The biggest problem with the half sole for a motorcycle boot is the exposed leather portion of the sole. Sooner or later you will ride in the rain and if you ride a cruiser in the typical easy chair position, your soles are right in the line of the water coming from the road and your front tire. The rest of the typical oiled leather engineer boot will resist rain for a long time while keeping your feet dry, but that naked leather section of the sole will quickly start soaking up rain like a sponge. The full vibram sole, any version, is much preferable.Ok, for those that ride motorcycles, I have to ask: Would a half sole like those pictured here provide enough traction for day to day riding on a heavy bike (Harley Road King)? I would love some boots like these, but wonder if I need the full Vibram treaded sole or if this is just as good.
The biggest problem with the half sole for a motorcycle boot is the exposed leather portion of the sole. Sooner or later you will ride in the rain and if you ride a cruiser in the typical easy chair position, your soles are right in the line of the water coming from the road and your front tire. The rest of the typical oiled leather engineer boot will resist rain for a long time while keeping your feet dry, but that naked leather section of the sole will quickly start soaking up rain like a sponge. The full vibram sole, any version, is much preferable.
As far as traction, I think the half sole would be about as good as any.
The biggest problem with the half sole for a motorcycle boot is the exposed leather portion of the sole. Sooner or later you will ride in the rain and if you ride a cruiser in the typical easy chair position, your soles are right in the line of the water coming from the road and your front tire. The rest of the typical oiled leather engineer boot will resist rain for a long time while keeping your feet dry, but that naked leather section of the sole will quickly start soaking up rain like a sponge. The full vibram sole, any version, is much preferable.
As far as traction, I think the half sole would be about as good as any.
I've resoled lots of boots going from leather to Vibram back to leather. What you're spec'ing should not be an issue...So I ordered some Red Wing Heritage engineer boots and they just aren't me. Thin soles...low heals...just kinda blah. I've got some Frye Harness 12R's on order in the Gaucho color. I've never really dealt with having boots resoled so I have a question. When the time comes (and I realize that may take some time) can I replace the polypropylene sole that comes on the Frye's with a nice double layer leather sole? Is that a "resole" job or a "rebuild"? It looks like Frye Harness boots used to come with leather soles. Wish they still did.