I have completed 2,000 km with these boots. Initially, I was very confused about choosing a good pair of riding boots.

I opted for these because I wanted something that would not look odd in public places like malls, while still providing safety during rides. That way, I would not have to keep switching footwear.

Pros:

1. They are very comfortable while riding. You do not have to overthink your foot placement for shifting gears or using the rear brake.

2. You can walk in them much more easily compared to other riding shoes. I have worn them to movies, malls, etc., and nobody can tell they are riding gear.

3. The quality of the boots feels robust for dry use, daily use, and touring.

4. They look good with riding pants and even better with normal jeans or riding jeans. So, if you have a scrambler or retro rider look in mind, these boots are for you.

5. The protectors are placed well, and the toe protector is also solidly built. From a safety point of view, they have CE rating and can sustain impact, but I hope never to practically prove it.

Cons:
(Not major negatives, but they may take some time to adjust to.)

1. Like any riding gear, there is a break-in period. You need some time to get used to the boots, although it is not very long. However, this break-in period causes wrinkles on the leather, especially around flexible areas, which you have to live with.

2. Wearing them was not easy at all. This takes the most time, especially for my left foot. There seemed to be only one particular angle that worked.

Trick I found: Loosen the shoelaces more than usual and widen the opening with your hands before wearing them.

3. In terms of wear and tear, these boots do get scratched. The scratches can happen due to gear shifting or direct contact with rough metal, rocks, and stones while riding. These scratches require maintenance.

4. Maintenance is frequent and high if you want them to last long. You need a horsehair shoe brush, a cloth, and leather cleaner/shiner. Try to clean them after every ride, as any fragments accumulated in scratched areas can become abrasive and cause more damage.

5. They are not waterproof. They can handle light rain, but you need to clean and dry them immediately once you stop or get home. However, they are not built for river crossings, heavy rain, etc.

Add-on:

Avoid using the shoe protector they provide. It creates problems while gear shifting because it increases the shoe thickness significantly. As a result, shifting gears requires much more ankle and leg movement.

A protector over the gear lever seems to be a better option.

Have a safe ride 🙂

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