2004 Motorcycle Boots Harley-Davidson Footwear & More - 6-Page Vintage Article

Description

2004 Motorcycle Boots Harley-Davidson Footwear & More - 6-Page Vintage Article
Original, vintage magazine article.
Page Size: Approx. 8" x 11" (21 cm x 28 cm) each page
Condition: Good
Here’s a look at the latest
crop of road-ready
riding boots
Some boots
may be made
for walking,
but motorcycle rid
ers demand me
than just a fancy
tread pattern from
their footwear. To p;
muster, good riding gear
should be designed to protect
die fragile bones (all 26 of’em) in
your foot from impact and abrasion,
and also shelter them from rain, wind,
heat and cold.
So what, specifically, should you look for? The pre-
requisites are few but important. The sole should be thick to dampen
vibration, resilient to resist hard or sharp objects, and should feature
a grippy tread pattern to provide traction on irregular or slick road
surfaces. The boot’s outer construction should be rugged enough to
protect your feet and ankles from the external assaults of the road.
Look for flexible, internal heel and toe cups. Extra shin protection
also rates high on the desired-features list, but you’ll find this bonus
mainly on sport or touring boots. Boots should also securely attach
to your foot to prevent slippage in the event of a crash. That means
tailored boots with zippers or laces are best for staying on your feet
in the event of a get-off. While certainly popular with cruiser riders,
slip-on engineer-style boots are more likely to come off before
they’ve finished doing their job.
A boot must satisfy day-to-day considerations, too. Any self-
respecting rider will tell you comfort and style are the factors
that’ll determine whether or not you’ll really wear the things. The
lining, for instance, can make a huge difference in how loudly
your dogs will bark at the end of a ride, and any kind of moisture-
wicking membrane will certainly help boost the internal comfort
level (just remember not to wear cotton socks because they will
absorb water, making vapor transfer more difficult). And lets face
it—not everyone Fancies themselves Iron Butt competitors or
Grand Prix racers. We know you won’t wear the safest boot in the
world if it’s overengineered for your particular riding style.
With diat in mind, we rounded up a cross section of new boots
that encompass a wide variety of riding styles. Some are water-
proof, some are flashy, but all are solidly built and protective. They
feature either synthetic or real leather construction, are at least
ankle-high and offer tough nonskid soles with good traction.
Cruiserworks Commando Boot
Alpinestars Ridge Boot
When Alpinestars began making motorcycle gear many
moons ago, the very first products to come out of its
production facility were handcrafted boots; in 2004,
Alpinestars is one of the top purveyors of high-end
motorcycle gear in the world. Its new Ridge road
boot is a modern over-the-ankle style with a side
entry. It features a heavy-duty nylon and coated
leather upper, and an adjustable hook-and-loop
strap to tailor ankle fit. A hook-and-loop overflap
secures the top portion. Injection-molded plastic
inserts provide solid ankle protection, and internal
counters layered under the leather cover the toe and
heel to retain shape. Ribbed material is located
along the front from the middle of the foot to the
ankle to increase flexibility In the lining, you’ll
find waterproof Gore-Tex for moisture manage-
ment and a removable anatomic footbed for com-
fort. The vulcanized compound soles don’t sport a
deep tread, but they feature a side-wrap design and
an integrated shank for good support. The 6.5-inch-
high streamlined boot also includes a reflective heel
insert for extra visibility. Ridge boots retail for approxi-
mately 0 and are available in black in European sizes
36—^48 (equivalent to U.S. sizes 3.5-13). We’d recommend these to
anyone who rides in a variety of conditions and likes to travel light
but demands solid protection.
Need “positive retention”? Then the sleek
Commando boot is your best choice. This unique
style comes from boot barons Cruiserworks and
features an easy lace-up system running the
length of the 11-inch-high boot along with a
removable top strap to ensure everything stays
put on your foot.
The top-grain leather construction is reinforced
with a Kevlar blend so your ankles practically have a
flak jacket wrapped around them. Inside, the boot
boasts a sewn-in Dri-lex liner that wicks moisture away
for added comfort and a styrene military toe guard to
protect your tootsies. Like all Cruiserworks products,
the Commando’s waterproofing is built into the leather,
not sprayed on, so there’s no need to re-waterproof. The
uppers and outsoles are bound with polyurethane to
keep out even the most persistent rain. A special acid-
and-oil-resistant “V” grip outsole gives the wearer an
aggressive tread pattern that cuts laterally and verti-
cally for good traction on loose sand, with a 90-
degree heel that fits pegs well. A springy air insole
allows you to comfortably pound the pavement off
the bike while letting your feet breathe and keeping
a lid on the odors within. The Commando boot can
be had in men's sizes 8-14, medium (D) and wide (EE),
and in half-sizes through 13 for 9 per pair.
Harley-Davidson Megamotor Engineer Boot
Black Sheep Shearling Classic Boot
A newcomer on the footwear scene, the Black Sheep Boot
Company was formed by two engineers frustrated in their
quest for the “perfect riding boot.” Their solution? The
Shearling Classic boot. A refined, all-weather version of
the classic engineer boot design, dais 11-inch-tall pull-
on offers top-grain, waterproof leather construction
with a wool shearling lining; Black Sheep claims this
plush material offers natural temperature control,
with fibers wicking away moisture and providing
insulation from hot and cold temperatures. The shear-
ling molds to feet for a comfortable, custom fit, and
provides additional cushioning. Ankle areas get
leather reinforcements backed with abrasion-resis-
tant fabric, and the custom-molded sole is
designed to maximize lateral and backward trac-
tion. A molded plastic cup serves as an internal toe
guard, and a retention strap wraps around the
ankle to ensure the boots don’t slip off. A bonus fea-
ture is the little pocket on the inside of the right boot
that gives you a cool way to stash that spare key or
credit card. The Black Sheep boot incorporates clean style
with good protection, and we’d recommend it for general rid-
ing where comfort is important. Black Sheep boots are available
in black in men’s sizes 7.5-13 for 5, and women’s sizes 5.5-11
for 5. Look for a full review on page 96 of this issue.
If you like your footwear tough and simple,
then these boots are for you. The all-American
engineer boot is still a bestseller more than
half a century after its introduction, and the
Motor Company’s take on the classic features
abrasion-resistant soles and durable Goodyear
welt construction with a sole that’s stitched to
the oiled, full-grain leather upper. The distinc-
tive “stovepipe” trunk of this boot stands a full
11 inches tall for good lower leg coverage. The
one-picce oil-resistant rubber outsole is slip-resis-
tant, and the internal heel counter has a con-
toured cup to center and hold the heel to the
back of the boor. An adjustable ankle strap adds
support and locks in a secure fit, too. Welcome
updates to this timeless classic include a
ComforTemp lining that allows all-season cooling
and insulating, and a removable footbed to pad
your feet from impact. Security stitching around
the toe reinforces the welt and ensures long
wear. There are dozens of versions of this boot
style on the market today, so make sure you
look for features like the ones listed here to ele-
vate you from the rest of the herd. These are
perfect for casual rides on weekends, but don’t
get caught in the wet with them. Harley-
Davidson Megamotor Engineer boots are available in
black in U.S. men’s sizes 7-13 for approximately 0.
Harley-Davidson Fireworks Boot
Joe Rocket Mercury Boot
If you want to stand out from the crowd, even
just a little, these chunky boots made by
Wolverine for Harley-Davidson will be sure
to get you the comments you crave. The
best part is, they’re not just window dress-
ing—these nine-inch-tall boots feature a
tough, full-grain leather upper with a bul-
letproof steel toe to protect your flesh and
bones from the hardest blows. The oil-
resistant rubber outsole offers an ultra-
deep, aggressive tread pattern, and is bound
to get you noticed. The only problem with
that is you might have some trouble squeezing
the toe portion under the shift lever. A
Goodyear welt construction ensures the boot
stays durable, and a cool leather flame graphic
curls from the toe to the top of the boot on
both sides. A padded heel means you won’t feel
heavy leather digging into your skin, and an easy
lace system with metal eyelets ensures a custom
fit around your foot. Harley-Davidson badges can
be found at rhe toe, heel and ankle. These are per-
fect for profiling at rallies and events where it’s all
about style, but we can’t recommend them for touring. All this
flash can be yours for approximately 5 in men’s sizes 7-12.
Looking for a boot for those quick blasts down the boulevard? The
Mercury may just be the ticket. This offering from Joe Rocket is a
stylish, %-style shoe, featuring a beefy sole and tread and rugged
leather construction. The boot stands seven inches tall and has a
traditional stepped sole that’s oil-resistant. The trick feature here is
a 360-degree ankle brace and buckle system—a unique, external,
adjustable ankle strap that runs around the top of the boot and
connects to the heel, offering terrific ankle protection. The
interior ankle and Achilles area of the boot is also
amply padded, and there are extra leather rein-
forcements in the toe shift area. The outer sole
features soft, grippy rubber with deep lugs and
an aggressive tread pattern for good shock
absorption and solid traction. The Mercury
boot offers a traditional lace-up system and a
padded tongue to secure it to the foot. It’s a
good choice for profiling, runs around town
or rhe occasional day ride, but there’s no weath-
erproofing, so check the weather forecast before
you ride. Mercury boots come in black only in
men’s sizes 7—12 and can be purchased for
approximately 0.
Oxtar Explorer Boot
FirstGear Kilimanjaro Boot
This is your prototypical midrange touring boot from
Intersport Fashions West’s FirstGear division, a group that
knows a thing or two about quality motorcycle wear. The
t Kilimanjaro’s features speak for themselves: A solid, 11-
1 inch-high cowhide outer construction means good lower
■ leg coverage, and a waterproof, breathable Shelltex mem-
B brane lining the interior transfers perspiration away from
B your feet for a more comfortable ride. The oil-resistant,
B nonslip sole is pliable enough for off-bike forays (though
the tread and lug aren’t as aggressive as we’d like for push-
B ing around cruisers), and a double-zipper closure lets
Bk you don and doff the boots easily. The insole is remov-
■B able, too, should you want to substitute more generous
padding. An adjustable overflap lets you tailor calf
!■ width at the boot top for a snug fit, and a high-reflec-
tivity heel patch ensures that you’re visible at night.
HB Flexible stretch zones at the heel and forefront of the
BB boot allow for ease of movement. This is a nice all-
/ around boot for high-distance touring in a variety of
weather conditions, offering good protection in a light-
weight package. The Kilimanjaro comes in black only in
men’s sizes 8-13 and retails for approximately 0,
With a comfortable, durable suede leather and heavy-duty
nylon upper, a Gore-Tex inner lining and a combi-
nation felt and Cambrelle footbed, you can see
right away that Oxtars Explorer boot is made for
serious riding. The outer material is durable yet
comfortable, the Gore-Tex will get you through the
wet, and the footbed offers optimum comfort and
perspiration absorption. A molded outer-com-
pound sole offers traction and shock absorption, but
these are definitely riding boots, not hikers. The boot
also features a leather-and-synthetic-material con-
toured shin plate for extra protection and, ger this, an
injected dual-compound malleolus protector. What’s
a malleolus, you ask, and why do I need to protect it?
Med students will know that this is the rounded pro-
tuberance on each side of the ankle, a fragile part of
your bone structure that could mean real trouble if
it hits a hard object. The Explorer also offers a side
zip entry, with a top overflap that secures around
your calf with hook-and-loop material, and there’s
a ribbed section in the forefront of the boot for
ease of movement. If you do a lot of distance rid-
ing and spend most of your time in the saddle,
then these might fit your wardrobe nicely.
The Explorer comes in European sizes 40-48 and
retails for approximately 0.
15683