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Boots! How long do yours last?

9K views 44 replies 41 participants last post by  SeattleStrom 
#1 ·
I bought my boots about 8 months ago and they are already starting to wear out quite badly. They are Alpinestars (Alpinestars Ridge Waterproof Boot - RevZilla) and the sole is starting to separate from the leather at the front, the top left boot is starting to crack and look very ratty. I didn't start to polish or apply shine to them until about two months ago, coupled with the fact that I wear them every day and have put ~13k miles on them already. I realize that this may have an impact, but I still feel that they shouldn't be quite so worn out.

How long do your boots normally last while wearing them on a daily basis? What methods do you use to keep them up?
 
#3 ·
Alpinestars Web Goretex. 7 years old and nearing 100K miles of total usage(On 2 bikes). Still have a lot of life in them.
 
#6 ·
+ 1 on the web goretex.
Mine are about 5 years old and still going strong. Not sure how many miles, (not 100000 like nvr2old), but plenty through mud rain etc and will probably last another 5. Feet have never been wet in them either

When they go, I'm gonna get another pair just like them
 
#4 · (Edited)
I also had a pair of Alpinestars Ridge boots that crapped out early. Mine seemed to stretch out for some odd reason -- it was like my feet were shrinking. The cheesy velcro wore out quickly, and even after I had a local cobbler replace it, the rest of the boot didn't last much longer.

The Ridge is a cheap boot that's just not up to Alpinestars' usual quality.

A much better inexpensive boot would be the Tourmaster Solution 2.0. The soles wore dangerously smooth pretty early on my 1.0 pair, but the rest of the boot was in great shape. On the current 2.0 boots, they've revised the sole, so they should last much longer overall. The online reviews are excellent.


The other boots mentioned above go for 2 - 3 times the cost. Yes, they're debatably worth the money, but they're not really part of the same discussion as the Ridge and Solution.
 
#32 ·
I've got a pair if Sidi Onroad Sympatex boots that I've been wearing since 1998. No sign of them wearing out yet.
This is good to hear as I just picked up a like-new pair of 1998 Sidi Onroad Sympatex boots. Guess I won't need to worry about re-soling for a long time!

On the other hand, I've had my Icon Motorhead boots for 5 years and, while the sole is notably worn, they've held up reasonably well. The Sidis are a welcome upgrade, though!
 
#43 ·
Aerostich boots



I have the same "light" version (forget the real name) Comfortable, waterproof with NikWax treatment, little wear on the leather (mostly ridden on Valkyrie with a kick shifter, some wear now from toe shifting) 30,000 motorcycle miles on them (and a few 100 walking)
 
#9 ·
5 years, 60,000 miles.
 
#10 ·
My old Sidi's lasted around 12 years and over 100,000km. I replaced them a while back with some Alpinestars but kept using the Sidi's off road. I've now finally got some dedicated ADV boots and retired the Sidi's.

Bandit Rider: Been shopping again
 
#11 ·
Good info.....

I looking to get my first pair of motorcycle specific boots. I've only worn quality hiking, work or military boots while riding but I'm looking to do more trail riding & single track so I think I need more protection.
 
#12 ·
#13 ·
Forma Adventures, a few years now, though they only get used weekends and trips.

Oz army boots (short/commute & worn at work during the week) - I think they'll outlive me.

I prefer combat boots, but couldn't find any decent ones when my last tall boots wore out, so got the Forma's. More impressed now than I was at six months.

Pete
 
#14 ·
motorcycle specific boots are not practical for the majority of my riding, I would kill them quickly with the amount and type of walking I do off the bike at job sites. I wear Wolverine Loggers boots , every day even when I'm not on the bike, I get about 2 years. winter frigid cold riding, I wear my Sorels, I need a new pair this year, not bad, I bought them in 1984



 
#16 ·
I have a pair of Ariat lacers that I bought two years ago to wear when I ride to work. I don't have a place to keep work shoes and I don't have the money to have dedicated riding boots. I have worn Red Wing work boots, one pair of normal and one pair of insulated winter, but both of those have worn out at the sole/welt with only moderate wear. The winter insulated did not wear well at all, although 8 years old, I've only worn them about 25/30 times and I've taken good care, so they didn't age well.

I've been looking for a good boot that I can wear while riding to work and through the day under my khakis but not being able to find anything that doesn't look too much like a riding boot, I've switched to cowboy lacers, wearing Ariats. My first pair lasted five years under extremely heavy use and were great. The second pair that I have on right now are not as comfortable or as well made (I tried to buy the same model boot) and I don't like them as much as the 1st pair.

So, I read this thread with anxious anticipation looking for tips about a new pair of boots that might serve me better.
 
#17 ·
8 months ago and they are already starting to wear out quite badly. They are Alpinestars (Alpinestars Ridge Waterproof Boot - RevZilla) and the sole is starting to separate from the leather at the front, the top left boot is starting to crack and look very ratty.
Contact RevZilla about warranty replacement. The sole should not separate, nor the top crack.
 
#18 ·
I have a pair of ancient Joe Rocket Rhyno boots that are well over a decade old. Not waterproof, no armor, and a lot of the velcro is gone, but they are more comfortable than running shoes and provide better abraision resistance. I have a pair of SIDI race boots that are about 5 years old that I got used on eBay. Lots of scuffs, lots of armor, not waterproof, and they hurt your feet to walk in, but they are the BEST while on the bike. I have a pair of SIDI touring boots, 6 years old, not waterproof, some scuffing, very light, no armor, but a nice compromise sometimes. Lastly my Gaerne touring boots. 4 years old, Not as waterproof as once were, but armor and comfortable enough to walk around in.

My advice, get more than one pair of boots. A good pair to use on long trips, an armored pair for around town or rapid weekend rips. Perhaps a lighter pair for when you think you can get away with that. Always let them fully dry out when wet, and get them repaired at the first sign of separation or tear.
 
#19 ·
Alpinestars Web Goretex
4 years, 77,000 miles

They were well worn when I replaced them with Alpinestars Tech Touring boots. I could have gotten some more miles out of them, but I had pretty well worn out the left sole from pivoting as I got on and off the bike. I'm trying to avoid that now...

Ron :mrgreen:
 
#20 ·
I bought these Tecknics from Motorcycle Superstores on sale for $100. Within 100 days they were destroyed. The soles didn't last 60 days before cracking and then exposing some foam filler. They have a coating, I think they call Rhino Skin. The shift toe was cut instantly from the lever. My other Italian boots are two years old and still don't even have a scrape on them.
I probably could have returned them, but chalked them off to a loss. Posted this just for "buyer beware".
 

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#21 ·
I had a pair of Frank Thomas boots go through a couple 3 soles and gobs of weather and miles.
My current Sidi City boots are probably 5 years old and are on the second sole.
Problem with a lot of the newer boots is that they are molded and not easy to resole. I like a decent Vibram lugged sole.
I've had lesser quality boots fail in a crash and they wore quickly too. POS!
 
#23 ·
boots

TCX X Five
Goretex, waterproof and comfortable. I bought these this year, have put 7K on them and they are just getting broken in and still look new. I can't see wearing them out any time soon at 7 to 10K per year.
 
#33 ·
TCX X Five
Goretex, waterproof and comfortable. I bought these this year, have put 7K on them and they are just getting broken in and still look new. I can't see wearing them out any time soon at 7 to 10K per year.
+1 on this boot. I wear them everyday, all day long and they took a beating on the UTBDR. Still waterproof and still look good. I don't remember when I got them nor how many miles (walking & riding) are on them, but I'll get them again if they ever wear out.:thumbup:
 
#24 ·
I'm on my third pair of Alpinestar Web Gortex boots. I think I get maybe 60,000 to 70,000 miles out of them. They work vey well for me although I obviously don't spend enough effort taking care of them. I ride in rain and salt crap a lot and am generaly hard on my things so I suspect that does them in.

I'd love to know what stuff you guys are using to keep the leather soft and supple and how often you apply.

..Tom
 
#25 ·
LEATHER HONEY
Leather Honey Leather Conditioner

I use this for everything from riding gloves and boots to leather car seats and living room sofa. It is thick, gooey, and honey-like, and needs time to soak in then wiped off. I apply it in the spring and the fall.
 
#26 ·
Dubbin; available at shoe stores, shoe repair, ec.
It's basically a leather grease that you work into the leather.
It kept my police boots for 2-3 years a pair with regular application.
If the leather isn't soft, flexible and waterproof, it needs re-applying.
My western boots lasted for 4 re-soles before giving up the ghost.
Good leather lasts a long time but it must be maintained.
Just like your bike.
 
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