Vendramini Elephant Boots

by Rick K. for webBikeWorld.com

wBW Reviews Home  |  Vendramini Marathon Boots Review  |  Vendramini Aero Boots Review

Vendramini makes some very interesting motorcycle boots, no doubt about it.  If you need proof, just take a look at the Vendramini "Desert Alp" Elephant boots shown here. 

But maybe "interesting" isn't the right word.  How about unique?  Over the top?  Yes, I think that's getting closer...

If you want more proof of Vendramini's whimsy, check out the Vendramini Aero boots we reviewed a while back.  Although that style has since been discontinued, you can still find a pair or two for sale on the Vendramini website.

The Vendrami distributor in the U.S. is BikerWorld USA, and they sent us this pair of Vendramini Elephant boots for evaluation along with a note telling us that the Elephant will soon be available for sale in the U.S.A. 

Unfortunately, I don't have many more details on these cool-looking boots.  I'm hoping to catch up with the Vendramini reps at the upcoming Dealer Expo in Indianapolis to learn more.  I'm guessing that they're waiting for this year's Expo to make the formal announcement about the availability of the boots in the U.S. market.

In the meantime, I thought that you might be interested in seeing some of these photographs and our first impressions.

The Vendramini Elephant boots are based on the existing Vendramini "Desert Alp" boots (photo below) which have been in the Vendramini lineup for some time.  The plain leather Desert Alp, the Desert Alp Elephant and the Vendramini Tuareg boots constitute the "All-Road" line of Vendramini boots.

Vendramini has grown from a small boutique manufacturer selling a couple of different types of boots to a worldwide concern with seven distinct boot categories: Race, Touring, Metropolitan, Classic Metro, Custom, All-Road and Off-Road.  They also sell a line of motorcycle gloves.

I'm not sure if it's fair to compare a company like Vendramini with some of the other motorcycle boot manufacturers who mass-produce products that compete on price.  Vendramini boots are aimed at a more discriminating rider who is looking for near-custom-made quality and style and is willing to pay for it.

Although I'm sure Vendramini uses modern tooling is used to manufacture the boots, I also know that there's a lot of hand work involved, especially on the Elephant boots, and Vendramini claims that each boot they make is at least hand inspected and tested.

The Vendramini Italy website also claims that all boots are guaranteed for two years (although the BikerWorld USA site doesn't confirm this).  The Elephant and most of the other Vendramini boots also meet the p.r.E.N. 13634 European standards for safety gear.

Other than the "Elephant" (look) leather, the Vendramini Elephant boots are apparently identical to the standard Vendramini Desert Alp plain leather boots.  Oh, and by the way: for the record, there is one thing that should be very obvious but I'll state it anyway.  Vendramini Elephant boots are not made from Elephant leather.  They're made from plain old cowhide and although I'm sure Bos taurus would disagree with Vendramini's strategy, Elephantidae have no problem at all with that.

The leather has been processed to look and feel like tough old Elephant hide.  Or at least I think it looks like tough old Elephant hide.  Since the only Elephants I've ever seen were behind bars and I've never had the opportunity to touch one, I'll have to take Vendramini's word for it.

These are big, tough boots.  Each size 44 (Euro) weighs in at 1520 grams (3 lbs., 5-5/8 oz.).  For reference, that's about as much as a mid-weight motorcycle helmet.  Vendramini says that the Elephants are perfect for "90% on-road and 90% off-road".  What I think they mean is that the Elephants are a pretty good all-around boot.

I'd have to agree, as long as you can get over the styling, the size and the weight.  They don't work very well on a sportbike, I can tell you that, but they're perfect on the old KLR650 I borrowed from my neighbor for a couple of runs.  The KLR seems to have the seat-to-peg length that allows the Elephant boots to remain nice and stretched out when riding.

They're also very comfortable, once you get them on.  The size 44's fit me just the way I like 'em from the ankle down.  They're very snug, which gives me confidence that they'll stay on my foot.

The Elephant boots are not without some caveats though.  I have what I think are pretty slim calves; measured 6" down from the center of my kneecap (38mm), my calve measure about 15.5" in diameter (113.5mm).  But the upper part of the boots do not open very wide -- I measured a fully closed boot (with the outer flap closed to match the Velcro) at about 122mm, or 12" at its smallest, and about 16" at the widest.

This means that you'd have to have a 12" diameter calf for the boots to completely close and if your calves are more than about 16" in diameter, the boots may not fit. 

Look at this photo below; the top flap is already closed only about half-way on my 15.5" calves.  I saw one photo of a rather large sized Vendramini test rider and the boots looked like they were just barely hanging on, so this may be a problem for those with large or stout legs.