Red Wing 968 Motorcycle Boots

This motorcycle boot of black leather and thick, oil resistant sole has a sturdy and bold appearance! 

 

At first glance, the boot appears inflexible and heavy. One might wonder about suitability for extended wear. Will it be hot and exhausting to wear around at an all day rally or at other extended motorcycle related activities? 

 

After a closer look, any initial skepticism soon gives way to a feeling of confidence in style, materials and craftsmanship. 

 

When you wear the boot, any misgivings dissipate due to the extraordinary comfort. The boot seems to form to your foot and it is comfortable whether riding, walking, or standing.

 

 

On the outside, the engineer’s style boot has the look of confidence and perpetuates the notion that you can put your foot down and be assured that it will remain where you put it with ample support.  After five months of wear, the motorcycle boot’s black finish looks the same today as it did the first day that I put them on. If they do become soiled, a clean and dry cloth restores them to their original appearance.

 

 

The boots stand 11 and ½ inches high from floor to top of shaft and weigh 35 ozs. each.

 

Construction materials are made of heavy black water resistant, full grain leather uppers molded to fit your foot very comfortably. The soles are a slip resistant Vibram® Laramie TC-4/344 outsole with Goodyear welt construction.  There is a steel shank integrated into the sole for support and to maintain the sole’s integrity.

 

Buckles are stamped steel with a distressed surface that is stylish, but also will not deteriorate with wear and use while motorcycling. There are two buckles on each boot; one each at the instep and calf.  The buckles are adjustable for a more custom fit.

 

A Red Wing steel emblem – approximately one and ½ inches by one inch – has been placed midway on the outside of the shaft of the boots. It has no practical value but may add to the boot’s stylishness for some. 

 

Quality of craftsmanship is flawless. Parts are fitted together with seams that are uniform, consistent and double stitched. The sole is 5/8^th” thick with a one and 5/8^th” slightly tapered heel.

 

On the inside, the boot is assembled so there is only one seam between the heel and the vamp. That’s it! No other seams to create discomfort on the surface of your foot. The foot comes to rest in an AEGIS covered polyurethane removable foot bed that is breathable, flexible and durable.

 

Simply put, these boots are designed and constructed to be very comfortable!  

 

 

I have worn my Red Wing 968 boots for six months and 7000 miles and there is very little indication of wear, giving me reason to believe that they will last a long time. The leather is soft and supple, and the only thing that has changed, while I’ve worn the boots, is they have become increasingly more comfortable.

 

I have also worn this pair of boots in the rain, and my feet did not get wet.

 

If the buyer experiences a problem with the boots, the Red Wing Shoe Company warrants against defects in workmanship and materials for up to, and beyond in some instances, twelve months. In addition, you receive a Red Wing Shoe Company backed “Lifetime Tune-up,” which includes minor stitching, oiling, replacement of hardware and professional consultation.  Red Wing employees are very accommodating.

 

Price of the boot varies, however, I have been able to find a pair as low as $112.47 (club price). This is a very good price for the quality, style and comfort that I experience with the Red Wing 968 Motorcycle boots.  

 

 

Safely stopping and supporting your motorcycle while stopped may mean putting your foot down on a variety of challenging surfaces including: oily, wet, icy, gravel and/or uneven surfaces. When balancing the weight of a motorcycle, and possibly a passenger, the motorcyclist must be confident that his or her footing will be secure. The Red Wing 968 boots are constructed to provide secure footing in these circumstances and this is very valuable.  

 

During the initial months of wearing the Red Wing 968 motorcycle boots, the black dye on the inside of the boot tended to bleed onto my socks. The remedy for this seems to be to wear black socks. 

 

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