[Lead_Teeth]

I'm considering buying a pair of Dr. Martens as a compromise between the sneakers that I wear now and an expensive pair of riding boots. Does anybody have any info on how these may hold up (or not) in a get-off?

In case you should want to argue that I should buy a pair of dedicated riding boots despite the cost (for their superior protection factor) let me first say that I am also very concerned with safety (thanks in part to encouragement I have found here on the board) and that I am interested in Dr. Martens for their wear-ability after I step off the bike. Dedicated riding boots will also be a part of my wardrobe.

And for those of you who may be inclined to suggest an alternate boot, let me also say that I have tried generic work boots and have found the toes and soles to be too clunky for smooth shifting (the Docs seem to have a lower profile).

Comments, ideas, suggestions? Thanks everybody.

Oh yeah, some of you who got on me earlier about my choice to wear jeans may be pleased to know that I bought leather pants yesterday.

 

[MonsterHooligan]

Re: Has anyone crash tested DR. Martens?

DM's are better than tennis shoes, but not as good as a 'real' motorcycle boot.
MC boots usually have special padding and armor to absorb impact, especially around the ankle bones.

check these out:
http://www.newenough.com/closeouts/boots.htm
cheaper than your docs are gonna be...

 

[Lead_Teeth]

Re: Has anyone crash tested DR. Martens?

Yeah I saw those, too, and I am planning on getting a pair of riding boots soon. But I am asking about the Docs because I want something that is going to be a bit more casual and wearable when I step off the bike. I'm thinking for times like when I want to ride to a friend's house and I don't want to be hanging out in a big pair of Sidi riding boots all day.

Anybody know how Docs deal with a crash?

 

[Fillmore]

Re: Has anyone crash tested DR. Martens?

I dropped my BMW whiloe wearing my Docs, but thinks to the opposed heads, I just kinda jumped off and slid on my feet...

I have a friend who got hit by a car which broke his leg. He was wearing Docs, but I don't think the boots would have mattered in that case. The boot on the opposite leg got ground under the bike for a few feet and only had some scuffs on it.

Look at it this way, the Docs will have about the same abrasion resistance as your leather pants, you just won't have the impact protection of an armored motorcycle boot.

BTW, the Docs are definitely easier to shift in than hiking or work boots. I've worn mine for quite a while when riding the old bike, or just around town, but I just invested in some Sidi On-Road boots to take their place in that role. I'll let you know if they're as comfortable as Docs off the bike.

If you're interested, there are a couple of boots out now (ICON comes to mind) that are definitely more of a street boot, but have a few motorcycle features built into them that run about what a pair of Docs would cost you.

--Fillmore

 

[Guest]

Re: Has anyone crash tested DR. Martens?

I used to wear Docs all the time. I even think I've slept in them!(not by choice) The only problem (aside from the obvious) is that the shifter raises he!! with the top of the foot. Still better than flip flops. ;D

 

[Lead_Teeth]

Re: Has anyone crash tested DR. Martens?

I just invested in some Sidi On-Road boots to take their place in that role. I'll let you know if they're as comfortable as Docs off the bike.

I am very impressed with those Sidi On-Road boots, as well, and I will most likely get those when I am able and inclined to buy a pair of dedicated riding boots.

there are a couple of boots out now (ICON comes to mind) that are definitely more of a street boot, but have a few motorcycle features built into them that run about what a pair of Docs would cost you.

I'm definitely interested, and I'll check out those Icon boots. Thanks for the tip.

The only problem (aside from the obvious) is that the shifter raises he!! with the top of the foot.

 

[Lead_Teeth]

Re: Has anyone crash tested DR. Martens?

By the way, here's a nice review of the Sidi On Road boots that Deadpan mentioned...if anybody's interested.
http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcbeware/sympatex.html

 

[Lead_Teeth]

Re: Has anyone crash tested DR. Martens?

Are these the icon boots you were referring to? - http://www.newenough.com/boots_gloves/icon_boots.htm

They seem a bit clunky to me.

 

[Lead_Teeth]

Re: Has anyone crash tested DR. Martens?

Hey I'm now a junior member. And I've also replied 6 times to my own thread. Congratulations to me.

 

[Guest]

Re: Has anyone crash tested DR. Martens?

That's kinda like talking to yourself. Tonyj, I mean, LOKI does that all the time! He even laughs at his own jokes, but then again, so do I! :

 

[iamic]

My concern with Docs is this: As you all know, the sole of DMs protrudes out from the rest of the boot around the whole perimeter. In a crash, these types of protrusions will tend to grab rather than slide and I would imagine this could easily lead to a severe leg/ankle break. Real motorcycle boots have a smooth profile all the way around (with the exception of thoughtfully designed sliders), allowing your foot to safely slide in a crash. But like MH said, Docs are better than tennies.

 

[Guest]

I ride in a pair of Docs everyday. They have been crash tested in a collision in which i skipped along the asphalt for 50ft or so. The docs only show minimal abrasion marks.

A concern about the docs is the shoe is very thin with NO lining. With winter upon us, this becomes a consideration.

The soles of my docs have began rounding off. None of my other shoes have done this, so it must relate to the softness of the doc sole. I am sure I could have prevented this with a little more care when stopping not to put my foot down to early. But not knowing how "delicate" the soles are has resulted in this rounding off effect.

Lastly, the docs show very significant abrasion on the left toe from the shifter. If you are going to use these boots as you daily boot, be aware they will stay scuffed.

Hope this helps.

Chris

 

[Fillmore]

Re: Has anyone crash tested DR. Martens?

Are these the icon boots you were referring to? - http://www.newenough.com/boots_gloves/icon_boots.htm

They seem a bit clunky to me.

Yeah... I saw a pair at Cycle Gear last weekend and they didn't seem too bad. The toe box is a little bigger than Docs, but the sole was about the same thickness and I think that's what makes shifting weird in some other boots.

Alpinestars has several pairs as well. These were actually the first that came to mind, but I couldn't remember if they were made by A-stars or Sidi.
http://www.alpinestars.com/_lp/moto_boots_road.htm
(at bottom of page)

--Fillmore

 

[Lead_Teeth]

Thanks for the info, Chris- all good stuff to know. I realize that the Docs aren't made for riding and will wear prematurely in spots (you mentioned the left toe and the soles) but I won't be commuting in them, so hopefully they'll last long enough to justify their price.

Fillmore- thanks for the link to the Alpinestars boots. I really like the ways those look. I had a chance to try them on at a shop nearby and, unfortunately, they were pretty uncomfortable. As I remember, they had a really hard sole. I could add an insloe but that would further reduce the "feel" through my feet. Maybe I'll give them another shot...

 

[terrible_viking]

I'm late on this one, many good responses already. I'll toss in my .02 anyway.

I've crashed in sneakers, Caterpillars (similar to Docs), Sidis, and A-stars. The only times I did not sustain any injuries to my feet whatsoever where when I was wearing proper riding boots, and those crashes weren't necessarily low-speed tumbles, either. The biggest weakness of work boots is, as others have said, their limited, not to say non-existant, impact protection. Your ankles WILL hit something in any significant crash, and it so happens that they're a part of your body that is very vulnerable to serious long-term and possibly irrepairable injuries.

I have to have a very, very good excuse not to ride in my proper boots these days, such as when the Sidis are soaking wet after a long ride in the rain, for example. When I ride to work or a party or know that I'm going to do a lot of walking around, I bring sneakers or flip-flops in a back pack. They're more comfortable than work boots anyway.

With that said, if you insist on riding in work boots, do consider (over-the-ankle) Caterpillars. Mine have held up much better to the constant shifter/ general motorcycling abuse than my wife's Doc Martens - and I ride a great deal more (and harder) than my wife does.

Good luck,

-R.

 

[Lead_Teeth]

Thanks for the reply. I like the idea of wearing riding boots and carrying sneakers in a backpack- that's totally doable in many situations and is a great way to have the best of both worlds. I carry a backpack on my bike 80% of the time anyway.

For anybody interested, these boots by Sidi seem to be a good compromise between their expensive On Road model and a non-riding boot (like Docs).....

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/azsbk/sidbootcham.html

 

[Fillmore]

Laura wears Sidi Champions. The upper constuction is similar to a shorter version of the On-roads, but more of a riding boot sole. They have a shift pad on the toes that's not too obvious, an ankle protector on the inside oif the ankle and the straps add a couple of extra layers of leather (OK, Lorica) and plastic on the outside of the ankle. She's had them for several years, probably over 25k riding miles in all kids of weather, a couple of track days, and one crash. They look like they are holding up just fine.

I just asked her if she thought that they were comfortable to walk in and she said "Yeah! I can dance in them all night long!"

--Fillmore

 

[Lead_Teeth]

Haha.

Well, I tried on a pair of the Champion Tepors today and they seem to be the ticket. I like that they have the ankle protector- I can't believe those $230 On roads don't have any ankle or shin protection. I really like those boots and I've read lots of great stuff about them, but I'm not sure I could spend that much money on a motorcycle boot that didn't have at least the minimum amount of protection provided by shin and ankle protection. Who dropped the ball on that one? A friend of a friend of mine is at home right now popping handfuls of pain killers because of the huge wound he sustained to the inside of his ankle from a recent crash. He was wearing generic work boots, by the way.

In any case, I think I'll get a pair of those Champion Tepors.

 

[markIV]

I wore Docs before I got a pair of Sidi and made a Shifter Toe Antiabraison Device (Pat Pend) from a chunk bicycle inner tube and some glue from a patch kit. It went around the toe like a big rubber band. Saved alot of wear on the leather and it would slip off the boot and into a pocket if I was in polite company. Yeah, I got to much time on my hands :-[

 

[bartmanS4]

I've used Docs quite a bit with no problems. But I bought a pair of these http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/d...gory_ID=0&manufacturer_ID=130&product_ID=6913 and with jeans they look a lot like Docs (as long as you don't tuck them in )
But they are cheap and you get what you pay for.