Fitting MX boots

[BM-GS]

Currently in need of a first pair of dirt boots. Current boots are off-road stylee road boots, with GoreTex and fine for my occasional trail riding & kid-chasing exploits. but they're a bit baggy now and the lining is falling out.

Tried on some Axo Drones and Fox Comp5s in my friendly Torpedo7 and couldn't get them to fit. I fell between 11 and 12 in the Axos and I could not get the Comp5s tight enough. In the 12 I could get my finger under the bottom strap when it was as tight as it would go (the strap flares out for the buckle), but the 11 was too small for my foot. The 12 felt like I could pull it off my foot, so not a lot of protection there, even though my foot seemed to fit the footbed OK.

My feet are normal man feet, a touch on the wide side of average, but never had a problem before - this seems to be a shape thing, not a size thing. Not into Astars at $600 a go, either.

I usually wear a pair of normal desk-jockey socks under my boots (works fine with road boots) and I wonder if there is a magic off-road sock that fills in the gaps? Long, thick socks would seem to exaggerate the problem of tucking pants into boots and I don't wear knee braces or anything (not good enough to go fast enough). It's a big gap to fill though, not sure socks are the answer.

On another note, when did off-road boots get slick soles? Numpties like me need rugged commando-soles to grip the ground while we try to get the bike upright - and to climb up the hill to get help.

Thoughts, o wise forum?

[pete-blen]

Forma ADV boots...............................

[Deanzo]

The gap issue I'd say is the lack of a knee brace.
May not be the sole you're after, Alpinestars Tech 7's are often on sale at Torpedo7 for $440

[george formby]

I can't help with the shape of your feet but I have a pair of Thor MX boots up for sale, 11 / 46. Trail ridden half a dozen times.
If you can find a pair to try on and they fit let me know. I'm open to offers.
Selling because I now use trials boots, more feel & flexibility.

[budget biker]

alpinstars tech 3 with the enduro sole. not the racing tech 3 . i think the sole is available in tech 7 as well but these may be set up for knee braces

[scott411]

wear thick socks, MX socks are think on the sole, and thinner up the leg, a bit like rugby socks are now,

also, somethings the bottom buckles are too long, and you need to cut them down to get them to to tighten up,

[Tazz]

You can get 11.5 in some brands.
10.5 is about right for me but I can do a 10 or 11 depending on the brand sometimes.

Also putting those orthotic pads in is never a bad idea for any shoe/boot. That and thicker socks as mentioned will help.

[BM-GS]

Ta for the input everyone.

Have found my current boots to be lacking in impact resistance/padding right on the heel. So that'll be a requirement too - as soon as I can get my foot into a boot to try it...

Alpinestars Tech 5s looking good right now, though the sole is pretty grip-free (once one gets off the bike) and they cost a bit more than I wanted to spend. Maybe I can sell that as feature-creep?

Will keep an eye on the specials and try to find a size 12 (11 is just a touch small).

[Crisis management]

I came across a thread on Advrider a few days ago regarding feet and boot fit, it was someone with a "widened" foot due to injury, the solution was stretching a boot to fit. The stretching was done by a ski outfit as apparently this is something fairly common in their industry, it was Canada tho so maybe they have more resources than wellywood?
Buy Gaerne, they are wonderful boots but none of them have any grip in the soles.... however, if you buy something with a replaceable sole try talking to a cobbler to get another sole fitted.