Hello guys!

I've always owned boots off ebay - so well worn in.

However - the headgirl and I decided to splash out and buy new boots for our trip in April:

Question: Do you buy the boots to fit SNUGLY (allowing for 'give' once the boots are worn in a little), OR, do you buy them to fit perfectly?

Only that we tried on every single boot ever manufactured at the MCN show -- and apart from feeling as if our legs have been replaced with bionic irons from the knees down (try sashaying elegantly with THEM encasing your feet!) it seriously didn't feel as if there IS ANY 'GIVE' that could be allowed for?

The Beriks were the most comfortable - in a "wheelbarrow-shaped-like-a- boot,-strapped-around-your-foot" - kind of way.


PS: wearing anything other than steel plated, knee high, motocross boots is out of the question, since we quite regularly find ourselves balancing our bikes on our shins, or scraping surfaces off immovable objects alongside us. (the bikes never sustain any damage)

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I recently bought Fox F3 boots and they're really comfortable, fit snug when I purchased them and still fit snug now

I am not sure that you can break in a full-on steel plated palstic wrapped buckles and bells MX boot, the leather starts to get more give in it but there is so much non-leather in there that doesn't stretch. I have done about 20,000 miles on a bike and about 100 on foot (ouch) in mine and I couldn't say that they are any different from the day I got them. Apart from the smell. And the wear on the soles, plus most of my metal toe and heel inserts have worn off whilst riding a Pizza hut moped (need to use your feet a lot!)

I would buy boots that fit very snugly with two pairs of trousers and two pairs of socks in them - this is the most that you would probably wear. Buckle adjustment allows you to keep the ankle and leg fit good and a bit of space in the toes in hot places (when you have less trousers and socks on) is a good thing. As you can never feel anything through the sole size is not a big issue when riding (compared to climbing shoes etc).

If you are going with the riding naked tip then keep your legs well waxed, otherwise the boots will chafe horribly (don't ask me how I know this)...

I am not sure that you can get 'comfy' MX boots (I gave up trying and got 'cheap' ones) but hopefully being a member of the fairer sex will give you a head start in terms of suffering some discomfort for the right footwear!

I've always gone for mx boots that just fit.
Maybe they do give a little but I've never been aware of any changes.
Just make sure you try them on with whatever sock arrangement you're likely to use on a normal basis.

Buy a pair that are the correct size for you put them on then go stand in a river with the water above the height of the boots get them soaking wet then go out for the rest of the day on a trail ride finish of the day your boots will fit you like skin tight lycra. work's for me every time.

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Impasto-

if I remember correctly from your posts, you're heading for a Transafrica trip. I wouldn't have the boots too tight. Africa is damn hot in places and a tight fitting boot will kill you :-(

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Only when we pause to wonder
do we go beyond the limits of our little lives.
(Rod McKuen)

I have owned and tested a lot of MX boots in the last 20 years.

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Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!

Patrick -- its ONLY cos you're our personal favourite gear GURU that we'll let the Air Head reference go!

I've always worn mx boots (when I actually remember to put boots on!) - just never bought them new!

Is the kneebrace thing a trick question?

I did (severely) amateur crossing (complete with braces) - the only good it does for me, is prevent ROASTIES -- which I seem to otherwise have on my knees (and elbows) permanently!! Gigi, however, has weak knees (nope, nothing to do with hunky bikers) and uses braces with cross boots, and she says they really help prevent knee ache?!

I wish you would stop confusing us...girls take forever to make up our minds (and now there's TWO of us) - and we JUST settled on Berik.. and now we have to think about SIDI again. :confused1:

...

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Damn! You Girls raced MX? Wow! Nothing you can't get used to.

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Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!

My Surgeon says..

When bikers wore old army boots he saw loads of ankle injuries.

When they started wearing MX boots he saw knee injuries.

He's ready for all the femur and hip injuries caused by knee braces.



I break my boots in much the same way as Brian. You can get them nearly right by filling them up with water then wearing them around the house for a day.
"PUT THEM ON OUTSIDE YOU PRAT" (quote from my wife)


A good day's trail riding in the mud should sort them.

I but mine big enough for a thick pair of long thermal walking socks. I us these all year round.

Mine are Gaerne RX-2. I find them good compromise between protection, flexibility and all day comfort.

Uhm... race would be a bit of an optimistic description... er.. I'd say 'participated hesitantly and fearfully' is probably more appropriate (even kind!). Its in the starting line, where I learnt what the REAL difference between boys and girls is. Having done many, many scary things in my life, including jump solo from planes, diving with sharks, bungeed from bridges, I can say hand on heart, that lining up is NOT for girls! (I'm still in therapy!)

Anyway - I never thought of the knees popping out scenariio. And now I'm scared. I really only ever wore braces cos they came with the kit - and they colour matched the body armour beautifully. .

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"Lalala-la-la-la-laaaah! Not listening... NOT listening...."

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Hi Impasto, Take a look at these. These are motocross boots with a flexible sole. I've been using a pair for 5 years, I had them resoled last year and used them for a ride thru Spain / Morocco with on and offroading, I didn't take any other footwear because they are great for walking in as well as riding. They are brilliant. They now cost £99. I would definitely recommend buying boots that are a comfortable loos'ish fit when you're wearing thick socks ( wool ones preferably ) . Cheers Mike

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What company makes those boots ?
They look like they would do the on/off road job really well .

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Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light. - Spike Milligan
"When you come to a fork in the road ,take it ! When you come to a spoon in the road ,take that also ."

I've raced for years. So's my son.

Knee braces are common enough but only a minority of riders wear them (I don't and nor does the lad).

As for boot fit and break in. Get some that fit (with thick socks) but don't expect them to break in much.

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