For over 10 years Ive been in Gaerne boots, SG10 specifically for most of that time. The last 2 years ive been in SG12's and to be honest, its been a miserable 2 years. The SG12 is the most uncomfortable boot ive been in and after a day of riding my feet are absolutely shot. The toe box is just too small (wearing a 12, street shoes 11.5) and the boot is just hard feeling. The main reason i always used gaerne is because they are durable and protective. I dont ride 100+ hours a year any more so i want to try something more comfortable that might sacrifice longevity. Right now I am looking at the Leatt 5.5 and the Fox Instinct 2.0. I know the Alpinestar guys are going to be here in full force, my problem with Astars is that when my son was in them they fell apart, literally in 2 months the tech 7 hinge was blown out and the rubber panel was peeling. I ride mostly woods, id say 70/30 split. That being said, i am open to ALL suggestions including going back to the SG10 as i dont remember having sore feet in those boots but like i said its been a couple years. What are you wearing, and why?
I ride 90% woods.
My tech 7"s have lasted years. Size 13.
I did replace the soles once myself with the enduro soles following a YT how to video instead of paying $200.
Overll I like the feel and flex but I wouldn't call it a top of the line boot.
The tech10s with the bootie are too stiff for woods IMO.
I was very curious about SG 12's so I bought a used pair in the for sale section .
My take was they are alot more robust in terms of protection but were Way heavier, stiff and much wider toe box compared to A stars. My foot was flopping around even with new insoles and thicker socks and I eventually gave them to a friend.
So if you have wide feet I don't think astars or Sidi are for you.
I've never tried Leatt or Fox so can't comment.
I hear the new Gaerne Sg22 is wider than the 12s so maybe buy from a source that will let you return once for free like Rockymountain or Slavensracing.
I love my tech 7s they've worn very well, are super comfortable, and offer good support and protection. 60+ hours on current pair, 100+ on last pair and both in great shape.
I am the Head Honcho/Warlord of the SIDI gang.
I pity your FOX decision as they have been in high speed reverse now since RENEN endeavors commenced.
The Alpine star color ways are hideous-Bootie or No bootie
Leatt? Laughable.
Gaerne? Couldn't agree more..they uncomfortable as hell and feel like bricks tied on your feet.
I'll point you in the direction of the The SIDI crossfire 3 ...order the TA version for your fat foot problems.
$399 on the almighty Motosport.com
Good day.
Why would you recommend can even narrower boot when he cited too small of toe box as an issue
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I like the feel of the Fox Instinct. It feels perfect on my feet. They don't last for shit though......Sidi would be my choice if i didn't wear the Fox
Try some Forma boots and let me know how they are.
Crossfire 3 TA, Cross Air, and X-power SC all have wider toe boxes and similar impact protection as the Gaerne. Atomic Moto says the Cross Air and X-power SC have about the widest toe box you can get.
I'm looking… And I don't see that part 💭 What I see is a recommendation to get the TA version for his foot size.
There ALL shit except the Sidi.
Grab a Sidi..grab a Tech 7...same price...check the quality.
Leatt has a 6.5 now too. I have not seen much info out there yet. But I see that Leatt have some in stock. The sole is more like an olderstyle with the metal tip toes. Not a rounded bonded sole like the Tech 7 and 5.5 I attached some images. I've heard great feedback about the 5.5 from customers of mine that ride mostly off road/woods. Some local AA level guys have been wearing them since they came out and love them.
I personally have only work Alpinestars for my entire adult life. As my screen name hints, I have big feet and Alpienstars is the only place that makes a 16. I will go with the new Tech 7 when the time comes for new boots, I have not ridden regularly in a while ,But I sell Alpinestars,Leatt and Gearne and I always ask customers about their opinions. And try and get guys that are loyal to one brand to try on some others. To see what they say about them.
. I have not yet tried the newest generation Tech 7. I know durability is not its strong point. Customers of mine mostly like the Alpinestars for the comfort and protection. Seems that Alpinestars is the boot to go to for MX. I've got a customer that will wear Tech 10's on an MX track. And Sidi when they are in the trails. He is now doing a lot of testing for TrailRider Magazine . And those were his personal choices when spending his own money. And guys that are not riding a ton of hours get a decent amount of life out of Alpinestars Tech 10 or 7's.
Another Pro for the Leatt boots is that I've seen some amazing sale/closeout prices on some colorways. If You are not picky color wise. If they made my size, I would try them.
The 6.5 Leatt looks good, especially the red ones. I have a black and white pair of 5.5 new never been worn I bought on sale for 160 bucks or so. I can’t seem to ride with anything but my Tech 7’s.
I like my leatt 5.5
Yah I saw some crazy low prices on some 5.5's. Worth grabbing some to have as a back up/spare pair . If they made my size I would have a pair to try.
Sidi are great boots but a hard no for guys like me with wide hoofs…
n Just got a pair of Tech 7 for $209 shipped to my door, super comfortable. I was in Tech 10s but after I broke my foot, they were painful to wear for very long. After 3 long days of riding with Tech 7s, foot feels fine.
Sidis for me.
Easy break-in , replaceable sole, fits my narrow foot.
Ah, so you're the "I like THIS, so everything else is shit" guy. You do know even if anything you say is true, nobody is going to listen to you after saying nonsense like that, right?
Boots are so subjective, you have to try them yourself. Foot shape and sensitivity in different areas make all the difference in the world.
Boots and gloves are such an individual preference thing it's pretty much impossible to get meaningful information without personal experience.
Even your riding position and how you grip the bike will make insane differences in how long boots last.
On my 3rd set of Forma Predator and 2nd generation in 9 seasons. This 3rd pair will go another season or two. Over built / lots of protection and stiff imo. My street shoes are 10 10.5 and I can run a 9.5 forma boot. If I wasn't on Forma I would get a Sidi or Garneau probably.
I switched to Tech 7’s when I broke a bone bottom of my foot a few years back too. Tech 7’s are pretty much no break in.
I have a pair of SIDI I made about two laps with. I probably didn’t give them a fair chance, but didn’t blow my dress up.
After my foot healed I also ordered a pair of O’Neal RDX too. I chose to keep the tech 7’s and send the RDX back but the RDX felt good too. Not sure they still make RDX. I should have kept them for back up.
Pit Row
Solid advice. Exactly what I was going to say. If you are looking for comfort, you have to physically try the boots on to see how they fit YOU! Yes, you can generally get the scoop on durability, but you're not going to get an accurate feel based on someone else's toes, foot, ankle, calf...
I also love the helmet suggestion threads lol...go try them on ffs
Suggest going to a big moto mega store and trying on boots until you find “the one”.
I refuse to buy boots or helmets without trying on the exact model first. Even the same brand changes between models. Nothing is as miserable as badly fitted boots or helmets..
That’s how I ended up in Sidi boots. I went in looking at SG10s or 12s, left with old stock Crossfires with the stitched on sole.
I wear a 12 and got a 10.5 (I think) for my nephew and tried them on. They felt GREAT. I recently got some new tech 7s but if they weren’t a gift I’d be flirting leatt. The close out deals you can find on wild colors is insane too. Their top of the line boot for like $139 is such a score.
They were super tight obviously - I don’t want to make you think they run large.
I’m really surprised every time a boot thread comes up there are very few votes for the Instincts
I’ve owned most high end models except and it’s an easy choice for me as I’ve ran the instincts for years now
Accommodates larger calves and are the most comfortable boots ive worn since the old school Tech 8s
As others have mentioned it’s worth your time to go try them all on
I got a pair 5.5's as back up to SG12's. After using the 5.5's the SG12's are now the back up. The SG12 is too stiff and heavy. Obviously great protection but ... once you get something lighter with enough support the SG12's are just too darn heavy and stiff. IMO.
Sidi SRS Crossfires for me.
But, I got 2 pairs of Tech7s a few years ago at an incredible price - well , 1 pair FOC, and that pair still in the box.
I Really don't like the Tech 7s - I miss the flexibility of the Sidis, the so, so easy sole replacement, the Sole options and , especially so, the calf adjustments that make them work so well with accommodating Knee Braces.
But, the Tech 7s I've kept at, with the Far less riding I've been doing the last few years. I find them just dreadful compared to Sidi SRS's .
With the f**k up / rip off performed by my Surgeon with my recent Knee replacement, I'm thinking of using the same tactics I used decades ago, with ruined knees well before the advent of CTIs etc - using Trials type boots, for their flexibility. Yup, far less protection, but, having freer ankles, will relieve pressure / forces on Knees with No Cruciate Ligaments, at all. I might look into ADV type boots, but, as with So Much related to ADVing, prices are far too much for what you get, so trials boots it will probably be.
Most comfortable boot from day one, that I have ever worn .... Forma.
Yep agreed, many time I ride MX wearing my Forma Boulder's, a trials boot. Wore them at a vintage day at Glen Helen, sorry you can't see them under my boot-savers ;-)
Fox Motion boots didn't work for me.
No support, the top of the boots would fold over and stab the top of my feet.
https://youtu.be/3InpzXresHg
I thought they would be on par with Tech 7's but not even close.
Do you feel Tech 7's provide adequate protection? You feel confident that you are protected even riding in the woods?
Guys, it is my understanding that Tech 7's are a good boot for the money and i think everyone can agree they are comfortable BUT my concern is protection. They look soft in the top of the toe box and that concerns me for woods riding. Tech 7 guys, do you feel they provide good protection?
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