Looking on the Indie Ridge website, something just a little irksome... all of their boots are $195, and they offer free shipping over $200. Really?
I called the local number, and spoke with Stephanie. She mirrored what the website says, order your typical shoe size and they should work fine.
They don't offer a walk-in showroom, but their location is in Montclair, on the way to one of my typical work pickup runs. She said that they'd make an exception for me if I called ahead to come in and try a pair on and buy direct. Next time I can work it into a run, I'll try to make it happen!
(07-07-2026, 10:15 AM)peterbaron Wrote: Gone, the boots static-story is getting too long, put them on and start riding, so we can read how comfy these are..
I like all your stories, you are our best forum’s poet ‼️
Guess I'm a poet and didn't even know it. Also didn't realize that abject frustration about boots would take on a shakespearian vibe, but I'll take it.
Wrapped up work early today, after tweaking on #1, recovering her seat and tuning up my rider handbook that I prepared for our trainees. Needed to stretch my legs and went for a bike ride to the local Honda/Kawi dealer to see if they had boots, and meh, just super cheap stuff. The BMW dealer across the street had boots... BMW makes some magnificently expensive boots. I told the salesman I was just browsing and that I couldn't find anything comfortable. He suggested I buy new boots and take them to a cobbler to have them stretched. Huh. Haven't heard the word cobbler in a long time, at least without a reference to apples. Made one more swing to the Speed Addicts store also within pedalling distance, and tried a few, but too narrow.
Then the phone pinged and I got my route assignments for tomorrow, and lo and behold, I'll have time to swing by Indie Ridge on the way. I called to see if I could stop by in the morning and the guy I spoke with said he'd have a few pairs out for me to try. He reminded me that they're not a showroom and to "not expect too much" in the way of aesthetics. I'd buy good boots out of the trunk of a car in the hood at this point.
So, we'll see how it goes. Realized that I don't have cargo room on the blood bike for a boot box. So, bringing an assortment of bungie cords to lash a boot box to my specimen containment Pelican box if the stars do align. Not getting my hopes up yet.
07-07-2026, 07:59 PM (This post was last modified: 07-07-2026, 07:59 PM by Gone in 60.)
Ok, this might be funny... I'm hearing that I might have a trainee riding joining up with me at the first pickup point. If the boots work out, I'll have to explain that I don't normally lash spare boots to my bike.
Oh now that would be funny. While my boss is a very friendly guy, I haven’t pushed the practical joke buttons yet. Might backfire on me. It has happened with an old boss and you know what they say, “don’t touch a hot stove twice.”
Besides - my trainee rides a Guzzi. He might be too sophisticated to fall for such a sophomoric prank.
(07-08-2026, 07:19 AM)the Ferret Wrote: in the old days we used to say you could tell if a guy was a Guzzi rider because he tucked his pant into his boots
See, now that sounds sophisticated, right? He showed up for his demo ride on a sweet dark blue V7 Classic. Can’t remember if his pants were tucked in.
I will say the boss fawned over my CB1100 more than this guy’s V7. But no word on a meetup, so I guess the guy isn’t available for today.
There’s a boot discussion going on the BMW forum as well, and when the topic of the danger of a laced boot came up, someone suggested this:
07-08-2026, 12:39 PM (This post was last modified: 07-08-2026, 12:42 PM by Gone in 60.)
Indie Ridge for the win!
David, thank you very much for your post on this brand and your recommendation.
i swung by their location on my way to my first pickup this morning. Stephanie saw me pull up on the yellow Beemer and waved me in to their front office.
In my call yesterday I told her that I was interested in the “Knight” style and gave my size. She had two pairs of them out on a table for me to try, and sure as their website says, 10.5, my normal tennis shoe size, fit like a glove. Like one Reddit reviewer commented, it was like little leprechauns had made them just for me.
She said that she figured I’d be coming on a bike, so she didn’t have a box out but offered one to me. No need, it was clear in an instant that these are keepers.
Purchase completed, I tucked them into the side case and headed to my first pickup. I was early, so I slipped them on and figured I’d start breaking them in while waiting patiently in the hospital research area.
Only thing I just had to do was re-lace them. It’s weird what specific things you take away from life experiences. I retain no military bearing whatsoever, but as if through Pavlovian conditioning I still need to lace all of my shoes and boots the way the Drill Instructor beat it into me… “Outboard over inboard, no bridge!”
I can’t even remember what that means but it looks like this. Still waiting here at the hospital, and it feels like angels are circling around my feet, gently caressing them.
David, thanks for the tip on some kick- butt boots.
