Category Archives: motorcycle boots

Don’t Over-Boot It

Posted on by

Regular readers of this blog know that I only wear boots as my choice of footwear, and I am a stickler for “the right boot for the job” — that is, when I ride my Harley, I insist on good quality, well-fitting, comfortable motorcycle boots, preferably with a big lug sole for best traction.

Yesterday was Labor Day in the United States, a holiday denoting recognizing the contributions of the American worker to society. The day also serves as the unofficial end of summer, as in our area, many outdoor swimming pools close for the season.

I led a motorcycle ride on an absolutely stunning day with spectacular scenery through Maryland’s mountains on designated scenic byways. What a blast! And … I only made one wrong turn, requiring the group turn around … but all were good sports about it.

The day began cool, so I wore a long-sleeved shirt over a t-shirt, blue jeans, and my biker vest. I debated about wearing more leather, such as a pair of chaps, but as I was preparing to leave, it was warming up nicely. It was 72°F (22°C) when I left home, so more leather wasn’t needed. It was 85°F (29°C) by mid-day, so the long-sleeved shirt came off, too.

I debated with myself about what boots to wear on this ride. I first got out my tall, leather-lined Wesco boots, and was pulling them on when I thought, “hmmm, these might get hot.” My partner rolled over in bed, looked at me in the boots and said, “don’t ‘overboot it’.” That’s his expression for what he thinks my biker friends might think about tall Wesco boots worn with jeans tucked in.

I don’t care much about what others think, as I make my safety and comfort top priority. If the day would get as warm as predicted, those Wesco boots would become uncomfortable as the day progressed. So I grabbed my Chippewa Firefighter Boots off the shelf and put them on.

I have raved often that I think Chippewa Firefighter boots are by far the best all-around comfortable boots for motorcycling. Indeed, they proved me correct once again throughout the long, sunny, delightful ride through twisty roads and hills with panoramic vistas.

I wish I could ride and take photos at the same time. Alas, I’m not quite skilled enough to do that. You’ll have to take my word for it that it looked like this: (courtesy of the National Park Service)


Life is short: make the best of each day!

The Trials of a Having a Large Boot Collection

Posted on by

Unlike some guys, I actually wear (or try to wear) all of the boots that I own. I admit, I own a few pairs of boots that I can’t wear any more. I keep some of them for nostalgic purposes. Like the boots I wore atop the Great Wall of China, or the boots I wore while in Romania during the immediate aftermath of the post-Ceauşescu era, or the boots that the Pope blessed (well, he blessed me, but the Fryes I had on got blessed along with me.)

I also have a few pairs of boots that I talk a lot about selling or finding a home for, such as my old Redwood Wesco boots that don’t fit me any more, and a couple odds-n-ends that don’t fit as well. I just cannot possess myself to discard a pair of boots, even if they are damaged or completely worn out.

Well, anyway, the other day I was rummaging around in the closet of our guest room and I saw something on the floor. Turned out to be a pair of jungle-type tall canvas/leather motorcycle boots. I had forgotten that I had them, and how those boots ended up in that closet, I’ll never know.

I got them out, put them on, and was pleasantly surprised about how comfortable they were. I wonder why I stopped wearing them. (Well, I know why: I forgot!)

That’s the peril of having a large boot collection. No matter how well one is organized with a website devoted to cataloging the collection and storage built expressly for the purposes of displaying the boots and keeping them in order (and off the bedroom floor, which begat the whole website thing in the first place) — sometimes one may forget that he has a certain pair of boots. Sometimes the boots wander off to get squirreled away in places that one doesn’t ordinarily look.

I do intend to reduce the boot collection to those that I wear regularly. (Note to self: keep writing that and perhaps you will follow through with this self-promise!) But I do wear a lot of my boots. I may change boots three to five times each day, depending on what I am doing, where I am going, and what I need on my feet for the conditions: rain, snow, or whilst motorcycling, for example.

At least no one can accuse me of not knowing what I have any more (giggle.) Just check out the website and my questions are resolved.

Life is short: wear boots!

Can Civilians Wear Cop Boots?

Posted on by

There goes that Google again, driving someone with the question, “can civilians wear cop boots?” onto this blog and my website.

Answer: yes.

Is a person who is not a sworn peace officer wearing tall motorcycle patrol boots, like the 20 pairs of patrol boots that I have impersonating an officer?

Well, if he puts on a uniform with insignia and goes out in public wearing it, then he’s close to that label. However, what he does while wearing a uniform is the decision-maker. If he attempts to pull someone over, speak to someone like a cop, threaten giving a citation, or something stupid like direct traffic or point a gun at someone, then yes: that’s impersonation and penalties for doing that are severe.

But if you just pull on a pair of tall patrol boots with breeches but have no insignia, and if you don’t speak like a cop or pretend to do things that cops do, then no, you’re not impersonating an officer.

So bottom-line: yes, “civilians” can wear tall patrol boots. I do it all the time. So do thousands of other men who like the appearance, feel, design, and style of the boots.

If you’re afraid someone might say something, then crawl back under a rock and put on your sneakers. Otherwise, boot-up and enjoy!

Life is short: wear boots you like to wear!

Are Frye Boots Good for Motorcycling?

Posted on by

This question was posed, where else, but in a Google search and it ended up on my website.

The answer to the question, “are Frye Boots good for motorcycling” is “mostly no” with a few exceptions.

The reason why the answer is “mostly no” is that most vintage Frye boots were made with a smooth leather sole, as shown here on a pair of vintage Frye Boots of the ’70s. Boots with a smooth sole are a poor choice to wear while operating a motorcycle simply because the soles do not provide traction which is required to hold the bike at a stoplight or whilst maneuvering into a parking spot. In fact, smooth-soled boots like most Fryes and cowboy boots are very likely to slip on pavement. Why? Pavement, particularly asphalt parking lots, is a repository for oil. Most people think, “my car doesn’t leak oil, so why worry about it?” Cars drop a drop of oil here and there, particularly while hot, and just parked.

Slipping while parking a bike is, according to NHTSA, the third-most leading cause of injuries to a motorcyclist, after a crash or driver error (dropping the bike or running off the road.) You see, if your boots slip under you, you put enormous pressure on your ankle while trying to prevent the bike from falling over. There are a number of ankle sprains, strains, and breaks reported. Believe me, I know how fragile the fibula is (the smaller of the two leg bones that go into the ankle.) It can snap and break when such sideways pressure is applied to it.

Back in the day when Frye Boots were made at the original plant in Massachusetts, the company did make a line of boots with lug soles suitable for use while operating a motorcycle. (Image from a 1975 Frye Boot Catalog.) Today, there are some Frye boots made in China that have a rubber sole. (The Frye Boots made in the USA plant in Arkansas nowadays are the campus style, which have smooth leather soles.)

Unless your choice of boots has at least a rubber sole — preferably a lug sole — then do not use them while operating a motorcycle. Sure, you’ll be fine while the bike is in motion. You may have serious trouble when you have to stop.

In summary, it’s not the boot, it’s the sole. And in post-summary, repeat after me: “boots are for motorcycling, sneakers are for the gym.”

Life is short: have sole.

Sneakers Against the Law?

Posted on by

I saw another google search that landed on this blog. The question entered was, “is it against the law to wear sneakers on a motorcycle?” I presume the person meant, “while operating a motorcycle.”

Well, unfortunately, it is not illegal to wear sneakers while operating a motorcycle. However, in my opinion, wearing sneakers, “tennies,” sandals, flip-flops, or bare feet while operating a motorcycle is just stupid.

I have blogged about this here, here, and here, so I won’t repeat.

While I think that motorcycle operators should wear long pants and boots at all times while riding, I don’t think government should pass a law requiring that. There are a number of laws on the books that address “stupid.” Unfortunately, outlawing sneakers and motorcycle riding isn’t one of them.

For gosh sakes, use your common sense. Repeat after me: “sneakers are for the gym. Boots are for motorcycles.” Period.

Life is short: wear boots while riding. Always.

Hot Weather Biker Boots

Posted on by

If there is a “more traditional” boot worn by bikers, it is the engineer style boot with one strap across the front, and a wide, round toe. I have a number of engineer boots in my collection that I often choose to wear while riding my Harley. They’re comfortable, take abuse well and look, well, “biker-worn.”

Last week, a new pair of engineer boots entered my stable. I found a good sale on a pair of Chippewa “Bomber Jacket” boots. These boots are brown, which is unusual for an engineer boot, and is one of the reasons why I bought them. Also, they are 11″ high. All of my other engineer boots are 17″ high. I usually prefer the taller boots; however, when the weather is toasty hot, then a shorter boot is better because it’s cooler, yet still protects my ankles and legs.

The only thing surprising to me about these boots is that the top of the boot shaft was actually narrower than any other engineer boot that I own. I had to open the buckle at the top so I could put my foot into each boot, then re-buckle it to close. Frankly, I prefer just to pull my boots on and yank ’em off, so having to unbuckle and re-buckle them is a pain-in-the-ass feature that I don’t like.

Also, while the boots came with an insole, the supplied insole was kinda cheap and soon became uncomfortable within the first hour that I wore these new boots. I replaced the manufacturer-provided insole with some good quality gel insoles, which made the boots feel much better.

The boots run a little large — common for Chippewa engineer boots — so there was plenty of room for a good quality gel insole. It took up the extra room anyway and made the overall fit better.

I like these boots. The appearance is different. The color of the leather is interesting. The leather itself is as soft and grainy as an old, well-worn bomber jacket — thus the name.

Life is short: wear boots!

Hot Boots!

Posted on by

Yes, there is a website by that name, and I beg the forgiveness of the website’s moderator, Larry, for taking a tangent on the title.

I am referring, of course, to the weather. This week where we live, it has reached over 100°F (38°C) each day, with humidity of over 70% — meaning that it’s just a sauna outdoors.

I am doing my best to avoid it and remain indoors where it is air conditioned, but I have work that has to be done to repair our decks, errands to run, on which I go using my Harley, and my aunt to take care of.

Most guys I see are wearing shorts and sneakers, but some wear those dreaded sandals and worse: flip-flops. Not at the beach, mind you, but around town. I abhor those things, not only for how silly they appear, but how dangerous they are. But I digress….

Some people have asked me, “you say you wear boots all the time: even in this heat?” Yes, I do. Even when it is hot as blazes outside. Of course, I wear boots while riding my Harley, but also as I go about my daily business.

With a boot collection of the size that I have, fortunately I have many choices so I choose boots that are light on the feet, and have plenty of “breathing room” around the calf. A padded insole and cotton/wool socks help absorb sweat. (Yes, I always wear socks: actually socks keep your feet cooler by absorbing sweat than wearing boots without socks do.) But even with lightweight boots, my feet still get hot.

What do I do? I change my boots often. I’ll run an errand, then change boots. I work on the deck, then shower and change boots. I may change my boots during hot weather six to eight times each day. Why? Mostly for comfort. Dry, cool boots are comfortable. I heat them up when moving around, then take them off and put them in a place with good air circulation and out of the sun. The insides will dry naturally, while I wear another pair during waking hours.

This week alone (since Sunday), I have worn 40 different pairs of boots. Too many to name all of them. I vary from biker boots while riding my Harley to cowboy boots when I am not to work boots when working on the deck. It’s all good.

They say that you should “rotate” boots regularly. I don’t know that turning them around and around does a thing, but changing often sure helps. (giggle. I’m always a stickler for exact definitions of words in American English.)

Life is short: wear boots, and change them often!

How You Know Your Other Half Isn’t a Biker

Posted on by

Here are some signs to confirm that your other half is not a biker:

  • It’s sunny and warm, and the other half presents a list of honey-do projects around the house, with demands to have them all completed by day’s end.
  • You say that you have to go see your aunt to check in on her… same sunny day… you go change into motorcycle boots and jeans. The other half looks at you and says, “you’re taking your bike? Really?” … no, I’m walking. Of course I’m taking my bike!
  • You have been getting pledges of support for a charity motorcycle ride. The big day comes. You get up early and put on your full biker regalia (jeans, club colors vest, biker boots) and the other half says, “we have to go grocery shopping, then to the home center to get stuff for the backyard project, then … ” (the list goes on.) Ummm… I have prepared you for a month now that I am leading a ride of hundreds of bikers today. It’s on the calendar. I’m outta here. (other half mumbles, “but we have all these things we “have” to do!) Uggghhhh
  • Time for the family dinner rolls around on Friday night. The other half seldom goes with me, and isn’t going tonight. I change into biker gear and begin moving the Harley out of the garage. The other half says, “where are you going?” … to the family dinner. “On your bike?” … no, I’m walking. Of course I am going on my bike. Why not?
  • Rumbling of a Harley is heard out on the driveway. A buddy has come by for a planned ride to the riding range for group practice. Other half asks, “where are you going?” … to the range… it’s on the calendar… it’s planned. “Why? You know how to ride.” … yep, but practice makes perfect.
  • An elderly friend calls and asks for some help moving some furniture in her apartment. I head to the garage, getting the Harley out. The other half asks, “are you going to her place on your bike? Why?” … why not? I don’t have to carry tools or equipment. Why not ride the bike to get there?
  • and the last way you can tell your other half isn’t a biker is a classic when he asks, “can’t you wear those boots you have on your feet for your ride?” … as he looks at a pair of dress cowboy boots worn with dress clothes for work. … nope, smooth-soled boots don’t work for motorcycle riding. That’s why I have so many pairs of motorcycle boots. The right boot for the right job…

There are times when I really wish my partner rode his own bike, but even when he could ride with me as a passenger, he was better at remembering what bikers do. He has forgotten that a biker will “think bike” any time he can ride it, even if not for a motorcycle-related event.

Don’t get me wrong: I love my partner. He’s not a biker, but makes up for it in many other ways.

Life is short: ride whenever you can!

Gay Boots

Posted on by

I see internet search engine searches direct visitors to this blog and my website. Lately, for unknown reasons, there have been a number of searches for “gay boots.”

As Blogger is owned by Google, the most widely-used search engine, then “blogger blogs” come up rather high in search results. Thus, this post, so I can say, once and for all,

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS GAY BOOTS!

Boots are inanimate objects. They cannot possibly fall in love with each other, have sex with each other, or otherwise be “gay.” Boots are not “straight” either (unless you count that the boot shaft is straight.)

Seriously now, there are no particular brands or styles of boots worn by gay men that are different from what other men wear. Period. End of story. Boots aren’t gay. You won’t “become gay” if you wear a certain brand of boots like Wesco Boots, platform boots, dressy ankle boots, or tall boots with your pants tucked into them. Some insecure dolts may apply a label and engage in name-calling like kiddies in gradeschool by saying, “those boots are gay” or “you’re look gay in those boots” or “that’s so gay.” Bull. That’s all kiddie stuff. Man-up and get over it.

Cowboy boots are not worn exclusively by straight men. Gay men wear cowboy boots too. Both straight and gay men can behave in a masculine manner, or not. Masculinity and sexual orientation are not directly related, no matter what some who fear gay people think or say.

Motorcycle or biker boots are not worn exclusively by tough-guy straight bikers. Some of us who ride motorcycles are masculine men who wear boots for protection and style, and who by the way, also happen to be in love with another man. Yeah, “ho-mo.” The world isn’t going to end if gay men ride motorcycles or wear boots.

And there is NO SUCH THING AS GAY BOOTS. Get over it! Wear what you like, dress as you please. Be who you are, and stop obsessing over whether an article of clothing will label you as gay. If you’re afraid of such a label, you have other issues going on that have nothing to do with boots.

Life is short: wear boots.

"Bizzarro Rider" — WTF?

Posted on by

This guy was on a police-escorted ride to Rolling Thunder held May 30, 2010, in Washington, DC. I’ve seen some riders dressed in some bizarre outfits in my day, but this one takes the cake.

Words can’t explain…. Just what are those things on his feet? Mid-length leather jacket … shorts … foot-thingies that give no ankle protection??? Open-faced helmet with sunglasses and no windscreen??? Bug or rock ===> OUCH! And this is all whilst going 60mph on the Washington Beltway!

Life is short: get in gear and get booted!

Photo from someone who was on the ride, lifted from his Facebook posting. I intentionally blurred the profile, as I didn’t know this person and didn’t take the photo. Note: this IS a male rider. Note the hairy legs. Unblurred facial image confirmed as well.