Cool treads
Casual looks, comfort, but with proper foot protection. Alternative footwear is go…
Alpinstars J-cult £132
» When I don’t want to clomp around like Darth Vader in my race boots I grab my CE approved J-cults. After a few year’s use they’re looking a bit tired and have a frayed left lace, but they’re my goto footwear for short trips and for not looking/ feeling an idiot in the pub. They’re comfy and have Drystar tech built in to stop toes getting wet. It worked when new, sadly no longer – maybe the glue has perished around the sole/toe area or because I wear them a lot. Even when I’m not on a bike.
TCX Street 3 WP £144.99
» Stiff when new, after two months they’re not fully broken in. But they are comfy on my bike and to wear all day at college, and nobody suspects that they’re not ordinary trainers. I like that. Warm on cool days, not too sweaty in the sun and they keep out dismal weather. They’re CE level 2 for abrasion and cut resistance, with armour that can ‘flow freely’ but locks in an impact to absorb energy. Like clever industrial custard.
Caterpillar Safety Boot £89.99
» On the plus side these have steel toecaps, triple-stitched seams, a reinforced sole, leather that seems to be about 6mm thick and the indestructible feel of a lump hammer. On the down side, they’re not purpose-built bike boots so I’m not wholly certain how they’ll stand up to a slide – the ankle protection looks dubious – and their ability to keep rain out depends on when I last plastered them in dubbin. Despite all this I wear them on almost every summer ride because they’re comfy, breathable and don’t look daft in the pub.
Alpinestars Faster 3 £159.99
» Alternative footwear comes in all shapes and sizes. I love how comfortable and easy to wear these are for everyday riding. The uppers are made from a lightweight microfibre synthetic suede leather material with padding around the ankles and are still in perfect condition. They’re warm and waterproof, thanks to the ‘Drystar’ lining, but being ankle height it’s easy for rain (and sometimes stones) to get inside if your strides are too short. So I don’t use them if it’s hammering down.
‘I love Italy and the Eicma show at which a raft of next year’s bikes are usually launched’