I wholeheartedly recommend Daytona. Seriously, these are the nicest boots I have ever had. In terms of protection, I guess no boot on the planet equals their Evo line, but they are out for long distance touring. Their touring models also have an extremely good reputation for protection (just look at the boot scheme/components on their website), but they are superbly comfortable. I couldn't understand what the rave with Daytona was until I bought mine. I forgot the precise name, I think they are Touring Star GTX or Travel Star GTX. Fully waterproof, breathable and very comfortable. I can hike around in these all day, and they have even made a short appearance in a village disco ;-)

If you think the GTX models might be too hot, then look at the waterproof XCR models. These are very light, even more comfortable than the regular boots, still waterproof and safe, and even a bit cheaper.

Re protection, I would definately get a boot that covers your shins too, and has at least adequate ankle protection on both sides, anything else is a little silly imho.

Hi Andy - I think you misunderstood? - I meant because these boots are stiff, they will offer more protection than regular road/touring boots.

I can appreciate what Sirakor is saying regarding shin protection, but the reality (I've found) is that these Tech 2s offer more than enough protection for the sort of journey you're undertaking - you're not going to be riding full-on off-road race speed/terrain on your trip I imagine - and the comfort on long road stretches and off the bike will be far more appreciated I expect?

I recently wore these every day for 23,000 miles across the USA and back these last six months - desert, snow, rain, sun, mud, slickrock (in Moab), even the Rubicon trail - unless you were very unlucky, I'd say you've got more than enough protection... of course you might be unlucky, but then if you were worried about every eventuality, you'd probably be staying at home anyway...?

I know most Alpinestars are available in US size 6 (UK 5), but if your other half is only a UK 4 (37), she might want to try a pair, or even consider their Youth range of boots?

I'm not saying they are perfect, I'm just saying they were perfect for me - and I imagine would suit your trip very well too...

xxx

Such subjectivity dealing with gear! But, we have worn Frey Daytonas for about 15 years now. Never kept a boot that long. Mine: Trans Open (46), wife's Traveler (36). Both Gore-Tex. We have been in mud, rain, snow, high heat, beyond cold and never an issue anytime, and the boots still look great, leather is in unreal (almost like new) condition. 22-days of rain to Prudhoe Bay, AK, 14-Days in Patagonia (and snow) and never a leak. Comfortable to ride or walk in.
HOWEVER, we each have broken a foot in them. In a China sandwash I flipped a GS1150 on her foot, and in the high dirt passes in Colorado I dropped a Dakar Elefant on mine. The only thing that would have survived either crash would have been MX boots which are all but impossible for me to walk in on big trips. SO it is a compromise, anyway you go.
Good luck with your process.
Allen.

When you place "protection" in the top two positions on your priority list, I think you're describing motocross boots, not any variety of shorter road boots. The distinction between on and off road is sometimes an illusion anyway---and this is true in North America as elsewhere (although there are far more options here, so you're not generally stuck with hundreds of miles of bad roads unless as a result of choices you've made deliberately).

On the other hand, I don't own road boots, so I haven't dropped anything on them no matter what the quality of "road." I have had the opportunity to compare the sensation of a dual sport dropped gently on a hiking (trekking) boot with the same bike dropped in the same manner on a motocross boot, and one is distinctly less painful--and damaging--than the other.

Apparently there do exist waterproof boots, but I haven't experienced this either. Mine collect water very efficiently, and hold it bucket-like until I stop and pour it out. The answer is overboots. Skip the goretex socks, since they don't really add anything (in my view). If desperate to make your feet feel even more shriveled, clammy and/or smelly, use plastic bags over your socks (old mountaineering trick).

Hope that helps.

Mark

I was also thinking about the Daytona Boots as I've heard a lot of good things about them. As far as the MX boots are concerned I don't know if they won't be a little over the top in our case. I'm sure we won't be able tp stay on tarmac all of the time but then again when we don't we will take it slow and easy. I'm concerned that if we go for the MX boots we'll realize at some stage that we don't really need them that much. We want to take our time and take it easy most of the time on the trip.

I think that we'll try soem MX, Daytonas and Alpines Tech 2 boots and see what best fits and feels.

If the MX are comfy enough maybe we'l lgo for them.

A lot of trying on ahead of us I guess

Thanks for advice!
Stay Safe!
Gosia and Andy

__________________

I've been riding for the last couple of months in THOR Quadrant ATV boots


for the last couple of months and I reckon they're a pretty good touring boot. As you can see they've got a proper walking boot sole, and they're that bit more flexible for walking in. I can't say what the protection's like because touch wood I've not needed it yet, but I do find them very comfy, and I can just about get my cargo pants over the top too if I want to blend in a bit.

__________________

I have been using Oxtar (TCX) Infinity boots for a while. They are really nice motorcycle boots and they are very comfortable while walking and riding.

My husband had the Altberg Hogg all weather for our last trip in South America and he was very hot in warm countries. (what I had was so poor in quality it is not worth mentioning!)

However Altberg does the Hogg light and Hogg Microlite version. It's got no waterproof membrane which makes it much cooler.

Also they can be used as hiking boots as has been mentioned so very convenient. At under 150 pounds, and top notch quality it is a no brainer. When I came back from SA I snatched a pair.

__________________
Maria

www.franglais-riders.com

Here comes the weekend!!

We've got some trying on to do and hopefully we'll be able to get our heads round the subject a little.

Stay safe!
Gosia and Andy!!

__________________

Some say you cannot walk in bike boots for long, let alone all day. I have never had this problem. It helps that my legs and feet do not feel hot easily, but I have worn boots all day, day in day out, so it is possible.

I had Hein Gericke GTX boots for our trip; dropped the bike in some sand (a GS) which made an attempt to insert its foot peg into my calf. I was protected by my trousers but the boots were just a bit too short. Result was bloody sore and a pledge to buy MX boots on my return. the calf returned to normal size and I bought some Alpinestars Tech 3s.

VERY comfortable. Down side is that loo paper is more waterproof, and wet feet the next day is not nice. I also bought some Daytona Trans Open GTX. Also slipper-comfort on request.

Personally, if you do not suffer in the heat much, I say got for proper boots:Afterall they are there to protect you if you bin it, not to look good, so you'll be glad you had them if you do. If not, trip comesto an abrupt, premature halt, if you're unlucky. Once broken in, I'm lucky that I forget I'm wearing them!

__________________
Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)

Seems these people don't think they're good to walk in:

Alpinestars Tech 2 Boots - Read Reviews and Buy at KneeDraggers.com

I have the Bandog all weather. Similar to the Hogg but the sole has a softer layer in the midsole. I would happily use them to walk up a mountain as they are even more comfortable than my hiking boots. On a bike trip this means one less bulky thing to carry.

I have used them for commuting, every day since september, and on a trip down through France to Spain at Easter, taking in some mild off-road when we got there. I did not take any other footwear and this proved a good decision, although if it was summer I would take a pair of sandals as well. They have never leaked and the protection is at least as good as any road or psuedo off-road boot.

For full on dirt I stick to motocross boots but have never found a motocross boot that keeps my feet remotely dry or is comfortable off the bike.

If you have money , and want excellent safety, waterproofness, and climate control, try Vendramini Desert Alp Elephant boots , also magic to walk in , you get what you pay for!

Sealskinz socks are very good for keeping your feet dry...

sealskinz.com waterproof socks and gloves clothing from porvair international

i would suggest that for a rtw trip you would have to decide straight away if you are looking at wearing the best protection(motorcross boots) on your feet in the event of an off. rtw by its very nature will mean driving in all sorts of conditions on all sorts of surfaces for which its best to be prepared.from my own experience thankfully, crashes, collisions,fall offs can be survivable because of the gear you wear .i learned very quickly what my priorities were and now suit up accordingly right down to my sidi crossfires.i get hot and melt in the hot weather but hell thats why bars were invented so hot and bothered bikers could cool down.ps sandals and flip-flops are for wearing in the bar.cheers