Customer Reviews

typical

Review by camargodave on 4/30/12

Typical of what I've come to expect of Aerostitch--very good quality at a reasonable price. The standard laces are my only small gripe. The velcro eats them up quickly. That's why I also ordered a set of competition laces. I sized the boots as suggested and got a perfect fit. Break-in is slow, as expected. I've used SnoSeal as the leather protector of choice. NO problems other than the expected stiffness. I made another good choice with Aerostitch. Two dual sport weekend rides and still my feet are dry. Thanks Andy

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Love 'em

Review by Beau on 4/25/12

I have now had these boots for about 6 months. I wear them daily, and commute daily. Once they are broken in they are the great. I am in school full time and wear them to class. After classes I go to work as a Paramedic and reluctantly have to don my work boots. After 12 hours at slipping into these is so much nicer than my work boots. I will need a sizing insole soon due to stretch, but that is to be expected.

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Elastic band problem

Review by Richard on 3/10/12

Bought my Combat lights one year ago. Quite stiff but obviously very well made. Worth a couple of blisters to break in. My major problem was the elastic band around the top. After two hours of this band squeezing my calves my leg above the boots swelled up like a watermelon. I tried compression socks No help. I did not want to give up on this product so I took them to my local cobbler and she cut the top elastic band off. She then trimmed off the little leather tab, stitched them up to look like new and I could not be happier. I expect to get about 20 years of very happy riding out of these boots now. Where this is a will There is a way

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Combat Lite Boots

Review by Don on 2/26/12

I bought these boots in December 2011 and have waited until now to write a review that would not be based just upon first impressions, which were very positive. I switched from lace up logger boots to these after my new pair of loggers, without steel toes, began to bother me where the boot contacted the shifter. Out of the box the Combat Lites appear to be high quality boots made of heavy leather. If you are switching from a lace up boot these will take some getting used to as they can't be laced tightly around your calves and ankles. The sizing was a bit on the large side so to get a good fit I had to purchase a thicker inner sole which helped a lot but the boots still felt a little loose around my lower legs which took some getting used to. For me they were difficult to break in. I didn't soak them but ended up using them for morning walks, about 25 miles worth, before they felt pretty well. The walks did cause blisters but now after nearly three months they are comfortable but still breaking in. At first shifting was difficult but that is no longer an issue. The boots look and feel as though they will last a long time and when they need replacing I'll be back for another pair.

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Combat Lite Boots

Review by james on 2/7/12

Got the boots in a couple weeks ago. Very nice as with other products purchased through Aerostich. Alot of talk about break in, not a big issue, boots (added inserts) are very comfortable although some may find them a little heavy. Treat them with a little quality leather treatment a few times, and wear them, they break in nicely. Hopefully these will last me a long time, as I pondered the price for 6 months. Only thing negative so far is, as many reported, the laces are constantly sticking to the velcro. Doesn't sound like a big issue, but is annoying, and they are already frayed. I will replace them soon with another type lace. Also the inner flap does not appear as though it will last that long, just guessing on that. All said, very pleased with these boots, will try and do a future review once more highway miles are logged. Jim

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Combat Lites

Review by Paughco on 1/15/12

Once they're broken in, I think I'll like these better than my trusty full-on Combat Touring Boots (size 12). I've been looking at "lighter" boots off and on over the years, and have watched my riding buddy buy two or three different pairs from a certain Bavarian motorcycle company, just to sell them at the next swap meet.

The velcro top closures feel like they will last longer than those flappy, near useless horzontal tabs on my CBTs.

Whenever I'm not riding I wear super comfy Keen Newport sandals. Maybe they've let my feet grow a little over the years, but the size 12 Combat Lites I ordered were too tight. I paid shipping back to Aerostich, and they sent me a new pair of 12-1/2s. The guy on the phone told me that "size 12" is actually 11-7/8, and 12-1/2 is more like 12-5/8. OK. They fit great.

I dressed the bottom edges of the soles of my new boots with a rasp, to ever so slightly round the sharp edges on the soles. This was after almost dropping my K1200S on the right side because my new boot temporarily hung up on the right foot peg at the critical moment as I rolled to a stop at in intersection. A combination of things, but probably less of of a problem as I get these new beauties broken in once the riding season starts in earnest.

Oh yeah - the laces are too long. Maybe the quest for the ultimate laces is worth a new thread on i-BMW.com.

Seeya
ATB

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Combat Lites

Review by WRW9751 on 12/19/11

Have owned several brands of riding boots though out the years. SIDI has been my Gold Standard. Buying things without trying them on is always difficult. Owning SIDI's before I've found that 1/2 size smaller than I usually wear works great for me. The break in has even better than I'd remembered. These boots have been well thought out! The size to protection ratio is just right!

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Aerostich Lites

Review by oldskool on 12/18/11

Great boots, true sizing, lace system has lousy laces, sticks to the velcro and the lace clams hurt your shin. I replaced the laces and ditched the clamps. Perfect. Custom isnoles are a great idea and make the boot all day comfortable. Good value. Will buy another pair if these ever wear out.

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Sizing chart is wrong

Review by Joe on 12/5/11

I ordered these boots in a size 10 because, well, that is my foot size. What I got were a European size 45 boots which were way too big for me.

I did some research on the web and came to the conclusion that size 45 equals about size 11.5 in the US. There is also another conversion chart on the box that the boots came in and that seems to be correct. The chart that is on the AS site is wrong.

If you want to get the correct size the first time, measure your foot in centimeters and convert that measurement to the EU size equivalent and you'll get the correct size. There are plenty of conversion charts on the web. A good source in on Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoe_size

The folks at AS were nice enough to send me the correct size (as determined by me using the method mentioned above) boots and I returned the first set.

I have been wearing the boots daily now for a little over a week and the are finally breaking in. The boots are nice and look well made but only time and miles will tell.

The lace does tend to get caught on the Velcro and seems that it will eventually fray to the point where it will need to be replaced.

I plan on sealing these up with SnoSeal once they break in to make them totally waterproof. I have not had a chance to ride these boots in the rain, yet.

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Makes Other Boots Seem Wimpy

Review by Melanie on 11/21/11

Got over the price after my $100 boots (from a major mfr) started falling apart after only a year. After 4 months I have every expectation the Combats will last plenty long enough to justify the upfront cost. Did not soak but they broke in fairly quickly. I have three bikes, all with very different shifter geometry but the Combats are fine on all of them. Makes every other boot I've ever worn on a bike seem wimpy in comparison. Big plus - I severely sprained my left ankle on a road trip and the Combats really helped me get thru the 800 mile ride home by keeping the ankle braced and fairly immobile, despite shifting. Sizing is a bit tricky for a woman. I have the Euro 41 US 7 (smallest available but slightly oversized for me), usually wear a women's US 8.5 or 9. Must add insoles in warm weather. But plenty of room for thick wool socks in the cold weather.

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