Gear Review: Joe Rocket Sonic Boots
Again while I don’t have a picture of my actual pair of boots here is the boot in question:
[image: Posted Image]
Joe Rocket Sonic Boots
Context:
My review is one of an owner who’s ridden in them for over 3800 miles as of this date – primarily in warm & hot conditions. I commute to/from work using mostly highway with some neighborhood streets on one end and some city streets on the other. I also pleasure ride over country roads, highways, back roads and the like. I haven’t done any track days as of this writing (but plan to do so soon!) so this is a daily rider’s point of view. Please keep this in mind.
Sizing/comfort: I normally wear a 14-15 or so in western boots, sneakers & dress shoes (loafers I wear a 15 B) and I was happily surprised when I fit in a size 13US/12UK/47.25EURO boot. Now I prefer my bike boots to have a tighter fit but I suspect this is cut for the “US & Canadian Foot” as opposed to the more trim Euro fit. The closures are Velcro & buckle only; no zippers here. As a result you do have some flexibility to find some comfort. The buckle attaches to a strap that can be let out or taken in to give you a more snug or relaxed feel around the top of the foot. At the ankle through the calf is a large Velcro panel that can be adjusted to give a more customized fit for your ankle and calf. There is a somewhat gusseted flap on this boot which helps in this process, and it comes into play since this is a waterproof boot.
The outside of the ankle on the boot is fairly re-enforced to provide protection in an accident. The toe box & heel are much less re-enforced but the leather in the front is thick and has a shift pad on the top. The sole of the boot is likely re-enforced & takes some time to break in, but after that I’ve been able to wear them all day for pleasure riding. They aren’t built for walking so when I get to work – on the sneakers go!
Construction: I’ve already touched on some of this but here are some more highlights. The upper, sole & ankle have the best protection for your foot – and I can vouch for this as I’ve crash-tested this item (see my review of the Spidi RR Jacketfor more details). Every major seam is double stitched and there is a reflective crescent on the heel. To the best of my knowledge there is no Kevlar stitching in the entire boot; I’ll amend that if I learn otherwise.
Performance: The boot tread is fairly sticky – more than good enough for a gas station. The only time I’ve had any traction issues was on a pile of sand at a stop sign. They do feel a touch heavy after riding for a while and can get warm, but to be honest they feel fine to me. I’ve been caught in rain in these a few times and my feet haven’t felt a drop of water seeping into the boot. I’ve been in an accident and it not only protected my shin & top of my foot from abrasion, but it also protected my ankle from being twisted & scraped. Over time the shape has lost some of it’s rigidity but the boots have performed as advertised.
Price/verdict: These can be found for around $130.00 more or less, and I’d say that’s a good by for the money. If you’re a commuter like me or you want a boot that you can use every day, this boot will fit the bill rather well. If you’re a track person or would like more protection (say, a steel toe or Achilles protection) then step up to a higher boot. At over 3800 miles in under 2 months this is (for me) money well spent.
Revengel
Again while I don’t have a picture of my actual pair of boots here is the boot in question:
[image: Posted Image]
![[image: Posted Image]](http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/ProductImages/OG/2007_Joe_Rocket_Sonic_Boots_Black.jpg){kind=link}
Joe Rocket Sonic Boots
Context:
My review is one of an owner who’s ridden in them for over 3800 miles as of this date – primarily in warm & hot conditions. I commute to/from work using mostly highway with some neighborhood streets on one end and some city streets on the other. I also pleasure ride over country roads, highways, back roads and the like. I haven’t done any track days as of this writing (but plan to do so soon!) so this is a daily rider’s point of view. Please keep this in mind.
Sizing/comfort: I normally wear a 14-15 or so in western boots, sneakers & dress shoes (loafers I wear a 15 B) and I was happily surprised when I fit in a size 13US/12UK/47.25EURO boot. Now I prefer my bike boots to have a tighter fit but I suspect this is cut for the “US & Canadian Foot” as opposed to the more trim Euro fit. The closures are Velcro & buckle only; no zippers here. As a result you do have some flexibility to find some comfort. The buckle attaches to a strap that can be let out or taken in to give you a more snug or relaxed feel around the top of the foot. At the ankle through the calf is a large Velcro panel that can be adjusted to give a more customized fit for your ankle and calf. There is a somewhat gusseted flap on this boot which helps in this process, and it comes into play since this is a waterproof boot.
The outside of the ankle on the boot is fairly re-enforced to provide protection in an accident. The toe box & heel are much less re-enforced but the leather in the front is thick and has a shift pad on the top. The sole of the boot is likely re-enforced & takes some time to break in, but after that I’ve been able to wear them all day for pleasure riding. They aren’t built for walking so when I get to work – on the sneakers go!
Construction: I’ve already touched on some of this but here are some more highlights. The upper, sole & ankle have the best protection for your foot – and I can vouch for this as I’ve crash-tested this item (see my review of the Spidi RR Jacketfor more details). Every major seam is double stitched and there is a reflective crescent on the heel. To the best of my knowledge there is no Kevlar stitching in the entire boot; I’ll amend that if I learn otherwise.
Performance: The boot tread is fairly sticky – more than good enough for a gas station. The only time I’ve had any traction issues was on a pile of sand at a stop sign. They do feel a touch heavy after riding for a while and can get warm, but to be honest they feel fine to me. I’ve been caught in rain in these a few times and my feet haven’t felt a drop of water seeping into the boot. I’ve been in an accident and it not only protected my shin & top of my foot from abrasion, but it also protected my ankle from being twisted & scraped. Over time the shape has lost some of it’s rigidity but the boots have performed as advertised.
Price/verdict: These can be found for around $130.00 more or less, and I’d say that’s a good by for the money. If you’re a commuter like me or you want a boot that you can use every day, this boot will fit the bill rather well. If you’re a track person or would like more protection (say, a steel toe or Achilles protection) then step up to a higher boot. At over 3800 miles in under 2 months this is (for me) money well spent.
Revengel