Hi there,

Done a bit of riding in my time but never ever bought a full on pair of moto x boots (or not the new chunky alpinestars variety).

Has anyone done a 12 monther in a pair of these. I tried some on today in the shop and could hardly feel the gears changing through them.

Do you get used to them and do they loosen up? Any reccomendations. I think i'll go for white ones like a storm trooper...graet for fitting in with the locals in Kenya i think.

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Thanks
Joe

I have used them for twelve months, at least the time I was driving (>50kkm).

They get softer, how much depends on the type. After a while you can stop wearing socks if the weather is okay.
If you go serious offroad I wouldn’t compromise on boots, it has saved my feet a few times.

I have used various AXO-boots, they usually fall apart after 50-70kkm and I don’t like them to much but I tend to get them for free..
Personally I prefer boots without linings and Goretex, it will fail on a long trip.

avoid alpinestars - they really are cheap tat.

I've said it before and will say it now. Gaerne SG10's.

Hinged, requires no breaking in, very protective and a very good fit.

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I've read your recommendation of Gaerne before and I'm interested in them for next time if they are good. Currently, I wear a pair of Alpinestars Tech 5 which have lasted me 7 years of regular use. I've had to re-glue the soles a couple of times but I think 'cheap tat' is a little unfair.

To answer Joe's question, have a look at Ralf & Eva's website. They've been all around the world over the last few years using MX boots in conjunction with cheap sandals. The photo below comes from their web site and shows their boots.

It's also a very useful web site for travelers as they provide lots of useful accommodation details such as waypoints, prices and short reviews.
Stephan

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Well I have worn MX boots from day 1 (I travel to work everyday with them on)and I have to admit I don't feel right without them. I have BMW GS2 MX boots, I'm sure there are better ones out there and I will look for a new pair. So to cut along story short get a pair once worn in they are great.

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“Not all those who wander are lost.” - J. R. R. Tolkien

Here's the problem - kit, bikes, routes, it's all subjective. What works for some, fails for others...

Seems Nomadic had problems with his, but I'm with Stephano - I used the same pair of Alpine Stars (Tech 8s) across Africa then across the Americas, and loved them, though boy, did they hum after 4 years. Finally dumped in Bolivia, not because they were finished, but because I just couldn't shift the stench of rotting roadkill.

Yes, they loosen up, yes, you get used to the clumsy gearchanges and braking (much easier with fat dirt bike controls, not so easy on delicate flower road bikes), and yes, you should get white ones...

And yep, another vote for the 'mx boots and flip flops' solution.

Suerte, Dan Walsh

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Que el cielo exista, aunque mi lugar sea el infierno...

Both my old Alpinestar's soles came off more or less at the same time after almost 2 weeks of standing on the serrated metal pegs of my Africa Twin and twisting the soles while moving my weight from side to side in temps of 40c plus on a recent loooooong North Africa trip. ...but i think in such harsh conditions that might happen to any boot.I gafa taped them both until i could get them repaired by "Gordito" in Zagora......A few days earlier the bike flipped and my ankle got trapped by the pannier frame(pannier in support vehicle) ....the strong ankle protection on the boot stopped any serious damage....only slight bruising...i wouldn't wanna be trapped again with any other cheap tat other than Alpinestars. Lovely old boots

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Dean

AlpineStar boots "Cheap Tat"? Yea, right.

Alpinestar boots are the most popular boot in the USA. But SIDI are actually rated higher by most of the dirt magazines. Gaerne are good boots but to me, SIDI are currently making the best boot on the market. My personal boots at the moment are Alpinestar Tech 7's. In the last five years modern boots have taken a quantum leap in all areas...they are much better than ever before.

Most of the high end new boots now have an inner booty that offers better
protection to foot an ankle. (like you need it! ) but they do work. For comfort I always go a size larger with a good quality sock and change them every day....this avoids ruining them with stink...which WILL happen riding barefoot or using dirty socks.

I won't be traveling with MX boots however. I want something I can walk in and that doesn't instantly identify me as a Motoquero, and I'm not riding an enduro either. Also, getting into and and out of MotoCross boots is a pain.

My Gore-Tex Oxtar's work just fine thanks. Low key, feel like
Italian loafers and very tough, good shin & Tibia protection. Super easy on/off. I wear custom knee pad that covers the area from the top of the boot to my knee with a hard shell/super good foam backing.

The one draw back to MX boots in a fall is that they can put more stress on your knee if you fall a certain way. This is why so many MX riders now
wear knee braces. Talk to any Orthopedic surgeon who does knees and ankles
and have him explain about this. Bottom line is: Sumpthin' gotta give!

On all my desert rides or Sierra trail rides or Dual Sport rides I always and only wear my Alpinestars. But on a long, multicountry ride, they are just not needed, IMO. They are big, heavy and hard to pack as well.

YMMV, IMO yada yada.

Patrick

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Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!

We've bought some Viberg dual sport boots for our trip down to Argentina. With the idea of having a pair of boots for use on and off the bike. We are riding two up so I'm planning (?) to ride minimal off road (well that's the theory). If you are doing a lot of off road travel MX boots would give more protection in the event of a crash (and it's more likely to happen?) it depends on what sort of trip you are doing

The Vibergs are very, very solid, not goretex lined but I'm hoping some waterproofing polish will help take care of that. We rode the other day for about 6 hours in driving rain and we came out ok.

We'll report back on how they go

Ian J

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Try Sno-Seal, a Bee's Wax based waterproofer. I've used this since the 70's. You slather it on and put your boots in a very low oven to "cook". The wax melts and penetrates into leather and especially big seams, which is where most water gets in. Needs to be re-applied about every six months to a year depending on how much water your into.

I own the Oxtar Matrix 1 (now discontinued for the Matrix 2). I really like the look of the Oxtar Infinity, it will be my next road/dual sport/tour boot.
Check them out here:

Oxtar Boots :: New Enough Motorcycle Apparel

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Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!

I've been wearing the BMW Savanahs or whatever with e metal te caps for the last 20K KMs or so, all conditions (wet, very wet, impossibly wet, and Baja desert 42 degrees C) with no complaints. I don't expect any boot to be very waterproof AND very breathable, but these boots have done an admirable job. I could always use more protection in a get-off, mind. I'll let you know in 14 more months or so of RTW'ing how they go.

Mitch

as others said above, every journey is different. so think about yours, how much you are going to ride off the main road, where are you going, what kind of bike are you riding, what is the type of your luggage.

I have ridden around the world for more than six years. only for one year (the last year) I used mx boots, that was for Africa. I rode a XT600 Tenere with hard panniers. So, for five years I rode thru Asia, Oz and South America in German army boots and had no problem.

But in Africa, Mozambique, the mx boots saved my leg in a serious crash once. So it was worth buying them. But in an other serious crash in Angola they could not stop the bone from breaking.

In Africa I would, and I will in January, use mx boots again.

Hope this helps with your decision

mika from Bulgaria

I travelled for years with MX boots and currently own my second pair of SG10 and also the TECH 10 , I will recommand to use them on any long trip , here is the little problem with MX boots: there are not waterproof ( I use a ski boot cover on them , they are heavy if you walk alot ,they don't keep your feet warm in very cold climate, they are sometime very slipery if you are not carefull at the pay toll or gas station. like many other rider which use them they did save my leggs and feet many time and regarding their life expectancy they can do over 30000 miles even if you abuse them , since many of them have a plastic shell they may take some time to dry so my wife bought me a mini air dryer that I use when I leave for weeks of rainy ride.
remember that is not an item to be cheap with, regarding the shiffting or braking you will get use to it in jsut few 100 miles

Hope this help.

I ride with Sidi Courrier boots - they are very like the MX boots but a little lower and I have to say - brilliant boots.. they coped with a few years of everyday winter riding and summer riding and saved my feet a few times too... they are softer than the MX boots but well worth looking at as an option...

big thumbs up...

Tony.

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Tony Robson
I'll try anything once, twice if it didn't kill me!

Like people say it all comes down to personal preference. I ride off road in MX boots on off road bikes but I cant ride my road bike with them on as they are to firm/restictive. I think that for RTW a more dual purpose boot would be more useful but again its a personal thing. I want to be able to use my bike to take me places then i want to be able to explore on foot, I find mx boots are not as good for wandering around in and again they will make you stand out even more. I think a good combo is a sturdy leather boot matched to a comfortable knee/shin protector. I do like the look of the Sidi couriers but have never used them so cant comment.