We don’t know much, but we know that, at least, is not true. It’s evident from early photos that riders wore whatever they felt to be practical at the time. Since no riding “uniform” was defined in those early days (and no authority existed to make such recommendations), it was a case of anything goes, where footwear was concerned.
Before long, however, common sense led motorcyclists to realize that an awful lot of potentially preventable foot injuries were happening, due to a lack of adequate shielding and protection of those vulnerable tootsies.
Naturally enough, first impulses were not to re-invent the wheel, but to look at already available forms of foot protection—like those worn by cowboys and jockeys, and like those with a reliable reputation of serving explorers, adventurers, outdoorsmen, and engineers. Twentieth century engineer boots, as a matter of fact, had themselves evolved from footwear that had been around for centuries, defending the digits, feet, calves and thighs of surveyors, soldiers, and, yes, engineers, from brutal elements as well as injury from attacking objects or organisms.
These readymade footwear solutions served riders well for a time; but there’s always that restless yearning for something better—something customized to better perform its vital duty. Something “just for motorcyclists”.
So, over the years, the equation developed:
Engineer boots + Various minor adjustments = Traditional “motorcycle boot”
According to www.onlyriders.com , stovepipe legs on bikers’ boots became standard in the 1930s and ’40’s. “These were so popular and practical that militaries across the globe adopted this style of “riding boot” for motorcycle soldiers. Buckles around the instep and at the top served to keep these boots securely fastened, but they also gave motorcycle boots the unique character that appealed to the general population.”
This character, in fact, defines the boot most often associated with Marlon Brando and the Bad Boy Bikers of the ‘50’s—and probably the one the Cheers sang about in their unforgettable 1955 hit:
“He wore black denim trousers and motorcycle boots
And a black leather jacket with an eagle on the back.
He had a hopped-up ’cycle that took off like a gun;
That fool was the terror of Highway 101.”
Still later, in the ’60s, sources agree, the round-toed engineer boots gave way to harness boots, which typically have square toes and cosmetic accoutrements like leather straps and rings. Some riders in search of really serious protection (and a seriously rugged look, to boot) even began opting for logger boots with steel toes and their “heavy, robust design.”
Jeremy Granger, Marketing Director for Ridge Footwear, defines the traditional biker boot as a heavy, all-leather black boot, eight inches tall or more—a slip-on design with a big sole that can be resoled.
“Traditional motorcycle boot-makers used a heavy leather because they wanted the protection it offered; and they used a taller shank to prevent the wearer’s pants from riding up above the boot top when they were riding.”
Granger points to currently available traditional biker styles that are still big and heavy, with buckles, but explains the change in biker demographics that makes these styles less practical and popular today.
“In the early ’90’s, Harley-Davidson’s image went from the Bad Boy Biker bike to, suddenly, the bike that everybody wanted to have. Superstars, attorneys, doctors, and average working people wanted to ride Harleys, and got rid of their Hondas and Yamahas in order to do so.
“From our standpoint in the footwear business, and as avid bikers, we started noticing that the biker profile was changing. Bike events at places like Sturgis, Daytona, and Myrtle Beach became more prevalent. People were riding or driving to these events, then walking a lot of territory as they visited a lot of different vendors and activities.”
More and more riders were taking day trips to social get-together motorcycle events and walking all the festivities, Granger noted, and thus their footwear needs were changing.
“The days of the traditional biker boot are becoming extinct,” said Granger. “You see very few hard core bikers any more. Most of the guys that ride bikes as recreation are wearing coats and ties during the week—or they’re out working on a construction site or something, and on the weekend they turn into a biker. My Dad is one of those, he’s had multiple Boss Hosses, and he comes to work in an office all week long and he doesn’t look like a biker, but he’s been riding a bike his whole life.”
To effectively monitor these demographic changes, Ridge execs did some research at the rallies and festivals they attended, paying special attention to what riders were wearing on their feet.
“We saw people riding in tennis shoes; we saw people in the coastal regions riding in flipflops. I don’t recommend that,” commented Granger.
The priority of all these riders, however, was clearly comfort. So, responsively, three years ago Ridge Footwear began developing motorcycle boots “that carried the characteristics necessary in a riding boot, but are comfortable enough to allow people to walk an event all day and not wear them out lugging around a big, heavy, bulky boot that probably doesn’t fit that well, anyway.”
Ridge’s solution was a line of boots that “feel like tennis shoes, but deliver needed protection and support. They’re lightweight, comfortable, and more.”
They added inside zippers and waterproof riding boots—creating what Granger called “a lazy man’s boot.” Now, he reflects, nearly all their top-sellers are zipper designs.
Overall, today’s motorcycle boots boast superior materials that provide better insulation, moisture wicking and waterproof membranes to keep feet dry, and synthetic rubber soles that are exceptionally oil-resistant.
What Qualities Should a Motorcycle Boot Have?
When you’re shopping for a riding boot, what should you look for? The Internet is brimming with expert advice on the subject; here’s the Cliff’s Notes version:
*Soles should be durable and slip-resistant, especially on oil-slick pavement. You want something that won’t slide out from under you when you put your feet down at a stop.
Resoleable boots, says Granger, come with an extremely bulky durable welted Goodyear outsole that makes the boot heavy and somewhat stiff, although admittedly this is the most serviceable outsole available. “There’s a fine line between the comfort you want and durability that you need. At Ridge, we are using more of the lighter weight one-piece soles, which consist of a comfortable EVA or polyurethane midsole, permanently bonded to a sturdy carbon rubber outsole. These are not resoleable; when they’re worn out, you throw the boot away.”
He points out that from a practical standpoint, it’s hard to find cobblers nowadays, even if you prefer to have boots or shoes resoled.
*Ankle support is essential. In the early days of motorcycle boots, they were straight-up leather slip-on boots, like cowboy boots you slide on and off. “The problem was,” says Granger, “There was no support there. That’s why lace-ups are important; they give you a nice tight fit. With the zipper boots, you can enjoy both—the great fit and custom support of the lace-up style, with the ease of zipping in and out of it without re-lacing it each time.”
*Protection for toes and ankles. Although steel toed boots immediately leap to mind, many of today’s hard leather toe caps can protect without the weight and bulk of steel toes. Even the most skilled and careful rider can wind up laying a bike down. A good boot can spare clothing, skin, and flesh from the worst of flying debris, burns, and rough impacts.
*Adhesion: Boots need to stay on your feet to do their job. The advent of the side-zipper boot has virtually ended the long argument between lace-up and slip-on advocates. Slip-ons can just as easily slip off under stress—when you’d rather they didn’t. On the other hand, laces can come untied and get hung up in moving parts, creating a serious hazard. Today, most lace-ups are designed to be easily tucked safely inside once they’re tied—and the tight custom fit and support lacing provides can be maintained easily without relacing if the boot also comes with an inside zipper for quick and easy off and on.
*Weather resistance: Is waterproof necessary? Some people need waterproof leather boots; others who don’t plan to ride in the rain don’t need or want that protection—or the extra weight that comes with it. These folks are usually happier with a boot with breathable nylon, for instance, notes Granger, so that it’s more comfortable for walking around.
Of Special Interest to Women
The women’s motorcycle industry is booming—many more women are taking up riding than ever before, and the Internet features an abundance of web sites that focus on the special needs of female bikers.
The boom is fueled in part by the ease of customizations that make motorcycles easier to manage for women with slighter, smaller frames. Bikes can be lowered closer to the ground, handlebars can be extended further, etc.
Granger reports that within the last seven or eight years, many women’s biker boot styles have begun to appear, too. “Many of them have a traditional look, but they’re modified with bigger heels and attractive cosmetic features like chrome buckles. The designs focus on style rather than function, however,” he observes. “My mother, for instance, rides as a passenger with my dad, and she sometimes wears a slip-on style that doesn’t even have a backstrap behind her heel.
“I would imagine that as more women start riding on their own, they will start wearing more functional boots rather than thin, stylish boots, because now they’re in a position where they have to put their feet down at every stop, and they have to know that their feet are nice and steady on the pegs and on the floorboards. They’ll also want to be confident that they’re wearing something they can shift with.”
The fashion-focused boots currently available to women aren’t always slip-proof on oily surfaces, and the popular boxy toe styles may not even fit under a shifter, he points out, predicting a move toward functionality and away from fashion for serious women riders.
The bottom line is—wear what works best for you and your riding style; but be careful when weighing those options. As all good Boss Hoss riders do, be sure to put safety first!
(Thanks to Ridge Footwear for their input into this story—and the products that have already won over a number of Boss Hoss riders. Check them out at www.Ridgeoutdoors.com ; and don’t miss owner Rob Granger’s profile on page ___!)
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motorcycle boots,
engineer boots,
Biker,
Myrtle Beach,
Cliff
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