Serious bench racing: Astars boots or Gaerne?!

oldx
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oldx 11/23/2009 10:21pm
11/23/2009 10:21pm
My SG-10's leak like a sieve have since new.
worcsracer808
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worcsracer808 11/23/2009 10:45pm
11/23/2009 10:45pm
MB4 wrote:
ASTARS Tech 10... Only the Best..!!
Davey762 wrote:
Yup.. love mine.
me too I love them, haven't had a bunch of different boots though. However don't see the need to switch cause they work awesome.
ktmdan
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ktmdan 11/24/2009 12:44am
11/24/2009 12:44am
I bought some tech 8's three years ago used for 100$, rode one lap of practice and sold them to the guy parked next to me for....100$. Then bought some sg10's. Two years later and I just got them resoled with some Sidi soles and there back to brand new.
DL
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DL 11/24/2009 3:38am
11/24/2009 3:38am
SG10's or 12's and you will be happy!

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Flatliner
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Flatliner 11/24/2009 4:17am
11/24/2009 4:17am
I've found a new pair of the high end oxtar's for dirt cheap. Yay? Nay?
Skywagon
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Skywagon 11/24/2009 4:45am
11/24/2009 4:45am
Tell me about sizing for Gaerne.

I consider my foot to be a true 9 1/2. I tend to be a 9 1/2 dress shoe, sometimes a 10 in certain brand running shoes. I've historically worn size 10 Alpinestars and wished they were a bit smaller but size 9 is too small.

9 or 10 in Gaerne? Do I opt for the next smaller or larger full size?
Kinetic1
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Kinetic1 11/24/2009 4:55am
11/24/2009 4:55am
I am a true 9 1/2 also. I tried the 9's on but went with the 10 because it felt more comfy. I've had my SG10's since Christmas last year and they are still in really great shape. Word of caution. The toe box is very very roomy. If you have a wider foot this is good but if your feet run to the narrow side get the Sidi's. I've owned both (still have and wear the Sidi's on muddy days and for trails) and prefer my Gaerne from a comfort stand point but I have a little wider foot. It took me a heat gun and some serious time to get my Sidi's comfortable. Once I did that I loved them though and if it weren't for the Gaerne I would buy Sidi's again.
mooch
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mooch 11/24/2009 5:03am
11/24/2009 5:03am
I have a pair of alpinestar 8s and SG10's...the soles wear out quick and have to be replaced with something more durable on the 8's, but I still like the way they feel over the SGs. Just like helmets...a personal preference as to what feels comfy.
SMITH201
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SMITH201 11/24/2009 5:14am
11/24/2009 5:14am
Both make really good boots. A buddy of mine has the SG-12's after switching from Tech 10's and loves them! I wore Tech 8's for years and they were always a great boot. Getting ready to score a new boot because I do not like the 661 Flights at all. I guess you get what you pay for. I will be scoring a set of Tech 10's soon, only because I am getting them new for $350 from a sponsored buddy who never wore one of his pairs. Hopefully the sole wont be a problem on them.

Gotta say though, I miss the Berik OVS RCs. I had those and they were awesome boots!
cjmx
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cjmx 11/24/2009 5:53am
11/24/2009 5:53am
Skywagon wrote:
Tell me about sizing for Gaerne. I consider my foot to be a true 9 1/2. I tend to be a 9 1/2 dress shoe, sometimes...
Tell me about sizing for Gaerne.

I consider my foot to be a true 9 1/2. I tend to be a 9 1/2 dress shoe, sometimes a 10 in certain brand running shoes. I've historically worn size 10 Alpinestars and wished they were a bit smaller but size 9 is too small.

9 or 10 in Gaerne? Do I opt for the next smaller or larger full size?
Get size 9. I have a size 10.5 foot and have the SG12's in size 10. There was still enough room to use custom foot beds from my snowboard boots. Same was true with my old SG10's.

blair125
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blair125 11/24/2009 6:38am
11/24/2009 6:38am
I ride at least 5 days a week and my SG12's from SX are still good. The Gaernes break in decently fast and will last forever. I rode with mine brand new at Daytona last year and still wear the same pair. Cant go wrong with SG10's or 12's.
titanmx61
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titanmx61 11/24/2009 6:38am
11/24/2009 6:38am
blair125 wrote:
Gaerne no question
DB125-

Looking back at your previous years, you've wore tons of different boots; AXO, No Fear etc...
When you rode Gaernes for GEICO, were they the best boot you've worn in your years of riding?
blair125
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blair125 11/24/2009 7:29am
11/24/2009 7:29am
Oh ya 10 times better then anything else I have ran. I have 2 fused ankles and boots have been an issue for me since 04'. The SG12 is the best boot I have ever ran. It is the only boot that breaks in fast yet holds up forever. Most boots get weak around the ankle pretty fast and these bad boys got about 9 months on them and no wear to the structure. I have never ran AlpineStar so I cant compare but I guarantee anyone who gets the Gaerne boots will be 100% happy with them.
speyer
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speyer 11/24/2009 8:15am
11/24/2009 8:15am
i used to have sidi all the time but this fall i switched to gaern SG12, and i´ll tell you this, i will never ever switch back to sidi....
Tiki
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Tiki 11/24/2009 9:39am
11/24/2009 9:39am
Is money an issue? Cost aside i would go with SIDI. Comfort you really cant go wrong with either. People with bigger legs would like Gaerne more. Personally the past few years I have been buying $250-$300 boots on sale each January. I can kill a pair of boots in a year easy with the riding I do. Last Year I had 661, the year before I had TCX pros, Alpinestars before that. $500 boots arent in my budget. Even if they lasted 5 years. $100 boots suit me fine. Honestly I dont want a boot to last more than a year. They look like hell after 9 months.
Deetsmx
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Deetsmx 11/24/2009 10:08am
11/24/2009 10:08am
Sidi. Had the choice to run Gaerne's but didn't like them. I had issues feeling the shift lever and the brake because of the big toe box. I'm sure if I gave it time I could have gotten used to them, but I have worn Sidi's since throwing away my A-stars in 02.
CamP
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CamP 11/24/2009 10:13am
11/24/2009 10:13am
blair125 wrote:
I ride at least 5 days a week and my SG12's from SX are still good. The Gaernes break in decently fast and will last forever...
I ride at least 5 days a week and my SG12's from SX are still good. The Gaernes break in decently fast and will last forever. I rode with mine brand new at Daytona last year and still wear the same pair. Cant go wrong with SG10's or 12's.
Even the low end Gaerne Cyphers wear like iron. They are made in Italy too. I ride twice a week and the soles still look great after two years. I like the low end Gaerne boots because they are lighter, which puts less stress on my knees.
Skywagon
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Skywagon 11/24/2009 10:24am
11/24/2009 10:24am
Tiki wrote:
Is money an issue? Cost aside i would go with SIDI. Comfort you really cant go wrong with either. People with bigger legs would like Gaerne...
Is money an issue? Cost aside i would go with SIDI. Comfort you really cant go wrong with either. People with bigger legs would like Gaerne more. Personally the past few years I have been buying $250-$300 boots on sale each January. I can kill a pair of boots in a year easy with the riding I do. Last Year I had 661, the year before I had TCX pros, Alpinestars before that. $500 boots arent in my budget. Even if they lasted 5 years. $100 boots suit me fine. Honestly I dont want a boot to last more than a year. They look like hell after 9 months.
Not a bad approach if you can find a set that you can live with for a year. Some of the cheaper models have bad buckles, etc that would piss me off each ride. Close out on "prior year" models for the high end boots might be the right way to go. EXACTLY how I buy my other riding gear - year old close outs please - I can buy a new set every year vs. the full price "current year" editions once every 2 years.

I find that I don't wear out my Tech 8s in my season of vet riding (25-40 track hours). However, they do get a bit doggy and frankly I long for something new.

Pit Row

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Tiki
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Tiki 11/24/2009 10:50am
11/24/2009 10:50am
Skywagon wrote:
Not a bad approach if you can find a set that you can live with for a year. Some of the cheaper models have bad buckles...
Not a bad approach if you can find a set that you can live with for a year. Some of the cheaper models have bad buckles, etc that would piss me off each ride. Close out on "prior year" models for the high end boots might be the right way to go. EXACTLY how I buy my other riding gear - year old close outs please - I can buy a new set every year vs. the full price "current year" editions once every 2 years.

I find that I don't wear out my Tech 8s in my season of vet riding (25-40 track hours). However, they do get a bit doggy and frankly I long for something new.
All the boots I look for have aluminum buckles. Last years boots, 661 have really good buckles. Since I run grip tape on my air box, trail ride over rocks my soles look like Swiss cheese and the leather is disappearing at the calves where they rub on the grip tape. Picked up some Answer gear yesterday from Rocky Mountain, dirt cheap. Gloves, jersey and pants. I go through about four to five sets a year. Two Cold weather, Two hot weather and some back up.

Closeouts are the bomb!
imoto31
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imoto31 11/24/2009 12:17pm
11/24/2009 12:17pm
to me a-stars are the best combination of fit and protection...but their soles SUCK...have a pair of both tech 8's and 10's sent them to factory resole and they replaced the soles with sidi rubber and they are good to go.
FreshTopEnd
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FreshTopEnd 11/24/2009 1:05pm
11/24/2009 1:05pm
I've been really, really happy with my Tech 8's, but I'm sure the others are terrific given the feedback people offer.
G-man
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G-man 11/24/2009 1:39pm
11/24/2009 1:39pm
Kinetic1 wrote:
I am a true 9 1/2 also. I tried the 9's on but went with the 10 because it felt more comfy. I've had my SG10's...
I am a true 9 1/2 also. I tried the 9's on but went with the 10 because it felt more comfy. I've had my SG10's since Christmas last year and they are still in really great shape. Word of caution. The toe box is very very roomy. If you have a wider foot this is good but if your feet run to the narrow side get the Sidi's. I've owned both (still have and wear the Sidi's on muddy days and for trails) and prefer my Gaerne from a comfort stand point but I have a little wider foot. It took me a heat gun and some serious time to get my Sidi's comfortable. Once I did that I loved them though and if it weren't for the Gaerne I would buy Sidi's again.
This is true, the Sidi's do seem to fit a narrow foot better which works out for me.

The sizing is accurate too. I have 9.5's and wish I had a 9, although a thicker sock helps.

But like Cam says nothing beats an Italian boot, I dig my Sidi's very comfortable.
roost251
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roost251 11/24/2009 10:38pm
11/24/2009 10:38pm
This info is great. I have not been riding super long but have already worn out the soles on my tech 8's, thought maybe because it was because of some flat track but the right one is just as messed up in the peg area and i dont run sharp pegs or anything. I think i wil get the Astars resoled and look to buy some SG10's when i get some more funds
FIREfish148
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FIREfish148 11/25/2009 1:53am
11/25/2009 1:53am
The sg 10s are a lot like the tech 8s just with more support. In turn they last longer and are way cheaper too. Get some SG10s or SG12s. I guess i havent really tested out the tech 10s though. Get was fits best and is cheapest if your on a budget.

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