Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Central Pennsylvania, USA
Posts: 699
20 Years in the Army I learned Bates is a good quality name in boots.
Old commercial used to say "Pay me now, or pay me later"
Racers say a $500 boot you never use is better than a possible $10,000 ankle replacement that never works right.
My co-worker wears $250 racing boots because he also races more than he commutes to work, and his commute is mostly interstate at about 60+ MPH. VERY light, and laterally strong, does one job extremely well. He also brings in work shoes to change into, then puts to riding boots back on to go home.
I have steel toed work boots that look fairly normal so I can wear them all day. I got them for half off $100. Took a little time to get used to shifting, and some motorcycles I've test-ridden would need shifter and brake pedal lifted die to the thickness of the soles.
Mine will last ten years, but if I see a good deal on riding boots, I'll cut my losses and get something more comfortable and suited to the task of riding.
Hope this helps,