Also, BMW has not replaced these boots in their line-up for quite some years now - I honestly don´t think they have to.
Description of the Santiago´s:
The BMW Santiago boots are classified as the GS Touring boots, but I think it can be much more than that. According to BMW´s webpage these are the characteristics of the boots:
- Heavy-duty, unadulterated cattle leather (2.3 - 2.5 mm), impregnated
- Watertight and windtight with GORE-TEX
- Inserts in 100 % Kevlar
- Removable inner soles
- Aluminum snap fasteners with memory effect (also available as replacement components)
- Metal tips in stainless-steel with logo (also available as replacement components)
Apart from the above they have (BMW doesnñt describe everything):
- Oil and fuel resistant rubber sole
- Large shin protectors
- Ergonomically shaped ankle protectors
- Reinforced heel and toe area
- Reflective area above the heel poiting backwards with cat-eye reflective material
- Kevlar reinforced shift gear area.
- Elastic calf closure to avoid dirt / water entering from above.
Before the review, a sense of What have you done with them?
I´m not an extreme motorcycle rider i.e. motocross, but have put quite some kms on them in varied situations. As examples:
- Multiple weekend routes within Spain,with temperatures ranging from +40º to - 7º. approx. 5000 kms
- Portugal Les a Les - from North to south of portugal with multiple terrain from dirt, to twisted roads to sand, including getting there and back. 3500kms
- Full Route 66, from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica pier, Caifornia. Multiple weather conditions. Approx. 4500kms
- One accident in Tulsa. No harm to rider
- BMW Hechlingen enduro park training. 2 days of driving a BMW F800GS up and down a quarry, through mud, in water, over rocks and through sand
- I normally used them on weekend rides / longer routes, however since August this year I use them everyday on my 120km work commute 70% of the times under heavy rain. approx.
I would say I´ve logged approx 20000 kms with the Santiago´s
Wearing the Santiago´s:
Putting on or taking off the Santiago´s is very quick just open the velcro fastener and release the fasteners. Your foot will slip in or out with ease. Especially like the capability of getting them off easily after a long ride when you just want to relax. Only watchout is the sometimes the fastener mechanism gets caught inside itself, if you open it fully this doesn't happen.
As most boots, the Santiago needs wearing in. The first time you use them they will be very stiff and not well molded to your feet. They need to be used for some time, but when they are worn in, they are comfortable. To note, they would not be the boots you would take to walk all day long or hike with - on my longer trips I always take some type of walking shoes. Only issue is pushing things with the boots, if you put pressure on the tip only (like pushing a high bike backwards while on it) you put your weight on the metal tip only and it slips....
While riding, you forget the Santiago´s are there. The Gore-tex membrane does it´s job effectively, blocking the elements out. To date they are still completely waterproof, with not a drop entering. The shin protectors work really well, having recieved some rock hits while on the offcourse. No injury to myself.
The only exception to this is very hot weather - i.e. 40º, where they are hot, not unbearable put even so enough for you to take your feet out when stopping for a beer.
I had one accident with the Santiagos - the bike suffered some damage, I fell off and slid on the tarmac for a few meters. I had nothing although my foot was under the bike. Not sure how much damage I would have had without the Santiago´s, but it seems the protected me )and prevented the ankle from getting a sprain.
Durability - the wear & tear
The Santiago´s are extremely well built. To date nothing on these boots show the 3 years usage I´ve given them (except for some mud stains I never washed off).
Opening/ closing mechanism - Although on the internet there are people that have complained that this is a week part and needs replacing, no issue for me or maintenance to date needed
Leather: Extremely durable, just some scratches from the accident in Tulsa, nothing else. Even where normal boots get worn out (gear clutch) - nothing
Membrane: No water leakage to date in the boots in spite of heavy rain usage, and the BMW F800GS having an issue of spraying water water is on the ground to my feet (vs. my old transalp which did not).
Sole: I´ve not walked thousands of kms with them, but not worn out at all
Seams / Stitching: double stitching has not let any seam open, and the fixture of the sole to the boot has not let in.
Metal front caps: The only issue with the boot. You can take them off, but if you keep them they will wear out - mine have cuts on the bottom and the screws tend to unscrew and fall off, I´ve already lost one.
Pros
- Construction quality. Although expensive, well worth the money. 3 years later and still going
- All-round usage: I´ve used them from -7ºC weather to +40ºC and always been comfortable.
- Amazing protection: from accidents, offroad usage with the shins, etc...
- the bad-ass look. However if you remove the metal tips they look slightly more normal.
Cons
- Walkability: Are great, but still would not take these boots for walking a full day or hiking.
- Extreme hot weather: Although you can use them in summer weather, if it is extremely hot they are not the most enjoyable boots (like an airflow) however are bearable.
- The front metal tips: I have 3 problems here (i) the screws come off by themselves (ii) the metal is slippery which you notice when walking and if you have a tall motorcycle and use tiptoes when pushing it backwards.
verdict: I would not swap these for any other boots (nor do I need to)
I´m not an extreme motorcycle rider i.e. motocross, but have put quite some kms on them in varied situations. As examples:
- Multiple weekend routes within Spain,with temperatures ranging from +40º to - 7º. approx. 5000 kms
- Portugal Les a Les - from North to south of portugal with multiple terrain from dirt, to twisted roads to sand, including getting there and back. 3500kms
- Full Route 66, from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica pier, Caifornia. Multiple weather conditions. Approx. 4500kms
- One accident in Tulsa. No harm to rider
- BMW Hechlingen enduro park training. 2 days of driving a BMW F800GS up and down a quarry, through mud, in water, over rocks and through sand
- I normally used them on weekend rides / longer routes, however since August this year I use them everyday on my 120km work commute 70% of the times under heavy rain. approx.
I would say I´ve logged approx 20000 kms with the Santiago´s
Wearing the Santiago´s:
Putting on or taking off the Santiago´s is very quick just open the velcro fastener and release the fasteners. Your foot will slip in or out with ease. Especially like the capability of getting them off easily after a long ride when you just want to relax. Only watchout is the sometimes the fastener mechanism gets caught inside itself, if you open it fully this doesn't happen.
A particularly good feature is the elastic calf closure allows you to wear them with the pants in or out of the boots, while ensure they rest closely to your leg - this avoids most stuff getting in. To date, I´ve had no dirt or sand inside the boots.
While riding, you forget the Santiago´s are there. The Gore-tex membrane does it´s job effectively, blocking the elements out. To date they are still completely waterproof, with not a drop entering. The shin protectors work really well, having recieved some rock hits while on the offcourse. No injury to myself.
The only exception to this is very hot weather - i.e. 40º, where they are hot, not unbearable put even so enough for you to take your feet out when stopping for a beer.
I had one accident with the Santiagos - the bike suffered some damage, I fell off and slid on the tarmac for a few meters. I had nothing although my foot was under the bike. Not sure how much damage I would have had without the Santiago´s, but it seems the protected me )and prevented the ankle from getting a sprain.
Durability - the wear & tear
The Santiago´s are extremely well built. To date nothing on these boots show the 3 years usage I´ve given them (except for some mud stains I never washed off).
Opening/ closing mechanism - Although on the internet there are people that have complained that this is a week part and needs replacing, no issue for me or maintenance to date needed
Leather: Extremely durable, just some scratches from the accident in Tulsa, nothing else. Even where normal boots get worn out (gear clutch) - nothing
Membrane: No water leakage to date in the boots in spite of heavy rain usage, and the BMW F800GS having an issue of spraying water water is on the ground to my feet (vs. my old transalp which did not).
Sole: I´ve not walked thousands of kms with them, but not worn out at all
Seams / Stitching: double stitching has not let any seam open, and the fixture of the sole to the boot has not let in.
Metal front caps: The only issue with the boot. You can take them off, but if you keep them they will wear out - mine have cuts on the bottom and the screws tend to unscrew and fall off, I´ve already lost one.
Pros
- Construction quality. Although expensive, well worth the money. 3 years later and still going
- All-round usage: I´ve used them from -7ºC weather to +40ºC and always been comfortable.
- Amazing protection: from accidents, offroad usage with the shins, etc...
- the bad-ass look. However if you remove the metal tips they look slightly more normal.
Cons
- Walkability: Are great, but still would not take these boots for walking a full day or hiking.
- Extreme hot weather: Although you can use them in summer weather, if it is extremely hot they are not the most enjoyable boots (like an airflow) however are bearable.
- The front metal tips: I have 3 problems here (i) the screws come off by themselves (ii) the metal is slippery which you notice when walking and if you have a tall motorcycle and use tiptoes when pushing it backwards.
verdict: I would not swap these for any other boots (nor do I need to)
Excellent. I ride a R1150RT and try to keep myself in BMW gear. It saves time and effort (trade-off is more money) to walk into a dealer and suit up. I'll be tryin a pair out next month. TY
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