When first I put together my ‘retro boot wish list’ I realised how much of a fussy bugger I’ve become. I’m not trying to be difficult, I just detest products that prioritise fashion over function, and unfortunately that accounts for a lot of what’s on offer in the vintage market.
But that’s definitely not the case with RST’s Roadster boot.
This classically styled boot meets all my unreasonable demands, and also comes with a handy zipper for easy donning and doffing. The laces are retained for authenticity and a proper fit, but they’ve also ticked the safety box by including internal ankle and heel support as well as a toe box.
On top of all that, it’s nice to see that RST hasn’t plastered them in gaudy branding so you can walk around in them without advertising to the world that you’ve arrived on a motorcycle.
I found the Roadsters comfortable enough to wear all day long, and after two extended bike trips where I punished them in rain, hail and shine, I can confidently say that they have surpassed my expectations.
We liked
The styling is bang on, and the full-length side-zip design means you don’t have to bugger around tying and untying the laces every time you pull them on and off.
In addition to the internal polyurethane reinforcement to protect your joints, these boots also have extra padding around the opening for both comfort and a snug fit.
There’s a double layer of leather on the top of the foot to make the gear-change area firmer and more resilient, and heavy-duty stitching joining the sole to the full-grain leather uppers.
The tread pattern is deep enough to prevent slipping and sliding on the ’pegs in wet weather, and they’re also up to the task of walking in rough conditions if required. Oh yes, and they come in black.
We didn’t like
After lashing them with wind, rain and gravel, the finish did start to dull. I gave them a light treatment with leather conditioner before setting off, but they’re not waterproof straight out of the box so it might pay to treat them with something more appropriate like Dubbin or beeswax. Given the quality full-leather construction, it’s likely they can be restored to a nice shine with a bit of elbow grease.
Verdict
These RST Roadster boots are sturdy and well designed, with enough support and padding around the ankle and lower calf to give you confidence that your hoofs are well protected. The style is suited to retro-riders, and they look so casual that you could even get away with wearing them when you’re off the bike, which is exactly what I was looking for. They also come in brown if the black ones are sold out…
Paul McCann