leather boot care

[pdedse]

We've got 10 straight (and beyond?) days of rain forecast.  I think my willingness to ride in rain diminishes each year, particularly if it's on routes and roads I've ridden for years.  I don't mind so much the rain during a multi-day road trip, it's part of the game.  

So rainy days become, hmmm, what to do days.  

I bought a pair of Thorogood 6" boots about 12 years ago.  They've been resoled once but are great for cool to warm weather riding and I like them because they are decent for hiking, which I like to combine with mc riding when I can.  Cleaning, aquaseal and polish bring them back to life and make them decently water resistent.  The dark brown will lighten up over a few days.

 

[Cormanus]

That's a good thing to do with a rainy day.

 

[the Ferret]

I haven't liked taking off in the rain for a couple of years now. Don't mind getting caught in it, as you said part of the game, but standing in the living room staring out the front window watching it rain while thinking about going for a ride is no longer fun.

 

[Cormanus]

Could not agree more.

 

[Gone in 60]

I like polishing boots and shoes. I think it’s a weird holdover from having to polish them for inspections.

 

[Nachodaddy]

Rain?

 

[pdedse]

Rain?

It's that stuff that falls from the sky once in a blue moon for you Phoenicians; you know, when it's not sunny...about 25 days of the year there's a chance it may happen...but likely won't.  It's not dry.  It kinda feels like when you sit near your terrace misters, or walk near your neighbor's sprinkler system who's desperately trying to hang on to some vestiges of grass like they had back north.

 

[Gone in 60]

I have a very easy plan for my regular Tourmaster riding boots. When I detail one of my bikes, and have a rag soaked in protectant leftover after going over my RLETs and other rubber bits, I wipe down my leather boots. Keeps them nice. For my pair of brown work boots that is reserved for riding to social settings like meeting up with friends, I'll break out my shoe polish kit.

 

[pekingduck]

Rain?

It's that stuff that falls from the sky once in a blue moon for you Phoenicians; you know, when it's not sunny...about 25 days of the year there's a chance it may happen...but likely won't.  It's not dry.  It kinda feels like when you sit near your terrace misters, or walk near your neighbor's sprinkler system who's desperately trying to hang on to some vestiges of grass like they had back north.

That's sort of like snow.  Here in So Cal. it comes in paper cones, with flavored syrups on it.  
Can't imagine it falling from the sky - wouldn't the syrup make the ground sticky?  :huh:

---

 

[pekingduck]

I've used a pair of Keen hiking boots because when I get somewhere, they're comfortable to walk around in, especially since I often wear cargo shorts underneath my Aerostich pants.  Best $100 spent on gear (10 years ago).  Since then, I've made some upgrades.  A local shoe repair did them all for less than $50.[attachment=896]

First, a toe pad for more comfort on upshifts, since the leather was getting softer.
Next, added a zipper on the sides so I don't have to tie the laces each time.
Lastly, I added a strap across the face so that the lacing won't untie, especially with the Aerostich pants always rubbing them loose.
[attachment=898]

 

[Cormanus]

Nice one pekingduck. The strap to cover the loop in the laces is a great idea. I've had laces loops catch on brake levers, shifters and feeler pegs which can be a tad embarrassing.

 

[pdedse]

I've used a pair of Keen hiking boots because when I get somewhere, they're comfortable to walk around in, especially since I often wear cargo shorts underneath my Aerostich pants.  Best $100 spent on gear (10 years ago).  Since then, I've made some upgrades.  A local shoe repair did them all for less than $50.

First, a toe pad for more comfort on upshifts, since the leather was getting softer.
Next, added a zipper on the sides so I don't have to tie the laces each time.
Lastly, I added a strap across the face so that the lacing won't untie, especially with the Aerostich pants always rubbing them loose.

Nice! You should design your own brand of mc boot and go full-on with production.

 

[rdprdp01]

Great enhancements! Thanks for sharing this tips. David

 

[pekingduck]

Nice one pekingduck. The strap to cover the loop in the laces is a great idea. I've had laces loops catch on brake levers, shifters and feeler pegs which can be a tad embarrassing.

Yes, I've downshifted from neutral into 1st at a stop before.  But at least it wasn't as embarrassing as my friend Petey, who somehow got his pant leg (bell bottoms - it was the '70s, man) over the kickstarter on his RD350, came to a stop, and fell over.  In front of a rather large crowd at the Rock Store.