Shoes/Boots for riding to work (business environment) ...BMW City Boots?

[junior varsity]

Anybody have suggestions for shoes/boots that look dressy enough to ride to work in?

Work has been getting the best of me recently, and I've had to forego too much riding time for my tastes. I figure if I start riding to work more often, that's a start.  (even though its beginning to get kind of chilly here in the mornings/evenings.  I work in a professional/business environment.  I need to remotely look the part as I walk in, even if I immediately change to dress shoes in my office.  My Alpinestars SMX line riding boots ain't going to cut it. 

I also thought, heck, if I'm riding the relatively tame looking Ducati (GT1000), and if I can pull of a pretty smart look with gear, then I should have no problems with coworkers/management/clients, etc.  The other idea is where regular gear and have clothes to change into at the office, but that leaves me with the dreaded "get to work before everyone else and leave after everyone else" timing problem.


I've been looking at the BMW City Boots, but they are a bit spendy and I haven't seen a pair in person yet.

[stopintime]

What does the other gear you'll be wearing look like? Office pants/jeans/....?

[junior varsity]

looking to get some type of overpants, that way I can quickly drop trou' and be looking relatively normal in slacks on the bottom half. haven't figured out how to do jacket yet - my normal stuff is either leather upper of 2-piece track suit, a perf version of same, or a mesh/textile summer version.  nothin' very businessy about any of that.

[stopintime]

I was quite happy with my A* Ridge

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/boots/waterproof_sport_street_touring_boots/alpinestars/2011_ridge_waterproof_motorcycle_boots.html

[junior varsity]

ahh.   part of me wants to go with the SIDI lux boots out of spite, but that's not going to do me any favors in the long run.

[stopintime]

Depends on what kind of clients you want 

[junior varsity]

probably not those.

[He Man]

i really dont understand why its unacceptable to walk in and then change in the bathroom.

Its not like you are dressing distastefully, its just proper riding attire for operating a motorcycle. Sort of like walking into your contracting job as a field engineer and (if you are so lucky to ) walk in with a hard hat ,dirty clothes and a safety vest.


eitherway, i think a monotone and built in armor (as in molded to the shoe and non replacable) is the way to go.

check out the A* SMX-2 or sidi street. i really like the SMX-2, the sidi is too conservative for my taste.

WHy cant you throw shoes on when you park and swap boots ( i have a hardcase pack to swap clothes out if i really need to and just lock it in.

[thought]

something like this?

http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/alpinestars-monaco-shoes

with normal length pants they should look pretty discrete... not a full boot though.

[sofadriver]

Do you mean the BMW All Purpose boots?
I wear mine everywhere. I keep them polished and they always look great. They have a reinforced area on top where the shifter hits but otherwise they look like normal boots.
I got them 4 years ago on sale for $199. They're a good value even when not on sale. Comfy, too.

[d3vi@nt]

Check out this thread for a good discussion of "work appropriate" riding gear:

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=56097.0

Is there a gym nearby your office where you could change before and after work?  Just a shot in the dark...

[junior varsity]

not a bad plan. 


we are actually moving offices in the near future.  my new office is slightly bigger.   perhaps bigger enough to accommodate a wardrobe.

[junior varsity]

The BMW City Boots I was looking at look like this:



Product Description

-A lightweight leather boot designed for urban wear
-Leather lining and insole
-Rubber outsole with leather insert
-Elasticated area around shaft and zip fastening
-Lightweight ankle protection
-Lightweight reinforcements to shaft
-2 Year Warranty

[Triple J]

These would seem to have better protection with a similar look. Those BMW boots don't sound like they have very much protection.

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/boots/sport_street_touring_boots/sidi/street_boots.html

Personally, I'd get an Aerostitch Roadcrafter suit, and a pair of understated, but proper motorcycle boots, and wear that. Accidents don't just happen when you're on your bike having fun, so protection is key. If that isn't acceptable for whatever weird reason, then I wouldn't ride.

I commuted daily for 2.5 years, rain or shine in Seattle, and I think commuting is even more dangerous than weekend rides, as the people in the cages around you are generally more distracted than usual (tired, not awake yet, bummed to be going to work, pissed to be sitting in traffic on way home, whatever).

[junior varsity]

I'll look into the roadcrafter suit. 

I'm looking into the at-work/in-office warddrobe for having my wrinkle-free shirts and suits stored there, and change when I get to work.