Category Archives: motorcycle boots

Proof of My Point

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Yesterday at about 5am my time, I posted one message on the Hot Boots “Boots on Line” board linking to my gallery of photos that I took on the Law Ride on Sunday, May 9.

So far, the post got two replies, from my dear friend “KneeHighGuy” and Larry, the webmaster of Hotboots.com.

One would think, “only two replies? Does anybody care? Is anybody reading it?”

Yep… I have proof in statistical page views and visits. In 24 hours since I made that post, that gallery has received 1,085 visitors from that one link on BOL, with 3,104 page views (a “page view” is looking at one page or one picture. One visitor often views more than one page, so the number of page views will always be higher than the number of visitors.)

So if you whine or worry that you post a message on BOL and “nobody reads it” because of few or no replies, have no fear. They are. Believe me, they are.

Life is short: tell us about your boots on BOL!

Why Do I Need To Wear Motorcycle Boots?

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This was a question entered into Google and landed on my Guide to Motorcycle Boots. That Guide is about choosing motorcycle boots and reviews information about them to enable an informed decision. However, it assumes that one will wear motorcycle boots when is operating a bike.

So, why does one need to wear motorcycle boots? As a motorcycle rider with over 33 years in the saddle, these are my opinions about why a biker needs to wear boots while riding:

  • Having just broken my fibula (bone in the leg) down near my right ankle, I have learned how fragile the structure of the ankle really is. It’s an amazing and complex joint. You need boots to protect that joint. Believe me, if you injure it, the recovery is long, painful, and debilitating. Of course, young guys think they’re invincible so nothing will happen, but as you mature, you’ll realize that your body can break. Prevent the damage that you can.

  • A good pair of motorcycle boots will reduce the impact on your feet, ankles, and legs should you be involved in a crash.

  • Motorcycles produce heat from the engine and the exhaust pipes. Boots will prevent your legs from getting burned if accidentally brushed against a hot engine or pipe.

  • Motorcycle boots are designed with good tread which will help you keep the bike stable when stationary at a stoplight or when maneuvering it into a parking spot.

  • Some wise states or motorcycle riding clubs require motorcycle riders or members to wear protective gear, including boots.

  • Boots look cool!

There are some people who complain, “boots get too hot” or “I want to wear shorts because it’s hot outside” which begs wearing footwear like sneakers (or worse, sandals or flip-flops). Honestly, well-fitted and well-designed boots do not get hot on the feet, even on hot days. “Shortie” or tactical boots, such as the Chippewa Firefighter boots pictured here, provide good protection and don’t get hot. In fact, these boots have been the most comfortable boots I have worn while motorcycling, which is why I still call them the best all-around motorcycle boots.

Wearing shorts while operating a motorcycle is not only stupid, it’s dangerous — not to mention the possibility of getting sunburn. Oh yeah, I forgot, kids are invincible, they’re not going to get hit by another car and get thrown from the bike, or burn their legs on a hot pipe. (I heard this excuse often when I was a volunteer paramedic, and still winced every single time I brought a kid to the hospital who was injured in a motorcycle crash.)

So, why do you need motorcycle boots? Not only for protection, but also because boots are part of the image of what makes a cool biker. You want to be a cool biker dude, right? Put your boots on.

Life is short: wear boots. End-of-story.

Wear Whatever You Like

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My fellow blogger, Straight Jacketed, amused me yesterday when he closed a post on his blog with a line, “To adapt a catchphrase from the indefatigable BHD, life is short: wear whatever you damn well like.”

You know, he’s right. He’s damn well right. The other day when I went with my partner to a trolley museum, I knew that it was likely that I would see neighbors and even some local elected leaders there. Regardless, I chose to wear a pair of comfortable lightweight leather jeans and my Wesco combat boots with the jeans bloused into them. (That is, the ends of the leather jeans tucked a little bit into the top of the boots, and then the remaining leather bloused over them so they have a sharp appearance.)

For me, it was comfortable. I also like the masculine appearance of the boots and leather. Funny, I noticed when I processed the picture for this blog that I have grass stains on the boots. Yep, I have been mowing the lawn while wearing them, and it shows. At the stage of recovery from my broken leg, the lace-up, taller combat style boots give the support I require, as well as are comfortable for all-day wear.

One of the museum visitors looked at me and said, “you look like a ‘storm trooper’.” Ha! I got a big laugh out of that. The other people I knew, including community leaders, didn’t bat an eye. They talked to me, looked at my face, and not at what I was wearing.

I am comfortable in my own skin, and comfortable in a cow’s skin, too. Nobody cares what I have on my feet or legs. Seriously. For those who obsess about what other people think about what you’re wearing: forget it.    N-o    o-n-e    c-a-r-e-s!

Life is short: wear whatever you damn well please.

P.S.: I am highly honoured to be labeled “indefatigable.” Thanks, man. I get fatigued. I just hide it well (giggle.)

Feels Sooooo Good!

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Within my crazy-busy weekend, I carved out some “me time” to get back on my Harley since the doc said the broken leg was history. It was wonderful!

First, I carefully checked the bike over from front to back, from tires to seat to cables to lights to controls. The bike has been sitting idle on a trickle charger since last I rode it in the middle of January. Then I broke my leg, and couldn’t ride…. What a long, dreary wait. Fortunately, everything was fine and the tires only needed a little air.

I wasn’t sure I would have time to go for a ride on Saturday. I had some friends offer to come over in the morning and ride with me, but I had to turn them down because I had commitments for my community work. A meeting, building a website for a political candidate, taking some elder buds grocery shopping, caring for my aunt… all these things plus some work around the house take time.

My partner and I had a meeting of the minds, and he agreed that I just had to get it out of my system: I had to ride! So by early afternoon, the critical things were done, and I had time to get booted and on the saddle of my beloved Road King.

I pulled on my new Champion Attitude harness boots that have burgundy leather shafts that match the Harley’s colors, and black ostrich feet. Kinda cool, and different. They fit well over my jeans.

I pulled on my leather jacket, rolled the bike into the drive, and it started up right away. I carefully engaged the clutch, dropped it into first, and off I went … around the cul-de-sac to get used to riding again. As I was doing this maneuver, a biker bud who I know rode over. He said that he thought he would check to see if I were going for a ride since he saw a post I had made on a public forum. His timing couldn’t have been better!

We rode on some back roads and byways, slowly but surely. My bike loves to ride, and the boots enjoyed their first experience being used as they were designed: biker’s boots!

We didn’t stay out long. I had another meeting to attend in the late afternoon. But it sure was nice to get out.

My leg is a little sore, in all honesty, and as I am writing this post on Saturday night, I have ice on it. But I also have the biggest smile on my face! Woo-hoo! I am reintroducing you to Booted Harleydude: biker, community caregiver, spirited worker, … all these things. But most of all, I’m a very happy man.

Life is short: there is life after a broken leg!

Oh Doc, Sneakers? Ya Gotta Be Kiddin!

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I saw the orthopedic specialist yesterday afternoon, and as expected, he said that I have recovered from the broken leg and I can resume my regular activities “as tolerated.” Woo-hoo!!!

At the close of his examination, he turned to me and said, “wear sneakers for the next few months.” Yeah, right.

I said, “really, why?”

He said, “you will still have some swelling, so the sneakers can expand to accommodate it.”

I said, “what about boots that lace up?”

He didn’t know what to say. He just smiled and said, “sneakers will be fine. You won’t be able to wear boots for a while.”

Little does he know. I’ve already been wearing boots for three weeks. I have choices of boots that can accommodate the minor swelling that I have and do not cause me any discomfort. So to heck with the sneakers: “resume normal activities as tolerated” means, to me, wearing boots. That’s that.

Now, to work on carving down that huge list of “gotta-dos!” then get out a ride!

Life is short: wear your boots!

Mudlessness

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Okay, while I am on the “lessness” theme of blog posts, today, Friday, I am mudless. Or shall I say, my boots are in a state of mudlessness.

That is their usual state. And I presume all of my boots are mudless (save for some of my work boots that may still show some dirt in the lugs). In my current condition, I cannot see them. My boots are in the basement or my upstairs closets, and I am in between — safely situated on an easy chair in my family room which is on the middle floor of our house. Having a broken leg with a cast on it that weighs a ton prevents me from going up and down stairs to check on the status of my boots. Not seeing my alarm panel change from “all secure” status indicates that my boots must be where I last saw them a month ago — in their respective storage areas in their usual state of mudlessness — and are not walking out the door all by themselves to go play in what has become a mud pit of a back yard since a lot of our snow has melted.

Why am I carrying on about my boots being in a state of mudlessness? Well, had I not broken my leg, I would have gone on a business trip to Alabama this week. The event I was scheduled to facilitate would have ended at 3pm today. Then my good friend, Bamaboy, would have picked me up from the hotel and we would have gone to “play” and have some pair of boots become, shall we say, “a bit dirty,” or as Bama would say, “all mudded!”

What is it that as men in our 50s and grown adults that we like to go jump in mud puddles? Are we reverting to our childhood? Well, perhaps for play, fun, and seeing the results of the superb photographic work that Bamaboy does… sure, I’d love it! Last time I saw Bama, it was dry as a bone and no mud could be found. We kicked up some dirt, had a nice dinner, and enjoyed each other’s company as good buddies.

Well, alas, here I remain in Maryland, unable to put on a pair of boots, and only snuck (snow and melting mess) in sight. This is not quite where I wanted to be right now, but it’s what I have to endure.

Perhaps sometime in the future the stars will fall on Alabama again, align, and bring me back to enjoy some muddin’ with my buddy, his company, camaraderie, amusing humor, and gettin’ a little mud on our boots. That’s okay, the boots can clean up. Eventually. Returning to their usual state of mudlessness.

Life is short: dream on!

Buying New Boots via the Internet

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People have asked me how I get the best deal possible on the purchase of new boots. Following are my “secrets” which aren’t really secret, but may not be known or practiced by some.

1. If a pair of boots comes to my attention that I would like to have, I get the manufacturer name, model name, and stock number (if I can find it).

2. I use a search engine, like Google, and enter the information about the boots. For example, “Justin Bent Rail Buckaroo.”

3. I read the results that are presented on various websites, but I generally avoid the first three results at the top, which are paid advertisements and not necessarily the least expensive source.

4. If I find a good price, I note the seller and I bookmark the page. But I don’t buy YET!

5. I visit the websites of my favorite boot retailers. Links to these boot retailers are on my website. I check to see if my favorite retailers carry the boots and what their price is. They may or may not carry the boots, and if they do, they may not always come up in a search. So it’s always a good idea to check your favorites when you have something with which to compare them. (From Step 4.)

6. I generally avoid buying boots from retailers that do not offer free shipping. However, sometimes retailers that charge for shipping are the only source of a certain brand and style of boots, so I shop around and check shipping fees during my searches.

7. When I have narrowed the potential sources down to two or three, I then use Google again and type in “Discount Coupon XXX” where “XXX” is the name of the on-line retailer. Many times, I have come up with an active, working, on-line discount coupon from a retailer that gives me an additional 10%, 15%, or even 20% off the listed “sale” price. This step is important, and can save you a LOT of money!

8. I then compare shipping charges among the top two or three on-line retail choices. Sometimes the boots may cost a little less, but the shipping will make the final total higher. Factor in all costs, including whether you have to pay sales tax. (For example, if you live in California and buy from Bootbarn.com or Stomperboots.com, you have to pay sales tax. Go through the motions of placing an order to determine what the final price will be, including all taxes and shipping fees, as well as applicable discounts.

9. If the on-line retailer that offers the best price is not one with which I have experience, then I will take an extra precautionary step. I will go back to google, and enter “XXX consumer complaints” where “XXX” is the name of the retailer. I want to see if there are serious complaints about the company from multiple people. A single rant from one dissatisfied person is not enough to scare me away. But multiple legitimate complaints may cause me to order elsewhere.

This process can be a little arduous or time-consuming, but it can save anywhere from US$20 – $100 on a pair of new boots. Since boots will last a long time, the time you put into shopping for a good price is worth it.

Life is short: enjoy your boots!

Wanna Wiki?

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What’s a wiki, you ask? A wiki is is a website that allows the creation and editing of any number of interlinked web pages via a web browser. A wiki is essentially a database for creating, browsing, and searching through information. A defining characteristic of wiki technology is the ease with which pages can be created and updated. A single page in a “wiki” website is referred to as a “wiki page,” while the entire collection of pages, which are interconnected by hyperlinks, is “the wiki.”

One of the reasons why website interfaces like Facebook and blogs have become so popular is because they are interactive. They allow you to share information with others and leave comments. Rather than being static, providing one-way content as most “web 1.0” websites do, a wiki is part of that “web 2.0” world that allows two-way communication.

At the suggestion of a friend from Singapore, I have begun moving toward developing a “Boot Wiki.” It will provide for a medium to share information about boots beyond what I can do with my website.

It works best when people “join the Wiki team.” That way, various people can interact with it and share their collective knowledge and information. However, because the topic is narrow, and the development of this Boot Wiki is being led by a gay man, I am being careful with it. I am allowing others to register to join the Wiki Team if they ask me to join, and I know who they are. (I do not have to have met them in person, but I should have communicated with them, at least, via email.)

Would you like to be among the first to join my Boot Wiki team? If so, click here to sign up. Thanks for considering it. I think it will be fun!

Life is short: embrace new technology!


Like Your Boots Snug?

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I was exchanging email with someone who was asking me about being fitted for Wesco boots. Owning a number of pairs of Wescos, I have some experience that I was happy to share.

During our email exchange, he mentioned that he wanted his boots to be very snug (close) against his legs. He mentioned that with lace-up boots, it is easy to adjust the fit so they boots would be tight. Since he was considering ordering pull-on boots (like the Wesco Boss or Harness boots), he said that he thought having the boots lined with leather might make them more snug against his legs.

There are several things that I mentioned in reply, such as you will save a LOT of money ordering custom Wesco boots through a third-party retailer rather than the manufacturer.

I also described the “unfortunate” thing that happens to your legs as you age. I hate to say it, but as you get older, your legs will become wider and you may develop problems like vericose veins. Even if you work out regularly, your calf muscles begin to lose tone and expand. Just a little bit each year, and overall they don’t get too big, but by your late 40s or 50s, your legs will probably be 1 to 1-1/2″ wider in circumference than they were at age 30.

If you like “snug” boots and fit yourself snugly by providing very accurate but close measurements of your calf circumference in your Wesco order, you will find that your boots will outlive your ability to wear them. Eventually, your legs will get wider and you just won’t be able to squeeze them on. Your huge investment now will be rendered useless to you, and either you may not wear the boots any more or sell them and be lucky to get half of what you paid for them originally. (Believe me, I’ve “been there, done that.”)

My recommendation: even though Wesco doesn’t recommend it, I suggest adding 1/2″ to 1″ to your calf measurement on the custom sizing form. (The main reason in my opinion as to why Wesco doesn’t recommend adding to your calf width measurement is that they know that legs get bigger over time, and that snug boots now will become non-fitting boots later. Thus, Wesco may get another sale later on when your boots don’t fit you any more.)

Another thing to know about is a major and frequently overlooked (or not thought-about) matter: as you age, your become susceptible to DVT — deep vein thrombosis. This is where a clot forms in a vein in your leg due to poor circulation. The clot could break free and end up in the brain, causing a stroke, or in the heart, causing cardiac arrest. it’s very serious, and happens more often than people realize. It could happen to anyone, but those who smoke cigarettes or take medications that affect blood circulation (such as pain killers, blood pressure, or certain asthma drugs), are more at risk.

When you wear boots snugly on your legs, you are significantly increasing the “odds” of getting a clot, even at a younger age, because snug boots will reduce blood circulation in the legs and feet. When you take your boots off – BAM! A stroke! I know someone who was 41 years old and had this happen. It wasn’t pretty.

My personal recommendation is to get boots that allow room around your legs so they are not squeezed. Consider if you will be wearing leather breeches or jeans tucked inside the boots.

So be careful and cautious before choosing to make your boots snug tightly on your legs. Just a word of warning, in case you didn’t know.

Top 10 Countdown: 1 – 5

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Reviewing my stats on which of my posts throughout the whole year are most viewed, the following are the most popular posts on my blog for 2009:

#4: (tie) Cowboy Boots and Jeans Google Searches

It is amusing to me that many people use the Google search engine to ask serious questions about ordinary issues, such as wearing cowboy boots or about leather in public. This blog post gets more “hits” than many others because its keywords about using the Google search engine result in many viewers using Google to land here.

#4: (tie) Where Do You Find Masculine Gay Guys?

This is post on my blog related to masculine gay men gets about 100 visitors each week. Lots of people are interested in finding out how and where to meet a masculine gay man. There are a lot of us (masculine gay men) out here, but perhaps we’re not where you’ve been looking (or in my case, “taken”).

#3: Best Motorcycle Boots

Many people search the internet for “Best Motorcycle Boots” and my blog post comes up hundreds of times each week. There are a lot of people looking for recommendations and reviews of motorcycle boots and end up frequently on this blog post. I have composed a very popular review of motorcycle boots on my website.

#2: Bulges and Breeches

I think this blog post is viewed very often because I featured a popular Tom of Finland drawing within it, as part of a review. Using the Google image search feature, this image on my blog comes up very often.

#1: Wesco Boots and Gay Culture

While this blog post first appeared on December 27, 2008, it absolutely amazes me how many hundreds of visitors find it each week. There is a lot of mystery and interest in Wesco Boots and Gay Culture. I have reached the conclusion that much of the confusion by the straight community comes from fetish videos they see on YouTube. I posted an update about this “interest” on December 11, 2009.

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While not the most highly rated, my blog post titled, “Not A Practicing Homosexual” was separately nominated for the funniest of the year.

Thank you for visiting this blog!