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RoadBikeLeather and Laces - March 29, 2005 I usually buy men's boots. Not only do I prefer the styling, but they usually fit my wide feet better than most women's boots. When Laura asked me to review Cruiserworks' Lady Lace riding boots, I was hesitant. But I figured I'd give these new boots a try since they come in wide widths. When the boots arrived, I was pleasantly surprised. They fit so well right out of the box that no break-in period was required. rnrnThese stylish 9", full-grain black leather boots come up to the bottom of my calves. And the Kevlar-reinforced ankles provide good protection. Shifting is made easy with the military toe guard.rnrnDesigned to Canadian military specs, the toe guard is toe enough to stand up to repeated shifting, but unlike metal ones, doesn't conduct cold.rnrnThe CruiserComfort system is a multi-layer insole, featuring shock-absorbing Poron. It works so well that I don't mind wearing these boots all day long, even if I'm on my feet. The comfortably pliable, oil/acid resistant soles offer reliable traction in all sorts of conditions.rnrnA well though out feature is the Velcro-fastening retention strap that keeps dangling laces from getting caught on a peg or shifter. Unfortunately, I abused my boots by pulling them on while yanking up this strap. This caused the leather loop that hold s the strap in place to tear, as it wasn't meant for this purpose. Still, I'd like to see a separate pull tab added.rnrnAccording to the folks at Cruiserworks, if they get a lot of feedback suggesting the same thing, they'll try to incorporate it into the design. (Hence, the addition of wide widths in the ladies' line). So by the time this is in print, there may very well be a pull tab on the Lady Lace boots. rnrnWinter in Connecticut was fairly mild this year. I really got a chance to test these boots through all kinds of weather-sunshine, rain, and briefly snow. I know that all Cruiserworks boots are known for being 100 percent waterproof, so I wasn't surprised that they kept my feet dry through the worst downpours of the season.rnrnWhat I didn't expect was how much warmer my feet stayed during cold rides. I have been testing Widder-electric gear, so I 'm talking about riding in 20-degree weather, and that's before windchill. While they're not insulated, the boots are lined with Cruiserworks' Dri-Lex comfort lining, which wicks moisture away from your skin. And keeping your feet dry helps keep them warmer.rnrnFor guys who'd like similar lace-up boots, a men's version is on its way.rnrnWritten by: Tricia Szulewskirn |
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