NEO boots, any good?

[jms698]

I'm thinking of getting some Neo (Blade, Octane, Targa) boots, like these:

http://www.motozone.co.nz/products/road-riding-gear/boots-2/boots-road/neo-road-boots/

Does anyone have experience wearing this brand of boot?
How do they compare to similar boots made out of Lorica (I prefer Lorica over leather) from a more expensive brand like Sidi?
How comfortable are they for walking around off the motorbike?
How breathable are they? Does the waterproofing work?
Do they hold up over years of use?

[Quasievil]

cheap junk like everything NEO

if you value your feet buy something with torsion systems in them SIDI or a higher end boot, get decent stitching so it doesnt fall apart once wet.
NEO is crap always has been

[Taxythingy]

If you're looking at boots in that price range, look at the Axo Q GT. http://www.motozone.co.nz/products/road-riding-gear/boots-2/boots-road/axo-road-boots/axo-q-gt-road-boot.aspx It looks almost identical and are probably made on the same production line.

The difference? Axo have been manufacturing motorbike gear for 35 years and presumably have some interest in maintaining their brand.

I've had a pair on my daily commute since last April and consider it $180 well spent. One very small damp patch near the gearshift padding during a 20 minute downpour on the open-road, but haven't leaked any other time it has rained, including an all-day drizzlefest of a training course. They fit well; if you want to walk around the mall they will do ok but the Frontrunner window display will start to look tempting. Stitching & stuff looks nearly new. Given the wear so far, I'm expecting another 2 years riding minimum and probably more.

The Sidi Dry Road Rain at $300 looks good too, but I've currently no regrets with these.

[rustyrobot]

I'm thinking of getting some Neo (Blade, Octane, Targa) boots, like these:
Does anyone have experience wearing this brand of boot?


I have a pair of Neo Octanes that I got from Boyd's in Hamilton when I got back into riding. I spent all my money on the bike and helmet so I didn't have much coin left for gear - and the Neos were just the right price. I've worn them for four years now, mostly just weekend riding, and they have held up reasonably well. The stitching is just starting to come apart around the toes, so they'll need to be replaced, but they have worn fine elsewhere.

I never walked around in them for any particularly long period of time, but they were never uncomfortable either. They don't stink, and my feet have never got wet in them, so I guess they pass for some level of breathability and water-proofness.

If you have more to spend, I would definitely look at a more expensive and long-standing brand, as has been suggested. However, if you are on a budget, want something fairly durable and reliable to keep you safe right now, and don't plan on handing them on to your children - then you'll be right with a pair of these.

[Quasievil]

I have a pair of Neo Octanes that I got from Boyd's in Hamilton when I got back into riding. I spent all my money on the bike and helmet so I didn't have much coin left for gear - and the Neos were just the right price. I've worn them for four years now, mostly just weekend riding, and they have held up reasonably well. The stitching is just starting to come apart around the toes, so they'll need to be replaced, but they have worn fine elsewhere.

I never walked around in them for any particularly long period of time, but they were never uncomfortable either. They don't stink, and my feet have never got wet in them, so I guess they pass for some level of breathability and water-proofness.

If you have more to spend, I would definitely look at a more expensive and long-standing brand, as has been suggested. However, if you are on a budget, want something fairly durable and reliable to keep you safe right now, and don't plan on handing them on to your children - then you'll be right with a pair of these.

Nice story, now tell us about when you crashed in them ?

[rustyrobot]

Nice story, now tell us about when you crashed in them ?

Yeah - fair call. Definitely NOT given that test.

Having said that - are you sure it's just a coincidence that Q-moto gear is so well 'crash-tested'? :bleh:

Definitely agree that you should always spend as much as possible on your safety gear - but if you really only have $120 odd to spend it's better than riding in chuck taylors.

Oh, and one other comment about the Neo Octane boots - the velcro fastener is on the inside of the leg rather than the outside (like the majority of boots), so it can catch on your bike bits and is a minor nuisance being on the opposite side from the zip/veclro on my pants.

[Quasievil]

[QUOTE=rustyrobot;1130669724]Yeah - fair call. Definitely NOT given that test.

Having said that - are you sure it's just a coincidence that Q-moto gear is so well 'crash-tested'? :bleh:

/QUOTE]

I dont own Qmoto so dont know what they are doing, however when I did own it it was certainly crashed tested by a few people and relevant adjustments made.

do invest in something better than NEO, your feet get a hammering when you crash (from experience, I had me boots come off in a crash!!)

[McShanNZ]

Did you get anything after that??

I have the Neo Targa. I tried a pair of my colleagues Astar Roam and found them comparable.

The zip with valcro cover is very good (probably standard with most boots). I have a pair, size 44, good roomy and solid construction outer, don't feel the gear lever with toe. The inner on both boots the sole insert has come adrift and tends to crease up as I slide my foot in but that's the only issue.

I dragged my left foot for about 20-30metres at 100km's per 'now' - over all they stayed together well with just a little wear on the lower left front toe where chip-seal met rubber. :niceone: