Long before I got on the motorcycle, I put on my boots. As a rebellious high school student, I walked around in surplus military combat boots. In high school, I bought a pair of Danner hiking boots that have protected my feet on hundreds of miles of trails in the Appalachians, Rockies, and Sierra Nevada. Thirty years later, I still have them, and their Vibram soles have been changed many times. When it comes to boots, as with the other gear we depend on, quality is what it takes.
The Umberto Luce boots first appeared on my radar last November at IMS Outdoor displayed in Southern California. Peter Jones, RiderI’m a fashionista and a shoe enthusiast, and I both adore stylish shoes that look cool but are also designed to withstand the rigors of a motorcycle crash. We met Humberto Luce, the founder and designer of the company, who is always full of energy and passion.
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In January, Peter and I ran into Humberto again at AIMExpo in Las Vegas, and this time he sent me home with a pair of Crimson shoes. I tried them on at the show, and they were so comfortable that I kept them. Over the past few months, with rare exceptions, Crimson boots have been on my feet both while biking and biking. Part of what makes them so comfortable is their flexible, durable sole made of stacked leather, EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) and slip-resistant vulcanized rubber with spikes. The outsole has a unique mottled pattern that reminds me of whetstone floors.
A full-grain leather upper has a suede-tank finish and a butter-soft, odor-resistant interior. Entry and exit of the lace boot is made easy with a quick-access side zipper. Protective features include CE-certified D3O ankle guards, safety buckle stitching and a front impact guard, all elegantly incorporated into the boot’s stylish design.
I’ve spent all day in the saddle of my motorcycle, as well as all day cruising around city streets and airports, in these boots, and they’re some of the most comfortable I’ve ever worn. You’ll have to pry them off my cold dead feet.
The Umberto Luce Crimson boots are available for men from 7 to 13.5 and are priced at $329. They are made in small batches by craftsmen in León, Mexico. Check out the site for other styles.
For more information, visit umbertoluce.com.
