Hechlingen boots?

[demito]

Hi all,

off to Hechlingen with a couple of mates in october and I just read on the BMW website enduro boots are required. None of us have them. Wonder if it is really necessary. Are normal touring boots ok? What is so specific about enduro boots (sole, support, ...)

If I have to buy boots, then I would prefer Savannah boots rather than the GS boots because water proof, multi purpose, looks etc... Will Savannah boots be sufficient for Hechlingen, standing up on the bike, foot support etc...? Any experiences? Tnx for sharing them with me.

Cheers

Demito

 

[sparkplug]

Don't know about Hechlingen but the Welsh BMW off-road school were quite happy with a good touring boot. Ankle boots were no good but a tall boot is OK. Most of the injuries are feet and ankles so these need protecting.

I have the Daytona Trans-Open GTX and they were fine.

Of course a proper enduro boot would be better...

 

[PW Cymru]

If Hechlingen is an off-road school I sugest you don't attempt to ride without proper off-road boots.

Its not so much the standing on pegs or even support during the ride but the protection they can give in a spill.

You'd be supprised how fragile feet can be. Trust me

 

[michnus]

The Savanna boots is a proper off road boots, it just look's better and you can wear them days on end, waterproof, wind proof, steel toetips, hard soles for standing on pegs for long times on end,and all the ankle and shin protection that comes with a good quality boot.And you will never want anything else

 

[MiGSel]

The "enduro boots required" is more like good advice and maybe a bit of "told you so" if it goes wrong.

I was wearing the colourful GS1 boots, because I could buy them for half the price just before we went there. And I was happy with them. It feels quite different standing on the pegs, putting a foot down on rocky surface, bumping into a cylinder, ...

So, they won't kick you out with touring boots but it's wise to wear something heavier. Savannah boots or similar will do fine. Main disadvantage of the GS1 boots and many other "proper" MX boots is that they are not waterproof. They are definitely stronger and you simply can't twist your anckle.

Other extra protection (elbows, knees, chest, back) makes sense too of course but your feet and lower legs are very vulnerable. Most things you do in Hechlingen are at low speed and getting your foot squeezed between the bike and something else is quite likely to happen.

Have fun!
Michel

 

[Gecko]

I wear Sidi Discovery boots now but used to use BMW Kalahari boots (pre-savanna model) . On the first day at hechlingen I took a tumble on a hill and was very glad to have been wearing the sidi's which have much more protection than the BMW boots. Result was a bruised shin and probably not a broken one. A sturdy set of knee protectors is also worth considering too.....

Sidi discovery boots click here

 

[Nostromo]

I think they are called "Sidi Courier" Boots in the UK - £150 from -www.bikenet.com

Or very similar are Gaerne Despatch boots

£110 from www.busters-accessories.co.uk

They also have Gaerne RX2 MotoX boots in various colours for £95

 

[lesliek]

Faced the same dilemma before heading to Hechlingen and decided in the end to go with a pair of Sidi Flex Force boots and I'm glad I did. Your boots will take beating at Hechlingen and as MiGSel mentioned, the low speed tumbles around the Enduro Park will sometimes have you pinned on the ground by the bike and a good solid off-road boot will increase your chances of escaping any penetrating or twisting injuries unhurt tenfold. On some of the single tracks, I also felt what could have been rocks or branches 'thud' heavily off my boots and I busted a lower strap without my knowing either hitting something or on one of my tumbles on the hills (a good reminder to pack spare straps). As you'll be standing on the pegs 90% of the time, the rigid boot and sole actually provides fantastic support for the feet/ankles on the 'smallish' standard pegs on the GS. If you're going with the heavy duty off road boots, I recommend you wear them for a bit before Hechlingen to soften them up a much as possible and also to get used to changing gears and working the rear brakes. The awesome protection offered cuts both ways in that you can barely 'feel' the levers and I found myself looking down at my feet a lot initially to 'find' the gear shift and brakes. Also, a good back protector, and other protection (knees, shoulders, elbows) are worth their weight in gold around the rock strewn park. Otherwise, it was a blast and I'm sure you'll have a fantastic time there.