Motorcycle boot
Some manufacturers also include an internal quick-lacing system between a soft inner leg and the harder outer shell of the boot shaft to further ensure a tight, but comfortable fit.
Often a high-wear pad of metal or composite is attached to the lateral side (outside) of the toe, as this area can contact the ground during extreme cornering.
Others, such as Dainese boots for MotoGP, are designed to be worn inside the trouser leg.
They are usually between 10 and 14 inches in height and made from a combination of leather, metal, hard rubber, plastic and/or man-made fabrics to create a form-fitting, but comfortable boot.
A curved plastic or composite plate covers the shin of the boot to protect the rider from debris that may be thrown from the front wheel of the motorcycle.
Very similar to riding boots, motorcycle police boots are typically knee-high (between 18 and 21 inches in height), the foot and shaft are made from black, smooth-grained, high-gloss leather and the low-heeled sole is made from hard rubber.
The boots are typically form-fitting and intended to be worn over breeches or jodhpurs as part of the officer's uniform.
The most notable manufacturers for boots to the UK police force are Goldtop (pre 1980s), and Alt-berg (post 1980s).
Harness boots are designed to protect the motorcycle rider from the heat of the exhaust pipes and the engine block and from injury to the foot and leg in the case of an accident while riding and may include a built-in steel toe cap and metal shank in the heel.
Soles and heels are usually made of hard rubber and may either be relatively flat or may have lugs for increased traction.
Leather straps and rings were added to this style in the 1960s, creating the modern version of the harness boot, which quickly became a classic.
Three samples of material are cut from the boot, and each is held against a moving abrasive belt until a hole appears.
The shortest time it took for a hole to develop in one of the samples dictates the boot's abrasion rating.
The transverse rigidity test determines how strongly the boot can resist your foot being crushed if a bike's weight fell on it.
For this test, the boot is cut along the sole and opened up; a striker is used to drop 10 joules of force onto the protector.
If the ankle protection passes, the letters IPA will be on the label, and shin armour will be displayed as IPS.
FO – Resistance to fuel and oil on sole: Two samples of a boot are weighed twice – once normally and once in distilled water.
Each test is done with a mechanical heel set at a seven-degree angle, which moves to imitate different kinds of slips and falls on different surfaces.
If the label shows ‘SRA’, the sole will have passed on a ceramic tile surface treated with diluted soap.
B – Breathability of uppers: If a CE label has the letter B on it, it means the boot has gone through an optional test to check that moisture vapour can escape.
