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.

I’m actually heading down to check out some new AlpineStars today. With anything you need to get use to them but you have to think they will only be of advantage in the long run when it comes to safety, comfort, etc. Like mentioned before it’s all relative to the rider.

I use my O'neail MX boots, Waterproofing can be done by using boot polish on them, lots of coats may be needed bit it works a treat, dont forget to do the side of the soles as well, Rain can only come in through the stitching if you dont polish and seal the stitches. Everywhere else on my boots is protected, oh don't forget to do the bits where the wet suit material meets the boot.

Cold erm use two pair of socks that's why the buckles are adjustable and remember to wriggle your tows every 5 minutes or so to keep the circulation going, which you should be doing anyway to minimise DVT, if you have very cold feet use boot warmers.

As for the weight of them you get used to it, I tent to walk around alot if it's a full days walking then I switch boots for hikers but for an hour or so you don't notice the difference. I've climbed up Notre Dame (right to the top) stood inline for hours at the Eiffel tower, stomped around Angkor Wat in them and the only time I've known that I had them on was when I had to take them off to enter temples as it took me longer then the other pople I was with.

But for protection as I fall off alot and slide down roads alot, I will keep with my MX boots tried tested and reliable, also good when dogs chase your bike trying to give you Rabies.

But I do like the look of those couriers

Recently got hold of a pair of Axo Boxer boots and so far I'm pleased with them!. Never owned a "proper" pair of MX boots before so cant compare to those I'm afraid, but so far I've found them to be very comfortable, quick to break in and loosen up and surprisingly easy to walk about in. Just spent a fortnight in France and Spain messing about in the mountains, and that included getting off the bike and scrabbling up hills and across dry lake beds etc........ No problems or aches. On the downside, They squeek!(do all MX boots do this?) and are not waterproof. Also I took the metal sole guard thingy off as I found walking about on hard, damp surfaces such as pavements and Tesco aisles to be damn near lethal. Other than that, a very comfortable boot.
Tim.

I have had a pair of Sidi CrossFire boots for 12 months now, and they did take a while to get used too. But know i wouldnt be with out them now

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i have ali panniers and go off road so a definate must ,saved my limbs quite a few times

I took just a pair of hein gericke Taureg boots on my overland trip. Very uncomfortable for walking about in, but had the bike land on my leg a few times and was always fine. Very hard to change gear at first but you get used to it (plus the only other thing I have ever worn on my feet are trainers, very good for feeling that gear shift but glad I never fell off!). You can do anything in an MX boot that you could in any other footwear, but other options might not save your leg in the middle of nowhere!

Sidi Couriers are Sidi Discoveries in the US and get very high marks from most who've used them. Similar to the Aerostitch Combat boot (made for Aerostitch by Sidi). The Aerostitch Combat is a bit less garish, without any of the logos, etc. Still, those might be just the thing if you are riding through Zimbabwe or something. I'm looking at both the Combat and the Sidi Disco's to protect legs injured in moto accident last April. The lack of feel for shifting is a concern but most say that you just need to spend time breaking in the boots and that you get used to the shifting.
--Doug

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Doug Moench
'02 BMW R1150GS
'01 BMW F650GS
'04 BMW R1150R - R.I.P. April 29, 2007