It looks like the Icon boots have better traction on the bottom. Both should work fine. I would try them on and see which one is more comfortable.

 

If you are going to spend that much for a Chippewa then you might consider these. It's what I wear. Partly because I have one ankle that won't flex enough to put regular boots on but I do like the aggressive tread. But I have and use a heel/toe shifter.

 

I can't see myself spending 250 clams or more on a pair of boots. I've got some Hi-Tech's that were about 80 bucks, I think, and a pair of Harley boots that were about $100.

 

Actually I don't either. Mine are copies of the Chippewa that cost $96 from Sportmans Guide. But since the OP had Chippewa that's what I showed. It's a shame American made has t cost so much but that's where we are.

 

I wear Ariat Motorcycle Boots. AWESOME waterproof comfy boots....


And, of course, discontinued.

 

My opinion on price. I work for a living in boots I need to be comfortable and safe in all day, everyday. In the steamfitter industry, we are not easy on them.. I've found over the years that I can buy one expensive, high quality boot, or 2 or 3 pairs of cheaper boots, over the same time span. So money wise, I'm breaking even. Comfort wise, the better boots win hands down. I'll buy a pair of Red Wing or Danner boots over the cheaper boots anytime. The Red Wings I'm wearing now are 5 years old and on thier second set of soles. I just cut the toe leather over the steel toe, so that'll be that for this pair. I'll buy another pair at $250. If my American neighbors were willing to work for **** pay in unsafe environments, the boots wouldn't cost so much. I'll pay more to my neighbors for quality boots, than to some child labor in a third world country pumping out questionable corporate profit **** products.

Since you asked for opinions on other boots, here is mine. For riding boots, I have several pair of my military issued boots from my Navy days. They are heavy leather, triple stitched, 8" boots. They make excellent riding boots. Built tougher than most purpose built riding boots on the market. Breaking them in is a MF'er, but after that you're golden. They might interest you. Check out surplus stores to try a pair. Don't let the cheap, surplus price make you think they're cheap. Mine are Addison brand, but this is the same boot

 

I wear HD boots made by Wolverine, were right at $100.

I have a pair of overpriced Red Wings that are 4 years old and the most uncomfortable pair of boots I have ever owned.

I used to buy the Doc Martens Airwalk boots, but they discontinued the ones I wore. Could get them on sale for $70 and they would last two seasons riding and working.

I like the HD boots because they zip up and I don't have to work hard to get them on, my gut gets in the way of bending over to tie them up.

 

Hi Tankhead, if you are looking for waterproof boots please consider this reviews of the best motorcycle boots: http://www.bikegearup.com/best-motorcycle-boots-reviews/

For my opinion, the Milwaukee Afterburner Motorcycle Boots is made of leather and also waterproof. the look design is impressive and it is comfortable to wear. I hope it could help in finding your needs.

 

Boots

I wear army boots, about $90-. They are great, a bit too warm for warmer days. Wore them at 32 F two days ago, with very warm socks.
All leather will leak eventually IMO. Maybe not on a short ride. So I use rain covers. I just do not believe most " Waterproof " claims.
The price of boots in the bike stores stops me from buying them.
In the past I have paid the extra for enduro and motorcross boots.

Unkle Krusty

 

I look for the same qualities in a work boot as I do in a riding boot. All day comfort, ankle support, traction, etc. I'll buy a set of higher quality, nice looking work boots for riding, and as my old work boots wear out, I start using the riding boots for work and buy another pair of riding boots, etc. This way my riding boots aren't all scuffed up from work. For whenever we stop somewhere nice on the bikes.

 

--

To me, the important attributes are:
1. Easy on (no laces, so Velcro is good)
2. Large opening for getting into (no solid design)
3. Plenty large enough (tight fit only necessary for rock climbing)
4. High in front (to keep wind and bugs off my legs)
5. Waterproof (combination of design and waterproofing wax)
6. Bottom tread (to prevent slips on marginal road surfaces)
7. Sections designed for shift lever
8. Fit (I want to try them on first)

Negative factors:
1. Lots of laces
2. Short height
3. High price (like over $200.)

What doesn't matter:
1. Soft texture (I'm not going hiking, just sitting on the bike)
2. Country of origin (unfortunately most are foreign--little choice)
3. Steel toe (I'm not using them in construction)
4. Famous name (I'm not planning on promoting them)
5. Ankle support (I'm not going hiking with them on)
--

 

I've been wearing Bates boots for the past four months, 4100 miles. Not a very long test, but so far they have held up well and are comfortable.

http://www.batesfootwear.com/US/en/...ot/20075M.html?dwvar_20075M_color=E02261#cgid=men-featured-best-sellers&start=1

List price is $115, but I got lucky and found them on sale locally at Dunham Sports for $75 + tax.

 

WalMart makes one almost identical for $40......thats the one I've been wearing for 3 summer riding seasons........price is down since I bought mine

http://www.walmart.com/ip/KENTIN/21998397

 

That's good to know that they have held up well, since they aren't leather (all synthetic).

 

Just glancing it looked like that boot was Harley branded. Fat chance that was by accident.

 

It says genuine leather upper, yes down below it says man made materials.....yes there are man made materials...........just about every shoe/boot will have man made materials.

In an oblique view it might look somewhat like a Harley brand......but of course everything looks like a Harley knockoff.

And yes Harley makes a very similar boot for $100.........and of course I don't know which came first.......for example my 2012 Yamaha is a knockoff of a Harley they started making in 2013.

 

You may have a previous model. The one is the link is all man-made materials.

It says genuine leather upper, yes down below it says man made materials.....yes there are man made materials...........just about every shoe/boot will have man made materials.

 

underneath where you read man made materials, click on "read more", then go back up to the picture, look to the right of the picture, it says genuine leather uppers

but of course since there is a walmart everywhere, you could just go there and look for yourself.

 

You are right - I was wrong. The listing does say "Genuine Leather Upper" when I view it on my laptop. I was unable to see that when I was viewing on my cell phone.

underneath where you read man made materials, click on "read more", then go back up to the picture, look to the right of the picture, it says genuine leather uppers

 

I just got back from Walmart, it clearly states leather uppers on the box.........however at my store they are $42, the $34 is apparently at the Corbin store, no I wouldn't go to Corbin to save $8 on boots.

walmart.com picks anywhere but here to be my store.

 

oooooooooooo, duh, I bet that $34 is the cyber price during this week.

 

I bought these. I just couldn't pull the trigger on anything else, cheap to expensive. I saw the black ones in an ad for Big 5. $30. The brown ones are waterproof for $70. I can't find any difference in the black ones from what I was wearing I got at Sears, the pair in back in the 2nd pic. But Sears no longer sells these side-zip shoes. The 2nd pic are all my riding shoes. Thanks for all the replies.

 

I test rode a set of the Walmart ones. Put the back in the box for my wife to give me for Xmas.

My leather boots wore out in two seasons. Left boot got a hole in the sole. Guess I must drag it a bit when I put it down at a stop.

 

...

My leather boots wore out in two seasons. Left boot got a hole in the sole. Guess I must drag it a bit when I put it down at a stop.

--

News Flash! You're supposed to stop BEFORE putting your foot down! :biggrin:

--

 

Thanks for the news flash. Maybe I don't put my foot straight down but slide it into place I want it after it hits the ground. Not all of us are perfect like you.

 

--

Your loss.

--

 

Heard last night a guy I ride with broke his ankle while putting his heavy cruiser away for the winter. He was wearing sneakers, he slipped, his ankle bent sideways, gravity and 800 pounds of motorcycle did the rest. "If only I had on my riding boots for ankle support." :icon_mad:
At least he has all winter to recover.

 

There is never a time to let your guard down on these big touring bikes. At least he really won't miss any riding time. But I do hope he's fairly young. These bones don't mend well after a certain age. I ended up with a bone graft for that simple fact.

 

I liked my old black ones so much cause they saved me when I went around a corner in an underground parking lot and a suburban was coming at me. I was only going maybe 3-4 MPH but it was so slick the back tire immediately slipped out from under me and my right foot got wedged, toe to heel, under the bike so it was holding up the bike from hitting the ground. I couldn't move. The guy immediately got out and pulled up the bike and swapped a story. The bike never touched cement. I never ride w/o boots. I just feel vulnerable/uncomfortable.