Category Archives: motorcycle boots

Top 10 Countdown: 1 – 5

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I continue with the list of my blog posts that receive the most number of unique visitors, as revealed by Statcounter for this year.  (The top 6-10 posts were revealed yesterday, here.)

#5:  How To Wear Biker Boots  (November 18, 2010)

I should have posted this a long time ago.  Of course I should have known that few people know how to wear biker boots, which is the reason that question must be entered into Google so often.  That can be the only reason — only us bikers know the secret handshake, the concealed location of the privacy pocket in a leather vest, and the intricacies of precisely how to wear biker boots.  (As I said yesterday, sometimes I wonder why someone has to ask that question… perhaps they need to revert to wearing sneakers or loafers and refrain from operating a motorcycle.)

#4:  Wesco Boots — Gay?   (December 11, 2009)  [This was ranked #6 last year]

As I said yesterday about this year’s post #6 (Wesco Boots and Gay Culture), there is a rather frequent misconception that guys who do not work in rough blue-collar trades (such as linesman, loggers, or woodland firefighters) and who choose to wear and display Wesco boots (or, heaven forbid, make a video about them!) — therefore must be gay and the boots are gay too.  While the West Coast Shoe Company (Wesco) does a lot of marketing to the motorcycle rider market, that marketing does not seem to penetrate among the bikers with whom I ride in the U.S. State of Merlin (that’s how you pronounce it, fellas).  I am the only guy in my outfit about which I am aware who wears Wesco boots while riding.  I am gay.  Therefore, the obvious leap of logic is that Wesco Boots are gay, or wearing them makes you gay, or that only gay men wear Wesco Boots. Bullshirt. Read the original post.

3.  Where Do You Find Masculine Gay Guys?  (July 10, 2010)   [This was ranked #4 last year … so the ranking indicates sustained and growing interest in this topic.]

I see sooooo many inquiries entered anonymously into search engines such as: “where to find masculine gay guys” or “are there masculine gay men” or “where to meet normal masculine guys” or even, “are there masculine gay men?” (as in, “do they exist?”)  There is a large interest out there from single guys, mostly younger, who are looking for a guy who doesn’t behave effeminately.  Perhaps there is some curiosity, too, that I am a masculine gay man who is in love with another masculine gay man. 

The challenge is that most masculine-behaving gay guys have learned skills to hide that they are gay, and remain firmly in the closet.  Society has taught them (incorrectly) that “real men aren’t gay” and that there is something wrong with guys who like guys.  I could go on and on… the point is that stereotypes and heteronormative expectations are out there.  Thus, it is very hard to find a masculine gay man.  This post has some ideas about where to look … and this post explains why they are so elusive.

2.  Gay Leather Breeches  (November 1, 2010)

It is likely that this post’s rank so high in readership on this blog is an anomaly, in that while this post gets a lot of unique visits — sorta off the charts since it was posted — it may also be ranking so high because it is recent and serves as a topic of interest to gay men who are planning to attend upcoming gatherings of the Gay Men’s Leatherclan (Mid-Atlantic Leather in Washington, DC, in January and International Mr. Leather in Chicago, Illinois, in May).

I took the approach in that blog post to dispel the notion that leather breeches unto themselves are not gay, though well over 90% of visitors to that post have entered “gay leather breeches” into a search engine which directed them to this post.  I think what they were seeking were answers to any of these questions:  1) where can I find leather breeches to wear to a gay men’s gathering?  or 2) are people who wear leather breeches gay (as in ‘always’)?

Well, whatever, this post gets a lot of readers directed to it from internet searches.  Not a surprise — so many people like to search anonymously for information to resolve curiosity.

And … dah-dah-dum!  Here’s the Number One blog post this year:

#1:  Bulges and Breeches   (July 18, 2009)  [This was ranked #2 last year, so again, by an increase to ranking #1, it shows a sustained interest!]

Why such a high, sustained interest?  Just go to Google images and enter “Tom of Finland.”  You will see a LOT of ToF images on blogs, including this one.  I grabbed this image from the net, that links to my blog post.  The post was written as a review — admiration of superb artwork.

Perhaps, as well, images like this is where the perception of “gay leather breeches” and gay men in tall black boots comes from.

Life is short:  keep reading and I will keep blogging!

Dehner Field Boots

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When I served as a judge at a police motorcycle competition this past September, I strolled around during the lunch break to see what various vendors were peddling.  I avoid the guns and ammo, but may stop to talk to vendors who have products such as motorcycle gear and boots.

One of the vendors was a small shop purveying motorcycle gear, including Dehner boots.  I own and wear a number of pairs of Dehners, and wasn’t interested in any more… until two things happened:  I saw a very different and interesting pair of boots on display, and I got to talk to Jeff Ketzler about them.  Mr. Ketzler is the President of the Dehner Boot Company.  It’s not often you get to meet the “head guy” and talk boots.

We talked about the various materials from which Dehner boots were made, and I expressed my opinions about that “Dehcord” stuff on the shafts of patrol boots.  Mr. Ketzler wasn’t defensive, but he explained that he had heard the complaints about this plastic product melting, discoloring, and cracking, and told me that they have redesigned it so the color goes all the way through.  Okay, fine — so when it cracks (and it will) — you won’t see white cracks, but black ones.  For cops who go through a pair of boots a year, that’s fine because they dispose of the boots when they are damaged.  For people like me (not a cop) who wear Dehners and keep them longer than a year, the cracking situation isn’t so good.  But overall, it’s a balance between cost ($400/pair for the Dehcord shaft boots vs. $700+/pair for the all-leather variety.)

While European calf leather is their finest — and most expensive — Dehner boots can also be made with “Voyager” leather, which is a good grade of leather but not as expensive as European calf.

Long story short, while Mr. Ketzler was there, he measured me for custom boots.  Nothing like having the Company Big Cheese do it!  (You know the measurements will be right!)  And another good thing, there was no charge for taking the measurements, as there tends to be when you deal with them directly.  Further, I got a good discount by making a commitment to buy during the event.

Last Wednesday, the UPS guy was busy — he delivered not one but two pairs of boots to my door.  I had to wait 11 weeks for these brown beauties, but aren’t they cool?  

These boots are called “Dehner Field Boots” (more photos here) and I specified them as follows:  18″ tall, made entirely of brown “Voyager” leather, and a Vibram®100 big lug sole (great for motorcycling).  The other features of this boot are that they open across the front and close with three straps and buckles.  They also have a bal-laced instep which, because the boots are custom-made and fit closely, I actually have to untie so I can put them on, then tie them again to close the fitting.  (I wonder if eventually they will break in and I won’t have to untie and tie them each time I wear them. Doing that is a pain in the butt.)

I really like how these boots look, and their unique design.  I do not know anyone else who has them, so once again, I will set the example in my home crowd of having among the most unique and diverse boot collection around.  🙂

Life is short:  wear boots!

Bikeless Biker

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Right before Christmas, the UPS guy delivered a big, heavy box with my name on it.  Yep, a new pair of traditional Wesco Boss Boots found their way to my boot collection and on my feet.  

These boots were on sale at my favorite boot store.  To help the store remain in business, I snagged ’em and here they are!  They are great biker boots, 18″ tall and unlined.  Because they are stock size, they fit snugly on my legs and feel great.  I can’t wait ’til the winter passes and I can ride my Harley with them.  Right now, in the dead of winter, I remain a “Bikeless Biker” while my Harley sits snugly in the garage. 🙁

These boots are made on a new last, meaning that they have a more narrow toe, rather than the “bump toe” of the older Wesco Boss Boots, shown here.

Life is short:  wear boots!

Why Do Gay Guys Like to Wear Boots?

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Google never ceases to amuse me by landing visitors to this blog who enter questions like, “Why do gay guys like to wear boots?”

In this instance, the question was asked by someone in Singapore, but it is a fairly common question around the world.

Okay, I’m a gay guy, and I like to wear boots.  Why?  I like how they look and how they feel on my feet.  Many men wear boots in the United States and around the world.

In my opinion, the number of gay men who wear boots is rather small in comparison to the overall number of gay men out there.  In fact, in my observation, it seems to me that fewer gay men wear boots than the proportion of straight men who like to wear boots.  I think that’s because there are fewer gay men who are masculine guys.  To me, most gay men I have met are into fashion and like to dress up, including wearing dress shoes. 

Masculine men, gay or straight, like boots.  I’m one of ’em.  The boot-wearing has nothing to do with my sexual orientation.  It has to do with the kind of guy I am — your regular “Joe Schmoe” in leather and boots.  No big deal.  I am who I am.  Other guys are who they are — gay or straight, booted or not.

Life is short:  stop obsessing over stereotypes and perceptions in trying to connect one thing with another that really are not related.

How To Wear Biker Boots

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Google directs a number of visitors here with questions about how to wear “Biker Boots.” I am unsure why someone would enter that question in a search engine, but they did… so here goes.

Q.  How do you wear biker boots?

A.  On your feet.

Q.  No, seriously, how should a guy wear biker boots?  With jeans tucked in or not?

A.  Okay, seriously:  either way.  Seriously.

Q.  Does wearing jeans inside boots look gay?

A.  This statement, or shall I say, “label,” is heard sometimes, mostly from insecure men who are afraid of being labeled with anything related to being gay.  Read this post for more info about boots “looking gay.”

Q.  What boots are best for bikers?

A.  I have answered this several times, here, here, and here.  But the short story if you don’t want to revisit past blog posts are boots that are tall enough to cover and protect your ankles, and that have sturdy, well-constructed soles (such as Vibram 100 lug) that provide good traction, and are reasonably priced.

Q.  What boots look best on bikers?

A.  That is a matter of personal opinion.  A regular “biker-biker,” that is, a guy who rides a cruiser or touring bike, looks good in a pair of regular black harness boots or engineer boots.  Modern-day boots made for motorcycling look like a cross between hikers and sneakers — and in my humble opinion, don’t look as good on a biker as traditional harness or engineer boots.  But each guy is entitled to his own opinion.  (Kids who ride crotch-rockets seldom wear boots at all.)

Q.  What about cop boots?

A.  Sure, tall black patrol boots look great, especially on a cop, but also on any guy riding a motorcycle while wearing breeches or leather.  Patrol boots make a commanding appearance and have a unique style.  These boots are made for motorcycling.  However, I’ve noticed in my some 30+ years of riding, that only two types of men wear tall black patrol boots:  1) motor officers, and 2) gay guys who like to wear leather to attend various “runs” or events, but seldom, if ever, actually ride a motorcycle.

I will probably get grief from some friends who are retired cops or another group of biker buds who like to wear patrol boots as I do, but I recognize that most bikers do not choose to wear patrol boots if they’re not a cop.

Q.  So how should a guy wear them?

A.  Regularly and often, usually with regular ol’ blue jeans.  Stand tall, walk confidently.  Biker boots look good with blue jeans (but see this post for full details on what to wear with biker boots).  And there is no “rule” that biker boots must be black.  Brown biker boots look good, too, and many bikers wear them.

Q.  How long does it take to break in a new pair of biker boots?

A.  It depends on the boot and its construction.  Low-grade biker boots, like the Harley brand (made in China) break in quickly, because the leather and soles are soft and generally thinner than the materials used for higher-quality boots.  Mid-grade biker boots, such as made by Chippewa, Red Wing, Boulet, and others are made from decent leather and often have a Vibram sole.  They break in rather easily by wearing them for about 8 – 16 hours.  Hi-grade biker boots, such as made by the West Coast Shoe Company (“Wesco Boots”) are made of very thick leather and have very rugged soles.  Those boots can take weeks of wear to break in so they conform to the wearer’s foot and are comfortable.

Patrol boots should be broken in manually before actually wearing them, as described here.

Q.  What else should I know about how to wear biker boots?

A.  Remember:  image.  A biker presents a sense of confidence and ruggedness.  His boots should present the same.  Stand tall, walk proudly.  Even if you don’t actually ride a motorcycle, it’s okay to wear biker boots.  They are comfortable, durable, and are a good-looking alternative to other types and styles of boots, such as cowboy boots.  Mix it up!

Life is short:  wear biker boots!

Back in My Boots

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I am delighted at how quickly I am recovering from my hernia surgery.  Per doctor’s written follow-up notes, I took off the bandage and took a shower yesterday.  The incisions were small, and are almost unnoticeable.  I do not have any swelling or bruises, nor signs of post-operative infection.  I can walk well, and have no pain.  I’m sore, but only when I move from a sitting to a standing position.  I stopped using narcotic pain killers on Saturday, and by today, I didn’t even need Excedrin.  I’m really feeling good!

I got out of my sweats into regular clothes again on Monday, including wearing boots again.  But I am not doing anything at all — just relaxing, and minding orders of my best half not to exert myself.  When he returns to work today, senior pals will spend time with me (babysit?) to ensure that I remain quiet, and not try to do anything stupid that could set me back.  But it sure is good to be back in my boots again — pictured, my Chippewa harness boots with Wranglers.

I promise to be “good”.  I have much to look forward to next week when I start my new life in my new job on Monday.  I want to be all ready for that.  So I will rest this week, enjoying support and good cheer from senior pals who are only too happy to keep me company, bring me home-baked goodies, and to make sure that I recover well.

Life is short:  love those who love you.

Videos

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Over the past four years, I have created and posted a number of videos on boots and leather.  Some videos have been tutorials — explanations about features and styles of certain types of boots.  Some videos have been related to motorcycle riding or motorcycle cop competitions.  Other videos have been fetish-related, for fun.

This coming week, I may have time to make one or two more videos before having to be down for a while to recover from some minor surgery.  I was trying to figure out if I should make a video, and if so, what the video should be about.

As I was reviewing my videos, I found that three videos lead the pack in the number of views.  Perhaps it’s because these videos have been around for a while and have accumulated views over time.  Perhaps the high viewership has to do with the content.  Perhaps both?

I have asked before, and will try once more:  if I make a video, do you have a suggestion?  Let me know by clicking here. 

Meanwhile, as of the date of this posting, here are my “top three YouTube videos”

Internet Searches That Land Here

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Every now and then, I look at what people are entering into search engines that drive visitors to this blog.  Most of the searches are real, honest-to-goodness questions.  But some of them are, um, “interesting.”  The latest examples are below, with my attempts at answers.

  • can you spray leather protectant on boots and walk in the rain (California)

>> well, you “can” but the question is, will it work and will it cause damage to your boots?  If your boots are all leather and are dark in color, then it won’t change the color.  But what this stuff does is clog the pores in the leather, making it eventually become hard and brittle.  Don’t use it.  Instead, use a good quality leather conditioner and a good polish.  If the boots get wet, then allow them to dry naturally (out of the sun) in a place with good ventilation.  That will prevent mold.  Then shine ’em up again.  And don’t wear boots made of exotic skins like snake, alligator, crocodile, etc. if it is raining.  Those skins are made of scales which will curl when they get wet and won’t “uncurl.” 

  • how to wear male cowboy boots  (North Dakota)

>> Well, I didn’t know that boots had a gender.  Hmmm, gotta think about that one.  Otherwise, if you’re asking how a man wears boots — quick answer — on his feet.

  • do men still where [sic] cowboy boots (New Jersey)

>> Yes, men “still” wear cowboy boots.  Where?  Again… on their feet.  Just look down.  Or read this recent blog post.  Perhaps not as many men in New Jersey wear boots as in other states, but real men “still” wear boots.  Try wearing a pair.  You’ll look good and it’s likely you will get plenty of compliments on the boots, but perhaps not your spelling.

  • how do you wear boots for men  (Jacksonville, Florida)

>>hmmm, how to wear boots “for” men?  Well, men like to see other people who are wearing boots standing tall, smiling, and looking confident.  Regardless if they are gay or straight, a woman or a man wearing boots and who walks proudly and stands tall gets appreciation, interest, approving looks, and respect.

  • best motorcycle boots that don’t look gay  (San Francisco, California)

>> gee, this is an interesting question, particularly considering where it came from.  I already answered this as recently as this post dated September 8, 2010.  Check it out — then get over your hang-ups about “boots looking gay.”  I really would like to know sometime about what motorcycle boots “look gay.”  They look like boots to me.  And I’ve never seen boots making out with each other, but perhaps boots act differently on the Left Coast.

  • meaning of tucking pants in your boots   (Oklahoma)

>> Okay, here’s the secret — only a guy with a huge boot collection like me knows the real answer.  Glad you asked.  Here goes.  Ready?

It means that the guy likes his boots and wants to wear them so people can see them.  That’s all.  Period.  End-of-story.  Don’t read anything else into wearing jeans tucked into boots than is there.  Nothing is there.  Okay, done.  End-of-rant.  Again.  Or see this recent blog post.

  • the correct way to walk in cowboy boats [sic]  (Texas)

>> Yep, they have a lot of cowboy stuff in Texas, and while I have visited that state on many occasions over the years, I have yet to see a cowboy boat.  I guess the answer is: walk carefully and hold the handrail until you get your sealegs.

  • why to gays were cowboy boots [sic]  (Leesburg, Virginia)

>>this just illustrates so much… but I’ll refrain from making statements that would lower me to this guy’s level. Suffice it to say, there are some people who could be better educated.

Life is short: watch what you search for — your search could end up getting quoted here!

What To Wear With Motorcycle Boots?

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Google provides me great “blog fodder.” That is, ideas for things to post on this blog. When people search questions like “what to wear with motorcycle boots” and it comes up high in the rankings and lands visitors on this blog, I see that… so I respond. (Be assured, I don’t know who is asking; I only see the question.)

So, what do guys wear with motorcycle boots? The #1 choice, of course, is blue jeans. Usually Levis or Wranglers… just plain old jeans. Nothin’ fancy. Blue jeans and biker boots go well together, and present confidence. Nothing looks better than tough boots on a secure man.

Guys also wear other clothes with motorcycle boots. After blue jeans, guys wear leather with biker boots. Leather jeans, or chaps over jeans. This is common attire in cool weather among confident, secure men. (Unfortunately, not that many men have the confidence to wear leather jeans in public. They fret too much about what others may say. Their loss…).

A third choice is breeches. Cloth motor breeches are worn by motorcycle cops, and other guys, too. These pants are made specifically to be worn while operating a motorcycle. They are comfortable, stretch in the right places, and provide protection as well as look good — especially with tall patrol boots. Few non-cops choose to wear motor breeches, which is a shame. Guys look good in them.

Regular guys don’t wear shorts with motorcycle boots, because they know that wearing shorts while operating a motorcycle is an open invitation to incurring serious injury.

Do gay guys who wear motorcycle boots choose different clothing to wear with them than straight guys? Nope. I speak from personal knowledge. After all, I’m a guy, a biker, and I like to wear motorcycle boots. And I’m gay. I dress like everyone else. There’s no difference, and those who claim that there is a difference have much to learn.

Life is short: wear boots!

Boots Look Gay

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Oh cripes, there goes Google again, directing visitors to this blog and my website when they enter phrases such as:

  • All motorcycle boots look gay
  • Is it gay to wear tall boots?
  • Dudes in boots look gay

All this indicates, to me, is that some guys have a lot to learn and have some serious “issues.” I mean, they are obsessed with perceptions. They do not want to be perceived as having anything to do with gay culture, and for some silly reason, they have connected boots with being gay.

Come on, guys, get a life. I know that a colloquial saying, “that’s gay” is a euphemism for a number of things, mostly negative. Straight people don’t want to be associated with “gay” things. But come on! Boots of all things? Sheesh…

There was a discussion on the “Boots on Line” board recently about that issue — how men in tall boots historically were perceived as powerful, commanding authority figures. Then it seemed to change in the ’60s as tall boots were made for women as fashion items. Fewer men wore tall boots, and those who did began to wear shorter boots, like tactical boots. About the only men and authority figures these days who wear tall boots are motor patrol officers, riders of horses (police, polo players, etc.), and palace guards.

Sneakers took over as the choice of personal footwear in relaxed settings, such as at home. The number of brands and varieties of sneakers boomed in the 80s and continues in huge production today. Many guys who wear sneakers like them because they are comfortable. As we age, any form of comfort is appreciated.

But back to the topic… as tall boots became a fashion statement for women, then tall boots became associated with feminine attire. Thus … the common misconception, especially among poorly educated men, that tall boots are “gay.” They associate anything feminine with “gay.”

Oh cripes, guys. There are masculine gay men and there are less masculine gay men. Some gay men wear boots, some do not. But associating the two — boots and being gay — does not make sense. It indicates fear of an association. Revisit your thinking: what do boots have to do with being gay? … nothing. If you believe that wearing boots, especially tall boots, would cause others to believe that you are gay, then really look at how you act and how you behave. It’s more mannerisms and behavior that others make judgments about; not what you have on your feet.

Life is short: wear tall boots (if you’re man enough!)