Boots on a trike?

[mingus41]

I’m new to triking and am wondering if experienced trike riders think it necessary to wear motorcycle boots while riding a trike.

I always wear boots on my two wheel rides but on a trike, where you rarely put your feet down, do you really need them? I have been using a decent pair of sneakers and they seem fine.

 

[meredog]

Can't speak to right or wrong but i too have found tennis shoes to work fine for us---my wifes boots were leaving black marks in the footwells of our trike

Would probably carry or wear boots on long trips in case we ran into rain.

 

[tfdeputydawg]

Never found the need to wear motorcycle specific boots on any motorcycle. Just never wore anything w/leather soles!
I do wear black athletic shoes in warm weather and I have some "jungle boots" I wear in cooler weather.
Here's a link to were I get my boots from:
Police Boots - Police Shoes - Police Footwear - Duty Boots - Military Boots - Police Gear - Police Equipment - Police Uniforms - Public Safety Equipment: Galls
FYI, I bought my 1st pair of Bates boots in 1998-wore them for riding only-I do a lot of miles even in cool/cold temps. Finally had to replace them a couple years ago. Ten years is good service!

 

[1800 06 Champion Trike]

We always wear tennis shoes. Also have rubber rain boots to put over them.

 

[meredog]

Are the Bates boots American Made ?

 

[tfdeputydawg]

Are the Bates boots American Made ?

Product Questions/Concerns
(866) 699-7374

 

[Ironhorsepilot]

I wear some tall zip up boots in the summer on trips because my pipes get so hot. They are the only things that save my lower leg from 2nd degree burns! I wear tennis shoes or lace up paddock boots in the cooler weather, like lower 80's . Back to tall boots in the winter to keep legs warm.

 

[trike lady]

I wear 'Roper' cowboy boots. I did see a gentleman one day riding a two wheel Wing bare foot (not smart). High top basketball shoes should work too, on a trike it's more like what are you more comfortable wearing. :yes:

 

[sprt220]

I think it comes down to protection. Your exhaust pipes put out a lot of heat and if you touch them with tennis shoes then you will not be happy.If for some bad thing you get into an accident the boots will protect you better.I have boots from Red Wing and they are very comfortable all year long. Ken

 

[Ozarkryder]

I wear Bates Enforcer series duty boots. Zip up the side so once the laces are adjusted that is that. Compsite hard toe so it doesn't hurt when I drop something on them, and mesh sides for some cooling when I put my feet out in the breeze. Most comfortable footwear I have, even better than my tennis shoes. Camping or rallies I just take them and a pair of black Crocs. (Yeah, I know, but they're comfortable so I dont care about fashion) After 5 years I changed out the original thin Bates insoles for Dr.Scholls memory foam insoles and they are even better now. They aren't waterproof, in the rain I have a pair of Choko Design rain overboots I got a the Davis Rally for $15.

 

[Big_Steve]

I wear 'Roper' cowboy boots. I did see a gentleman one day riding a two wheel Wing bare foot (not smart). High top basketball shoes should work too, on a trike it's more like what are you more comfortable wearing. :yes:

YIKES!! Here in Florida??? Oh man, the roadway gets hot in this Sun. Hope he didn't hit many red lights.

 

[Big_Steve]

I wear whatever I've got on (well, no sandals or flip-flops) And my pipes and covers are tucked back far enough that wearing shorts is no risk of getting a burn either.

 

[Scrooge]

Mingus41 - You're missing the point, Sir. Probably the most important reason to wear heavy duty, above the ankle boots is to protect your feet in the event of a crash. True, on three we are not as likely to lay a bike down, but if a cager knocks me off my trike, I would certainly like something to keep the skin on my ankles, or maybe even help keep my foot attached to my leg in a more serious collision. However, to each his own.

 

[The Wolf]

This may sound daft but I wear longer boots for longer journeys and for scouting around I wear Icon ankle boots.
If it's safety first then wear them... I have known in the past year or so of trike crashes and they were wearing rubber soles and gutties

 

[Lonestalker]

If you are really sensible you dont get out of bed, just cower
Question; Where do you draw the line ?

 

[mingus41]

Hey Wolf, by gutties do you mean sandshoes or daps?

 

[trike lady]

Big_Steve, I agree the Florida pavement gets hot, this gentleman must have some tough soles on his feet in order to ride without shoes. I wouldn't even think of riding a trike in flip-flops, yet alone bare feet.

 

[Carbon_One]

I too wear the Bates boots. In fact have two pair. One pair is the 10" lace ups and the other is 6" w/side zippers for easy on/off. Both are waterproof. If traveling any distance from home I will wear one or the other depending on temps. I do wear my walking tennis type shoes at times as well, thou that's normally for short rides about town.
Larry

 

[burny1970]

I rode a two wheeler for years and always wore boots. I've owned a Trike for 2 years now and still wear boots just for protection from road debri.

 

[John Luciano]

I wear Cruiser Works boots reason 1 I have them from my 2 wheeler days and 2 comfort and 3 waterproof

 

[msocko3]

I rode a two wheeler for years and always wore boots. I've owned a Trike for 2 years now and still wear boots just for protection from road debri.

+1, I also don't wear shorts. I've been struck by some pretty good sized rocks and other junk tossed by passing traffic. A few years back I had a dump truck coming the other direction drop a rock which hit me in the knee, the rock was the size of a golf ball. Another strange one was when the tour-pak latch on my dads bike broke and a piece of it bounced off the pavement and hit me below the left eye cutting my cheek. Did I mention I do wear safety glasses because a fairing and windshield isn't total protection.

 

[The Wolf]

Yes "gutties" are sand shoes or traing shoes

 

[mingus41]

Thanks for all the comments folks. I think I will stick to my motorcycle boots after all .... just in case.

 

[Gorilla]

Good choice.

 

[Nauga Mok]

Even though it might not absolutely necessary, I still dress pretty much the way I did when riding only 2 wheels. I've had leather, boots & helmets save a LOT of road rash!

NM

 

[Jenkinsrawhide]

I wear the Justin Wellington type boots. Easy to slip on and off. Other times I may wear an Earth Shoe or sneakers.

 

[Comanche]

Are the Bates boots American Made ?

Yes. I was wearing a pair of them when I hit a deer on two wheels going 70 MPH.

Although I rolled 4 times and had a ton of road rash, a broken shoulder and body punctures (knees and elbows, I only suffered a severe sprain on my left ankle.

I feel pretty good about endorsing the Bates company as I do the Shoei Helmet com.

I am alive because of the construction of their helmets.

I wear tennis shoes riding my trike and am wondering why I have to wear over-the ankle-boots to take a trike course. Probably to lessen their liability insurance.

 

[Big_Steve]

Since this thread appeared, I've changed my mind. I wear Dingo harness boots and long pants. I ain't a-skerred, just being realistic, now that the novelty of being back on a machine after 25 years is wearing off.

 

[Jimsjinx]

Barefoot is fun. jimsjinx (kidding!)

 

[skuuter]

I still wear Motorcycle Boots, even after goin' to a Trike...same for Motorcycle Jacket, Gloves, etc. ......What I wear on the Trike really wouldn't matter as long as I remain "ON" the Trike...I still remember a few instances I parted company with my motorcycles, and "motorcycle gear" was my Best Friend. I did/do on rare occasion putt around in Towns like Townsend, and the TRIKE TALK RALLY in Maggie Valley with a Helmet/Boots only on the Trike at the low speeds there, and super heat this year. The Trike does get rid of a few "low speed drop" issues, but (IMO) Helmets, Gloves, Boots are pretty important if the Ride doesn't go as planned...They cover the "usual" first touch-down body areas.....

"Dress for the Wreck, not the Ride" still always seems to creep into my head when gettin' ready to ride......