What do people think of the Fox Comp 5S

Fox Comp 5S Boot - Fox Racing



Been considering a pair for my up coming tours.

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My blog about touring and adv riding

I think its a personal decision, Lightweight and easy to walk in vs High, heavy and more protection.
Those low top boots probably protect your ankle reasonably well but the rest of the lower leg will have no protection.

Great for styling and walking around ... but not for riding, IMHO.


I always put this pic up of an Israeli rider during surgery.

I had a very similar break, (compound fracture of Tibua/Fibula) but mine was in the middle of the Tibia. 7 surgeries, 2 years recovery, $200,000 in 1997 USD. (now cost would be 1 million)

Tibia fracture is the most common injury to riders according a studies. Lots of good, comfortable and affordable boots have been shown in this thread (and in a few more linked to). Just no reason to ride in glorified sneakers that offer NO real protection.

I can't see how a frontal injury is that common. I'd say it's more the sides or at angles, from say from the bike landing/falling on you, or from hitting a rock or street furniture.

It's pretty difficult to hit the front of your shin, your foot and knee kind of get in the way.

Do correct me if I'm wrong though.

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According to the Hurt Report (an old but very good study of MC crashes) the most common MC crash was a car turning in front of a rider. One of the most common injuries was broken leg, (Tibia) from rider smacking front of car. The break can happen front or either side. In some cases good boots can save your leg, sometimes not.

In my case, I slid into a Armco Barrier, my leg was trapped between the bike's frame and steel Armco. The impact snapped my leg (compound fracture) and sent me off over the barrier 200 ft. free fall to a rocky creek below. There were 6 witnesses. Suffice to say I used up ALL my extra lives on that one.

Bottom line is you have to ride in gear you feel comfortable/safe in. In my 8 years of AMA Enduro competition I crashed dozens of times. Yep, I'm good at it! Some HARD, fast crashes. I was never hurt. Why? Good protective gear ... and GOOD BOOTS (and luck!) My broken leg was on highway on a bike I'd never ridden, racing with friends. (bad idea!)

Some of the boots shown in this thread are much better to walk around in than they appear to be. Also, quite easy and quick to get in and out of. Full on Moto Cross boots LOOK THE SAME but are MUCH Stiffer and horrible to walk in ... but several shown here are MUCH less stiff and much more comfortable to walk about in. I'd at least try out a pair.

I've had a few crashes, and yes a car turning, pulling out is the common accident (that involves a third party)

I've always worn race type boots like the Sidi black rain evo, but I'm looking for something with slightly more off road bias (light off road), as race type boots tend to wear out quickly after a year or two.

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7 weeks morocco; comfortable, sturdy, waterproof and no stink...
Do yourself a favour and buy some decent boots.
Even a small accident may ruin your trip.
Just my 2 cents.

Alpinestar Scout; best boot I have ever had.

I'm using wulfsport MX boots. Seem decent so far. Much more comfortable than I imagined.

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My blog about touring and adv riding

The Alpinestar "Scout" boot gets good reviews. Also consider:
Gaerne Adventure
Forma Adventure
TCX Track Evo
Gaerne Oiled Balance

All are enduro "lite" boots, but offer good protection you can walk in. I've only tried the Balance and TCX. The Scout are probably the most protective.

Ive got the Gaerne - early days but so far great. My last pair were also trials rather than mx boots - definitely the way to go for me.


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Totally a personal choice but I went with the hiking boots option and have really regretted it since. Thank god no injuries like the picture you posted Mollydog, but really hurt my ankel and it will I fear be forever weakened! Likewise, even with minor offs my laces always get caught on the buckle of my saddlebag giving me a few twisted ankles to what should have just been a clean-off on deep sand. Really get some decent boots especially if you do a lot of off-road stuff!

Yea, decent boots are something many novice riders ignore. Foot, Ankle and Tibia injuries are common and can be serious, really stop or slow down your trip.

Even the Enduro "lite" boots listed above give MUCH better protection than a "low cut" styling type mini boot or hiking boot.

Most of those listed above are quite comfortable for wearing all day. The only complaint I've heard on the Alpinestar Scout is that they are too warm ... so maybe not first choice for very hot climates. Both I TCX and Balance I have walked in ... very good!

But all provide fairly good Ankle support, foot and heel protection and Tibia protection ... this a big one for me as I have a Ti plate and 15 screws in my leg.

I don't care about Gore-Tex or even water proofness so much. All have issues and all boots eventually get wet if doing something like a Sibirsky Extreme ride through Mongolia with 1000 river crossings.

Mollydog, not sure if you can get them up in the States but I find my Sealskinz waterproof socks to be a godsend! My hiking boots are in tatters now, mainly due to always crouching down pitching tent, mending punctures and probably due to always sort of having my feet bent on the pegs, so the gortex lining is useless anyway, yet the Sealskinz are totally waterproof and the pair I have are very warm too. Amazing, they are also quite breathable and can wear them for several days without them smelling too bad. The other footwear I carry are some sturdy sandles from Teva, which doubled up with the sealskinz make a decent enough hiking option so long as your're just going around some ruins or keeping to light trails.

It is funny, but when I first started riding, I would often put most my gear on except my boots. Now after many years, I ride MXC boots exclusively. They are a bit hotter and don't fit under pants, but they have protected me and given me peace of mind. A minor off a few years ago with SIDI Adventure boots resulted in an injury to my ankle that caused a week out of work and then several weeks of pain and kept me off my bike. I won't go back to any other boots now. I will ride in jeans before I leave my motocross boots home ever again.

Not many Moto travelers are willing to ride round the world or cross continents using MotoCross boots. Great protection, but terrible off the bike. Very stiff for walking around and sometimes not comfortable even when riding. (depends on boots) Clicking steel toes ... and most are NOT waterproof.

I see many young travelers buying small bikes, like 125's and 250's locally, many riding round in trainers or hiking boots. This is common. I did the same at their age. Some are using open face helmets, riding in shorts or whatever. ALL good until you fall.

I think more experienced travelers do a sort of compromise, finding a boot that is tough and protective enough, yet comfortable enough to really walk a bit of distance in, or stand around at a border in 38C heat in. Ones that jeans fit over and so on.

Lots also depends on how much OFF road you plan to ride and how aggressive you ride. Do travelers really ride like Dakar racers, even when carrying 40 kgs. of gear on board? I don't think so.

For most a good quality street riding boot would suffice. I prefer a bit more protection and go with the boots I listed above. As comfortable as street boots with more protection.

And ... it's crazy not to protect ALL of your body if doing real riding ... not just boots!

Elbows, Knees, back, head, hands. Hands are very important as often times they are the first thing to hit the ground, stretched out to break your fall (good way to break a wrist or collarbone!) Also good to learn "How TO" fall off! Sounds funny but it can help!

Racing dirt bikes for decades means I've crashed a lot. I'm good at it! Most times falling off riding Off road is not bad. Highway riding and contacting SOLID OBJECTS is much worse.

Please be careful out there! ...and don't forget ... ATGATT: ALL THE GEAR ALL THE TIME!