What motorcross style boots for offroad/touring/adventure
Discussion
KTMsm said:
Have a google for "Adventure boots"
Forma seem the most popular
MX boots are great for off road events but impossible to walk in and torture for a tour
I've had Forma adventure boots for about four years now. Reasonably good protection, but so comfortable to walk in. On a 2000 mile tour of Spain at the moment wearing them. Sensible price too. They have high and low versions.Forma seem the most popular
MX boots are great for off road events but impossible to walk in and torture for a tour
Hugo Stiglitz said:
What's the difference and why? Is it like using a cyclo-cross bike to ride the tour de france?
MX boots are fine when you’re riding. Of the bike they are stiff you can walk in them but not far ,The adventure boots aren’t as protective but you can walk in them , I wouldn’t use them if you’re going off road …would recommend alpinestars tech 7 drystar if you want Protection from off road falls and hitting rocks about the most user friendly MX boots …
I use Tech 7's for greenlaning. Can't feel the gear shift or brake, almost exactly like wearing ski boots, however in an accident when my foot gets wrenched from my leg I am sure that if/when I can retrieve it, the foot will be completely intact. They are also Goretex lined so water-proof.
Touring, I use Sidi Adventure 2s (also Goretex lined) can walk in these and they have more feeling but are also more flexible and have the adorable 'Sidi squeek' which I actually don't mind.
Recently tried the Forma Adventure boots which felt like slippers compared to the others but an accident in those is probably going to be uncomfortable.
Horses and courses etc, but I would suggest that motocross boots for touring is probably overkill.
Touring, I use Sidi Adventure 2s (also Goretex lined) can walk in these and they have more feeling but are also more flexible and have the adorable 'Sidi squeek' which I actually don't mind.
Recently tried the Forma Adventure boots which felt like slippers compared to the others but an accident in those is probably going to be uncomfortable.
Horses and courses etc, but I would suggest that motocross boots for touring is probably overkill.
Sidi Adventure 2 (as Gnits suggested) and Alpinestars Toucan are worth considering. As you’ll be in Scotland, Gore-Tex is vital! But the boots vary in fit, e.g. Sidi is narrower.
If you’re touring not off-roading, I’d also try Dainese Sport Master Gore-Tex boots. They’re designed to fit under your trousers (essential for keeping dry) yet have a race boot’s ankle bracing, plus excellent feel for the bike’s controls and walking comfort. A brilliant combo.
If you’re touring not off-roading, I’d also try Dainese Sport Master Gore-Tex boots. They’re designed to fit under your trousers (essential for keeping dry) yet have a race boot’s ankle bracing, plus excellent feel for the bike’s controls and walking comfort. A brilliant combo.
Hugo Stiglitz said:
I'm going to buy a Tenere and hit Europe and Scotland this year.
What non garish coloured adventure/off road boots would you recommend that can handle mud, rain etc. So motorcross?
Take a look at the BMW VentureGrip GTX boots, they appear to be made by TCX (almost identical to the TCX Drifter) but come with a gore-tex liner and (IMO) a nicer colour. What non garish coloured adventure/off road boots would you recommend that can handle mud, rain etc. So motorcross?
I’ve got a Husq TE250i enduro and a Tenere.
Tenere is a great bike by the way.
I wear Alpinestars Tech 7 for enduro. Not a huge amount of feeling but you’ll get used to it. Very comfortable if a bit squeaky for walking in!
I’ve got a pair of TCX Baja Gortex for road/very light adventure. Pretty comfortable apart from a very scratchy seam around the top of the boot. Long socks are essential as a result.
If you’re doing green lane or TET on the Tenere then I’d consider something like the AS Tech7.
The Tenere is relatively heavy when it’s on its side & your foot is squashed under it.
Tenere is a great bike by the way.
I wear Alpinestars Tech 7 for enduro. Not a huge amount of feeling but you’ll get used to it. Very comfortable if a bit squeaky for walking in!
I’ve got a pair of TCX Baja Gortex for road/very light adventure. Pretty comfortable apart from a very scratchy seam around the top of the boot. Long socks are essential as a result.
If you’re doing green lane or TET on the Tenere then I’d consider something like the AS Tech7.
The Tenere is relatively heavy when it’s on its side & your foot is squashed under it.
I've got Alpinestars Belize and Gaerne GX1s. Depending on the riding you're doing there's very little practical overlap between the two types of boot.
The A* are a great for touring, completely waterproof, but they are nowhere near as rigid as you'd like for anything more than light off-road. They're absolutely fine at deflecting stones and plodding around in the muck, but I've had my foot swept under the bike whilst crashing in deep muddy ruts, the gearshift to the top of the foot isn't pleasant.
The Gaernes on the other hand are an entry-level MX boot, extremely rigid and you could probably drive a tank over the toes and not notice. But they are not in the slightest bit waterproof, constantly squeak while you're walking, you lose loads of pedal feel, and you might need to adjust the footrests/pedals to actually comfortably use them on a road-oriented bike. That said, I've done 200 mile days in them and they were honestly perfectly comfortable on a tall bike, just utterly cumbersome.
I'd strongly suggest looking at the kind of riding you're actually going to be doing and consider whether you really need serious protection, or if an 'Adventure' type boot would tick enough of the boxes. FWIW if I had the money at the time I'd have gone for A* Tech 7 Drystar instead of the Gaernes, but I needed a cheap pair quickly for an event.
The A* are a great for touring, completely waterproof, but they are nowhere near as rigid as you'd like for anything more than light off-road. They're absolutely fine at deflecting stones and plodding around in the muck, but I've had my foot swept under the bike whilst crashing in deep muddy ruts, the gearshift to the top of the foot isn't pleasant.
The Gaernes on the other hand are an entry-level MX boot, extremely rigid and you could probably drive a tank over the toes and not notice. But they are not in the slightest bit waterproof, constantly squeak while you're walking, you lose loads of pedal feel, and you might need to adjust the footrests/pedals to actually comfortably use them on a road-oriented bike. That said, I've done 200 mile days in them and they were honestly perfectly comfortable on a tall bike, just utterly cumbersome.
I'd strongly suggest looking at the kind of riding you're actually going to be doing and consider whether you really need serious protection, or if an 'Adventure' type boot would tick enough of the boxes. FWIW if I had the money at the time I'd have gone for A* Tech 7 Drystar instead of the Gaernes, but I needed a cheap pair quickly for an event.
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