From: blgardne@javelin.sim.es.com (Dances With Bikers)
Subject: REPOST: Dirt Boots summary
Reply-To: blgardne@javelin.sim.es.com
Organization: Evans & Sutherland Computer Corporation
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1992 20:13:38 GMT


From: blgardne@javelin.sim.es.com (Blaine Gardner)
Subject: MX boots summary
Date: Thu, 5 Sep 91 02:33:30 GMT

Here's the long overdue summary of the replies I got to my query on MX
boots a month or so ago:

=========================================================================

I said:

After getting a bruise on my shin on last Saturday's ride up an alleged
trail, I've got a renewed interest in getting some new dirt riding
boots. I've got an old pair of the plastic Scott boots which provide
great protection, but are simply impossible to walk in on uneven ground.
So sometimes I just wear a pair of hiking boots, and they don't provide
any shin protection (ouch!).

So what's your favorite off-road boot, and why?

=========================================================================

You all said:

~From: jld@hpfcso.FC.HP.COM (Jeff Deeney)
In summary, avoid the cheapest boot, and buy for the features that you 
like.  I just bought a pair of Hi-Points last year (don't remember the 
model).  Look for the following features:  

  -Sturdy shin plate.
  -Quick-lace interior laces. 
  -Platic reinforcement over the top of the left toes for shifting comfort. 
  -Easy to use buckles for the outer closures.  I'd avoid the yank-until- 
    your-fingers-are-blue-and-try-to-get-the-hole-over-the-peg type buckle.
    My old Hallmans had these.  My new boots have a combination velcro and 
    cam-lever buckles. 
  -Extra reinforcement over the ankles.  
  -Steel support in mid-point sole. 
  -Enduro sole (one-way pattern)

I've found that the cheaper boots(i.e. Axo)  to be much flimsier.  I wish 
that I could have gotten my boots in black.  The white is flashy, but is 
going to start looking pretty ugly if I use neetsfoot oil for waterproofing.  

=========================================================================

~From: Jonathan M. Strang <jstrang@eng.auburn.edu>
The AXO Turbo plus because I paid 179.99 for it and saw it
mail order for 149.99 the next day.

Seriously, it is the only pair of modern boots I have owned; they have
lasted through 3 years of abuse, but I *hate* the buckles and velcro
fastening system.  They do fit my goofy feet well, and are very comfortable
to compared to the other brands that I tried on in the store.

Try a bunch of different brands/models on, look at the buckling system.
Most brand-name boots should last a long time with proper maintenance,
but they are all well over $100.  Don't be afraid to get last year's
model that is discounted heavily to make room to the cute new designer
boots.

=========================================================================

~From: garyb@pdx015.intel.com (Gary Brown)
 I've been using Alpinestar Tech 4 boots for a year and a half and really
 like them.  They're a mix of leather and plastic - durable but comfortable.
 What I like are the buckles - easy to get in and out, no strings to tie,
 and no velcro which doesn't hold after a couple years (just looking at my
 friend's boots) especially if you have long knee guards that you want to
 tuck inside too (giving less overlap on the velcro).  The best part is
 that you can buy replacement buckles for the Alpinestars if yours break.
 They also have a built-in plastic shin guard.  And last, they're waterproof 
 unless water goes over the top.  Then they hold water just great!  ;-)

=========================================================================

~From: mls@icd.ab.com (Michael L. Sturdevant)
In article <1991Jul19.201151.23535@ichips.intel.com>,
garyb@pdx015.intel.com (Gary Brown) writes:
|>  I've been using Alpinestar Tech 4 boots for a year and a half and really
|>  like them.  They're a mix of leather and plastic - durable but comfortable.
|> 
	I really liked my Axo Turbo's until I had to start wearing a knee
brace. They have all the goodies (plastic where the shifter hits and
such) and laces on the inside that work well. Some don't like the laces
but lace boots give *much* more ankle support. 

	Does any body know of any boots that work well with a brace? The brace
comes down just far enough that it'd like to tuck into the boot but then
the boot is held open a little and at a funny angle so that the velcro
doesn't hold well and the boot leaks much easier.

=========================================================================

~From: weigl@sibelius.inria.fr (Konrad Weigl)
I only ride Sidi MX-boots: I don"t know if they're sold in the states,
though.

The leather is pretty thick, the sole is stable enough to rest a
700lb Harley on it (It really is, tested it, kinda unvoluntarily...),
the boots have a rubber shin protector (though aluminum might be better),
and they are quick to put-on/remove.

I've ridden MX-boots for the last 10 years now, and do not intend to go back
to road-biking boots ever.

=========================================================================

~From: niall@c3.PLA.CA.US (Neal Bedard)
It's hard to beat a pair of plain old Alpinstars. Many of the boots you buy
are, in fact, made by Alpinstar. The Alpinstars brand version are leather with
a steel shin plate and buckles and no "hey dude" graphics. Once they're broken
in they're quite comfortable.

=========================================================================

~From: joe@mojave.ati.com (Joe Talbot)
I have a pair of Sidi boots and love them. They're the most comfortable
of all that I tried. They have a drawstring arrangement (which they all
have these days) and a buckle at the ankle with a plastic guard so it
won't get smashed. 

=========================================================================
And a later additon on the new MSR boots.
=========================================================================

From: baxter@epcot.spdc.ti.com (Mike Baxter)
Subject: New boots too!
Date: Fri, 13 Mar 1992 22:02:46 GMT

I bought some new MX boots today.  They are Malcom Smith Racing (MSR) boots.
Well, no really.  They are really alpinestars with the MSR logos.  I like the
cam levers alot.  Easy on, easy off and good support.  After they are broken 
in I will post what I really think of the new boots.  

From: baxter@epcot.spdc.ti.com (Mike Baxter)
Subject: boots and gear
Date: Thu, 19 Mar 1992 00:25:39 GMT

The MSR boots are nice.  They are very comfortable and seem well made.  Like
I stated before, the new MSR boots are made by alpinestars, as you can tell
by looking at them.  They do have the alpinestars soles.  They offer a good
amount of ankle support.  What I really like is that they adjust to fit 
snuggly around my skinny little calves.  ( I working on that :-)  Nothing 
like getting one of those small rocks get down in your boot and then slam
your foot on the foot peg. "PAIN!"

=========================================================================
-- 
Blaine Gardner @ Evans & Sutherland  blgardne@javelin.sim.es.com  BIX:blaine_g
580 Arapeen Drive, SLC, Utah 84108           Favorite road signs:
Dumper of Dirtbikes #46             FJ1200   Winding Road Next 77 Miles
My other motorcycle is a Quadracer           Caution: Passing Areas Not Marked