Find perfect protective shoes for your ride
When it comes to protective gear for motorbike riders, there are so many parts that some often get neglected because riders tend to think they are not a big necessity
POLOKWANE – This is according to Sapa Yopa Motorcycle Club, president, Sarel Nong, who told Review Bonus about the importance of wearing boots and knee guards for protection when riding a bike.
He said feet and ankles were so remarkably fragile that you could injure them during everyday activities. Activities during which you never exceed 25km/h and don’t have to deal with vehicles or buses running over your feet during an accident.
“Take it from me, not being able to walk is a gigantic struggle and burden. The good news is there are many excellent motorcycle boots out there capable of providing enough protection for you feet in the case of an accident,” said Nong.
He said at the very minimum, a rider would need a rugged work or combat boot that provided the rider’s feet with a good grip, the ankle with tight support, and which protected the feet from being crushed on impact with a strong sole. He suggested wearing a pair of Jump Boots when you drive through traffic in the city.
“The shoes look appealing, they properly support your ankle with dedicated internal webbing and offer protection from crushing injuries with a steel shank running through the sole,” he said. Nong said there were special features for safety that riders needed to look out for for the best protection.
These included the following and why they are important:
• Abrasion resistance – riders must look at a combination between leather that is strong and a textile that is more beatable.
• Armour plating – a good motorcycle boot should have armour plating over the toe, heel and anklebone. Full-length boots might offer shin protection as well.
• Rigidity and range of movement – a motorcycle boot can prevent your ankle from getting twisted or over extended and can prevent your lower leg from being crushed.
• Grip and anti-tangling – look for soles that are slip-resistant. Snagging a shoelace can also be a big problem, carry motorcycle boots with hidden or strapped-down laces.
• Heat resistance – depending on the motorcycle, your lower legs might be near the engine block, exhaust, or some components that reach high temperatures while the bike is running.
