I like good boots, but I have so much trouble with proper sizing that I will not take a pig-in-a-poke. I won't even consider boots unless I have physically tried them on. Even when I buy at a dealership, sometimes the fit between the same two designated sizes "feels" different. One pair fits, the 'exact' other pair doesn't.

I am fortunate enough to own three pair of differing Harley boots. I have found the quality good, but more to the point, Harley has provided replacements for even the smallest Q/C concerns.

However, since fit and comfort are important to me, I'd like a pair of Wesco boots. My computer search lists Illinois as the nearest dealer, and I might even take a jaunt there. We do have a large shoe store in a neighboring town of Black Earth called "The Shoe Box." Lots of bikers make the journey there. I have not called them, nor did I think to drive the 30 miles there during the last riding season. I'm going to do that this year.

In your travels, have any of you found a Wesco dealer near to me? If so, what is your experience with the store? Do you guys like the brand?

Suggestion:
I bought a pair of Red Wing pull on work boots with steel toe in 1986, I must have walked 10,000 miles over the years in them, finally retired them in 2007, just plain wore 'em out.
most comfy boot i ever had, I got a new pair of "motorcycle" boots a couple years ago and just not the same. The red wing store I bought my boots at moved/went out of business... or I would have just got another pair.
If you have a red wing dealer near you try a pair of them, red wing makes all the different widths in that boot. Hope it helps.

Thanks for the info.

I guess I should also mention that between Black Betty's pegs in the standard position and Spinner's slightly forward pegs, I have found a boot with a slighty bigger, taller heel a tad more secure.

(If you like to laugh, you should have seen me last year trying to put the kick stand down on the Sportster in a tight space in my garage with slippery worn out boots. The heel kept slipping off of the kick stand, and there wasn't enough space for me to brace the bike and step off! I bought a kick stand attachment so I can get to the thing now--once burnt...)

The important aspects of boots is keeping your foot on vibrating pegs, navigating on oily garage floors and holding the bike upright at stops. I found early that Vibram style soles work the best. I had a few pairs of Crawford House Frye Boots back in the day, and the bigger heel and grippy soles were perfect for riding.

My higher pair of Harley boots comes very close to that design. I also like a laced design, even with zippers. Your feet swell in the warmer weather, and the thickness of socks changes with the seasons. You can make more adjustments with laces.

Roadking,

I'm with you on the Red Wings, I've been buying them for over 30 years. If your feet ain't happy your not happy.

Ridr...Safe

Did you ever try the engineer boots red wing makes, they got the right look but I never got to try them.

No I never tried their engineer boots. Although I use to wear engineer boots that I use to buy at K-Mart believe it or not. The first pair of red wings I owned were the lineman boots with steel toe when I was 19. Shortly after I discovered I can't wear steel toed boots. I sold them to a friend who was looking for a riding boot and liked mine. I do wear engineer boots now when I ride their harley boots, don't really care for them. They were half off so I tried them.



After that I purchased the mechinist boot, I am a tin smith by trade and what this boot offered was a smooth sole which wouldn't pick up metal cut offs, screws or rivets unlike the lugged soles of other boots. I wore this same boot for the next 25 or so years. As of 3 years ago I became a HVAC mechanic, due to company changes (hey I still have a job). Since this change I wear a different boot but still red wings.



Ride...Safe

TSSUDS, being retired I bought specific boots. I own several pairs of dedicated "biker boots," but I also have worn out hiking boots to schlep around the mall.

As a younger man I once went to work in bedroom slippers because my one-and-only pair of boots was at the cobbler having the soles replaced. This was during winter in Wisconsin.

That was in 1974, and I never forgot it. I now wear good fitting boots designed for the season. Light boots during the dog days of summer, heavier boots for longer rides and taller styles for chilly days in autumn.

Below are two examples. The pair on the left is incredibly light--and waterproof. You can actually walk in them. On the right is my "standard pair" of traditional HD bike boots, the pair I wear the most.

It's funny you say bedroom slippers, because that's how I refer to wearing red wings like wearing bedroom slippers.

I was always told from when I was a young man untill present, you can tell a good boot or shoe by how light it is. And I believe that.

Ride...Safe

Back in the days when I lived in upstate NY, Kmart was the place to shop and I believe ya that you got a real good boot there. I loved those Red Wing pull on's because they were light and the sole was so friggin strong but I could still feel the shifters and brake pedal so well, and the leather was tough. I coated them with some stuff my buddy gave me and they were pretty much water proof.
My new boots are really light but they just dont have that strong feel to 'em, like if i hit something with my foot it would hurt.... those red wings though I've had sh!t flip up and crack me in the foot and it was like wow, I'm glad i've got my boots on. I can't wear those lugged soles, too thick and no feel through them.

Good points, but that's the reason I bought the Harley brand on the left side of the picture.

First, it looks like I'm a "sunny Sunday" rider now, although I ride every day. But that does not entail long trips or camp-outs, just cruising around town, visiting friends, searching bike shops for free coffee and blowing the cobwebs out of my twisted psyche.' That kind of activity screams "Sportster."

It's also during the core of our season, and that's hot humid summers. Those boots can be adjusted for ankle support, but are incredibly light weight, the lightest I've ever worn.

I think that's due to modern construction and materials. The sole has the same tread pattern as we all know, and the upper is leather. The zippers are strong and don't open during rigorous shifting or braking. That's the key here, I want good protection, both to protect my feet and ankles, but also for rain and comfort while walking. Like many of you I kept good boots for years, often having them repaired numerous times. One pair was so old that the lining was completely gone. I bought extremely heavy WigWam socks to solve that problem.

However, one of the benefits about being an old fudd is that I have a few bucks in my pockets, or I can sharpen a knife for toy money--I did that very thing last night. I like comfortable feet and jeans that fit, so now I seek them out just for the heck of it.