Modern Vespa

I always wear leather boots that cover my ankle bone. And I've had them resoled with heavy duty soles that don't wear out as fast. I've looked at the higher and more protective moto-boots but they seem overkill for my riding -- on the Vespa or the BMW K bike.

Here's a look at my boots that I've been wearing for the past 13 years. Lots of repairs to them...

After I'd ridden my Vespa for awhile, like many other riders the temptation to go more casual followed the switch from a MC to the scooter. I tried a few riding jeans and the BMW more casual riding pants and none fit my bod and were sold off. As for boots I have a pair of SIDI DOHA's bought just to go casual on my GTS. While they're definitely cooler than my SIDI MC boots given their lower height. They might look like athletic shoes but are much stiffer-soles and uppers both, given their purpose is protection. They are lightweight and cooler though. There are several other similar low boots in that market to compare with.
If I had it to do over, I'd just wear a pair of my hiking boots I already own. maybe not so protective but not like going unprotected either. Once in awhail i do ride in workboots. My workboots nowdays are actually military boots which have changed like most footwear to a far more comfortable design.
never again would I have any desire for boot like the Fabiano! By the time those are broke in many miles have gone by them. new shoes lack that break-in period of not so comfy feet.

TCX (and others) make fashionable CE rated moto boots and shoes that are also comfortable to wear. No reason not to wear them really.

I had a low speed spill on my dirt bike, which weighs about as much as a Vespa. I was wearing MX boots. I just got done with the PT to fix my ankle now 2 months later. So, yeah, proper footwear makes sense.

just realized these are still available on closet at new enough for $160. Pretty expensive for non "boots", but pretty cheap for Dainese gear...

I usually don't post such information, but this one may fit the thread.

I bought a Hobie Cat sailboat 40 years ago.

The seller was selling because he had been in a motorcycle accident.

He lost a foot and could no longer use the boat comfortably.

Might have been for the money too.

Don't know what kind of boot he was wearing, but accidents are terrible things.

Bill

Maybe you're stepping off at the wrong assisted living facilities.

I used to think SAS shoes were for old people. My wife suggested I try a pair years ago... well built and comfortable. Describing the shoes, not the wife. Not cheap, but they have a lot of men's styles in double wide widths. Keeping with the humor, I found these shoes are for those who are... well heeled. (rimshot)

I have some leather chukka boots from SAS, but no real ankle protection. I'll keep looking. For boots in a wide width, not snooping around the assisted living places.

I recently won these, made by Dririder, called the Classic, and since I have been using them (this month) have found them to be very comfortable. I normally wear a size 10.5, (11US, 45EU), these are 11.5, (12US, 46EU) as are my other protective boots. Can't remember the last time I rode without decent boots.

direct from dainese was about 125 including shipping...super fast shipping from eu ...get one size larger than you typically would or you will be sad

GAH!! Wish I'd seen it on dainese earlier. most of the sizes are sold out..

Way too few wide riding boots/shoes.

Man, you are sooo right. Red Wing seems to it around here.

I always wear boots that protect ankle. In Belgium, it's required by law anyway. Best option is low boots or shoes with special spotection (pad etc.) for the ankle.

Especially on a Vespa, this is important. When you go down, you instinctively try to avoid falling and put your foot on the ground, and that's the moment where the road and the floorboard (bottom or how you call it) act as a plier that crushed your ankle, which is an often seen injurie when falling on a side with a vespa. Serious injury, even at low speed or even simply falling on the side while standing still.

Has anyone tried the Redwing Zero-G chukka?

http://www.redwingshoes.com/red-wing-shoe/6719-red-wing-shoes/6719-red-wing-mens-chukka-brown

It has an aluminum toe protector and looks like it will cover the ankle bone area.

Those look nice, perfect for a Vespa.

I lucked out on Sunday and picked up some Fry's for 50% off at Hudson's Bay. Not too often you see the premium brands get that kind of promo. I love Bay Day's, we also got half off 700 count Egyptian cotton sheets.

I made it to a Redwing store today - and picked up a pair of the Zero-G Chukka Boots. Once in the store, I found they are available with a safety toe, and without. Same size/width boot without the safety toe (aluminum) has a visibly wider toe box - not just the difference of removing the safety toe, the shape is wider through the toe. My fat feet are comfortable in these. $160.

The Redwing selection has changed a lot since I was last in one of their stores.

This, in fact, is what I'm gravitating toward.

In the meantime, for long-ish/inclement-weather rides I have a pair of water-resistant Wolverines which should do the job in all but the most-horrific crashes (where I'll have more to worry about than just my feet), and a pair of ankle-covering Clarks for almost everything else. TCX's and/or Red Wings are in my future, although I do have a pair of vented Indian-branded high-tops which purportedly have slightly extra ankle/toe-box protection for warm-weather riding.

But, yes, on the one-mile, straight-shot run to the beach from the house, I've been caught in toe-capped sandals on a really nice day. So sue me.

Great! I love Redwings and am actually wearing a pair right now. My problem with steel toe boots is in the winter the metal freezes and well metal is a good conductor...

This just popped up in my YouTube feed:

"Highway 21's Axle shoe is about a 2/10 on the rigidity scale."

Sounds perfect for a scooter. I worry that those soles would wear out in about 3 months though.

Seems the same company also makes a boot that's 4/10 rigidity. Both have very good customer reviews.

Most of the time I gear up and wear my Daytonas which I bought for motorcycle touring and I find comfortable enough to wear all day even walking around. Unfortunately, when its hot out and I am just heading to the other side of the neighborhood to go to the pool, I "might" go in just flip flops; and yes, I know it's stupid to do so.
JEB

Boots! Boats are a must![/i]