Stylmartin Cooper boots in black

The Stylmartin Cooper is a Chelsea-style biking boot. It's not a classic, biking style but it does make for a boot that's very easy to get on and off. And that's because there are no laces. You get in and out of the boots via a waterproof, YKK zip up the inside of the boot.

 

The boot is made from a waterproof-treated, soft, drum-dyed calfskin, but the actual waterproofing comes courtesy of a fully waterproof and breathable membrane.

 

The counter in the toe is particularly strong. There's another counter in the heel. To protect the ankles you get hard inserts on the outside, with D3O on the inside. There's a layer of leather for the gearchange pad.

 

Stylmartin tell us that this is a welted boot, and indeed there is welt that runs around the lower edge of the boot's upper. But this is not a Goodyear-welted boot where the outsole and midsole is sewn through the welt. On the Cooper the outsole is bonded to the midsole.

 

The midsole is what Stylmartin term their 'Special Grip' sole. It's basically their copy of a Vibram sole with a Commando style tread pattern. Now even though the boot has a faux welt rather than a genuine one, changing the sole won't be a problem. Any cobbler will be able to attach a new one.

 

In summary, this is a proper motorcycle boot for those who don't want it look as though they're wearing a motorcycle boot. It's a bit different.