Replacing my touring boots.

[EKIMYRF]

Another Daytona fan here mine are 15 years old and still great
Admittedly in summer I now use TCX blends for that classic/ hipster vibe

 

[grantmac]

Big Daytona fan. If you shop around you can still get some great deals. I had a pair that I bought on a wehim as they were my size in an outlet shop (Louis.de in Hamburg) but never used them. Sat in my garage for 10 years...
Finally started using them back in 2021. After 3 years the soles started coming away from the boot because the glue had started to harden due to not wearing. Sent them back to Daytona; they had them fixed and completely overhauled inclduing a nice new shine for EURO 109 including postage. Their only comment was to wear them and not leave them in a garage for 10 years.....

 

[DS]

Daytona get my vote, I have a pair of Road Star GTX's, however though, I've relegated them to winter use now though.

For touring I now use a pair of Klim Overlander GTX short boots. Waterproof as they are Gore-Tex, Klim sizing works well for my wider feet, but just as importantly they are not just good on the bike, they are comfortable for walking around in, and look just like a modern walking boot. Last year on my eastern europe wander, I had two days wandering around Bratislava on foot, just in the Klim's. Also had a wander down the mountain trail from the cable car at the Top Mountain museum, which was a good couple of miles of rough mountain path.

So if short boots work for you, I'd highly recommend trying a pair, last year's trip I just had my Overlanders and a pair of flipflops for 3 weeks away. If short boots don't do it for you, Daytona's all the way.

View attachment 491947

I'm a big fan of these too and I'm not a Klim fan boy. I still have Daytona's but these are all day long comfort.

 

[rustycloe]

For the last few years I've been using a pair of Alpinestar Web Gore-Tex boots when traveling. I generally always avoided "adventure" type boots when traveling. Mostly for how I ride, having a preference for slightly "softer" or more street oriented boots. I'm always with the ball of my feet on the pegs, but move around a fair amount (and feet positions) when riding on more corner-happy routes.
I'm also not a great fan of both Power Ranger or extreme offroad-styled boots for normal riding.

View attachment 491803

Said all that, in the last few years I started introducing a bit more gravely/off tarmac bits in my international itineraries, and also the trusty Alpinestar Web are showing age, especially the sole got fairly destroyed.

As I'm traveling towards the end of the month I was considering replacing them.
They were a cheap-ish boot option and served me very well. Comfortable, kept me dry, comfortable to walk in when off the bike.
Breathable in summer (your feet do not boil) and they do not smell, they definitely seemed a step up from my previous Alpinestar touring boots in Dry-star instead of Gore-tex.

I was considering something both slightly taller and with a grippier sole. I do have a pair of three clips Sidi boots that I use when greenlaning that are great but also will give you blisters if you walk more than 200 consecutive meters with them...

Something that seems to be more comfy (and, yes, less protective than the Sidi, but maybe on par with my touring Alpinestars) seems to be the Richa Adventure Boots, which had solid feedback over at https://fr-safety-closeouts.pissedconsumer.com/review.html when I was comparing options, so I'm leaning toward giving them a try.

They seem fairly cheap and never owned anything from Richa though.
Decent cheap option (not paying the brand name tax) or avoid?

Otherwise: Alpinestars Corozal might be another option.

Thanks.

I'd go with the Alpinestars Corozals. They strike a good balance between touring comfort and the extra support and grip you want for gravel roads. I haven't had any major issues with Richa gear, but their boots feel more budget-oriented, whereas the Corozals are better finished and have proven durability. If you're happy with how your Web Gore-Tex boots have treated you, the Corozals are a logical upgrade.