What is the purpose of riding boots?

[Steve-O]

I wear gloves and boots because the skin on the sole of the feet and palm of the hands is the hardest to heal. So it's important for my boots to be made of leather and not fall off in a 35mph fall.

I've heard that ankle support is important. Side impact protection. Safety toe and non skid soles are important. But I'm not sure any MC boot offers much ankle protection. If I get hit from the side with enough force to injure my ankle, my leg bones are probably gone as well. And opinions vary about safety toes - we've all heard stories of toes being pinched off by the steel toed boots (which may be an urban legend).

I personally wear roper boots with vibram soles.

[shadowmaker07]

This would be a good reason............this was done last Sept. ('11) when a school bus hit me. My sandal clad foot slid up and hit I still haven't figured out what yet but it swelled up the size of Rhode Island and is actually still bruised well over a year later.

[joe in calif]

I wear Alpinestar high top boots, ankle padding and heavy toe support but not steel, good grip on wet roads and very comfortable. I see guys riding in tennis shoes and hope they never go down with those on. I was hit from behind on my 08 Gold Wing and the bike slid a long way on it's left side with my foot underneath it, Here is a picture of the boot I was wearing at the time, Now imagine if it was tennis shoe what my toes would have looked like

[pixelpusher]

I suppose that a well constructed boot would keep your ankles from rolling in or out to prevent sprains/breaks. A rigid structure would diffuse impacts to some degree.
If it fits secure it wont be stripped of your foot as your skipping down the highway ass over teakettle.
(My own boots are not ideal.)
Something more like this would probably give you more optimal protection, but is not what most people will wear for every day riding.
Alpinestars Tech 10 Boots - Dirt Bike Motocross - Motorcycle Superstore
Of course, some impacts will do damage regardless.

[shadowmaker07]

How's the riding there in San Jacinta? It's not too far from where I am thinking of moving to.

[jpr1968]

If you wear boots that are at least 8"s tall and they fit good they will offer some ankle support but not a lot. If you want good support buy a good high quality riding boots. Most of the better ones have a stiff shank up the side of the boots to prevent the boot from crumpling sideways. Boots won't be cheap though. Mythbusters did a story about steel toed boots and couldn't get the toe to crumple in any normal circumstance. You listed all the other benefits of good boots.

[Corigan]

I've gotten my feet caught up before and am glad the boot offered ankle support as I twisted my foot up pretty good. If I didn't have on the boots it would have been much worse.

[byggd]

You are all wrong ........ they are worn to look cool.

[MikeB]

You are all wrong ........ they are worn to look cool

I thought they were for stomping on people in bars. We're bikers, ain't we?

[PA Dave]

I've been riding in my cowboy boots, mostly because they are the most comfortable boots I've ever owned, but I can't imagine that they offer much in the way of ankle support. I need to look into something a little more substantial I guess. Anyone else ride in cowboy boots?

In regards to steel toes, that photo shows the real protective value they have. As far as cutting off toes in an accident...I'm guessing if the impact or weight of something can crumple them to that point, the toes would be jello without the steel toes anyway. I'd err on the side of steel toes.