Boot Recommendations

[Palerider]

Hi all

New GSA on order - but now I've got a question regarding boots - what do you wear? Currently got a pair of Alpinestar GPS 3 Waterproof Boots, but I'm considering purchasing a pair of motocross/enduro boots.

Having looked at the various "tech X" boots I'm utterly bewildered in the differences....??

Looking at mostly on road with a bit of off/trails/gravel roads.

Feedback appreciated

P

 

[Mutley]

I think you need two pairs

Off road bootrs are designed for protection rather than comfort and waterproofing. They look great but are difficult to change gear in as well. There aren't any serious off road boots that will keep you dry that I know of. You can wear Sealskinz under your off road boots but a long day in the saddle wearing them would not be a pleasant experience

There are plenty of really good road boots and most here will recommend somethink like Daytonas or Altbergs as they are 100% waterproof and very comfortable.

Finally there are a few boots out there with comfort and off road pretensions (BWM Savannas, Daytona and Hein Gericke). These are fine for a gentle gravel road and comfortable enough for the road but won't be enough if you get at all serious off road.

 

[ovenpaa]

I have worn Oxtar TCX Comps for the last 4 years now and can confirm:

They leak when it rains
They squeak when it is dry
They offer very good mechanical protection
They last very well
I can change gear in them (Modify your style or move the gear change up slightly)

My wife swears by Daytona's - They are comfortable, waterproof, light, easy to ride on. stylish, they even look good with jeans down the pub.

She still limps from when she broke her ankle in a low speed spill wearing them.

Personal preference I guess.

 

[Schtum]

I wear Sid Flexforce SRS which are built like a very well built brick outhouse. They're like wearing carpet slippers inside hinged plaster casts. They're also surprisingly waterproof with trousers worn over the top of them.

However, I've lately been wearing a much cheaper and lighter pair of boots in the form of Oxtar (now TCX) Space Boots. I bought these as the lightest enduro boots I could find to pack in my luggage for some riding I recently did in California and Oregon. They're relatively light, very comfortable and anything but waterproof so I've been liberally dousing them with Nikwax.

 

[ScaryAardvark]

I'm currently on my 3rd pair of Sidi Black Rain.. Very dry, comfy as a pair of slippers.. Not very warm in the winter though...

I've also got a pair of Daytonas and they're also the bollox

 

[Arsey]

I've got a pair of Oxtar (Now called TCX) Infinity Gore Tex.

I won them but would def buy another pair.

They fit perfectly and haven't leaked a drop in 2 years.

Not as off-roady as the MX style but at least they are 100% waterproof.

 

[sijohnston]

daytona trans-open

after an entire day of internet research (the car trade is a dull place these days!), 10 mins ago i ordered a new set of daytona trans-open gore-tex from fc-moto.de my mate does 25k a year in all conditions and they've never let in any water...good enough for me. to the credit of gary at bykebitz where i bought my lindstrands (halvarsonn's footwear), he just said post them back and they'll refund since they're leaking, after 5 months of good wear. bykebitz have just about the best retail aftersales service i've ever come across.

 

[Arsey]

after an entire day of internet research (the car trade is a dull place these days!), 10 mins ago i ordered a new set of daytona trans-open gore-tex from fc-moto.de my mate does 25k a year in all conditions and they've never let in any water...good enough for me. to the credit of gary at bykebitz where i bought my lindstrands (halvarsonn's footwear), he just said post them back and they'll refund since they're leaking, after 5 months of good wear. bykebitz have just about the best retail aftersales service i've ever come across.

I had a pair of those Daytonas-great boots but just didn't fit me very well.

They are quite wide and i have narrowish feet.

But if they fit,you will be very pleased with them as they are very well made and again 100% waterproof.

 

[GS TRV]

after an entire day of internet research (the car trade is a dull place these days!), 10 mins ago i ordered a new set of daytona trans-open gore-tex from fc-moto.de

Got mine a year ago (also from FC Moto) and can assure you that you won't be disappointed

Also, they help to make you look like a Dakar legend

 

[Fanum]

I use Gericke's TRG boots- £129 so pretty good value, were dead comfy from first wearing and nice and sturdy.
Not waterproof, but TBH that doesn't bother me- waterproof boots hold water in as well as they keep it out and that's not what I want in an off-road boot (I'd rather get wet then dry them that night) so that's fine.

Worn for up to 12 hours a day on each Moto Morocco trip without a problem- a bit squeaky when walking but wtf......recommended

EDIT One thing I'd add....these have the instep bit rather than having a flat sole like Enduro boots do...I much prefer this for off-roading as it helps anchor the boot on the peg, particularly in slippery conditions....I had a pair of boots with a flat sole once and just didn't get on with them

 

[ricardo]

I've got a pair of Oxtar (Now called TCX) Infinity Gore Tex.

I won them but would def buy another pair.

They fit perfectly and haven't leaked a drop in 2 years.

Not as off-roady as the MX style but at least they are 100% waterproof.

Hein Gericke do something very similar. But I've also got a pair of Daytonas. Very comfortable and so far totally waterproof.

 

[BM_donator]

Hein Gericke do something very similar. But I've also got a pair of Daytonas. Very comfortable and so far totally waterproof.

The Heine Gericke boots are the same item just with a different badge - as are the BMW Santiago boots.

I've got the TCX version and agree with the comments of being comfy with no leaks - even in 200 miles of driving rain in France.

 

[piskoGSA]

I've been using the BMW Santiago for 8 months now and they are excelent. Great fit ,very confortable, zero moisture even after long journeys.. Money worth spent ..

 

[piskoGSA]

The Heine Gericke boots are the same item just with a different badge - as are the BMW Santiago boots.

sorry mate they are far from being the same , and I'm not saying that BMWs are better or worse..

 

[sijohnston]

I had a pair of those Daytonas-great boots but just didn't fit me very well.

They are quite wide and i have narrowish feet.

But if they fit,you will be very pleased with them as they are very well made and again 100% waterproof.

hmmm, that's not so good. i tried on some road star's locally and they seemed like a good width, so assumed the trany-opens would be similar. i have very narrow feet also, so i hope i haven't screwed up here.

 

[Fanum]

Hein Gericke do something very similar. But I've also got a pair of Daytonas. Very comfortable and so far totally waterproof.

The HG ones I think you mean are these

HG RALLYE GTX II BOOTS BLACK

Updated and upgraded for 2007.

Function: Durable waterproof, windproof + highly-breathable GORE-TEX membrane. Comfort fit. Individual upper-boot width-adjusters with retaining strap. Elasticised flexi-zones around instep + heel. 2 side buckles for sturdy fit + support. Soft, elasticised seam finish around the leg. Removable insole. Abrasion-resistant gearshift pad reinforcement for durability. Oil + petrol-resistant rubber sole.

Protection: Effective shin bone + ankle protection. Inner + outer ankle protection. Special plastic-reinforced insole with galvanized steel insert.

Construction: Water-resistant mix of Nappa, cowhide + suede. Textile lining (85% polyamide, 10% polyester, 5% other fibres). Rubber sole.

I've got a pair...it's my second actually, the first were replaced under warranty when the buckle attachment point pulled right out of the leather.

I've only worn them a couple of times- TBH they are very comfy but I just don't trust their protection levels- they're too soft and floppy IMO and I feel so much better in the TRG boots.

I'd only wear the Rallye ones if it was piddling down and i had to do a full day in the rain, or maybe on a long tour where I was expecting bad weather.

 

[harryfire]

just remember if you buy dedicated MX boots, take the metal toe caps off, else each time you sling your leg over and catch the bike it will scratch, badly!!

 

[BM_donator]

sorry mate they are far from being the same , and I'm not saying that BMWs are better or worse..

Have a good look, I see only cosmetic differences - there are several sources on the web quoting that a single factory in Italy makes all three of these.

 

[Palerider]

Gosh decisions, decisions, decisions!!

Quite like the look of the touareg boots....will need to go and try some on!

Thanks guys! onyack

 

[Paul S]

The HG ones I think you mean are these

HG RALLYE GTX II BOOTS BLACK


I've got a pair...it's my second actually, the first were replaced under warranty when the buckle attachment point pulled right out of the leather.

I've only worn them a couple of times- TBH they are very comfy but I just don't trust their protection levels- they're too soft and floppy IMO and I feel so much better in the TRG boots.

I'd only wear the Rallye ones if it was piddling down and i had to do a full day in the rain, or maybe on a long tour where I was expecting bad weather.

Got a pair of the HG RALLYE GTX II BOOTS and was recently involved in an collision with a car which involved my right boot hitting the front of the car at circa 25mph. Fractured my big toe but still impressed with the amount of protection they gave and that I was able to "limp" away from the accident. Would recommend these or the Oxstars which are nearly identical