Best alternative to flip-flops?

[richardbd]

Most of my riding time is spent on the road. I'm increasingly paranoid about leg/ankle protection, having been FBOS at a very nasty accident involving a good mate, who'd come off at speed in the mountains of Corsica. Amongst others injuries, he sustained a compound fracture of the lower leg. the fact he was wearing lightweight ankle boots can't have helped.

So, recently, I switched my Daytona Roadstar GTX boots for a new pair of their Evo Voltex GTX - on the strength of the rigid inner-boot.

This summer, we're off on our annual adventure tour - Southern Africa - which will be at least 50% dirt/off-road. I used to wear Daytona Trans-Open GTX boots for these trips but have sold them - they're way too flexible side-to-side, given my current phobia.

So, the question is - what do I replace them with?

Most of the so-called adventure boots are just too soft in an off and most of the enduro boots are too stiff to walk about the bush in.

Ideas on a postcard please...

 

[PhaedrusMC]

This question (link at bottom of post) was asked by me some years ago. At the time my favourite boot to date was Alpinestars Vector (no longer in production). Not remotely waterproof so not ideal for UK/Ireland, but very comfy, and very robust & protective, as well as being plenty comfy to walk in. I rode a FireStorm while I had the Vectors, and had absolutely no issues with gear changes or anything at all. The style of them would have suited a GS well, IMO.

FF to now (I'm planning to become a GS owner this year), and I've been looking for a waterproof equivalent to the Vector (I sold them), from any manufacturer.

Voila! The Corozal Drystar Adventure boot from Alpinestars! Has to be worth a look?

If waterproof isn't a requirement, perhaps the O'Neal Element? No experience of them, but they seem to be a softer version of a full MX boot?

http://www.fc-moto.de/epages/fcm.mo...orozal-Adventure-Waterproof-Boot&Locale=en_GB

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ae5erJVvBYc

http://www.fc-moto.de/epages/fcm.mo...lement-III-Pro-Fit-ES-Boots-0002&Locale=en_GB

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RMTIqp6lkho

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showth...ss-Boots?highlight=Waterproof+motocross+boots

 

[Schtum]

So, the question is - what do I replace them with?

Most of the so-called adventure boots are just too soft in an off and most of the enduro boots are too stiff to walk about the bush in.

Ideas on a postcard please...

Sidi Adventure Gore-Tex GTX.

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/403990-Sidi-Adventure-Gore-Tex?highlight=Sidi+Adventure

 

[rjsmith26]

+1 for sidi adventures, mine took a while to break in but now are superb and pretty good ankle/shin protection up the shin.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

I'm equally paranoid about further lower leg injuries having lost a leg and permanently damaged my remaining leg in separate bike accidents. For years I wore MX boots regardless of the bike I was riding or the conditions.

I then bought a pair of Sidi Adventure boots when they first came out (6 years ago?). A bit less protective than full on MX boots maybe but lighter, more comfortable (I can wear them all day on and off the bike) and completely waterproof. They still offer a high degree of ankle and shin protection, more so than ordinary road boots.

Mine have been worn year round and used for the daily commute, touring, trips to Maroc/Himalayas and plenty of local green laning. They are, amazingly, still going strong and remain waterproof.

When they eventually wear out I'll check out the A Star Toucans as they look to be slightly more protective (possibly?) but, TBH, will probably go with the Sidi's again as they have been such a brilliant boot

Andres

 

[PhaedrusMC]

I'm equally paranoid about further lower leg injuries having lost a leg and permanently damaged my remaining leg in separate bike accidents. For years I wore MX boots regardless of the bike I was riding or the conditions.

I then bought a pair of Sidi Adventure boots when they first came out (6 years ago?). A bit less protective than full on MX boots maybe but lighter, more comfortable (I can wear them all day on and off the bike) and completely waterproof. They still offer a high degree of ankle and shin protection, more so than ordinary road boots.

Mine have been worn year round and used for the daily commute, touring, trips to Maroc/Himalayas and plenty of local green laning. They are, amazingly, still going strong and remain waterproof.

When they eventually wear out I'll check out the A Star Toucans as they look to be slightly more protective (possibly?) but, TBH, will probably go with the Sidi's again as they have been such a brilliant boot

Andres

Sorry to hijack the thread, but... you lost a leg in a bike accident?! That's harsh. What boots were you wearing in that accident? Could any boot (MX or whatever) have saved your leg or minimised the damage?

I've also only ever owned / worn some sort of MX/off-road type boots (though never a full-on MX beast), regardless of what bikes I had - Sidi Tracker, Sidi Top Action, Alpinestars Vector. I tried on mate's various road-type boots, and used training school's road boots, and they feel like lightweight trainers - never felt protected in anything other than MX/off-road-ish boots.

Not to say it couldn't happen with an MX type boot, but I saw a video a while back where a road racer's boot (presumably decent kit, if not "top-of-the-range") was ripped off in a crash, and along with it went the outer layer of his foot (it's called "degloved" - don't google it if you're squeamish). IIRC, he lost the foot.

 

[RedRick Esq.]

And another for the Sidi Adventure


I do wish they wouldn't squeak though

 

[newboy]

+x for Sidi Adv

Bought mine on here - great boots...

 

[Joe narvey]

And another for the Sidi Adventure


I do wish they wouldn't squeak though

My adventures used to squeak much to everyones annoyance, but lifting the leather front and liberal dubbing and then same at the back ( boot sole flat on surface, push forward to expose the plastic at the back and dab some dubbin then flex it back forward). That fixed it.

Adventure boot is great, off road I've used crossfire and on road Adventure. The Adventure was a tad low on my shin.

 

[Joe narvey]

Afterthought. If you do go off road and need higher shin protection less 'twist' in foot / leg and tighter fit for water ingress the crossfire is good. They can currently be bought for £229.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but... you lost a leg in a bike accident?! That's harsh. What boots were you wearing in that accident? Could any boot (MX or whatever) have saved your leg or minimised the damage?....................

You think it was harsh? How do you think I felt!!!

I was only 17, on a 250LC so was wearing the obligatory uniform of the time; bomber jacket, jeans and cowboy boots......... TBH it was a big 'off' and what boots I was wearing would have made little difference as I came to with my foot in my face (my knee had bent the wrong way back on itself).
The reason I'm so paranoid now about wearing decent armoured boots is 'cos of injuries to my remaining leg; if I smack it hard enough in the shin area I've been told I'll loose that leg.

Like a twat though, it doesn't stop me wearing jeans and Doc's when popping around locally on the 1190.......

ATGATT on the Tomos though, you never know when that one could turn round and bite you on the arse



Andres

 

[Giles]

Ouch .... !!

That makes me shiver Andres ... !

 

[Joe narvey]

You think it was harsh? How do you think I felt!!!

I was only 17, on a 250LC so was wearing the obligatory uniform of the time; bomber jacket, jeans and cowboy boots......... TBH it was a big 'off' and what boots I was wearing would have made little difference as I came to with my foot in my face (my knee had bent the wrong way back on itself).
The reason I'm so paranoid now about wearing decent armoured boots is 'cos of injuries to my remaining leg; if I smack it hard enough in the shin area I've been told I'll loose that leg.

Like a twat though, it doesn't stop me wearing jeans and Doc's when popping around locally on the 1190.......

ATGATT on the Tomos though, you never know when that one could turn round and bite you on the arse



Andres

Can't you just steal a boot from a shop display or are you really unlucky and have the leg they don't put on display?

Is there a market for 1 boot swapping ?

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Can't you just steal a boot from a shop display or are you really unlucky and have the leg they don't put on display?

Is there a market for 1 boot swapping ?

I've often thought the same!

I race Hill Climbs on a SM and wear a trainer on my tin leg as it makes it less heavy to move around/stick my leg out in tight corners - it really fecks with the scrutineers/starters heads when you explain you only need the one boot

Andres

 

[Joe narvey]

I've often thought the same!

I race Hill Climbs on a SM and wear a trainer on my tin leg as it makes it less heavy to move around/stick my leg out in tight corners - it really fecks with the scrutineers/starters heads when you explain you only need the one boot

Andres

Maybe that's cheating

 

[johnnyboy]

You think it was harsh? How do you think I felt!!!

I was only 17, on a 250LC so was wearing the obligatory uniform of the time; bomber jacket, jeans and cowboy boots......... TBH it was a big 'off' and what boots I was wearing would have made little difference as I came to with my foot in my face (my knee had bent the wrong way back on itself).
The reason I'm so paranoid now about wearing decent armoured boots is 'cos of injuries to my remaining leg; if I smack it hard enough in the shin area I've been told I'll loose that leg.

Like a twat though, it doesn't stop me wearing jeans and Doc's when popping around locally on the 1190.......

ATGATT on the Tomos though, you never know when that one could turn round and bite you on the arse



Andres

Feck. Sounds sore. I think I got off lightly when a 32 tonne truck ran over my legs/feet. Pleased to say I still have them although it was touch and go for my left foot!!

Sent from my GT-I9195 using Tapatalk

 

[richardbd]

Thanks for the suggestions chaps.

Down to a 3-way battle between Sidi Adventure, crossfire and A/S Toucans.

Adventure is the leader in the clubhouse...

 

[Schtum]

Down to a 3-way battle between Sidi Adventure, crossfire and A/S Toucans.

If it was just a matter of protection, it'd be Crossfires, without a question. I've never worn them but I do have a pair of the previous generation Flexforce with the SRS sole. I used to wear them most of the time on a previous GS and even did a track day in them. However, they're not the best to walk about in. The Crossfires will be a bit better in that respect because of the additional hinge on the rear of the boot at calf height. I do have a pair in the garage but they're my son's and far too big for me, so I can't try them to be absolutely sure but I suspect that the Adventures which I do have are much more conducive to walking any distance.

The other consideration is if Sidis will fit you. They're made on a relatively narrow last, especially in comparison with Daytonas. I tried several different sized pair of Daytona Trans Open GTX at one point and gave up because they were all far too wide for my feet.

 

[richardbd]

The other consideration is if Sidis will fit you. They're made on a relatively narrow last, especially in comparison with Daytonas. I tried several different sized pair of Daytona Trans Open GTX at one point and gave up because they were all far too wide for my feet.

Thanks Schtum. I've tried the Adventures in a shop. I had to go up a size but after 15 minutes tramping around the store, they seem ok. Of course, until you ride all day in them, it's hard to tell...

 

[Boxerboy55]

Following all the recommendations in this place I picked up a pair of Sidi Adventure Goretex this morning at Firecrest in Glasgow.
A place I'd never heard of till yesterday.

In store price £269.99 and I copped another £10 off as I was with someone who bought a helmet and that sprung a £10 voucher (and I was driving)