Boot/Footware question

haaammit · 14 May 2023 at 09:45

I've been using the bike to get t o my weekend job, and have started using a rucksack to transport my gear. I wear steel toecaps for this job, and currently put them in the bottom of my bag, but I'm looking to reduce the weight of the rucksack. Is there any reason *NOT* to wear these on the bike instead of my dedicated riding boots?
These are my riding feetware and a pic of my work boots. Ta for any advie

tom_e · 14 May 2023 at 09:57

I think the old myth is if you come off and catch them wrong then the cap could bend back and chop your toes off but in the real world no not really as long as you can still manage to change gear ok in them

FBi7 · 14 May 2023 at 11:24

I wear my work high leg steelies when I ride to/from work. I could keep my work boots in my locker at work, but that would just wear out my Sidis quicker. Work boots are free! I hadn't heard of/considered what @tom_e had mentioned, but one thing I'm meticulous about is tucking the bootlaces inside the boots when tied. I'm paranoid about the laces getting caught on the pegs and not being able to get a foot down resulting in a broken leg and bike.

eddie101 · 15 May 2023 at 17:25

Wearing my Caterpillar work boots right now which i rode to work in this morning. Probably give me more protection than my TCX. Tuck your laces in though

Scuzi · 15 May 2023 at 17:33

You might shave an inch or two off your ankle bone if you side down the road. Other than that they should be fine.

BUDFORCE · 18 May 2023 at 19:01

@haaammit are they comfortable to walk in? The bike boots I mean.

haaammit · 18 May 2023 at 19:23

BUDFORCE said:
@haaammit are they comfortable to walk in? The bike boots I mean.

Yea, they're not uncomfortable for a short while, but a work shift can be as long as 13 hours on my feet. The other thing is that my riding boots aren't safety capped like my work boots. I think I'll try a pootle about at the weekend in my work boots, see how they go.

BUDFORCE · 18 May 2023 at 20:26

haaammit said:
Yea, they're not uncomfortable for a short while, but a work shift can be as long as 13 hours on my feet. The other thing is that my riding boots aren't safety capped like my work boots. I think I'll try a pootle about at the weekend in my work boots, see how they go.

Oh ok, no I was just asking for myself more than anything, need a pair I can walk around in, mine are.....ok..... But not ideal

haaammit · 18 May 2023 at 20:27

BUDFORCE said:
Oh ok, no I was just asking for myself more than anything, need a pair I can walk around in, mine are.....ok..... But not ideal

Ah gotcha. I did a bar shift of about 6 hours in them (riding boots) and they were fine, but ymmv ofc

Rich1988 · 18 May 2023 at 20:38

I wear my Dewalt work steelies more than I wear my dedicated motorbike boots. I think the main thing is that they are stout and durable. Wouldn't be wearing trainers etc.

Hades · 20 May 2023 at 02:17

Having been knocked off my bike last year (I'll give more details when my injury claim is settled) I would never wear either of those. They simply don't offer enough protection.

IC3 · 21 May 2023 at 21:13

Hades said:
Having been knocked off my bike last year (I'll give more details when my injury claim is settled) I would never wear either of those. They simply don't offer enough protection.

I 2nd this after having my foot dragged under the bike for a few meters, if I hadn't had my full boots on, I would most likely become an amputee now... Get a pair of shoes to change into, not worth the risk imho.

CrazyGreggy · 23 May 2023 at 07:35

100% agree with Hades. For my accident (still not settled), I ended up with my right foot trapped under the bike. The engine block of a Gen 2 Hayabusa sat on top of my ankle for around 30+ minutes because the priority for the 999 guys was 1) cut my gear off, 2) get the IV painkillers in, 3) wait for the painkillers to work, 4) move the bike without dislodging the broken left leg and risking internal bleeding. I had full ankle protection from my boots.

Now imagine that in your work boots. Don’t do it to yourself.