Testing the Joe Rocket Big Bang 2.0 boots in sunny San Diego this past February, I assumed my feet would sweat and be uncomfortable.
Why? I received the boots in January during bitter-cold weather in Wisconsin. When the Big Bang 2.0 boots arrived, the temperature was well below zero outside. My yard was literally a sheet of ice and snow on the ground was a couple of feet deep. Those conditions are not what one expects to see a pair of motorcycle boots put to the test under, but that is exactly what I did.
They were comfortable for long periods of time in cold-Wisconsin conditions with a single non-heated athletic sock of moderate thickness in each boot. Yet, they proved very comfortable in day-long rides in warm conditions in the 80s while in San Diego.
Mind you, the Joe Rocket Big Bang 2.0 boots are not marketed as snowmobile boots, or even necessarily as cold- weather boots They also do not have a steel or otherwise reinforced toe, and carry no claims of being waterproof. Nonetheless, I broke them in during very cold weather working outdoors in snow and ice, and my feet did not get cold or wet.
From riding drastically different weather conditions, the Big Bang 2.0 boots proved versatile. And due to their basic style, they can be used for a variety of riding styles, from cruising to sport.
The upper is all leather and is stiff right out of the box, so a little break-in time is necessary, but worth the effort. Overall walk-around comfort is good, and despite their cold-weather credentials, they didn’t overheat my feet when used in warm weather. Molded polymeric ankle protectors are integral on both sides of the boot tops and the top edge of the boot upper is padded all around. The interior is lightly padded and lined. An integral leather pull strap is included on the back of the boots.
Shank and welt construction aren’t described in the product literature, but the sole appears to be robust with flexibility where you want it and support where you don’t. Reinforced non-leather shift lever wear pads are built into the top of the toe section of both boots. Triple-stitching is evident in most of the construction of the upper.
Heavy-duty braided laces snug the boots up through steel eyelets and I found the ratchet-adjustable leather ankle strap extending around the instep to be a handy item for securing the loose ends and loops of the laces. Safety tip — if you ride with lace-up shoes, always tuck the loops and loose ends of the laces someplace to secure them to help prevent the loops from getting caught on shift lever, brake pedal or foot pegs when you go to put your feet down.
Each of my size-10 boots weighs about 1 lb. 14 oz. or about 837 g, so the Big Bang 2.0 boots are really pretty light, considering how they’re built.
Sizes range from 40 to 47 (EU), 7 to 14 (US) and 6 to 13 (UK), and they carry an MSRP of $99.99.
For additional information, visit joerocket.com.
