[Knoc]

I was just curious what peoples takes are on boots when riding dirtbike. I dont race or anything and was just wondering if people think its a must or not. I usually just wear some old sneaks, but wear a chest protector, helmet goggles, and usually jeans. Anyway, the terrain I ride is mostly gravel roads, ditches, fields and the ocassional gravel pit... Whatd ya think? boots?

 

[Adrenalin_Junky]

i would definately recommend boots, their quite pricey but last a long time if taken care off, and are well worth the $$$ after a big spliff, or nailing a lil root or sumthan.
Theire great for the heel support as anytime you bail fat, and have to eject, impact is spread out through your calf and over your entire foot, were as is shoees your heal would just explode.
But hey, if your just puttin around and not thowin down the no handers or knac knacs, then sneakers are fine, but be forwarned, if you want to kick it up a notch, safety truely is priceless as ive seen my share of eploding joints!

 

[92 RM 125]

boots are an absolute must when riding a dirtbike.

 

[bandit12]

Yes! Go with boots, ankle skin is real thin in a "gravel road rash"
situation. If you look around you can find "like new" boots in the
classifieds for $50-60 bucks. I got lucky and paid $40 for a pair
of real nice SiDi mx boots.

 

[robeych]

Riding boots are an absolute must! I used to frown upon the price of off road boots. Then one evening I ate it just "putting around" on a DR650 wearing only a pair of vans. That was in July of 1997, I still walk with a limp to this day. Now I wont even kick a bike over with out boots.

Just my 2 cents....

 

[SteveA]

The dynamics of crashes are so varied, it boggles the mind. However, even a light scuff against a rock during a bail will be enough to make you a convert to wearing boots. At the VERY least, for general riding (dirt roads, some street) wear a good light workboot that covers the ankle. Choose one that has some padding in the ankle area. For more serious off-road, proper dirt boots are mandatory in my mind. Try them on at the dealer & make sure the foot controls work properly with them. You can usually go right over to the showroom & sit on a similar bike to see how they work. You bust an arm and you can still walk around. You bust up a foot & you are cooked.
Regards

 

[Knoc]

yeah thats some good points. I figured Id ask around cuz its alot of snaps to drop on some boots, but it sounds like its well worth it. Luckily I havnt wiped out yet (Knock on wood) so, Itd be a good time to get some since Im due..lol.. Any suggestions on which ones? Keep in mind, I dont want to spend a arm in a leg, but not get stuck with some junky ones... Somewhere in the middle...

 

[robeych]

Some good high quality boots are alpine star tech8 boots (some of the best as far as I am concerned) and the Fox Forma's. Both of these boots are expensive, how ever I have found that by trying them on at your local dealer to identify the proper size, they can then be found used on ebay for around half of new. (New the Forma's retail at 229.00, and the Tech8's are about 300.00)

P.S. My leg injury in 97 resulted in 25,000 in surgery. Not to say that proper protection would have eliminated all injuries, but I feel as though the impact would have been significantly reduced. With that in mind, 300.00 doesn't seem so bad...

 

[Knoc]

I just ordered up some Alpinestars today! From what I could find, I didnt hear anything bead about em, so I figured Id get some of the best ones I could find... $360 later, I got some on the way! Thanks for the input and saving my ankles..

 

[Runilo]

I think that everone i know, including my self have hurt our feet because we didn't have boots when riding.

 

[robeych]

How do you like the Alpine Stars?

 

[EastCoastMotion]

I just ordered up some Alpinestars today! From what I could find, I didnt hear anything bead about em, so I figured Id get some of the best ones I could find... $360 later, I got some on the way! Thanks for the input and saving my ankles..

Nice call on getting the boots.....i used to wear old sneakers until i was riding a quad and huge branch kicked up and broke my big toe issed: ......those riding boots will suit you just fine...they take a little getting used because they are typically really rigid...but let me know how the Alpinestars are, i need a new pair!

 

[Ride-or-die]

let me sum this up siply...... a woman pulled out in her car on my mate the other day, u should see the size of the dent that his boot and footpeg left in her car, clealy was his boot and footpeg due to the shape and position. cost of boots £169.99, cos of a crushed foot for live, priceless

 

[92 RM 125]

i ride with gaerne sg-10's and i love them. they are some of the best boots on the market, and ive heard many people that have ridden extensively with both say that they like the sg-10's over the tech-10's or tech-8's. i was just puttin around my yard one day on an rt-100 and i took a real easy light fall in the woods. i ended up breaking my tibia and fibia and i was in a cast for 3+ mos. at the time of the accident, i was wearing work boots.

 

[Knoc]

How do you like the Alpine Stars?

I really really like them. But one thing I didnt like was I have a shorty style clutch lever, and it was hard to get the full toe under so I had to get a longer one. Other than that, they work like a charm and are very comfortable!