Riding boots for a WIDE foot

[jeff10236]

I posted this on another forum without much feedback, hopefully you all can help:

I have a very wide foot- EEEE but I can get away pretty comfortably with many EEE shoes or boots (depends upon the cut). It is nearly impossible to find shoes at the store, and few companies make shoes or boots that wide.

Finding purpose made riding boots has been impossible so far. The widest I've seen is EE. When I was younger I was dumb enough to go with EE when I couldn't find EEE or EEEE, and my feet suffered (not just uncomfortable, but I've had foot problems as a result).

I have not seen any EEE or EEEE motorcycle boots, at least not in the price range I've been searching (under $200). I hear that most riding boots are reinforced in places for added protection, but if they won't fit they aren't really an option.

How well will combat boots or work boots work? I have a pair of combat boots I was issued back in 1989, I won't use those since the sole would be too slippery on oily surfaces (like roads) but they were definitely sturdy. Since zappos.com (a good source for wide footwear) was out of most EEE and EEEE workboots I ordered a pair of Navy approved 6" all leather boots. They have a steel toe (I don't know how much extra protection that would be, but I really want a steel toe), and an oil resistant/slip resistant "durashock" Bates/Vibram sole. They are lace up (I plan to tuck the laces). If they aren't suitable, the sooner I know the better (with shipping, ordered direct from Bates they are running me almost $200). I'm not worried about the quality- I have a pair of old Bates Lites oxfords that I finally retired a couple years ago after well over 15 years when the leather (they have not been properly taken care of for several years) started to rot, otherwise the structure of the shoe was still sound.

I wanted all leather for a little extra ankle protection in case of an accident. Will leather in a combat or work boot really be that big an advantage over ballistic nylon (the Bates leather/fabric combat boots use ballistic nylon, or Gore-Tex)? If not, I will exchange them, the nylon boots can save me nearly $100, and can be had with a zipper (so I can more permanently weave the loose laces into themselves and not bother tying and untying).

How wide are the Harley Davidson and other brands' "wide" boots? Does anyone actually make a EEE riding boot at a reasonable price? Are there any dedicated riding boots that will work for me?

[sarnali2]

Well all it takes is money........Westco Shoes custom makes boots to fit anyone, they're hand made of the highest quality and of course cost a fortune, for a little cheaper option try UnionBootPro.com, they make a variety of different style work boots and carry larger sizes, there's probably something there that will work for you.

As far as motorcycle specific boots you're probably out of luck I'm afraid, I wear 13EE's and about the only thing I found was SIDI ON-Roads and Aerostitch Combat Touring Boots which are made by SIDI. Not cheap but you get what you pay for......

[seruzawa]

Yeah well the people who make motorcycle boots will go on and on about how superior they are but IMHO it's mostly hot air.

There's no real reason to worry about whether your boots say "motorcycle" on them or not. I've been using jump boots forever. They last a long time and cost a lot less. Just have new soles put on your combat boots and you'll be just fine. The combat boots I was issued in Nam in 1968 I used for riding until 1985. I had them resoled twice. Put a couple hundred thousand miles and one serious crash on them. Engineer boots work just fine also. No need to be fancy.

[pushrod]

I'm a Bates hater myself. I spent WAY too much money on their crappy shoes because they were the Navy's selected vendor.

To me, "corfam" is a four-letter word.

Jeff, I think you'd have better luck with work boots. Non-steel toe, but with Vibram soles and enough height to protect your ankles.

Last I looked, Harley boots (at least some of them) are made by Wolverine.

Combat boots have no ankle (crush) protection to speak of. And you really don't want boonie stompers, 'cause the tread lugs will snag, like on the footpegs.

[jeff10236]

I found two manufacturers who make several styles of motorcycle boots at reasonable prices ($150 or less) in EEE widths at Boot Barn (Boots at bootbarn.com: Cowboy Boots, Western Boots, Motorcycle Boots & Much More!). Does anyone know about Boot Barn? I don't want to give them my credit card if they are a fraud, and I don't want to buy from someone who is for real but has poor service, and I know nothing about them. At least, even if I don't buy from Boot Barn, I know I may be able to find something that fits in a motorcycle boot- just look for Double H or Boulet brand names.

Originally Posted by sarnali2

Well all it takes is money........Westco Shoes custom makes boots to fit anyone, they're hand made of the highest quality and of course cost a fortune, for a little cheaper option try UnionBootPro.com, they make a variety of different style work boots and carry larger sizes, there's probably something there that will work for you.

Hmm, Westco looks interesting, but even the stocked boots (go to EE in size) are near $500 and for custom boots that would fit me it came out to over $600. Yeah, that will have to wait.

Originally Posted by pushrod

I'm a Bates hater myself. I spent WAY too much money on their crappy shoes because they were the Navy's selected vendor.

To me, "corfam" is a four-letter word.

Jeff, I think you'd have better luck with work boots. Non-steel toe, but with Vibram soles and enough height to protect your ankles.

Last I looked, Harley boots (at least some of them) are made by Wolverine.

Combat boots have no ankle (crush) protection to speak of. And you really don't want boonie stompers, 'cause the tread lugs will snag, like on the footpegs.

The Bates I bought (and I'm considering returning) is a 6" boot with a Vibram sole. The sole is more of an indoor sole (Navy approved I guess v. Army or Marine tromping through the swamps type boots) so it shouldn't catch on anything. Also, the shorter boot is a style that I could easily get away with wearing at work on days I decide to ride to work. It does just barely cover my ankle though.

Why don't you like Bates? The one pair of shoes from them I had lasted a long time (had I polished them and conditioned them once in a while the last 5 years I had them they may have lasted forever). They also fit a wide foot decently. They can be expensive though ($180 before shipping for my boots).

Here is the boot: Footwear | 6" US Navy DuraShocks® Steel Toe Boot


Why no steel toe? It may provide a tiny bit of protection from road hazards and I don't see a big disadvantage. Is it just that there is no advantage and it isn't needed, or is there some reason you would actively avoid a steel toe?

Originally Posted by seruzawa

Yeah well the people who make motorcycle boots will go on and on about how superior they are but IMHO it's mostly hot air.

There's no real reason to worry about whether your boots say "motorcycle" on them or not. I've been using jump boots forever. They last a long time and cost a lot less. Just have new soles put on your combat boots and you'll be just fine. The combat boots I was issued in Nam in 1968 I used for riding until 1985. I had them resoled twice. Put a couple hundred thousand miles and one serious crash on them. Engineer boots work just fine also. No need to be fancy.

I've thought about buying jump boots (regular, or with a zipper) but I probably won't. I joined the Reserves while in high school (in 1989) so I was able to go to drills for about 8 or 9 months before basic. It was an Airborne unit so I had drilled into me that jump boots were only for those who had graduated from Airborne school. I had them out there as one of the rewards for when I finished. Well, I had a bad ankle and never made it to Airborne school. Sure, I'm a civilian now so it really doesn't matter, I could wear them if I wanted. However, because of that prior experience, I'd feel odd wearing jump boots since I didn't earn the right to wear them (and it was really drilled into me that jump boots were a privilege that you had to earn).

As for my combat boots I already have, they don't fit very well. They are EE (when I was younger I'd squeeze in sometimes, and they didn't have wider in stock, and you don't tell your Reserve unit's angry E6 supply sergeant no a second time when he says to take them they are the best he can do when you are an E1 who hasn't even been to training yet). So, even if the sole was better, I don't think I'd want to use them as more than a stop-gap (I haven't worn them for several years since my feet started giving me trouble from sometimes wearing footwear that is too narrow).

[sarnali2]

What happened to Boondockers, they finally got rid of those eh? they were like strapping planks on your feet. These don't look too bad.

[Buzglyd]

Boot Barn is a retail chain and in all the shopping malls out here.

[jeff10236]

Originally Posted by Buzglyd

Boot Barn is a retail chain and in all the shopping malls out here.

Cool thanks. I'll just have to decide if I want to return the Bates boots I bought and get a pair of the Double H or Boulet boots in EEE from them, or if I may just bookmark them for next time.

[pushrod]

Jeff,

The steel toed boots tend to have a big toe, which can complicate your relationship with the shift lever.

[James317]

Originally Posted by jeff10236

I posted this on another forum without much feedback, hopefully you all can help:

I have a very wide foot- EEEE but I can get away pretty comfortably with many EEE shoes or boots (depends upon the cut). It is nearly impossible to find shoes at the store, and few companies make shoes or boots that wide.

Finding purpose made riding boots has been impossible so far. The widest I've seen is EE. When I was younger I was dumb enough to go with EE when I couldn't find EEE or EEEE, and my feet suffered (not just uncomfortable, but I've had foot problems as a result).

I have not seen any EEE or EEEE motorcycle boots, at least not in the price range I've been searching (under $200). I hear that most riding boots are reinforced in places for added protection, but if they won't fit they aren't really an option.

How well will combat boots or work boots work? I have a pair of combat boots I was issued back in 1989, I won't use those since the sole would be too slippery on oily surfaces (like roads) but they were definitely sturdy. Since zappos.com (a good source for wide footwear) was out of most EEE and EEEE workboots I ordered a pair of Navy approved 6" all leather boots. They have a steel toe (I don't know how much extra protection that would be, but I really want a steel toe), and an oil resistant/slip resistant "durashock" Bates/Vibram sole. They are lace up (I plan to tuck the laces). If they aren't suitable, the sooner I know the better (with shipping, ordered direct from Bates they are running me almost $200). I'm not worried about the quality- I have a pair of old Bates Lites oxfords that I finally retired a couple years ago after well over 15 years when the leather (they have not been properly taken care of for several years) started to rot, otherwise the structure of the shoe was still sound.

I wanted all leather for a little extra ankle protection in case of an accident. Will leather in a combat or work boot really be that big an advantage over ballistic nylon (the Bates leather/fabric combat boots use ballistic nylon, or Gore-Tex)? If not, I will exchange them, the nylon boots can save me nearly $100, and can be had with a zipper (so I can more permanently weave the loose laces into themselves and not bother tying and untying).

How wide are the Harley Davidson and other brands' "wide" boots? Does anyone actually make a EEE riding boot at a reasonable price? Are there any dedicated riding boots that will work for me?

I suggest you to try http;//www.bikeapparels.com/.

They have a good range of boots in EEEE size. You will find your boots here.