Archive for February 12th, 2010

 

Messenger Bags: A Varied Infusion of Individuality

Friday, February 12th, 2010

Messenger Bags are not what they were in the past. Well, obviously, they are not just for couriers now. These practical bags are worn by men and women of any age, profession and taste. No more the dowdy canvas, the modern pink camo messenger bag glimmers with color and are made of any fabric type imaginable.

Are you a commuter? Do you walk towards your office? Or do you habitually carry loads of stuff wherever you go? If you’re still not using messenger bags then it’s about time you do. A messenger bag has many chamber and room for your devices, pens, cash and so much more. This roomy container with broad, sturdy straps can be worn across the chest or back or just sling it over your shoulder, leaving your hands free to carry or do other things.

There are many kinds of messenger bags nowadays. They tend to cater to every person’s needs therefore reducing the need to purchase other bags. For professionals and businessmen, instead of carrying a unwieldy laptop briefcase, they carry a messenger bag especially designed for laptops. This provides a padded and safe compartment for the equipment to avoid shock and damage. There’s also extra space for newspapers, notebooks and other items.

For parents, it’s quite a hassle to haul around several bags when you’re out with your baby. A messenger bag is a life saver. This allows you to carry diapers, baby bottles, wipes and everything that your infant requires in just one bag. Once you have it on, you’ll have easy access to its contents and still have both hands free to hold or play with your child.

 

Ladies – Which Motorcycle Boot Is Best For You?

Friday, February 12th, 2010

Which Womens Motorcycle Boot Is Best For You?

Please take into account the following 3 factors when buying your motorcycle riding boots.

First, safety must be the primary consideration. The  boot should meet or exceed the necessity for protection and safety.

Buy a well made boot – preferably stitched and glued, not just glued – from a reputable manufacturer who specialises in motorcycle boots.. Harley Davidson, Sidi, TCX, Alpinestars and Probiker are a few names that come to mind. Some local suppliers are listed here.

There are truly so many brilliant manufacturers out there that I can’t name them all for lack of space.

What I do know is that it’s generally foolish to buy  a pair of  motorcycle boots from the local shoe store or Walmart-type store. . They simply will not stand up to the stress of biking or give you the protection you need. Start by looking at what the motorcycle dealers are selling. Consult people who ride bikes and who have riden them for years.

Second, buy a comfortable pair of boots.. There are a few things to consider when it comes to comfort including overall fit, pinch points and stiffness. There is nothing worse than having your feet burning or cramping up on a long ride.

It’s non-slip rubber soles for me, on my cruiser. They are generally more comfortable and will not slip when you put your foot down at a stop.

I have always adopted a policy of buying the boot that fitted snugly in the shop as I find they tend to stretch a bit after wearing them for a while. I’m talking about leather boots here of course. The synthetic materials will not stretch like leather does. In the shops my boots are always a bit tight – on the verge of being too uncomfortable. Then after some time when they’ve deformed a bit and softened somewhat, they fit like a glove.

Third, buy the boot that suits you style-wise. This must be the last consideration.
 It’s great to look fashionable and you need not sacrifice safety and comfort because there are so many fabulous boots out there that will give you the style and design you love and provide the safety and comfort you must have.

It’s probably obvious but you must match your boot style to your ride. Cruiser style boots are usually quite traditional in their styling. Motocross and racing boots are distinctive. You would look really silly wearing motocross style boots on a Harley Fatboy.

The choice of lace-up or zip-up is a personal choice and it depends a bit on comfort and style but also convenience. It’s a bit more of a hassle to put on and take off a laced boot. Also the lace style is obviously not as watertight as a boot that zips up.  I prefer a boot that zips along the whole height of the boot and there must be a kind of ‘fold-under’ flap of leather behind the zipper to improve watertightness.

Quality motorcycle boots can be quite expensive but are usually worth every penny and will pay back the investment you make with long years of service and wear. Buy the best boots you can afford and look after them well and they will look after you.