Buying Harness Boots

Posted on by

Chipharness02I was asked by a frequent blog reader to share information on what to look for when buying harness boots.

Of the three styles of motorcycle boots for casual street riders — engineer boots, harness boots, and tactical (or lace/zip shorty) boots — harness boots are among the most popular boots out there.

From a tutorial about boots on hotboots.com that I wrote: Harness boots are most often made of heavyweight leather and range in height from short (10″) to extra high (38″). The most typical height is between 10 and 18 inches (most common is 12 inches). The most common colors are black and brown, but harness boots can be found in other colors and roughout leather as well.

Wescoharnessblog2Harness boots were originally modeled on the square-toed boots prevalent in the 19th century, including those worn by U.S. Civil War soldiers. Leather straps and rings were added to this style in the 1950s, creating the modern version of the harness boot.

Admired by men for their rugged, masculine good looks, it is no wonder that bikers and non-bikers alike choose to wear them.

If you are interested in a new pair of harness boots, here are my opinions about what to look for in a good harness boot.
Continue reading →

Sixth and Cruise

Posted on by

Chipharness99Sunday, I had the pleasure of using my touring class Harley to take a long ride. But before I gave myself a day off, I had to cram a lot of work into one day on the day before.

Saturday was busy from dawn to dusk, about 14 hours of work-work-work. But even before dawn, the day began by rising at 0430 and meeting my senior early-morning walking pal for a six-miler. Back home by dawn, showered, changed to work clothes and my second pair of what would be six pairs of boots that day and…
Continue reading →

Boot Sizing

Posted on by

Chippewa Hi-Shine boots with added mid-sole and lug sole

Chippewa Hi-Shine boots with added mid-sole and lug sole

Lately, several people have written to me to ask questions about choosing the correct size of boots, especially when stores that sell boots are hard to find or not available and therefore people are considering purchasing boots from on-line vendors.

Their questions have asked,…
Continue reading →

Bad-Ass and No-Boot Brainless

Posted on by

This past weekend was Memorial Day, a holiday in the U.S. to recognize those who have died while serving in the military and to decorate their graves — thus the earlier holiday name of “Decoration Day.” It goes back to the U.S. Civil War.

FieldOfHonorNightIt is also a weekend when hundreds of thousands of motorcyclists put on their leather vests depicting their affiliation, club, military, or veteran’s organization and descend on Washington, DC,…
Continue reading →

Guest “Cop”

Posted on by

On Saturday, I was at my mother-in-law’s house. She lives near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania USA. I did a lot of maintenance work on her house and landscaping. I tell ya, manually trimming 50 shrubs is no fun, but alas, it got done.

By late afternoon, my chores were completed and I was in her kitchen preparing dinner. Oh — that too. My MIL does not cook any more.

While we were eating, my cell phone rang. I immediately jumped because I remain worried about my spouse, so I thought my brother was calling to report something had gone wrong back home. Nope — instead, it was a sergeant, a motor officer, from the local PD.

“Hey, you want to join me to ride escort tonight?”
Continue reading →

Blog Milestone: 2000

Posted on by

Post2000According to a behind-the-blog statistical program, this is blog post 2,000. Wow… who woulda thunk that I could have written so much for so long — since January 2008.

MCbootsThis blog chronicles my life and its growth and change with age, as well as the relationship with the man who is my better half — the man I have loved and who I live to celebrate for over 21 years. The blog has described my interest and avocation with boots of many styles, shapes, heights, colors, and designs and how I wear them each day and every day for all activities in which I engage — professional job, home, motorcycling, work and construction, and so forth.

Handsrings01The blog on occasion relays stories about how I feel as a gay man. Not “that gay guy,” but “the colleague, friend, helper, or community leader who just happens to be gay and his spouse is a man.” Our society in the United States as a whole has changed so rapidly, my head spins sometimes… just to think, I’m married. To my man! 20 years ago, today was never.

Read more of my thoughts and feelings about this blog and its topic areas.
Continue reading →