Bates Beltline Boots (Size 9.5 Only)

Bates boots are sized in men’s US street shoe sizes. We tried on a selection and we feel they run true to size. If anything, they run on the smallish side, so if you are between sizes, choose the larger. We think the width is “medium”, or C to D.

I’m looking at two styles of Bates boots this morning… the Adrenaline and the Beltline. Both are very similar so I’ll go over both of them in one narrative and that way you’ll know the differences and can choose the right one for you.

These boots are a taller lace-up style built on a molded sole. The sole has a lot of arch support I notice and feels nice. The bottoms are relatively flat with just a slight indent where you’d rest them on the pegs. The overall weight of both styles is surprisingly low which will make them good walking boots for off the bike too. I like the feel of the higher lace-up boots. They are tall enough to cover the ankle well and feel more stable than the sneaker-type boots.

Both styles lace up and both have a little feature I’ve not seen before, but is welcome for a motorcyclist… the “Molle Strap Lace Restraint”. I had to Google the term Molle, but got nothing related to laces, so I guess that is a Bates in-house term, but basically it is just a short piece of stretch elastic material situated on the tongue right above where you tie your shoes, and so you can tuck the loose ends up under that strap to keep them wrangled in. The Beltline’s laces are “speed laces” which are recessed and the Adrenaline’s laces are the traditional kind. Pick your poison I guess.

There are only minor other differences… the Beltline boot is a mix of leather with nylon panels and the Adrenaline is mostly a solid leather upper. Both styles have the wrap-over protector where your shifter will hit. And both boots have a very nice reinforced piece around the heel of the boot.

I like both these styles and I don’t think there is a significant functional difference, so take a look at the close-up pictures and see which one you like the looks of best. :: Paul, 04-14-16

About Bates boots: Bates footwear is a company that has been around since the 1800s making all sorts of shoes and boots. In recent decades, their focus is boots and shoes for military and police. You can see the styles on their website. So there is a LOT of heritage in the making of these boots.

I’ve heard the brand “Bates” for MANY years in connection to custom leathers and boots and I’ve found out that Bates footwear (sold here) has no connection to Bates Leathers.