Reb
03-08-2009, 02:12 PM
I've been looking for a pair of decent quality, basic black riding boots. I ride a 25 year old Nighthawk and a Royal Enfield, so I don't want something that looks like I should be riding a sportbike. I ordered a pair of size 12 Aerostich Combat Lite boots (same as the regular Combat Touring boots, but 3" shorter) a few weeks ago. The overall fit was okay except (as is often the problem with me) it was too tight over the instep, even with the buckle loose. I sent them back and ordered a pair in size 12.5. They were better over my instep, but the overall fit was too big. They're not available in wide sizes (plus the leather felt like it would take longer than my old Army boots to break in), so I sent them back for a refund. They just wouldn't fit me right.
I tried a pair of Tourmaster Solutions in size 12, paid $117 + shipping from newenough.com. I like them. The leather is stiff right out of the box, but not overly so. There is a bit of a hard spot on the outside ankle bones, but I'm thinking it'll improve as the leather softens up. Also a bit hard on top of the big toe of each foot (especially at the rear edge of the shifter pad), but that's typical of new leather boots. It's starting to improve after wearing them just a few days.
The quality of construction and stitching appears to be very good.
I'm 5' 10", and on me, the back of the boot goes up to just under the bottom of my calf muscle.
The instep isn't too tight, if feels good. The overall fit is just a hair on the large side, but I prefer it that way. I can't stand it when my feet feel cramped. But they still feel secure. They're only available in whole sizes, so I'm pretty sure if I went down to an 11, they'd be too tight. So I'll stick with these. It's a relief to find a pair of boots in a standard size that isn't too tight over my instep.
From the reviews I've read online, some people have a hard time getting their foot through the hole into the boot. It's not enough to be a problem for me. It's just a bit of a squeeze going through, but once my foot is through the hole and into the boot, the fit is good and the slightly smallish hole makes for a good fit around the ankle. Secure, but not tight or constricted.
The sole has plenty of grip, and they fit fine under my everyday jeans. They have some flex to them, partly because of the articulated leather panels, but also because if you close the top flap without pulling it back and down to tighten it, then it doesn't close tightly around your leg (unless you have really large legs, but I don't), so there is a gap at the top front. This makes moving my foot around even easier as the top of the boot shifts a bit, but not enough to feel too loose, and so far they feel good walking around in them.
If you prefer, you can pull the top flap back and down tighter (I'll post some pics to show what I mean) so the top of the boot closes snugly around your leg. I'm wearing them this way for now as I'm spending some time walking around in them to force the ankle to flex more as I walk, so the leather in the ankle area will break in better.
I removed the large pull from the zippers. I don't find that large pull necessary to operate the zipper, and it just adds unnecessary bulk under the flap.
I've only been wearing them for a few days, and they're already feeling comfortable, although they need more break-in time. With the top flap closed in the normal position, shifting requires just a little bit of work, but it's pretty easy overall. But I've only had them a few days. Going by how they feel so far, I expect shifting will become effortless once they're fully broken-in. I'll try it with the top closed more tightly after I've gotten the ankle area broken in better with more walking.
The interior is lined with what the manufacturer claims is a "waterproof and breathable membrane". I haven't ridden in them in the rain or in hot/sweaty conditions, so I can't speak for that. But I bought them on the recommendation of some other riders, and they vouch for the manufacturer's claims. They also recommend giving them an application of mink oil just as an extra measure of waterproofing and conditioning. I'll probably do that after they're broken in. The lining is padded just enough to feel comfortable, but not enough to make them feel bulky.
I think it's a good boot for the price. I'd recommend it if you want something that looks nice, but isn't overdone with graphics, and especially if you have wide feet and have trouble finding boots to accomodate that.
Here's the manufacturer's page if you want more details...
http://www.tourmaster.com/xcart/product.php?productid=82&cat=7
Here are some pics. I had just recieved the boots when I took these pics (except for the last two), that's why they look new. By the way, the 'white' stitching is actually sort of a light gray color, and it doesn't contrast as brightly against the black leather as it appears in the pictures, that's an effect of the camera flash. I think it's an attractive boot overall...
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc22/russ5288/IMG_3063.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc22/russ5288/IMG_3071.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc22/russ5288/IMG_3064.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc22/russ5288/IMG_3065.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc22/russ5288/IMG_3066.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc22/russ5288/IMG_3072.jpg
Here's what I was referring to with the top flap (these pictures show a few days of break-in). In the normal position...
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc22/russ5288/IMG_3144-1.jpg
And pulled down to close the top of the boot tighter (they're comfortable when worn either way, so it's a matter of personal preference)...
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc22/russ5288/IMG_3143-1.jpg
I tried a pair of Tourmaster Solutions in size 12, paid $117 + shipping from newenough.com. I like them. The leather is stiff right out of the box, but not overly so. There is a bit of a hard spot on the outside ankle bones, but I'm thinking it'll improve as the leather softens up. Also a bit hard on top of the big toe of each foot (especially at the rear edge of the shifter pad), but that's typical of new leather boots. It's starting to improve after wearing them just a few days.
The quality of construction and stitching appears to be very good.
I'm 5' 10", and on me, the back of the boot goes up to just under the bottom of my calf muscle.
The instep isn't too tight, if feels good. The overall fit is just a hair on the large side, but I prefer it that way. I can't stand it when my feet feel cramped. But they still feel secure. They're only available in whole sizes, so I'm pretty sure if I went down to an 11, they'd be too tight. So I'll stick with these. It's a relief to find a pair of boots in a standard size that isn't too tight over my instep.
From the reviews I've read online, some people have a hard time getting their foot through the hole into the boot. It's not enough to be a problem for me. It's just a bit of a squeeze going through, but once my foot is through the hole and into the boot, the fit is good and the slightly smallish hole makes for a good fit around the ankle. Secure, but not tight or constricted.
The sole has plenty of grip, and they fit fine under my everyday jeans. They have some flex to them, partly because of the articulated leather panels, but also because if you close the top flap without pulling it back and down to tighten it, then it doesn't close tightly around your leg (unless you have really large legs, but I don't), so there is a gap at the top front. This makes moving my foot around even easier as the top of the boot shifts a bit, but not enough to feel too loose, and so far they feel good walking around in them.
If you prefer, you can pull the top flap back and down tighter (I'll post some pics to show what I mean) so the top of the boot closes snugly around your leg. I'm wearing them this way for now as I'm spending some time walking around in them to force the ankle to flex more as I walk, so the leather in the ankle area will break in better.
I removed the large pull from the zippers. I don't find that large pull necessary to operate the zipper, and it just adds unnecessary bulk under the flap.
I've only been wearing them for a few days, and they're already feeling comfortable, although they need more break-in time. With the top flap closed in the normal position, shifting requires just a little bit of work, but it's pretty easy overall. But I've only had them a few days. Going by how they feel so far, I expect shifting will become effortless once they're fully broken-in. I'll try it with the top closed more tightly after I've gotten the ankle area broken in better with more walking.
The interior is lined with what the manufacturer claims is a "waterproof and breathable membrane". I haven't ridden in them in the rain or in hot/sweaty conditions, so I can't speak for that. But I bought them on the recommendation of some other riders, and they vouch for the manufacturer's claims. They also recommend giving them an application of mink oil just as an extra measure of waterproofing and conditioning. I'll probably do that after they're broken in. The lining is padded just enough to feel comfortable, but not enough to make them feel bulky.
I think it's a good boot for the price. I'd recommend it if you want something that looks nice, but isn't overdone with graphics, and especially if you have wide feet and have trouble finding boots to accomodate that.
Here's the manufacturer's page if you want more details...
http://www.tourmaster.com/xcart/product.php?productid=82&cat=7
Here are some pics. I had just recieved the boots when I took these pics (except for the last two), that's why they look new. By the way, the 'white' stitching is actually sort of a light gray color, and it doesn't contrast as brightly against the black leather as it appears in the pictures, that's an effect of the camera flash. I think it's an attractive boot overall...
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc22/russ5288/IMG_3063.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc22/russ5288/IMG_3071.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc22/russ5288/IMG_3064.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc22/russ5288/IMG_3065.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc22/russ5288/IMG_3066.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc22/russ5288/IMG_3072.jpg
Here's what I was referring to with the top flap (these pictures show a few days of break-in). In the normal position...
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc22/russ5288/IMG_3144-1.jpg
And pulled down to close the top of the boot tighter (they're comfortable when worn either way, so it's a matter of personal preference)...
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc22/russ5288/IMG_3143-1.jpg