Boots for the office...

[tobes]

I work in a corporate setting and when I ride in I wear a pair of boots that look nice but aren't very protective. Has anyone seen riding boots offered that double as dress/office wear?
thanks...

[taosports]

Think the best solution is to just leave a pair of dress shoes in the office. Trying to find a motorcycle boot that does it all is difficult and even if you find a pair that look nice for the office, the top of your left shoe will have those tell-tale shift lever scuffs.

[ShinySideUp]

For the last ten years, I've been using a pair of Corbin Roadmaster boots. I can't find them on the Corbin website, but these guys appear to have them and at a great price:

http://home.triad.rr.com/shoecare/corbin.htm

[tobes]

Thanks for the tips!

[Lost Rider]

considering I'm passing the time on my iphone in the hospital right now with complications with my broken foot, an injury I recieved while wearing good looking minimal safety boots versus a good heavy boot, I'd have to agree with the have two pairs of shoes and keep one in the office comment... but that's just me.

[celticus]

ChiTown, Your recent misfortune might just lend credence to your opinion. Maybe something for us to listen to.
Mark

[AllanCook]

Think the best solution is to just leave a pair of dress shoes in the office. Trying to find a motorcycle boot that does it all is difficult and even if you find a pair that look nice for the office, the top of your left shoe will have those tell-tale shift lever scuffs.

That's what I do. Works fine.

[famousperson]

A friend of mine was a computer programmer for General Telephone in Marina del Rey, CA, a very corporate place. He was an excellent programmer and an excellent worker, putting in long hours of unpaid overtime because he loved his job. His motorcycle was his only mode of transportation. Then Winter came. On some days he would get caught in the rain. On those days he would wrap a blanket around himself in his office. He didn't last long...

Some companies just don't get it.

[BigEasy]

+1 for extra shoes in the shop. I do environmental clean up work, could be a corporate type on a million years, so steel toed red wings are a way of life for me. But for days when I am confined indoors behind a computer I keep a pair of Birkenstocks for kicking around the office.

[deilenberger]

A friend of mine was a computer programmer for General Telephone in Marina del Rey, CA, a very corporate place. He was an excellent programmer and an excellent worker, putting in long hours of unpaid overtime because he loved his job. His motorcycle was his only mode of transportation. Then Winter came. On some days he would get caught in the rain. On those days he would wrap a blanket around himself in his office. He didn't last long...

Some companies just don't get it.

Actually - IMHO - some riders don't get it. A Roadcrafter would have solved the rain problem and no need for a blanket in the office.. for someone who only owns a motorcycle the correct gear is really a necessity.

[Dan-A]

+1 for extra shoes in the shop. I do environmental clean up work, could be a corporate type on a million years, so steel toed red wings are a way of life for me. But for days when I am confined indoors behind a computer I keep a pair of Birkenstocks for kicking around the office.

Off topic, sorry, but this morning as I was getting on the Harley to ride to work (yes I have a Harley too) my neighbor across the street was leaving to his corporate lawyer job in his suit, and I was leaving to work in my leathers.

I could feel him looking at me, perhaps disdainfully, and I was looking at him thinking I was fortunate to be able to dress the way I want and ride to work when I choose.

So no disrespect to those who have to do that (and I have to dress appropriate for meetings etc) but I am sure glad to have a choice.

Back On topic, I have Sidi riding boots, both the tall On Roads
http://www.compacc.com/prod.cfm/fid/47/pid/7657
and their shorter cousins but I forget the model. After they break in they are a rugged boot that is still reasonably comfortable for walking.

[tobes]

Thanks again for the posts. I'm thinking the leaving a pair at the office may be the way to go. I do get some funny looks and questions walking into the corp office in all my gear. But the folks around me have gotten used to it now.

[deilenberger]

Thanks again for the posts. I'm thinking the leaving a pair at the office may be the way to go. I do get some funny looks and questions walking into the corp office in all my gear. But the folks around me have gotten used to it now.

It's gotta look better than how I looked walking into Bell Labs every day 30 years ago. This was WAY before suits like the Aerostich.. I found at a Army Surplus place - a WW-II flying suit. Fit me wonderfully, and was wonderfully warm for winter riding. Was full leather on the outside and sheepskin on the inside. Just like this one:



Worked great until the leather finally just fell apart.. chunks of it would be missing when I got to work - blown off on the road..

[tobes]

Now that would turn heads. You were ahead of your time!

[deilenberger]

Now that would turn heads. You were ahead of your time!

I should ask Andy if that's where he got the idea for the Roadcrafter..

[DrD]

+1 for extra shoes in the shop. I do environmental clean up work, could be a corporate type on a million years, so steel toed red wings are a way of life for me. But for days when I am confined indoors behind a computer I keep a pair of Birkenstocks for kicking around the office.

Heck, I wear Birkenstocks most of the time (when I am not wearing sandals). I bring a pair in a bag and put them on at work. I work in the military-industrial complex which is fairly conservative. I get away with it since I have a doctorate in physics; guess I'm expected to be a little odd.

[dasronin]

M-Thur... Suit in water resistant Sport Soft bag, shoes left in office.
(Change in office from Olympia Stealth Suit).

Friday casual clothing, Tourmaster Intake jacket and boots... change to shoes left at office.

[Caroanbill]

I used to keep suits, shirts, ties and shoes in my personal office ... worked for riding, cycling or walking, summer or winter ... but working in open plan or moving about makes that less easy.

I've had BMW ConTour boots for some time - like them so much I got a second pair when they were discontinued(not even worn yet). They're well protected but the protection is inside the leather and the boots are otherwise quite restrained - simple black leather to look at. Good for most weather (thin or thick socks) and goretex that works. Very comfy - I can wear them in the office all day if I have to.

I've worn them a few times under a suit and no-one noticed. People did notice my old Alpinstar La Strada boots .. beautiful leather and line (stichdown sole) but a little like SS-officer issue. There are still a few like ConTour in the BMW catalogue - Protour and Allround - not quite as 'stealth', but plain enough for a suit. Lots of other alternatives on the market - I've seen some Spidi and some Aplinestars that could pass for ordinary footwear.

The main thing (liek everyone says) is to keep to strong, high boots with good ankle and calf coverage. Even a pair of pull-on cowboy boots saved me a nasty compound fracture once (10 breaks below the knee, but all the bone stayed inside my skin). Joe (Chitown) also found out the hard way - see what he says about ankle coverage (even though, looking at his X-rays, his foot fractures might have happen in any motorcycle boot without serious structure around the ball / instep / toes). Joe has made me re-consider my Airflow boots - they're probably too flimsy even if they are great in hot weather.

[atldinan3]

Anybody have any experience with the BMW City Boot?

http://www.bmw-riders-gear.com/BMWRA_pr ... plo=&bphi=

[vielzebub]

Anybody have any experience with the BMW City Boot?

http://www.bmw-riders-gear.com/BMWRA_pr ... plo=&bphi=

This guy has had some experience with the city boots. Doesn't sound all that positive...

http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=14004