Who makes the best riding boots and gloves?
#12
I think Chipewa are the best boots money can buy for motorcycle riding. And if you care, they are still 100% made in the USA. Red Wings are nice, but IIRC they recently had some PR issues because of their "Made in America" signs -- many of them are now made in China (like the HD brand boots). Chipewas are about the same price and it's a great company.
Gloves -- very personal thing. I recently did a test where I bought about 8 brands of gloves, all recommended by forum members here or somewhere else. In the end, I liked the Rothco police gloves the best, but it's a very personal decision based on what feels good to you.
Mark
Gloves -- very personal thing. I recently did a test where I bought about 8 brands of gloves, all recommended by forum members here or somewhere else. In the end, I liked the Rothco police gloves the best, but it's a very personal decision based on what feels good to you.
Mark
#13
Red Wing has an extensive line of affordable work boots but then so do Wolverine, Chippewa, and others. I'd really like to try some White Brothers Smoke Jumpers but find the $400+ price tag a bit much for now.
I personally have a pair of Red Wing lineman and engineer boots by Chippewa; I find them both comfortable and very seviceable. Harley boots have fake Vibram soles that wear out way too fast.
Gloves? Harley branded glovers are way too expensive. I found a nice pair of thinsulite lined gloves at the local Honda shop that kept my hands warm last winter for under $30 last winter. Unknown brand.
I personally have a pair of Red Wing lineman and engineer boots by Chippewa; I find them both comfortable and very seviceable. Harley boots have fake Vibram soles that wear out way too fast.
Gloves? Harley branded glovers are way too expensive. I found a nice pair of thinsulite lined gloves at the local Honda shop that kept my hands warm last winter for under $30 last winter. Unknown brand.
#14
imo the best boots are made by Chippewa. i like the 8 inch logger boots , they have Vibram lug soles that are really great for shedding rocks. They last forever and they are extremely comfortable. As far as gloves go I couldn't tell you, I have a pair that I got at Kohls that work real well. They aren't motorcycle specific but they keep my hands warm.
I also have Danner Acadia boots. They are military black style made of leather and synthetic fabric and are GoreTex lined. The synthetic fabric keeps them lighter than an all leather boot. I use the same trick, 2 insoles and light socks for summer and the gel sole only with thick socks for winter. Again, cold, wet feet suck.
#16
Plus one on Danner.. I have two pair of Danner's.. lightweight 8 inch Stryker duty boots.. I got them for competitive shooting.. IDPA / USPSA but they work great as summer riding boots. They're light and gortex lined. I also have the 8 inch Danner Acaida boots.. bought them for shooting as well and like the other poster said, they're great for riding.. they're heavier, and not quite as flexible as the Stryker's but they provide great foot and ankle support, they are gortex and they're very comfortable.
Aside from that Cruiserworks and Chippewa both make great lineman style boots, both made the US and both are high quaility.
Finally, I have a pair of Harley FXRG boots I got on sale last fall and the truth is I wear them alot. It took some time for them to break in but once they did I've found them to be very comfortable. They're sort of like a half way boot between the Acaida and Stryker.. and as I said, I wear them alot.
Gloves.. first, I'm not big on fingerless gloves so I can't help with those since I don't wear 'em.. So as far as fingered gloves go.. I have a pair of uninsulated basic kangaroo skin glove from cabela's. They are light, and surprisingly warm when it gets cold. I also have a pair of lightweight leather perforated Harley gloves which are just exceptional as far as lightweight gloves go. For the cold I have a pair of BMW winter riding gloves with a gauntlet.. and a pair of Firstgear insulated gauntlet winter gloves. The FG gloves are the better of the two. I'm very happy with the FG's
cheers
mavrick
Aside from that Cruiserworks and Chippewa both make great lineman style boots, both made the US and both are high quaility.
Finally, I have a pair of Harley FXRG boots I got on sale last fall and the truth is I wear them alot. It took some time for them to break in but once they did I've found them to be very comfortable. They're sort of like a half way boot between the Acaida and Stryker.. and as I said, I wear them alot.
Gloves.. first, I'm not big on fingerless gloves so I can't help with those since I don't wear 'em.. So as far as fingered gloves go.. I have a pair of uninsulated basic kangaroo skin glove from cabela's. They are light, and surprisingly warm when it gets cold. I also have a pair of lightweight leather perforated Harley gloves which are just exceptional as far as lightweight gloves go. For the cold I have a pair of BMW winter riding gloves with a gauntlet.. and a pair of Firstgear insulated gauntlet winter gloves. The FG gloves are the better of the two. I'm very happy with the FG's
cheers
mavrick
Last edited by mavrickFLHR; 10-28-2009 at 04:35 PM.
#17
Whatever on the boots. If the shoe fits.... But, gloves are a serious topic. On occasion, I might be seen in the 'hood without a helmet, but never without gloves. I feel pretty good with five pair now. One pair woven back fingerless, two pair perforated leather fingerless, one pair regular leather, and one pair of Goretex, insulated, fabric gauntlets. Harley has some good gloves. Yes, they are spendy. The only pair that I would strongly recommend are the Harley gauntlet gloves with Goretex. Heaven only knows what the wife paid for them, but on a cold, wet day they make me smile.
If you've been down you know what gloves are worth. If you haven't, one day you will.
If you've been down you know what gloves are worth. If you haven't, one day you will.
#18
I wear Chippewa and love them. My buddy just bought these for $27 and he swears by them.
http://big5sportinggoods.shoplocal.c...ailerid=-98565
http://big5sportinggoods.shoplocal.c...ailerid=-98565
#19
For cold weather I've been wearing Thurlow's Deer Skin Gauntlet's for the past 25 years or so. I'm on my second pair because I wore out the lining inside the first pair. They are located in San Diego if they are still in business. If not the Chilowee Deer Skin gloves are the same it appears.
I like deer skin because you get the warmth without all the bulk.
I like deer skin because you get the warmth without all the bulk.
Last edited by BoomerBob; 10-28-2009 at 05:26 PM.