I looked at these then bought Alt berg boots instead.

The sidi boots just don`t seem durable for the cash.

Wait a sec.... . Unless they've just changed their design, Altberg have ZERO crash protection.


They're traditional heavy duty leather only !!

Unless they have some new models out ??

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Going mildly off-topic, do people actually think that 'Crash Protection' and armour and the stuff on enduro type motorcycle boots is really necessary?

I can certainly see why you'd want it for racing, especially motocross, as there's a high risk of falling from height, and having other riders running you over. And I can see the logic for serious recreational off-road riding - You're going out to spend a day riding off-road and anything else you do will be of secondary importance, so might as well wear the enduro boots. But I'm not at all convinced that even when trailriding somewhere fairly knarly you're ever going to crash hard enough that standard tough leather boots with good ankle support won't be protective enough.

Same for gloves, I don't get this whole obsession with 'kevlar knuckles'. Probably a daft question because people who wear this kinda of stuff will swear blind that they aren't safe without it, and people who don't (like me) will swear blind that they ride hard and crash without special boots gloves whatever and survive perfectly fine.

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UK to Mongolia 2009, on a DR350

I agree with Nath here

To walk round in motocross type boots is hell, I brought some thinking I would need this but to be fair I felt it would not be comfy for walking once off the bike so I brought a pair of standard boots.

You could say take another pair of boots to walk in but then packing gets bigger.

I got my bike stuck in mud offroad in Slovakia in the Tatras mountains and in the end had to ditch it and walk for around 6 miles to get help to pull it out.

Would of been hell in motocross "type" boots.

I will also travel in "lighter" boots and I think Altberg will be my next boots

Everyone will always have their own opinions on this matter.

Mine changes literally hour to hour..

I see or hear of an injury and I start wearing all my safety gear for the next week. Then I get fed up of being hot and constricted and start being lapse. It's getting that balance isn't it.. Some are prepared to suffer the heat and discomfort for that added protection. I'll nip down the shops in my shorts and t-shirt but I'm armoured up like a mutant ninja turtle when I'm riding off-road in Africa.

For all out there who think that reinforced, armored safety gear doesn't help in an accident I really do think you are on cloud cuckoo land. You need your head banging against a wall (without a helmet on lol). Was that irony ??

If you get your leg stuck under a bike or twisted in a rut, solid boots WILL reduce twisting and the armour will reduce the change of a fracture/break from impact. I can't believe people will argue this.

A back protector WILL reduce shock and impact to your back if you land on it as will armour for your other joints.

I find most people who don't wear the gear are the ones who have yet to come a cropper on a bike or don't really ride anywhere challenging. Enjoy it while it lasts.

HOOOOWWWEEEVVERRR...... Do what you want. That's your choice. And I firmly believe that people should be left to just get on with it. Free wprld and all that.

Just don't come on here whining about your permanent limp from a 180 ankle break or gangrene infected stumps that got bluetacked back on in Zimbabwe because you were wearing trainers.

However they probably won't be able to type due to brain damage because they were also wearing a flower pot on their heads.

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

For me a real "Adventure" boot is a boot you can wear on your bike and it will give you reasonable protection in the event of a fall

You can walk long distances with no issues and also wear in a bar/nightclub with jeans on and not look out of place

I agree here. I don't have the Adventure, but have the Discovery to commute in every day, year round and I love them. Been riding in them for years. Not a ton of armor, but some, and I walk quite a bit in them, because, well, that is what I have on. And I have had a negative experience with some older leather "Racing" boots, but doubt anything would have actually helped. So I still make the compromise for a dual function boot. (I.E Ride and Walk)

And regarding serious dirt riding, I have some Tech 10s which seem to be pretty much hard foot cases, which I also believe to have saved my foot/ankle on multiple occasions where had I been wearing the Discovery or something with less of a hard shell, I'm sure it would have HURT!! I've worn them commuting a few times, but from Bike to work is a rather unpleasant experience that I'd prefer not to do on a regular basis.

Altberg have numerous different models of boots Ted. I think I'm right in saying they were one of the the first manufacturers to gain CE safety certification for certain designs.

I'm guessing you're thinking of the Hogg design, which is the traditional, lace up "dual purpose" walking/biking boot. They obviously don't have the same protection as MX or enduro boots but they do have built in ankle protection to the same standard as most road boots & also crush resistant soles.

Check them out, you might be surprised. I just wish I could afford to replace my ageing, slipper-like Oxters with a pair..

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Beware the dark, mechanical bird.

I bought the All weather, (am wearing them now , just arrived this morning)

Bottom line is they seem tough, very tough. The are thick around the ankle, give a damn site more protection that any road boot I`ve worn, and will be the nuts for wearing away as you can fling jeans on, and hey presto ! drinking boots !.

Have a look, I hate big bulky boots for travelling, they are a pain in the hoop, and the Altbergs looked the best type for what I want.

Reinforced toe, articulated ankle,with plenty protection, and half the cash of the Sidis

the main differences between a hiking boot/altberg and a motocross boot - and to a lesser extent the Sidi - are the external lateral articulating braces - this is the part that will prevent severe ankle injury - stopping your ankle from twisting - combined with the hard external plastic assembly providing a much higher amount of crush/puncture resistance when your peg, or part of your side stand/centre stand or other part of your bike tries to go through your boot, by doing a better job of spreading the force over a greater area.

The Altbergs have got a lot better for sure, but cannot offer this level of crash protection, I don't want to wear my motocross boots overlanding personally, the Sidi Adventures, whilst not offering motocross boot protection at least have a decent external brace and very good heel protection and I can walk all day in them, I have found them to have the least amount of compromises IMO - apart from the price.

A friend of mine had a nasty crash on Ruta 40 in 2010, coming off the bike at speed wearing fairly sturdy hiking boots, this person is still having major ankle problems 3 years later, with cortisone injections and on going rehab, has had to take lots of time off work and is no longer is able to ride.

You Choose.

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Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca

The Altbergs are the same height as the Sidi adventures. As I said, the are much tougher than ANY road bike boot that I have ever tried.

I know a couple of people in the same situation. One of my good friends walks with a limp and will probably have his ankle fused in the future.

Another was more lucky and was just on crutches for a year and rehab for two.

Ankles are fragile... They take forever to heal IF they heal... An injury will ruin your trip and a more serious one will end it. You do not want a broken ankle dealt with ANYWHERE but a well equipped western standard hospital.

Anyway, just repeating myself. Folk will do what they do..

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.