Motorcycle boots, gloves, jackets, and helmets are among the most important parts of riding gear. They are designed to prevent injuries in event of an accident and you should therefore be careful when choosing them. Unfortunately, most riders try to save costs by going for the cheapest alternatives to traditional gear. Some will choose Timberland boots because they look sturdy and they cover the ankle. But are timberland boots good for motorcycle riding? We have the answer.
While Timberland boots cover the ankle and you can lace them tightly to protect your ankle, they are not good for motorcycle riding. Below are the reasons timberland boots are not good for motorcycle riding. This guide will also help you choose the best boots for motorcycle riding purposes.
Why Timberland Boots are Not Good for Motorcycle Riding
One of the reasons timberland boots are not good for motorcycle riding is that they are designed for other purposes, such as mountain climbing and hiking. While they can cover your ankles and offer more protection than sneakers and sleepers, they are not as protective as boots designed for motorcycle riding. Again, some timberland boots are made of leather but they are very thin and are focused on fashion.
Good riding boots should withstand impacts and hold up if scraped against a concrete wall. Most timberland boots, including those marketed as work boots, cannot hold up and they can easily come apart or off when going down,
Riding boots are usually reinforced to protect the motorcycle rider in event of a fall. They, therefore, feature extra padding, particularly around the ankle, over the toes, and on the topside. Any boot without the extra protection layers, such as timberland boots, will make you more vulnerable to serious injuries in event of an accident.
Another thing that makes timberland boots dangerous when riding a motorcycle is the laces. The motorcycle has many moving parts and the last thing you would want is the shoelaces to get to the parts. For instance, if the left shoelace happens to be caught on your motorcycle’s footpeg, it will be hard to land your left foot when stopping at a stoplight. Your bike will tip over and hurt your foot or knee.
What’s more, timberland boots are not waterproof. Even though you are unlikely to ride in harsh weather conditions, there is a chance that you may get caught in a heavy downpour. In such cases, the motorcycle-riding boots should hold up.
Lastly, timberland boots are stiff and they demand breaking in. Failure to break them in will make the bike riding a tough task because you will have a problem shifting the gear and applying the rear brakes. That will cause many problems such as stalling the engine.
What about Timberland Pro-series Shoes? Are They Good For Motorcycle Riding?
Timberland Pro-series is the upgraded version of Timberland boots. The boots look tough, extra rigid, and ready for hiking in addition to helping you look 2 inches (5cm) taller. Unfortunately, they are not good for motorcycle riding. The boots are designed for hiking and heavy load work. They are therefore waterproofed, well-constructed, hard, rigid, and durable, something that makes them good for climbing hills and mountains.
The boots are very close to motorcycle riding boots due to their outer construction designs but they will not protect you in event of a crash. And because of their construction design, the heat from your motorcycle engine will damage them easily. Possibly, you would not want to invest in an expensive pair of boots that will only last for a few days.
Are Motorcycle Riding Boots Worth Buying?
Yes, motorcycle riding boots are worth buying. Data from the Motorcycle Legal Foundation show that around 50 percent of the injuries resulting from motorcycle accidents are leg injuries. That is for the reason that your feet are usually very close to the ground when riding a bike and depending on the crash circumstances, they are more likely to hit the ground first.
Foot injuries range in severity. Some accidents result in a sprained ankle, road rashes, severed toes, or even disfigured feet. The risk is usually high and the effects are long-lasting.
While wearing motorcycle riding shoes is not a guarantee that your feet will be safe in event of an accident, the impacts of the accident will be lower. Some accidents can be very bad that even the highest quality motorcycle riding boots will not save you.
If you are among the people who ride at a low speed, you should go for boots that can withstand scraping, protect you from accidental burns and prevent cuts in the event of a fall. Such boots will cost you less than $100, which is lower than hospital bills associated with serious foot injuries.
Which is the Best Type of Boot for Motorcycle Riding
Foot safety should be your top priority when shopping for the best type of motorcycle riding boots. As we have already mentioned, Timberland boots cannot compare to boots designated for motorcycle riding. Boots designed for riding purposes have additional abrasion resistance, padding, crash protection, and durability. However, distributors do not limit the buyers to a single style.
The market offers a wide range of shorter boots that can cover your ankles but are less conspicuous than most other motorcycle riding boots, such as motocross boots or touring boots that provide more protection but only work when riding a motorbike. Besides, some motorcycle riding boots designers offer boots that you can change after arriving at your destination. Put differently, if you mostly ride to your workplace, you can place a pair of shoes under your office desk and change into them after getting to work. Even though this might sound like a big hassle, you will get used to changing shoes after every ride and riding your bike safely.
When shopping for a pair of motorbike riding boots, you will come across Touring Boots, Street Boots, Racing Motorcycle Boots, and Dirt Bike Motorcycle Boots. The names show clearly that each type is made for a particular purpose and you must therefore be careful when choosing one. Selecting motorcycle boots that match your needs will help you avoid difficulty and danger when riding your bike. Also, you will find something to match your style if you are a fashion-oriented person.
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Why Motorbike Riding Boots Are Made of Leather Material
One of the things you will notice after you start shopping for a pair of motorcycle riding boots is that most of them are made of leather. Even though some boots are made of other materials, they will feature at least one central element made of hard leather. That is for the reason that leather holds up well to the wear and tear associated with riding. And because it is hard to cut through, leather will protect your feet and ankles in event of a crash.
Motorcycle riding boots also boast added protective layers, which come in form of plastic, leather padding, and metal along with oil-resistant rubber soles and slight. The purpose of this extra protection is to save the ankle, toes, and shin if an accident occurred and the oil-resistant soles and slight heels keep the feet solidly on the motorcycle pegs. Boots with toe reinforcement are also available.
Conclusion
Timberland boots are not good for motorcycle riding. They are mainly constructed for walking, hiking, or doing heavy-loaded jobs. That means you should only go for motorcycle-specific boots when riding your bike for safety and protection. The good news is you do not have to go for the expensive motorcycle boots, any boots that have a ride safe feature will provide the needed protection. The construction of such boots includes thick skin, ankle-high, comfortable, waterproof, and flexible thick soles. They are also stitched because the heat that the motorcycle engine produces can melt glue.