Does anyone have any experience of Gaerne and Forma boots?
How is the quality of these boots?
How they compare to Sidi Adventure and Alpinestars Toucan boots?

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I've got Forma and my riding buddy Gearne, about to set out so will post again in 10 weeks to see who won! Both have performed well so far with 1500 miles and a few test weekends on them. Both made in Italy (unlike the Sidi I was looking at, don't know about Alpinestars).

i've had a set of gaerne sg-12's for hardcore enduro for a few years and love them. not for walking as they are full on mx boots.

i also have a set of gaerne g-midlands and love them for all but the nastiest riding. very comfortable right out of the box. great grip. waterproof. good protection.

gaerne are good for wide feet and big calves.

Funny, I just polished my boots today and thought that I am so lucky that 'I never have to think of buying boots again, and if I really need new ones I just order them:

Daytona Trans Open GTX



5 years and they look like new, the last two years 70.000km and every day use. And the best thing is you can even walk in them, not like this Xross boots... I just can recommend them (my wife has them as well...)

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I have owned few Daytona boots and have to say that their quality has been excellent.
Need to have a look at these too.

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I owned the Daytona GTX boots ... a great street boot but I would NEVER use them for off road riding. Much too soft, no real protection of foot, toes and heel. Too soft and flexible for off road ... but of course very good for walking.

Mine were the early version without metal toe guards.

Sold my $500 Daytona's, purchased the better Oxtar (now TCX) Matrix Goretex boots. At $150, a great deal. Easier on/off than Daytona's, just as comfortable for walking with equal protection. (read: OK for street, NOT good off road) Neither are an "Adventure" boot, IMHO, YMMV.



Believe it or not ... the above boots are quite comfortable for walking around. No, I couldn't do the Louve in Paris as I did with my Oxtar's, but these really are much better than I thought they would be.

The bonus is how THICK the leather is, how firm the ankle support is and how well protected your Toes, Heel and Shin are with good built in protection.
These MSR ones were about $150 NEW ... Made In China. No, they don't match my $600 SIDI Crossfires, but they really are quite good ... and do provide better protection than the very popular Gaerne Balance Oiled boot:

Decent protection but not as good as above MSR. Comfortable for sure! Many happy riders using this boot. But lacks toe and foot protection, very soft and flexy ankle area (good for walking, not for broken ankles), and is waterproof.
Soft leather, unlike STIFF, THICK (and protective) leather of MSR.
Pick your poison!

Tech '8 + seal skins
Very tough- you feel very comfortable and protected-
Just add knee shells!

Colebatch talked about Seal Skins. Cannot recall what he had to say about them, but some others used them ... ??

What are they exactly? :confused1: (pics?)
Some sort of water proof sock? or like Wet Suit booties we Surfers use?

So with the Seal Skins, your foot stays warm and dry, but the inside of your boot gets wet, then begins to rot and stink?

The problem as Walter described, was of CONSTANT immersion in water, day after day. Not sure best way to deal with that
Maybe bring a Zodiac boat along or water winds like those Polish KTM riders did!

Sealskinz are waterproof socks.
SealSkinz: Waterproof, Breathable & Windproof Clothing

Feet are dry, but boots constantly wet...

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Naturally I am wearing knee braces

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