Category Archives: motorcycle boots

Wesco Boots — Differences Between Harness and Engineer Styles?

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I received the following inquiry about Wesco boots, requesting to know if there is any difference between the harness or engineer style of Wesco boots. I thought this was interesting, so I posted the question and my answer here.

You have informative videos regarding boots. There are two things I don’t skimp on; firearms and footwear. I am new to the sport of motorcycling and decided on Wesco boots and so I am wondering for riding comfort, would you recommend the engineer or harness? For the costs, I would like to know if there are any differences or not.

My reply?

Thank you for your message and compliments on the videos. I think you made a good decision to buy Wesco boots to wear while riding your new-to-you motorcycle.

There is no difference in comfort between Wesco harness boots and the engineer style they label “Wesco Boss.” What makes the difference in comfort is the fit. Wesco boots run true-to-size, but if you get taller boots — 16 inches or higher, then getting them custom measured to your calf size is important. For me, that’s where the comfort situation comes in.

But if you are looking at boots that are 12 inches high or thereabouts, then calf circumference is not usually an issue. The foot size for both engineer style and harness style is the same. It’s really a matter of personal preference.

As an experienced motorcyclist, let me share an observation about Wesco boots and motorcycles, as well.

If you are riding a standard cruiser or touring bike — that is, a bike where you sit up rather than hunch over such as on a crotch rocket or sport bike — then Wesco boots should work fine because the shifter peg on those types of bikes has enough room to accommodate the large toe box found on Wesco boots (harness or engineer).

If your bike has a small displacement (engine size <750cc or so) OR is a sport model where the operator is positioned in a forward-leaning position, then you may find the shifter difficult to operate with large-toed boots. The toe boxes on Wesco boots is larger than other motorcycle boots, such as those made by Chippewa. You may find it difficult to fit your toe under the shifter to shift up to first gear. This happened to me when I rode a buddy’s 650cc bike while wearing a pair of Wesco Boss (engineer) boots. I struggled to get the bike into first gear, because there was not enough room to get the toe of my boot under the shift peg to lift it. Something to think about. Good luck, ride safe.

Life is short: remember to repeat after me–boots are for motorcycles, sneakers are for the gym, and flip-flops are for the trash.

Lern 2 rite

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I received the following message via the hotboots website:

how many pairs of boots do u onw, i own about 7, i wonder if u can send me some pics of ur favs to my email?

How did I respond?

There were a variety of things that went through my head, but I remained courteous with this reply:

Hello, thank you for your message. All of my boots are shown on my website, as well as the answer to your question on how many pairs of boots I own.

http://www.bootedman.com

Cheers,

BHD

What I really wanted to say is how annoyed I get with text-messaging communications. The word “you” is “you” not a single letter “u”. The noun “I” is always capitalized. The word “your” is “your” not “ur.”

And send pictures of my “favs” to his email? Heck, that’s what my website is for. If you want to see my boot collection, check out the cowboy boots or my motorcycle boots or my work boots. They are all there.

I don’t have time to send photos via email. Just visit the website. And while you are at it, learn how to write with full words in complete sentences. I know that I sound intolerant of text-speech, but that is who I am — an old codger who does not communicate by texting. Yep, I block texting and do not send text messages, so I do not favor the short-hand abbreviations that frequent texters use.

Imagine… if this dude were to communicate that way in a professional setting?

Which brings me to a lesson that a recent young job applicant learned. He had applied for a job with my company, and I participated in his interview. He showed up on time (good), was dressed casually but in clean clothes (well, okay), but he could not articulate a single sentence. That is, his method of communication was as abbreviated has he has trained himself to communicate via text.

What really frosted the interview team was that his smart phone chirped during the interview and he had nerve enough to pull it out, read the message and send a reply — all while pretending that he was paying attention to us and that we didn’t see what he was doing.

Needless to say, this kid didn’t get a second look. Turned down flat. I’m all for giving opportunities to the younger generation, but there are some rules of decorum that should be followed. Arrive on time, dress appropriately, and turn off that damn smart phone during the interview! Then, if you really want to impress the interview team, after the interview is over, send a hand-written thank-you note using complete words and full sentences — in the mail, using a stamp! That would blow people away.

Meanwhile, think about how your way of communicating comes off to others. If the others are your seniors, then consider that they may not appreciate short-form text-speak.

Life is short: spell your words out and write coherently.

Should I Wear Boots on a Motorcycle

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These questions persist, and bring visitors to this blog and to the motorcycle boot section of my website.

Here goes, courtesy of google again:

“Should I Wear Boots on a Motorcycle?”

Answer?

No. You should wear boots on your feet. Wearing them “on” a motorcycle, as shown in this photo, is so awkward and uncomfortable. Sure, your boots will get noticed, but your body bumping along on the ground can really be a pain when the bike is put into motion!

‘nuf said. Don’t be stupid. Remember this: boots are for your feet and to wear on them while operating a motorcycle; sneakers are for the gym; flip-flops are for the trash.

Life is short: wear boots when operating a motorcycle.

How to Wear Boots Untied

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While I prefer boots that pull on or zip closed, I have some boots in my collection that have laces, and require tying. Boots with laces have a very rugged, masculine appearance — provided they are worn correctly (that is, laced up and tied.)

But there goes Google again, directing a visitor to my website. The visitor entered the question, “how to wear boots untied for men.”

Don’t believe me? See it here:

Aw come on, really?

I just betcha this was entered by a youngster. No adult man would wear boots that laced up without tying them. Not only do untied boots look silly, dorky, “uncool” and just plain stupid, wearing boots that way reflects poorly on the intellect of anyone who would wear them that way.

Untied boots are NOT a fashion statement. They are a statement that the wearer is lazy or doesn’t know how to tie shoes (boots).

Yeah, yeah, yeah, you’re sick of Mommy reminding you to tie your shoes (boots) so that you do not trip. But there is a reason why she did that — she cares about you.

Life is short: tie your boots. ‘nuf said.

Best of Motorcycle Boots By Style

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I ride a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and I always wear motorcycle boots while riding (never sneakers). I own a lot of different styles of motorcycle boots, and have worn all of them (one pair at a time LOL!) while riding.

Following is my opinion of the best motorcycle boots of each of these styles: engineer boots, harness boots, “shortie” or tactical boots, and patrol boots.

Each style is listed below — note that the header is a link to the style of those boots in my motorcycle boot collection. Click on the link to see them.

Engineer Boots

Many bikers wear engineer boots. These boots present a solid, rugged, masculine appearance. You can get them in various heights, from as short as 8 inches (20cm) to very tall (as high as “crotch high” of 34 inches [86cm]), though there are two “typical” heights — 11 inches (28cm) and 17 inches (43cm).

My favorite, all-around engineer boots are made by Chippewa in the USA. These boots are available both with and without a steel toe. I have both types. I cannot say whether I like the steel toe better than the non-steel toe versions. I wear the non-steel toe boots in the summer when I want lighter weight boots on my feet. I wear steel toe boots when I may end up on rough terrain, dirt, or mud. These boots can certainly take a beating, and remain sturdy, solid, and water-resistant yet are affordable and a great value for the price.

Some may ask, “you own Wesco Boss (engineer) boots, too, why are they not your highest recommendation?” Good question. Yes, I own (and wear) Wesco boots. While the boots are built like a tank and will last forever, they also feel like a tank and become heavy on the feet, especially after a long day of riding. Great boots, and I highly recommend them, particularly for use in cold weather, because the boots are made with the thickest premium cowhide of any boots around. I just prefer the Chippewa boots for the affordability and rugged durability they present to the average biker.

Harness Boots

Harness boots are also a classic style worn by many bikers. They present a rugged appearance. Harness straps on boots date back over 100 years, but are only on there for an added decoration; they serve no useful purpose.

Most harness boots are 12 inches (30cm) tall. You can get them shorter or even as tall as “crotch-high,” but most bikers find the 12-inch tall harness boots the most commonly available and typically worn by their peers.

I made a video and comparison of various harness boots a while back (See this blog post). In that review, my overall recommendation for harness boots that meet high quality standards and are affordable, so you get a great value for the price paid, are Chippewa harness boots. A close tie to highest recommended for value and quality construction are harness boots made by Boulet of Canada.

I really cannot recommend harness boots made under the Harley-Davidson label — actually, these boots are made by a third party manufacturer in China that pays H-D for a license to use their name. Cheap labor and materials makes cheap boots. Also, I have not found harness boots made by Dingo, Durango, or Double H to be a good value for the price paid. Again, cheap materials and construction makes lower quality, less-bang-for-the-buck boots.

Again, you may ask my opinion about Wesco harness boots. Yes, I have several pair. Like their Boss Boot brothers, these boots are built like a tank — but they feel like a tank and make my feet tired if I wear them all day. Great for shorter rides and for use when riding in cold weather, but not an all-day warm-weather ride.

Tactical Boots

Some bikers do not want to wear boots at all, but realize when they grow up that they can’t wear sneakers while operating a motorcycle — not if they value the bones in their feet and ankles as well as the skin on their legs.

These bikers look for shorter motorcycle boots. That is, boots that will at least cover the ankle and provide protection, as well as have a sole that will provide better traction than cheap rubber found on the bottom of sneakers.

There are many different manufacturers of tactical boots — many more than I have experience with. For those with which I have experience, I have long regarded my Chippewa Firefighter boots to be the best for this purpose. These boots are built exceptionally well, are leather lined, but do not get hot. They are easy to put on and take off (once you get the zipper installed correctly.) The lug sole provides great traction, while the boot performs well in all kinds of weather. After years of riding, I find myself often choosing these boots over all others when I mount my iron horse to ride.

A close second are station boots made by All American Boot manufacturing. They are great, too, but I do not have as much experience with them as I do with the Chips. Overall, Chippewa Firefighter boots present a terrific value for the price paid.

Police Patrol Boots

There is a reason why cops wear tall black boots. Not only for the commanding appearance that the boots present, but also for the protection, durability, and ease-of-maintenance.

Many cops wear Dehner boots, which have a unique appearance of their own. Classic beauties — but fragile and expensive! I use the word “fragile” when I refer to stock Dehner boots made with a combination of leather for the foot and “Dehcord” (which is plastic) for the shaft. The Dehcord material can crack, chip, and be easily damaged by exposure to a hot motorcycle pipe (i.e., the shaft can discolor and melt.)

I recommend two alternatives to Dehner boots: Chippewa “Hi-Shine” engineer boots, which many cops on the U.S. East Coast wear regularly, and All American “Blue Knight” Patrol boots, which are more widely available nowadays.

The All American patrol boots are winners in my book. Sturdy, durable, and well-constructed with a big lug sole and thick leather shaft and foot. The boots are coated with a light plastic top coat which makes them easy to maintain.

I have worn All American patrol boots for a few years now, and like them a lot. They wear well and have proven their durability. You get a much better value for the price paid compared with Dehner boots (especially all-leather Dehners which cost about double what all-leather All American boots cost.)

You will get the best bang-for-the-buck with a purchase of Chippewa Hi-Shine Boots (model 71418), but if you want the style of patrol boot worn most often by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and many U.S. state and local police motorcycle officers, then you should consider stepping up and into a pair of All American Blue Knight patrol boots with the bal-laced instep.

And yes, anyone can wear motorcycle police patrol boots. You don’t have to be a sworn peace officer to buy or to wear these boots. However, don’t put them on with a uniform and go out in public. Cops take a very dim view of non-L.E. guys doing that. If you want to wear them with a fetish uniform, that’s fine — just keep the cop-look-alike image behind closed doors.

Summary

So, there you have it — my opinions and my personal recommendations on what I consider to be the best boots for each of the four major styles of motorcycle boots made in terms of construction, appearance, and value for price paid.

Life is short: wear boots when riding a motorcycle!

Maintaining Shiny Boot Shine

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One would think that with the extensive boot collection that I have, I may spend a lot of time shining them. Actually, I don’t. Most of my boots are worn “as is” and perhaps the boots show a little dirt. To me, that is “character.”

However, some boots are made to shine and be kept shiny — Chippewa “High-Shines”, Trooper Boots, and All American Patrol Boots are some examples. How do I maintain the shine on these boots — especially if I don’t have much time (or like to spend time) shining them?
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Breaking In New Boots?

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Was Santa good to you and brought you a new pair of boots?  Perhaps you’re not accustomed to wearing boots that often, and want to know how to break them in?  Take some simple tips from a guy who has been wearing boots for well over 40 years as his exclusive form of footwear….

First, after you take the boots out of the box, make sure that there is no paper or cardboard stuffed deep in the foot of the boots. Better bootmakers do that sometimes.

Next, before you try to pull the boots on, check your feet — make sure you are wearing a decent pair of socks. The best socks to wear with boots are made of a combination of three components: cotton (for comfort); rayon/dacron/nylon synthetic (for longer wear and durability, as well as maintaining shape); and wool. Yes, wool. Why wool? Best for absorbing sweat and wicking it away from your feet, so your feel feel comfortable in boots all day long.

Contrary to popular myth, you do NOT need “boot socks” that come up high on your calf. If boots are made well, they will not rub on the inside of your legs, so regular socks (made of the three materials listed above) will work fine. Most of my socks are “gold toe” socks that I buy at KMart. I don’t spend tons of money on socks when what I can get at my local KMart will last me just as long.

Now — to your boots. Feel how stiff the shaft is. If the shaft is rather stiff — that is, if it doesn’t bend easily because the leather from which it is composed is thick, then I suggest breaking in the crease at the ankle manually. This is a rather simple but very important thing to do: hold the boot in one hand and crease the back of the boot shaft straight by bending it backwards, then forward, then backward again. (Please see this post and video for visual demonstration — it works the same for cowboy boots as it works for Dehner Patrol boots).

If the leather on the boot shafts is soft and bends easily, you can skip the manual ankle creasing method described above. But that manual creasing method is very important for stiff-shafted boots, because you want the crease to come straight across at the back of the ankle, and not at an angle. If the crease forms at an angle, it will probably rub against the back of your ankle inside the boot and cause sores. Once the crease forms it cannot be “retrained,” so get the crease right from the beginning.

Then hold the boot by the boot straps (or if necessary, use boot pulls attached to the boot straps) and pull one boot on one foot, then the other, by pointing your toes into the boots and just pulling. The boot should come on rather easily, but it may take a bit of a tug. That’s okay. New boots are stiff and aren’t easy to pull on or take off before they are completely broken in.

Stand up. However, before you walk in them, try wiggling your toes. Can you feel your toes inside the boots? Do your toes feel squeezed, or do the feet feel like they are swimming? Try flexing your foot up and down within the confines of the boot foot. Again, does it feel squeezed or like there is too much room?

If the foot feels like it is squeezed, then the boots may be too small. Even if they are marked your regular shoe size, there is no consistency from manufacturer to manufacturer on actual size. If the boots are small on you, you won’t wear them. See if you can exchange them for a half-size larger.

If the foot feels like it is swimming — that actually is a good thing. Get a pair of gel insoles (such as made by Dr. Scholl’s) that you can find at any drug store or well-stocked grocery store. Follow the directions to trim the gel insoles for the insides of your boots, then carefully fit them in. I think you will find — as I do — that gel insoles provide much more comfort and allow the boots to be worn all day long with comfort.

Then stand tall, walk proudly as the Boot-wearer you should be. Be careful where you step — for example, if you got new cowboy boots, they probably have all-leather soles, and therefore do not provide traction if you walk on wet, snowy, or icy surfaces. If you got motorcycle boots with a lug sole, you won’t have trouble with traction, but you probably will have trouble with mud and dirt getting stuck in between the lugs. If you don’t take your boots off before coming indoors, then once the mud dries up, it will fall out — and you’ll be in a situation that I have been in too often — the other half has words with you about being such a slob. (ooops!)

At the end of the day, use a boot jack or ask a spouse/partner/friend to pull the boots off. It’s hard for one person to pull of a pair of boots by himself if the boots are still stiff and not broken in.

Leave the boots in open air but out of direct sunlight for at least a day, so the boots can air out. Sweat from the feet and legs absorbs into the interior of the boot and takes a while to evaporate. If you don’t let boots “breathe” between wearings, then it may turn into a growth medium for fungus, which can be bad for your feet. So guys — if you like to wear boots as I do — use this excuse to justify having at least two pairs, if not more, of boots in your wardrobe.

Soon enough, you will find out that boots are far better for your feet, and you look better in them, too. You will find a place to donate your dress shoes and begin wearing boots to work each day of the year (as I do.)

For more tips and information on wearing boots (including wearing boots with khakis or business suits), visit my “Cowboy Boot How To” on my website.

Life is short: wear boots!

Not All Harness Boots Are the Same

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A new pair of Double H Harness boots came into my life recently. These boots are pictured here on the right, next to a pair of favorite Chippewa Harness boots.

While both manufacturers make the boots in the USA, that is about the end of what they have in common (besides general design).

What are the differences that would affect a purchase choice?

First, the overall height. The Double H boots are stated at 10 inches while the Chips are 12″.

Next, the Double H boot shafts are really narrow. I mean “squeeze-on/pull-hard” narrow. You really must have excellent flexibility in the ankle to point the toes and foot into the boot and you have to pull real hard to get them on. Once the boots are on, they fit fine, although you can feel the Double H boot shafts rubbing the lower legs. They are that tight.

Next, Double H boots are unlined, while the Chippewa Harness boots have a leather lining. That lining makes the boots much more comfortable, durable, and solid.

Finally, the soles are different. The Double H boots have a solid rubber sole, but they are not Vibram soles — the best in the industry — which Chippewa boots have applied at the factory.

While Double H harness boots are less expensive, the old adage, “you get what you pay for” clearly applies. Double H takes shortcuts in manufacture. The shorter height and the narrower shaft means less leather. The lack of a leather lining and narrow circumference of the boot shaft makes them much less comfortable.

In my opinion, Double H boots are not what they used to be. Chippewa has maintained much better standards in boot manufacture.

I’m not a paid spokes-bootman. I just relate what I feel and observe. I still feel that boots made in the USA are far superior to similar-style boots made in China, such as those under the Harley-Davidson license. H-D does not make those boots, but contracts with a company that engages cheap labor and uses low-quality materials.

Here is a video that I made where I describe the differences of three brands of harness boots — Chippewa, Boulet, and Double H. You can see what I am talking about in the vid. Enjoy!

Life is short: wear quality boots, and know what you’re getting.

Comfort Rating of Boots

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Those who have studied my cowboy boot collection or my motorcycle boot collection have noticed that I rate each pair of boots for their comfort (C), look/appearance (L), and for cowboy boots, how they sound (S).

Recently, I received an email about my “C” — comfort — rating. The question was:

I wanted to know about the C rating you have. When a boot has a low C rating, what makes them hard to wear for long periods? What gets uncomfortable about the boot? Is it they are too stiff? Too hard on the bottom of your feet? The insides are too rough (unfinished leather)? Just curious about your rating system as I am looking for comfortable boots that can be worn for a while without the torture!

My response:

Thanks for your message! I appreciate the inquiry.

When I give a pair of boots a lower comfort rating, I am expressing an opinion about the overall comfort of the boots when I have worn them after they are well broken in.

Some boots are my size, but still do not fit well. Some of the more uncomfortable boots that I own are used boots that I bought on eBay. Even though the boots were my size, they still did not fit right.

One would think that used boots would be comfortable, because they are broken in. However, I have learned that boots conform to the original wearer’s feet and legs, and do not change when someone else puts them on. So if the first guy who broke them in made the footbed conform in a particular way to his foot, it could cause my foot to ache because the dimensions of my foot are different from his. If that happens, then I give the boots a lower comfort rating. Or, some old boots have narrower boot shafts than I require, so the boots hurt my legs by squeezing them.

New boots generally have a higher comfort rating. Particularly, boot makers are learning to install comfortable insoles and more flexible outsoles, which add to the overall comfort when the boots are worn for a long time. Also, some of my boots are custom made, and therefore they should be more comfortable because they are made to my size requirements. This is especially true for tall boots that I own, like those made by Wesco and Dehner.

Overall, the predominant reason that I may rate a pair of boots lower on my comfort scale is that the footbed is hard, inflexible, and there is not enough room inside the boot to install a gel insole. A good gel insole will make the bottom of my feet comfortable, but pushes the tops of my feet against the inside of the boot foot — and thus makes the boots uncomfortable again. This happens mostly with some low-end commercial boot labels like Cowtown, for example. (But it also happens to me with
higher-end commercial boots made by Sendra, which makes a smaller-than-average area for the foot to fit into.)

Again, the comfort ratings are my personal opinions about boots that I own. I know guys who swear by the comfort of some brands of boots that have been uncomfortable to me, and vice-versa. It is a personal thing, and quite dependent on your own feet (arches, metatarsals, bunions, etc.)

So that’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it.

Life is short: wear comfortable boots!

How Chippewa Boots Are Made

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I found the following video made by Justin Brands, the owner of Chippewa Boots.  The video gives a tour of a facility where Chippewa boots are made and demonstrates the the combination of both human attention to detail along with machine processes to manufacture mass-market boots in the United States.

I have many pairs of Chippewa boots and have found them to be very well-made and comfortable.

Life is short: know your boots!