Motorcycle Gear & Information

Wearing the proper riding gear when you’re out on your motorcycle is crucial because you are so exposed to the elements. Having a sturdy pair of well-fitting motorcycle boots is an important part of your riding outfit. I have long been a fan of AlpineStars motorcycle boots and recently purchased a pair of AlpineStars Tech Touring Gore-Tex boots.

What I love about these motorcycle boots is that they are made with full-grain leather (have to keep up the biker chic look) covered with Gore-Tex membrane which makes the boots 100 percent waterproof. The insteps and heels are flex zones which gives me more freedom moving my foot. The ankles have full double-density injected into the inner structure of the boots to give additional support. Best of all, I know that my feet won’t slip because AlpineStars uses stretch paneling fitted to zip openings for a tight, adaptable fit.

Whether you ride a motorcycle or an ATV, whether you ride on or off road, and whether you ride for pleasure or you race, Gaerne makes the best motorcycle boots in the industry.  From the top of the boot, clear down through the sole, Gaerne makes their boots from the best raw materials available.    Their off-road boots incorporate Gaerne’s unique, patented floating system which provides the ankle with maximum support and comfort.   They use molded, injected shin guards, and buckles and hinges made from aluminum.

For their cruising boots, Gaerne uses top grain leather and internal support of the shin and ankle for comfort on long rides.  They increase your safety on the bike by adding a reflective strip on the rear of the boot’s heel and anti-slip rubber soles to maximize grip and traction.  Simply stated, Gaerne makes the best boots on the market, whether you ride on or off road.

Give the gift of protection this year – a new pair of motorcycle boots from Alpinestars, FirstGear, Diadora Avenue or River Road.  Ride with warmer feet, protect lower legs and feet from road rash and injury in case they come in contact with any surface, and ride in style, too!  Tall boots, short boots, boots that buckle or boots that zip.  Find the style you like at the price you need, and order today – we’ll deliver by Christmas!

And for some, it’s ruined their lives. Take, for instance, an Austin man who set out on his motorcycle two days before Thanksgiving to cook and serve meals to the less fortunate.  But he left home wearing clogs instead of motorcycle boots.  And in the split second it took for the driver of a car to push him up against the curb and then proceed to drag him down the street, his day was ruined, his life forever changed.  Mr. Chan was dragged by the vehicle down the street, his foot and ankle in contact with the street, forcing the amputation of his foot and lower leg.

Leather motorcycle boots would have lessened this injury, for sure, and they might have even prevented injury altogether.  And yet everyday we all see riders in tennis shoes, flip flops, clogs and other footwear that offers their feet no protection whatsoever.

You spend a lot of money when you buy  motorcycle boots, and whether you are a weekend warrior, on the open road, or you race on and off road, you know the damage that can happen to your boots if they come in contact with the road or racetrack.  Depending on your bike, your wheel and tire size, your footpegs and your riding style, your toes may or may not come into contact with the pavement, but if they do, if they can, if they have, you would be wise to invest in the Alpinestars Magnesium Toe Sliders.

Alpinestars’ model stays in place to help protect your boots, unlike other models, and they last a reasonable amount of time, even if you drag your toes a lot, as racers do.  They will outlast the plastic versions of toe sliders by a long time, and they protect your foot as well from injury.  Rumor has it that your worn-out sliders can be sold to wannabe racers who hang out at the track and like looking the part!

There is an ongoing debate among motorcyclists over the footwear that should be worn.  Those in favor of leather motorcycle boots raise the issues of safety, first.  Motorcycle boots protect a rider’s feet, ankles and lower extremities in an accident.  They also protect lower legs and feet from snake bites as snakes tend to warm themselves on the highway, and strike automatically at heat when run over.  Those in favor of boots argue that the cost is minimal compared to the protection afforded.

Those in favor of riding in anything but boots cite both the cost of the boots and the heat generated by riding in boots.  This group is often seen on their bikes in tennis shoes, street shoes, and even sandals and flip-flops.  Common sense seems to indicate that the better the coverage, the smarter the rider.  The debate rages on – you decide for yourself!

If you ride, you know the benefits of motorcycle boots.  For those who are new to the sport, we will outline the benefits.  First and foremost, leather motorcycle boots provide protection for the foot, ankle and lower leg while riding.    For street bikes and cruisers, a steel-toed, steel-shanked boot is perfect.  The stiff sole protects your foot from fatigue while using the foot peg, and the slip-resistant sole helps to prevent accidents by keeping the foot securely on the foot peg.  The leather upper part of the boot protects from the heat of the bike, as well as from snake bites, road rash and other dangers that the rider might face.

For dirt bike riders and racers, Motocross and ATV riders, these sports require a boot that buckles, is made of leather and is specifically designed for these extreme sports.   The sole is hard and slip-resistant, giving the rider maximum protection on the foot pegs.  The upper part of the boot protects against injury should you come into contact with another bike, a tree stump, a rock or other dangers found along the track.

And whether you are in the market for a leather cruising boot, or a racing boot, you won’t be asked to sacrifice any style!  These boots are color-coordinated to match your motocross jersey and pants or your chaps and leather jacket.  They come in a variety of colors and styles – some with zippers, some with buckles and some that slip on.