New Boots!

Boots. Boots. Boots. I got new boots!

Go ahead, keep saying "boots" over and over. It starts to sound funny, and then you can't stop saying it.

Boots.

So for years, yes years, I've been toying with the idea of buying new motorcycle boots. Since I started riding back in 2003, when I bought my first bike; the Suzuki Volusia, my boot-o-choice has been the Altama 6300 Jungle Boot. Now that is a great boot. Leather construction mixed with breathable nylon, good arch support, and the only footwear that I ever bought that came with instructions on how to avoid jungle rot and reminders to check the boots each morning for poisonous creatures. After more than a decade of use and abuse, they still hold up. But the Altama Jungle Boot is not waterproof. I've logged many a mile in the rain wearing those boots, only to arrive with soaked feet.

So in conducting a search for waterproof motorcycle boots, I prioritized the selection criteria:

1. Water-resistance. Just because a boot claims to be waterproof, doesn't mean it holds up well.
2. Price. They needed to be less than $250. Anything more is difficult to justify.
3. Comfort. No toe pinching or ankle binding.
4. Design. Motorcycle gear often sells because of how it looks, rather than how it performs. When you're in the store surrounded by all those toys, making sure this criterium takes a backseat to the others is tough.

After conducting research online, the shortlist of candidates came down to:

• TCX Infinity GTX
• Tour Master Solution WP Air
• Alpinestars Scout 
• Axo Freedom GT
• Alpinestars Web Gore-Tex

Each made the list because of customer evaluations, water-resistance ratings, price, and design. The next step was trying them on, however, motorcycle stores are notoriously skimpy when it comes to offering a diversity of boots on the shelves. Most stores I visit have 1-2 dozen models. When you break that down into the types of boots; cruiser or adventure or street or motocross, stores can only afford to carry a few options of each. So when you shop for boots, be prepared to cover some ground and take some time.

By the way, I should take a moment to give credit to Revzilla and their product evaluation videos. These are great for getting summaries of all kinds of gear. I've frequently gone through their videos to see which product lines are best for me. In the case of finding boots, I learned to stay away from FirstGear boots (though I have the Kilimanjaro jacket) because they run wide, and I have a narrow foot. The videos earned my trust and Revzilla has earned my business.

So back to the boot search. Since deciding to purchase waterproof boots, I visited most every motorcycle store on the Seattle Eastside as well as the Seattle Motorcycle Show, but everything I tried on didn't feel right. This included boots not on the shortlist but fit all the other criteria.

All that changed today when I drove up the road about five miles to a dealership to see what they had to offer. There wasn't much in the front, but in the back, all the way in the back, was the clearance table. And on the table: two pairs of waterproof boots; the Alpinestars Scout WP and Gaerne G-Adventure boots. They were both priced equally for clearance.

A little dust never bothered me when it comes to gear; let someone else be the early adopter. Getting a good deal on a proven product is more important.

Incandescent lighting makes the photo look
yellow, but this is a good-looking black boot

After wearing one of each around the store and straddling an Aprilia Tuono V4, the Scout won the boot-off through superior comfort.

The Alpinestars Scout WP boot is a waterproofed, all-leather adventure boot. The toe is reinforced for up-shifting and the ankle and shin areas offer internal protection.

The sole is a stiff rubber compound stitched to the uppers. Treads are fairly deep and defined, as the photo shows. Admittedly, the Gaerne sole felt better; the heel cuts at a 90-degree angle, which helps keeps boots on the foot pegs. A lot of motorcycle boots have smooth transitions between toe and heel, but I like having the heels 'hook' on the pegs.

It's a good-looking boot. There's definitely a Mad Max feel to it without being too flashy. In fact, other than the gray buckle straps, there's not much that stands out. Alpinestars often sets its logo in high-contrast colors on its gear, but the logo on the Scouts is merely black embossed.

Ski boot buckles

The Scout secures closed using two methods; from foot to shin it uses three adjustable buckles that resemble light-weight ski boot buckles. According to Alpinestars, the adjustments are made using a "micro-adjustable memory system." The boot 'tongue' is a v-shaped mesh liner to keep water from sneaking in above the ankles.

Above the buckles, the Scout has a big patch of Velcro to finish off the seal.

It will be fun to get on the road with the Alpinestars Scouts. They're a little stiff now, but should loosen up after a couple hundred miles.

Boots.