie Ridge boots, which don’t provide as much protection, but blend in better on the street.
I wear boots from Wesco exclusively. (aka West Coast Shoe) Wesco has served the logging industry in Oregon since 1918. Most of their boots are lace up logger or pull on engineer styles. I wear both. You can buy any of the styles as stock, off the shelf boots, or have your boots custom built. A pair of Wesco boots serve two functions: 1. the ultimate in heavy, thick, protective leather, steel-toe boots for riding. 2. When you step off the bike, the boots become leg weights. I bought my first pair in '92, and they are still going strong. Wesco offers repair and rebuild services, when/if the time comes, you can send your favorite ol' pair in for a rebuild and they will come back looking like new. We won't talk about price here because you can afford anything you want.