I think the Gaerne SG 10's are the way to go. For the price and quality I think they're a super deal. They feel broken in when they're brand new.
I have 2 seasons on a set of Gangsta G SG10's and like em. They are/were super comfy from day 1 (the reason I bought them) but seem to slop out quickly. Still comfy, just not as supportive. Any boot is better than these damn ski boots I've had on for the last 3 days. I'd rather sleep in my SG10's.
this will be the second year on my Sidi Crossfires. Mine have held up really well. I would consider buying a second pair after these. A few of the selling points for me was no break-in and replacable parts. To keep a pair for 3-4 years would save me another boot purchase. I figured they paid for themselves and then some by the time they wearout or parts cant be replaced. Those boots that Kelly is talking about look awsome though! I want to try them but its either these or that sweet Pro-grip gear. Mike
I have an old pair of MS that I love. During racing I noticed that I kept missing shifts. I kept moving my shifter on the splines to solve my issue. My son outgrew, a hardly used pair of MS and the toe box area is larger. I wore them last race and never missed a shift. They must of designed the pegs as relates to shifter with the larger toe box boots? Typpyt
I've have some Oxtar TCX's too and love em'. Got them for $120 from Cycle Gear about 6 months ago. Best boot EVER for $120, that's for sure!
I've got an old pair of MSR World Tour Boots I wear for Trials. Very comfortable and flexible. Old ,but "Made for walk'n. And a pair Alpinestars - Tech 7 for all other. These don't flex much. And I would want to walk far in these puppys.
Looks like the same old "you get what you pay for"....want good boots be prepared to spend some cash..$400 to 600 bucks The entry level boots are much better than they used to be...Fox..thor..oneal..fly..even alpinestars T3...pretty good boots for less than 200 bucks Gaerne fastback offers a $260 dollar boot which is kinda like the SG10 minus a few features... Incidentaly...Oxtar is now called TCX..after some sort if infringement legalities with the oxford company....as such they were blowing all the old stock oxtar models out at some pretty good prices.....probably all gone now I remember when I was a kid and the plastic boots were all the rage.....scott being the leading one.....I couldnt afford those at the time....so i bought the gaerne plastic ones....they were bright red and almost looked like "stovepipes".....I am laughing now....but they were super comfy and worked well
The Good, Bad & Ugggggglyly The "GOOD": Icon Motorsports for my street riding. Just above the ankle, very supporttive, comfortable and ez on/off - zippers and velcro. The "BAD" (as in "to the bone"): New in the box from a couple of years ago. They are so pretty I can't make myself wear them. Alpinestar Victory. Enough said. The "UGGGGGGGGLY": Vintage Alpinestar Victory. They are older than some of the kids reading this - 23 plus years old. These I can't make myself throw away. An old friend that has saved my AS many a time.
Side Crossfires on my feet.... like the pivoting ankle (improves shifting and braking feel) and adjustability of the calf fit .. and the fact that I got them for 1/2 price even though they were new.
I forgot my DS boots. I have a pair of AXO slammers and some Thor 50/50. The Slammers are more like the "real deal". The Thor aren't really much of a boot, IMO.
I love my crossfires. I see Oxtars here sometimes (on and off): http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/4376,83626_Oxtar-TCX-Com-Motocross-Boots-Steel-Toed-For-Men.html Don't know how cheap they are but thought I would pass it on...
My trip to the ER for a broken leg (Tib/Fib) was quite enlightening 2+ years ago and now I want a boot that can be taken off easily. The Thor Quadrants did nothing to protect the leg and required much effort for many nurses to remove... That hurt more than a bit. Did much research and decided on Sidi Crossfires but Gaerne SG10s would have been fine too. The Crossfires are like wearing slippers and are slightly smaller/narrower than the SG10s. Part of the decision was based on this medical study comparing old 1970s boots vs hinged vs non-hinged http://teamorthopedics.com/boots.html The Sidis do need some maintenance (screws falling out) but calling the importer in So Cal got the parts to me quickly and for free. If I had to do it over again I'd probably go with the SG10s.
For the record... A while back at Stonyford crossing a log the bike got hung up on the frame right on top of the log - bike fell over and boot was rubbing the spokes as the wheel turned. The only reason I knew that was the sound of the spokes rubbing the boot. I am absolutely convinced that the other leg/foot would have been broken if I was still wearing Thor Quadrants. Needless to say $400 boots are waaaaayyy cheaper than broken bone. :cripple:
Where do the crossfires offer more protection then the quadrants? I've looked at a lot of boots and really do not see a lot of difference in protection so I am wondering if I am overlooking something. Riding tight brushy woods I worry about protecting the top of my foot and toe box area the most and even the high end boots have next to nothing for the top. Mainly they have stiff soles which might be nice if I case a tripple but for woods riding I would rather be able to feel the pegs. Currently I am using Vectors which I like a lot except they leak like a screen door.
I was wondering the same thing. I was thinking of making the same switch, but I don't see where one would offer more protection form the pics. Is this something you can only feel when wearing? Please elaborate.
Yes Vectors are very leaky but to offer excellent toe protection, that's why I have been using them for years.
