Harley Davidson boots are junk
#81
11-06-2016 | 03:19 PM
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,921
Likes: 198
From: Skunk Hollow, TX
Best I've found
I own two pair of these. They've been all over the country. They shine up very nicely. Worn them to weddings and funerals. Fit great right out of the box. No metal in them so I can clear metal detectors at the airport or the county court house. http://us.magnumboots.com/product-st...-ct-black.html
#82
11-07-2016 | 11:02 PM
Cruiser
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 111
Likes: 5
From: Trường Sơn trail
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Jay Guild (11-08-2016)
#83
11-08-2016 | 07:58 AM
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12
Likes: 3
Start with MADE IN USA.
As everyone here can figure out, Harley Davidson is not, nor has ever been a boot company. They have had numerous manufacturers make boots for them, some good, some crap. My method is simple, the first thing you look for is the "MADE IN USA" label. If your boots are not made in the USA, you deserve whatever you get. If they are, all the manufacturers I'm aware of stand behind their product for workmanship. Lots of USA choices, and they might not be inexpensive but you get a lot of value and you save American jobs. Been wearing Red Wing Boots for years, but that's just what I happened to buy. I wear the soles off them and I'm proud to have just bought another pair after 12 years of hard use. (the old ones are still great)
Aside from that speech, many of the cheaper soles will come off the boot, especially ones that have sat on the shelf for years in a warehouse before you buy them on sale at a great price. Cheap glue degrades and fails, and soles that are not stitched will almost always fail due to age alone. Use a good contact cement to adhere them again, it's that easy. Shoe Goo used as a contact cement works great too and will extend the life of even the cheapest boots.
As everyone here can figure out, Harley Davidson is not, nor has ever been a boot company. They have had numerous manufacturers make boots for them, some good, some crap. My method is simple, the first thing you look for is the "MADE IN USA" label. If your boots are not made in the USA, you deserve whatever you get. If they are, all the manufacturers I'm aware of stand behind their product for workmanship. Lots of USA choices, and they might not be inexpensive but you get a lot of value and you save American jobs. Been wearing Red Wing Boots for years, but that's just what I happened to buy. I wear the soles off them and I'm proud to have just bought another pair after 12 years of hard use. (the old ones are still great)
Aside from that speech, many of the cheaper soles will come off the boot, especially ones that have sat on the shelf for years in a warehouse before you buy them on sale at a great price. Cheap glue degrades and fails, and soles that are not stitched will almost always fail due to age alone. Use a good contact cement to adhere them again, it's that easy. Shoe Goo used as a contact cement works great too and will extend the life of even the cheapest boots.
The following users liked this post:
J.Tours (11-08-2016)
#84
11-08-2016 | 09:18 AM
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,977
Likes: 734
From: Iowa
They won't do well if you don't wear them. The sole and the leather dries out. While you wear them the sweat is absorbed into the boot and allows it to be pliable. When it dries out for a long time and then you wear it the sole will crack and the leather will get stiff. I noticed yours cracked and broke on the right side, possibly because it was also exposed to the heat of the exhaust when you eventually wore them again. I've tried to wear my steel toes on the bike but the extra sole on the front and back make them too long for my heel toe shifter. I have another pair of HD boots and a pair of shoes that have this problem as well. I need to get measurements to see if I can put those extended arm shifters on to get a bit more room.
#85
11-08-2016 | 10:03 AM
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 474
Likes: 8
From: London, UK
i have a pair of fxrg boots. i managed to fetch the heel off one boot, but that was me forcing the boot off with the other foot, instead of undoing the laces properly.
glued it back and they are fine. i would buy another pair.
but i have seen some cheapo crap on the dealers shelf. these tend to be the leisure boot, not the riding boot.
glued it back and they are fine. i would buy another pair.
but i have seen some cheapo crap on the dealers shelf. these tend to be the leisure boot, not the riding boot.
#87
11-08-2016 | 02:57 PM
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 46
Likes: 10
From: Colorado
#88
11-08-2016 | 05:19 PM
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 419
Likes: 19
From: earth
They won't do well if you don't wear them. The sole and the leather dries out. While you wear them the sweat is absorbed into the boot and allows it to be pliable. When it dries out for a long time and then you wear it the sole will crack and the leather will get stiff. I noticed yours cracked and broke on the right side, possibly because it was also exposed to the heat of the exhaust when you eventually wore them again. I've tried to wear my steel toes on the bike but the extra sole on the front and back make them too long for my heel toe shifter. I have another pair of HD boots and a pair of shoes that have this problem as well. I need to get measurements to see if I can put those extended arm shifters on to get a bit more room.
A couple of trips to Iraq and Afghanistan kind of got in the way of wearing them.
