Looking to buy a bike, then see if we've ridden it first Need new kit? Check out our reviews before opening your wallet

MOTOBKE.CO.UK
All about owning and riding modern motorbikes!

Home Bikes Kit Features News and Views Bookshop Be a Writer!/About Us

Hein Gericke “Custom II” boots – Bob Pickett finds that budget label boots can belie their budget status

Photograph by Laura Pickett

Hein Gericke Custom II boots - budget label, not budget performance The Custom II boots are part of Hein Gericke’s ‘White Label’ budget range. But in this case, budget doesn’t mean skimping on quality.

They have protection at shins, heels, toes and ankles, plus they do up by means of three separate vecro straps. They are water resistant rather than waterproof, but they will hold off most rain apart from truly heavy downpour.

They also feature a non-slip sole (for which read a central strip). This works and so far is holding up well. But catch the edge of the sole on something slippy and your foot will slide.

For the first half-dozen gearchanges they felt awkward and stiff, but I soon got used to them and they quickly loosened up.

After a year of use, they are still in good condition (with no assistance from me). The only downside so far is that the insoles appear to have been glued in using that child-friendly, non-sticky stuff they use in school art lessons. They have come loose – not affecting them as a bike boot, but the insoles do slide a touch when walking. Not a bother if you’re walking from the garage to the house, but annoying if you’re parking up and spending a lot of time in them.

Verdict: For £75 at the time of purchase (June 2009, review in June 2010), they are good value for money – and better boots than the more expensive Bullson boots they replace.

Bought a great piece of kit and let everyone know how good it is, or something so bad you want to warn others never to buy it? Then click here to find out how



Home Bikes Kit Features News and Views Bookshop Be a Writer!/About Us