Over the decades I've tried multiple boots from full on MX type boots, to Formas, to custom made.
And the Custom made win out for me every time.
The full on MX Boots & riding boots for the cooler climates maybe great in the wet & cold season, but don't do it for me in the heat, where you foot ends up sitting in a puddle of sweat. Pass.
I have a pair of ankle length Forma boots that have performed surprisingly well over a period of time, about 5 years from memory, with the soles still in tact. Only the glue on the Velcro strap has failed & been re-glued. But my feet do sweat in them in the hot season & they're not great in the wet, so more a cool dry season boot. I do have an issue with them now though & they seem to be too tight a fit. With increasing age my feet have swollen up or gotten fatter? Not a surprise some of you would say.
Forma boots from 2016-2017 I think.
Forma soles still in tact
So I picked up my new boots from Tamnan Gob in Chiang Rai a couple of weeks ago.
www.gt-rider.com
The quality of materials is excellent – tough cowhide & a nice beefy sole to walk on. The price 3500 baht.
The boots after a few hrs riding in the wet.
A decent tough sole, for hiking perhaps.
How do they compare to my Chiang Mai boots from
Pattana Sin 18/1 Ratchiangsaen Road, Southside of the moat, (slightly) diagonally opposite - west - of Pratu Chiang Mai. Tel: 053271053.
www.gt-rider.com
New CR boots on the left. Old CM boots on the right
New CR boots on the left. Old CM boots on the right
New CR boots on the left. Old CM boots on the right
The new CR ones are obviously tougher material, with the Cnx boots being pig skin.
For fit, well the Cnx ones are superior, fit like a glove from day 1, whereas the Chiang Rai boots are not quite there yet & have been modified once already.
The issue being that Mr Gob in Chiang Rai did not want to measure my feet up properly, not necessary, he claimed. Just a single foot length measurement & one standard size fits all. I disputed this, but no no, this is how you do it. I then explained how my foot was measured in multiple places by the Chiang Mai guy & this was how it should be done. That didn’t go down well as to be expected. So the boots don’t fit anywhere near as well as the Cnx boots with 100,000 kms on them; but perhaps it is the kms that has worn them in?
The cow hide leather on the new boots is a lot more water resistant than the pig skin, but may be a lot hotter in the heat.
Time will tell, modification # 2 on the new boots will be coming up after the MHS Memorial ride.
So why do I like em?
Just plain leather works well for me. Your feet do not sweat & end up in a stinking puddle in your boot.
Sure you get wet when it rains, but they dry out quick enough in the tropics.
Custom made, they should fit like a glove, as high or low as you want them; plus you can pick whatever soles you want.
The soles on my 100,000 kms boots.
Worn right down, but as comfy as hell to walk in.
A pair of soles cost maybe 500 baht fitted, & you can change them over if you don't like the ones you have, or just need new ones.
I would use the little old guy, the real cobbler in Chiang Mai for this. He had a bigger sole selection than Mr Gob in Chiang Rai.
The #1 wholesale leather & sole distributor in Chiang Mai is Charoen Silp
And the Custom made win out for me every time.
The full on MX Boots & riding boots for the cooler climates maybe great in the wet & cold season, but don't do it for me in the heat, where you foot ends up sitting in a puddle of sweat. Pass.
I have a pair of ankle length Forma boots that have performed surprisingly well over a period of time, about 5 years from memory, with the soles still in tact. Only the glue on the Velcro strap has failed & been re-glued. But my feet do sweat in them in the hot season & they're not great in the wet, so more a cool dry season boot. I do have an issue with them now though & they seem to be too tight a fit. With increasing age my feet have swollen up or gotten fatter? Not a surprise some of you would say.
Forma boots from 2016-2017 I think.
Forma soles still in tact
So I picked up my new boots from Tamnan Gob in Chiang Rai a couple of weeks ago.
Chiang Rai - Boot Repairs & Bootmaker
Fossicking around in Chiang Rai for some TLC for my rain damaged boots - a stitch up & a zip replacement. And time for a new pair of boots too, you might say, but I reckon I have close to 100,000 kms up on these boots, so no complaints. For the last 10 years, my boots have been made...
www.gt-rider.com
The quality of materials is excellent – tough cowhide & a nice beefy sole to walk on. The price 3500 baht.
The boots after a few hrs riding in the wet.
A decent tough sole, for hiking perhaps.
How do they compare to my Chiang Mai boots from
Pattana Sin 18/1 Ratchiangsaen Road, Southside of the moat, (slightly) diagonally opposite - west - of Pratu Chiang Mai. Tel: 053271053.
Chiang Mai Handy Motorcycle Related Shops
1. CHAROENSILP Leather Boots. 63/6 Kaew Nawarat Rd. Tel 053-306194. Mobile: 0866726865. https://goo.gl/maps/nv6vPCX21YSxpqy27 Not easy to find. See the shop front pix below. The biggest leather shop & distributor in Chiang Mai. [ Get custom made boots here. Cost...
www.gt-rider.com
New CR boots on the left. Old CM boots on the right
New CR boots on the left. Old CM boots on the right
New CR boots on the left. Old CM boots on the right
The new CR ones are obviously tougher material, with the Cnx boots being pig skin.
For fit, well the Cnx ones are superior, fit like a glove from day 1, whereas the Chiang Rai boots are not quite there yet & have been modified once already.
The issue being that Mr Gob in Chiang Rai did not want to measure my feet up properly, not necessary, he claimed. Just a single foot length measurement & one standard size fits all. I disputed this, but no no, this is how you do it. I then explained how my foot was measured in multiple places by the Chiang Mai guy & this was how it should be done. That didn’t go down well as to be expected. So the boots don’t fit anywhere near as well as the Cnx boots with 100,000 kms on them; but perhaps it is the kms that has worn them in?
The cow hide leather on the new boots is a lot more water resistant than the pig skin, but may be a lot hotter in the heat.
Time will tell, modification # 2 on the new boots will be coming up after the MHS Memorial ride.
So why do I like em?
Just plain leather works well for me. Your feet do not sweat & end up in a stinking puddle in your boot.
Sure you get wet when it rains, but they dry out quick enough in the tropics.
Custom made, they should fit like a glove, as high or low as you want them; plus you can pick whatever soles you want.
The soles on my 100,000 kms boots.
Worn right down, but as comfy as hell to walk in.
A pair of soles cost maybe 500 baht fitted, & you can change them over if you don't like the ones you have, or just need new ones.
I would use the little old guy, the real cobbler in Chiang Mai for this. He had a bigger sole selection than Mr Gob in Chiang Rai.
The #1 wholesale leather & sole distributor in Chiang Mai is Charoen Silp
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