Articulated MX Boots
 

My normal road boots are not adequate for technical riding. I find that hours of standing on the pegs wear out my feet, ankles and calves. MX boots seem to be the answer to this but they are too difficult to walk in (as one invariably do).
My old road boots are comfy and light but offer no real protection against cars ramming me from the side or the bike pinning me to the ground.

An alternative is to get MX boots with hinged ankles. Three boots come to mind. BMW Rallye boots, Sidi Flex Force and Gearne iforgetwhat. Does anyone have any experience with such boots? Do they wear in well? Do I really need them?
I can’t afford to buy them just to experiment (expensive) and the shop won’t loan me any for the weekend (understandable).

ah! I got a pair of Gaerne SG10, the ones with hinged ankle.

They are good for off / road off piste "all day on the pegs" riding and provide good support.

But as all MX boots they are not much good for walking. The hinges are there but the only seem to offer little extra flexibility.

I used mine on a marocco trip, wearing them all day (6-8hours) for a week, mostly off road some technical some easier tracks and some tarmac). Didn't have time to break them in before the trip but they were comfy from day 1.

To be totally honest they are a bit of an "overkill" for desert track riding I could have gone for a cheaper pair but then again I liked the stormtrooper look (white boots) and I liked the solid / quality feel about them.

But if you are looking for a pair that you can ride all day and then get off the bike and walk for hours exploring, the SG-10s are not for you.

I had the sidis. they look cool, but were a bad choice: sweaty as hell and inflicting serious knee damage. they're so stiff that they transfer all the twist to the knee ligaments. they are for use with knee braces. stick with leather gaerne/other

I have a pair of the sidi ones, bought in Oz.

They are great at doing what they are designed for: hard core off road. Suberb protection. Very very strong. But for a long tour, no.

1.They are hard to walk in. Just too bloody big. The articulation helps yes, but only as far as the cafe and back for lunch. Even then they are a weight.
2.They are also pretty hot. Lots of plastic. Not an all-day boot.
3.They look ridiculous.

Tourers need touring kit I guess. These off-road things are just not made for us. A specialist boot like this is a major undertaking.

I guess if you do a lot of off-road on your trip then they will suit. or if you want the ultimate in protection.

But I will choose something else next time.

Simon

I've been using a pair of the Viberg dual sport boots (http://www.workboot.com/dualsportbb.htm) for a few years and IMHO they are a great alternative. There's not much protection to the shin or lower leg but the foot is very well protected. I've found they're reasonably water resistant if they're treated, not too much in hot climates and comfortable enough for a couple of hours walking. They also seem to be very well made - only scratches and cosmetic damage so far in 4 years of hard use on all sorts of terrain in all sorts of weather. Easy to order from Canada as well, at least to the UK. I faxed them a trace of my feet and payment details and the boots arrived a week or two later. IMHO, an excellent product.

I have the BMW Ralley boots. Good at protection, but not waterproof, hot and smelly (lots of plastic), and uncomfortable to walk in (I have wide feet).

Tim

I have the SIDI flex-force. I used them on a trip around Maroc - mix of riding environments, but lots of standing on the pegs.

Good points:
No breaking-in needed; lots of adjustment to get the fit right.
Comfy around the foot and ankle area; the latter because of the articulation I think.
Pretty good armour around the shin area.
Sole can be replaced
Bad points:
Too fiddly; all that adjustment has a price - takes ages to put them on.
The plastic has lots of sharp edges that cut your hands, catch in your nails etc..
The rain skirt digs into your calf muscle.
Too many small metal parts in the construction - easy to loose.
They squeek without liberal application of WD 40!
They are just too hot.

So, what else to try? I had a pair of Alpinestars Vector in the cupboard. I have never used these off-road before, but tried them in the Peak District last Wednesday - very comfy, but the sole was too smooth and slipped a lot when pushing the bike over difficult bits.

I tried on a pair of Aplinestars Tech 6's the other day, and think I will buy a pair to try. A simple boot, well made, with a decent sole. Supple, but with plenty of protection. No rain-skirt - which is a plus as its redundant for me.

Thanks for the feedback.
Your opinions were helpful indeed. Everyone I spoke to who owns MX boots has warned me that they are no good for touring.
It’s a shame really… the stormtrooper image is very appealing! I am disappointed to focus on practicalities and logic but hey, the fewer things that can go wrong and irritate me on a trip the better.

I have decided instead to get sturdy leather boots with good ankle support. They must have rigid soles enabling me to stand on the pegs and should lace or buckle high up my shin for support and protection. A rain skirt is not needed since I will wear them underneath the trouser legs.

Thanks guys
Cyril

thats 100% my thoughts
(after having spend loads to buy the Gaerne SG10)

I bought a pair of Alpinestar No stop - Off road (not the trials)
see the photo on this website

www.customlids.co.uk/offroad.htm
(select alpinestarts and look for the picture of the boot)

good level of support plus comfortable & decent flexibility,