The Yamaha Road Star Warrior Forum

So I looked the forum over pretty good and couldn't find an answer to this question.

 Are steel toe boots really necessary?  I would like to hear back from guys who have layed their bikes down.

 I wrecked once while wearing a pair of Chucks and they actually held up fine (I was only going 30).  Normally I wear a pair of leather cowboy boots to ride (which are not steel toe). 

just google "toe amputated motorcycle accident"....

i always wear icon riding boots in the streets...  wear your gear...

picaflor:

just google "toe amputated motorcycle accident"....

I did....and it is ******GRAPHIC!!!****** WARNING!!!!!!!!!!    http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=e30_1238037203

That didn't look like it was caused by steel toed boots, more like a lack of any type of boot.  Steel toed boots are not necessary on a bike.  They are for use when there is a danger of things being dropped on the toes.  Just get a good pair of boots that are designed for riding.   

OldMan:

That didn't look like it was caused by steel toed boots, more like a lack of any type of boot.   

+1     I think picaflor was just saying wear boots of some type.  I don't have steel toe, but I always wear boots when I ride. 

I know the guys in Hawaii love the flip flops and shorts when riding, but H-E-L-L  no!

picaflor:

just google "toe amputated motorcycle accident"....

i always wear icon riding boots in the streets...  wear your gear...

This is why I wanted to hear from people who acctually have wrecked on their bikes.  Be damned if you will ever catch me in space boots on the warrior (and I am very aware of how road rash feels).

I don't feel that steel toe boots are necessary but I don't think that cowboy boots get the job done. They have slick soles. Dedicated riding boots (that can be bought in the cowboy style) have lugged, oil-resistant soles that provide excellent traction and don't get eaten up by oil or gasoline that you step in during traffic stops and fueling stops.

 No steel toes for me....they are definitely not what you want. You've gotta to have some flex in the toe area...plus, as I can guess from the vid clip, they can double as toe-cutters! I wear Icon Super Duty boots when riding...never sandals or flip flops like I see some of the local sport bike weenies wearing.

You need reinforcements in the ankle and shin areas, not so much in the toes.

Sushi_Biker:

I don't feel that steel toe boots are necessary but I don't think that cowboy boots get the job done. They have slick soles. Dedicated riding boots (that can be bought in the cowboy style) have lugged, oil-resistant soles that provide excellent traction and don't get eaten up by oil or gasoline that you step in during traffic stops and fueling stops.

(Most) riding boots are not lugged and do have somewhat smooth soles.

The last thing you want to do is plant your foot in some lugged boots and get your ankle twisted. "SNAP"

http://www.alpinestars.com/pl/c/113.html

http://www.joerocket.com/catalog/index.cfm/116/Boots/

Most have two things in common. They are leather and have added protection for your ankle. They are also not lugged. I guess that is three.

Sushi_Biker:

I don't feel that steel toe boots are necessary but I don't think that cowboy boots get the job done. They have slick soles. Dedicated riding boots (that can be bought in the cowboy style) have lugged, oil-resistant soles that provide excellent traction and don't get eaten up by oil or gasoline that you step in during traffic stops and fueling stops.

 My "cowboy boots" are actually designed as motorcycle boots like you mentioned.

I have a pair of Icon Tarmac's, and Allpinestars,  Both have Plastic Toe and heel guards, and full length steel shank, with ankle armor.  Think it's a good idea to have.  Know that on my old alinestars, the leather on the toes wore through and the only thing left protecting my toes was the plastic toe guards.  My approximate speed was 90mph.

My Sidi boots have a traction type sole.  It's like a low profile lug.

Been there,wrecked that. Tecnic riding boots kept me from having ankle/toe injuries when Dragon bit my fat azz @WF3.Good gear is the only smart wayto ride.

 I was wearing Tennis shoes when I crashed and it's about the only kind of shoe I ride in. For those infamiliar, I hit a F-150 pick-up that had been parked in the median of the interstate and was now in the process of making a right hand turn onto the next exit, 5 lanes over.  He was running about 15 MPH and I got slowed down to 50-55.  I didn't have any injuries to my feet or ankles, but my right knee is fooked.  The injuries in a crash can be totallly different, even if the crashes are similar.  So what I was wearing is not relevant to what you should be wearing all the time.  Wear your gear, I don't but that is my choice and I know and live with the consequenses everyday.  (I always wear a helmet, gloves and most of the time my Joe Rocket Pheonix 4.0 mesh jacket, never shorts or flip flops)

CAD