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!

I have the Forma Adventure boot now and OMG it is sooo nice. its light, comfy and flexable.... protection??? probably not as good as my previous boot.
I previously had the SIDI adventure boot. Very nice boot with a awesome protection, quite comfy....but it use to shit me to tears when walking in them as they sneak and creak every step.
then I tried a mates set of Forma's.. instant comfort too, no wearing in etc needed.
less protection yes but i aint going out racing the Dakar.
I will often wear my SIDIs.. esp when Im out in the forrests.
like anything.. KTM/BMW/...... Arai/Shoei... it all comes down to personal preference really... (and $$$$ sometimes)

I just sold my set of Scouts in favor of another set of my favorite ADV boots

The scouts were OK, but I hardly ever used them for the fact that they are not great for walking in...


I've very much settled on these Miendl boots for all my riding and bought a replacement pair.. They are expensive, running about $500 a pair, but this one boot style covers my riding, long distance hiking and mountain trekking.. With the high top design the shin guards slip right behind to offer protection from the toe right up past the knee which I use if my plans are to ride gnarly terrain... The lower part of the boot has a rubber rand and very good ankle support that actually offers more foot protection than my Scout boots did...

A full blown MX boot will offer more foot protection than any other boot type but may also transfer the lower leg damage from a twisting injury that would normally happen with a lesser boot further up the leg...