good year welted boots for cycling and city
Hello so I am looking to buy a pair of goodyearwelted boots for casual use, occasional biking through the city (1 to 3 miles), walking to stores and occasional trips out. I was hoping I could get some recommendations on what brands/style to look for. I have a budget of 200 to 400 dollars for the boots. I would prefer to buy or try them in person over ordering online and am near nyc.
Due to biking I would prefer something that isn't to stiff the upper doesn't go that far past my ankle so I can peddle. First time posting
52 Replies
Chukkas/desert boots? Suede blucher boots of various sorts? Unsure how suede might hold up against likely abrasion with bike.
I will checkout chukkas. I think suede would proably get ruined due to biking
hmm maybe something like this.
any brands you recommend?
I would probably suggest you sort of ... hmm. Pretend you're biking and sort of figure out where your foot bends and how, right? If the boots are tall enough, most "grain" leather will be stiff enough to make this somewhat of a problem. "Flesh" leather (suede, nubuck, chamois, roughout) will be softer, but easier to ruin from abrasion. The harder the leather, the more durable it should be against abrasion, but the worse it will be for your ankle to flex as you bike. Right?
That said, if I think about most of the standard leathers used... okay, so let's say no suede or similar. I might guess no calf, it will be flexible but probably too easy to damage. I might guess no shell cordovan, once you gouge it it'll never be the same again and it's also stiff as hell. Where does that leave us? Adult cattle of various sorts (eg, chromexcel, pull-up). Possibly other animal leather - I am not super familiar with horse (other than shell cordovan), kudu, pig, deer, goat, etc, but I assume people make shoes out of all of the above. I would however avoid exotic stuff like ostritch, lizard, etc, it probably won't do well.
I would probably narrow my choices down to various cattle and possibly horse. Given pricing requirements, I am not sure any horse is likely to get there (from a good quality, well known brand), due to the economics of how many horses are slaughtered vs cattle. So, cattle: chromexcel, pull-up, etc? Those should be flexible enough and durable enough.
I think you'll still end up getting some abrasion marks, but you can either sort of just appreciate the patina, or spend an hour every month (or whatever) cleaning + polishing to hide them as much as is feasible.
For desert boots and chukkas, to me the obvious choices would include Clark's on the lower end, and Allen Edmonds on the higher end (but don't pay full price for them, they're regularly on sale or offer factory seconds or whatever.) Obviously there's a lot of stuff at well over $400 but within the budget AE is fairly high end. Other options might include Meermin. Unsure if options like Tricker's, Carmina, Vass, TLB, etc fit into the budget, I haven't priced out desert boots or chukkas from those. (Which BTW are almost the same exact cut of boot, the main difference is largely the materials and the formality from them, and variations on shape, color, etc, not to mention sole attachment tends to be GYW from more expensive brands and Blake or cemented from lower end.)
For a taller boot, I would look at ... let's see, within that budget, Meermin, Allen Edmonds... maybe some of the newer companies that make more affordable stuff based in Asia (India, etc.) I don't think most others would fit within the budget at new-retail pricing
I wouldn’t worry about height too much. Anything that’s not like a crazy high military boot is gonna be totally fine for cycling short distances like that ime
The usual add-on info about pricing is this: There are a lot of second-hand shoes available, in various condition, including new-in-box, new-without-box, like-new, etc, that sell at a massive discount vs new MSRP. Whether you want to buy them is up to you. I tend to go for secondhand shoes to figure out what I like, then when I get the budget and desire for it I'll buy new, or worn-once-or-twice shoes, at a higher price. Good boots and shoes are expensive and I don't feel like paying $$$ for anything but my absolute favorite, nailed-the-fit pairs, if that makes sense. The other reason I bring that up is -- well, if you're gonna (as I suspect) abrade and scratch the shoes when biking, then I'd probably want to start with a pair of boots that already has a lot of depreciation built in, you know what I mean? I'd rather spend $150 on a pair of alden boots with a fair bit of wear to them, and then beat them up, than spend $400 on a brand new pair of AE boots and then beat them up. But I've never biked with good boots so I may be totally overthinking how much you're gonna scratch them. (And if I am overthinking it, suede and other flesh-side leathers will be way more comfortable to bend as you move your foot.)
Yeah I guess also 1 to 3 miles isn't too far. Good point jp
I am big into buying used gear, hell half my computer setup is used. I am a bit nervous on buying boot uses since well this is new for me and well I know less about what I am looking for.
Good to know, I was trying on various boots at thursday last night, and while they felt alright. I wasn't sure if I could peddle comfortably in them. I would add that I tend to value durability over appearance.
@gimp thank you for such a long and indepth reply, you gave a lot to think about and consider.
Yeah, the strategy is:
1. Go to stores
2. Try on stuff. Figure out what's comfortable to walk around the store in, and guess as to comfort for biking (you can't really go biking then return them, they're used shoes at that point)
3. Write down all the good fits, bad fits, etc. Note it all
4. If you see good deals in stores, buy retail. They did after all let you come in and try shit.
5. If you don't see good deals, buy online. Definitely look for secondhand-but-new, and depending on your level of willingness, look all the way down to well-worn-but-lots-of-life-left.
Fair, that does tend to my strategy for my ski gear.
The most outright durable GYW boots within your budget might be red wings
hesistant on reds due to lack of grip.
Oh, really? No lug soles etc? Hum
Thursday is.... as I tend to put it, they sell a $200 GYW proper-leather boot at a fair price. $200 is a lot of money but when you look at GYW / higher end blake stitched / other well made, proper leather boots, $200 is pretty much entry level. Just an economics thing, if you look at the cost of proper leather, even if you assume all manufacturing done in places with the lowest labor costs, add up things like shipping (multiple times), design costs, various costs of doing business like inventory and returns and such, it's just really hard to get much under a $200 MSRP
In other words, they're not going to be the "most [anything]" other than "most well priced if you want decent make" (or close to it)
Some people will care the specific causes their CEO donates to and champions, which puts them off a lot of folk's list. That's your personal choice
I am fine with uping the budget for somethign that will end up being more durable and last longer. I do alot of skiing and well am used to paying for high quality goods and dealing with pricing games.
I wonder if there's some threads out there, intersection of biking x GYW boots. Certainly both are hobbies with seriously-into-it folk, there must be an intersection with good recommendations, better than what I know
Problem is if everyone says to get viberg service boots for $800 or something :P
alright, out of curiosity is there anything you recommend for biking in?
that tends to be a problem.
Also if you think boots are crazy, wait till you learn about custom made ski boots.
I ski casually, not looking forward to spending $700-1000 for new boots, which I do kind of need.
I wear knee length neoprene socks over my cycling shoes in winter which restrict motion a fair bit. Most boots are going to be fine for short rides as long as there's some ankle flex.
teaught skiing for a decade.
I get my boots custom from a fitter.
will check the socks out. good boot you might rec with a solid ankle flex?
I wear proper cycling shoes not boots for riding in so can't really answer you.
My point is that as long as you've got a relatively normal range of ankle motion pretty much any shoe or boot is fine to cycle short distances.
I think that answers @gimp 's question about cycling. Most cyclists tend to do cycling shoes.
in that case, if I am looking online, what are the best things to look for to find range of motion. (tempted to compare boots on cycling forums, then crossreference them with MFA to find good looking quality boots.
Nearly any normal boot is going to be fine. Maybe a Chelsea boot would be best since it has elasticated things at the ankles, a chukka is also going to be fine for the most part.
Cycling boots look like this, it's not really going to help you find fashion boots.
Fair and that does make alot of sense. Will check out chelsea boots as well.
next post, how do I make my cycling boots look stylish 😛
Serious answer to a probably not very serious question: closest you're gonna get is adidas velosambas, or there are people like alex valcko who do custom clipless conversions of whatever shoe you want for $$$. As someone who has ridden clipless basically my entire life though I cannot recommend it, just get regular shoes and stick to flat pedals imo.
If you cycle to work, a lot of people would just keep nice shoes at work. Cycle in, change, work, change, cycle home.
esp for short distances "just to get around" riding
Same strategy for shit weather, by the way. Come in wearing your best functioning rain coat, change into your nice office clothes, etc.
I am only assuming that this is relevant to work, if it is not then obviously not.
Fortunately I take the train to work and well the enviroment is very casual. Unfortunately it is nearly impossible to bike to my office.
that is plan c. though I am more looking for something nice to wear while out and biking with a sole that will last.
In terms of materials, basically any boot will be fine - source is me, biking in winter for 5 years in boots. Doubt you’d have much problem biking regardless of upper.
Suede or rough out is A-okay in any weather and nearly impossible to ruin. Does pick up a bit more dirt over time and change the nap a bit, but that’s wabi-sabi
Waxed suede / rough out is likely what you’d prefer in terms of resilience. Easy to re-wax, robust, and requires super minimal maintenance.
Any grained leather - also fine, but more prone to scuffs / scrapes / road salt and debris. Certainly serviceable though.
My only recommendation is to not try to bike with leather soles. It works out pretty poorly unless you’ve got those little foot cages or straps.
Thank you Jarmul22. do you have any preferred brands you bike with. I realized that leathersoles would be a terrible idea after looking at my bike feet
No preference on my end - I bike with everything from Thursday to Edward Green. Dealer’s choice!
drat but there are to many choices. struggling to narrow things down. I tried on the thursdays and didn't feel like i could flex those ankles.
They def break in eventually and it gets easier, even if you do have slightly less mobility due to, ya know, wearing boots.
In terms of things that help with that - unlined shafts, especially when said shaft is suede / rough out, generally help a lot. I’ve got a pair of Galways and a Meermin clone with unlined shafts that definitely make things a touch easier.
Ah. So unlined shafts and being patient so it breaks in. I will check out the galways and meermin to see if the style works. 🙂
god 1350 is a bit rich for my blood
Out of curiosity which thursday did you bike in?
Don't buy Thursday, read https://discord.com/channels/1116793467654381685/1131681922339319960/1131698371153907903
Some better recs if you scroll further down in that chat though
Will read it. 😦
I just bought two sets of thursday sneakers yesterday should I return them?
Entirely up to you, depends how much value you put on the ethical things discussed in that thread! But also there's no unique thing that are especially good about Thursday compared to other similarly priced brands, so plenty of other options around!
No need to feel too bad about buying them though - at the end of the day they're just shoes
I rather liked the fit and feel of the sneakers, but fuck that guy. I guess if I see a sneaker similarly priced/designed i will return them.
Which ones did you get?
premier low top in cacao and black matte
I am open to switching to a different brand
Yeah to be totally honest, I don't think those are styles that most people in this discord would recommend, sorry!
The minimalist leather sneaker thing isn't too popular these days, especially in brown dressy-looking leather sneakers
What is popular these days?
I also generally just don't think so called luxury sneakers are really worth it so would much rather just go for something classic like Stan Smith's if you're after that sort of shape and minimal style
But you might be better making a whole new question thread for this to get a better variance of people's opinions 🙂
I suppose I will go make a new question and hopefully not start a fight over returning something for being 'woke'. Personally I tend to prefer a more understated look. But I am not good at being fashionable
At this stage, my best recommendation for a "cycling boot" that you can wear normally is a blundstone boot. Not Goodyear welted but I'm not sure the exact utility in buying a welted boot for cycling in.
Solovair dealer boots are technically welted and similar.
I don't think you'll encounter much resistance about being too woke in here 
Also seconding chopper's boot suggestions of blunnies or Solovair. The elastic sides probably a good feature for pedalling flexibility
Also seconding chopper's boot suggestions of blunnies or Solovair. The elastic sides probably a good feature for pedalling flexibilityWell I am a noob and was aiming for something that would last a long time, also well being a newb. I will check the boots out.
Cavaliers, I think - I’d second that there’s better options than Thursdays
checking out the cavaliers. any brands you want to throw in around thursdays price range?
Meermin, mostly. There’s also Midas, Skolyx, and Yanko (more or less). Grant stone seconds, some of Grenson’s stuff, AE on sale, Beckett Simonon, BLKBRD
checking them out now
Honestly, I cycle in all my shoes. From loafers to heavy boots. They are all fine. The only thing that sucks is leather soles. Too slippery.