In the endless search for unicorns and perfect kit, I have run into Rokka motorcycle boots. This may be connected to a biking film project in South India involving my brother, a camera and two Enfields. It seems like a good idea to field test what might be perfect boots.
These Rokka boots are men’s boots. The size jump between the ladies 39 and a 40 was silly, and I didn’t fancy the long necked boots for girls. So I decided to go for the stumpier, cooler ones for guys. I have feet like a mole. Finding seriously comfortable boots that are happy to be knocking around the deserts of Rajasthan with camera or photographing horses in Hampshire fields is important. A photographer marches on her feet and mine value not getting too hot or wet. Big asks in variable climates. South India is humid on a good day, we’re going in slightly rainy conditions, and we need boots that give both decent grip and support. Six weeks on an Enfield should shake them down and decide if these are unicorn boots or not.
The charming guy at Motolegends said they would definitely take a bit of wearing in. After a decent cup of tea and both my dogs being given the run of the shop and a bowl of water, I was putty in their hands. The shop floor service was bloody brilliant. The guys listened, and listened hard, applied brains and humour, and helped me iterate what I really needed. These are boots not for the faint hearted. These are don’t mess with me, no-nonsense boots. The sort girls wore in the ambulance service in the war or flying planes on the East African Cairo post run. So yes, they’re taking a bit of time to soften up but you wouldn’t want them to not mould to your moley feet now, would you? They’re a bit short of being hobnailed but I suspect once they’ve settled, they’ll have to be prized off me. Like the John Wayne films when boots were as valuable as the horse. So here they are. you definitely need socks, preferably above the neck of the boot, and you need to keep them laced firmly to prevent them rubbing at the leg end of the business.
My feet are a bit prone to swelling in the heat, and I’ve got a weird toe that has a bizarre hammer action when I walk. I‘m not sure my husband has noticed this yet so keep it quiet please. The men’s 39 is roomy enough at the spade end and deep enough that the weird toe feels ok, and the colour is a sort of deep antique brown. I adore the slightly curved heel which makes me feel I might be a pippy longstocking type. Or maybe a Nikon wielding photographer. Hang on a minute…
So here they are in day 2.
I live in beautiful Bosham which has a large tendency to mud. The next images might not be quite so pretty. I’ve ordered my dubbin as per instructions from my superhero at Motolegends, and will be monitoring the leather softening as they mould to the moles. I like how honest these boots are.