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Zukin
20th July 2006, 10:40
Howdy all

Just curious to know what sort of boots you wear for adventure riding, now I am looking for boots that can be used on the road, and the gravel roads and are ok in the medium trails?
I have some motorcross boots for general trail riding, but as you know they arent the most comfortable boots for walking around in.

I do like the buckles though, and I want them to waterproof and warm.

I have seen these boots ( http://www.setupaustralia.com/adventure.htm) which are more the style I am looking for, but how suitable are they?

I have also seen some $500 that are similar:gob: but are they worth paying that sort of money for.

I wait with anticipation:first:

Cheers

clint640
20th July 2006, 13:26
Those setup ones look good. They look like a copy of the $700 Sidi Discoveries which I have heard good things about.
I saw a set of Forma GT's that looked ok the other day. Cary had them & he reckoned they were pretty good, at around $300 I think I might get some. There is also the Stylmartin Quads which are a little bit lightweight for my liking, ~$400.

Cheers
Clint

Zukin
20th July 2006, 13:47
Those Forma boots sound like the go

I had a quick llok at their website and saw these ones (http://www.formaboots.com/prodotti/prodotti_det.php?l=2&titolo=mx_trial_supermoto&id=20), I wonder if they are available here.

I might have to have a peek :yes:

merv
20th July 2006, 13:50
I always use my Sidi boots on any of the dirt bikes basically because I don't wear my road boots on the bikes with serrated footpegs. Never any problem with comfort and they are reasonably waterproof. I don't worry too much about walking because I don't walk much when I'm using the bike.

Here ya are 3 pics, same boots, different bikes:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=33965&d=1149316545

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=24916&d=1138507455

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=29366&d=1143889328

Basically only wear my road boots on the VFR http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=21224&d=1133602463


However, the boots in your link do look pretty good - a good compromise.

oldrider
20th July 2006, 13:52
Have a check, a lot of the "Italian" boots are made in Romania.
I don't know whether that is a good or a bad thing but are they really Italian.
Does it really matter? Cheers John.

XP@
20th July 2006, 14:33
I use Gay-Ernie X2's for everything (commuting, touring and occasional off rd)

They are almost perfect,
I can live in them all day (really important)
They are now waterproof (lots of wax once a year)

Only hastle is the lack of grip, but I understand that can be changed. Anyone know a good cobbler in the welly region?

clint640
20th July 2006, 15:42
I use Gay-Ernie X2's for everything (commuting, touring and occasional off rd)

They are almost perfect,
I can live in them all day (really important)
They are now waterproof (lots of wax once a year)

Only hastle is the lack of grip, but I understand that can be changed. Anyone know a good cobbler in the welly region?

I got a set of them after a couple of mates commented on how waterproof they were (a quality hard to find in an mx style boot) but despite loads of wax & lots of seam sealer they aren't really the slightest bit waterproof. Mine are the newer style & I think the older ones that my mates raved about must have been quite different in their waterproofness.

They are a good comfy boot though, better to walk in than most mx boots but still heaps of protection.

I wanted an enduro sole too (ie grippy) but any boot with that seemed to start at about $700 so I think a cobbler might be the go.

Cheers
Clint

XP@
20th July 2006, 16:10
I got a set of them after a couple of mates commented on how waterproof they were (a quality hard to find in an mx style boot) but despite loads of wax & lots of seam sealer they aren't really the slightest bit waterproof. Mine are the newer style & I think the older ones that my mates raved about must have been quite different in their waterproofness.

It did take a little while to get mine "waterproof", use lots of wax, especially in the seams (an egg for you grandma)

But thinking about it... if it is raining then I am usually wearing over-trousers so most of the boot is covered.
They will stand a quick dunking all the way up to the top.
If i am heading out on a longer road ride (> 500km's) which is likely to rain the whole / most of the way then I would probably slip on the over boots as well, just to make sure.

far queue
20th July 2006, 19:20
I use Thor Quadrants. MX boots with tons of protection, comfortable enough to wear all day although you wouldn't want to walk too far in them. I take a pair of shoes with me to walk around in at rallies, etc. I've always stayed dry in them except the last time I wore them, but then that'll happen when the water's up to your knees :blip:

Motu
20th July 2006, 19:54
I use my trials boots for everything - I don't see any reason to have a wardrobe full of bike boots....are are guys after all aren't we?

What?
20th July 2006, 20:07
Well, don't buy Sidi Trophy, then. Mine are comfortable enough, and the speed lacing is grouse, but they are marginally less waterproof than sandals.

Wolf
23rd July 2006, 11:41
Well, don't buy Sidi Trophy, then. Mine are comfortable enough, and the speed lacing is grouse, but they are marginally less waterproof than sandals.
So, slightly more waterproof than jandals, then.

I read some comments on another site that you need boots you can walk a reasonable distance in for adventure riding as you are likely to be doing a bit of it.

My Sidi Touring boots (seem to be the precursor to the "Thunder") are comfortable enough to wear all day and walk around a lot - some days I can't be arsed changing into work shoes and just wear my bike boots at work all day, wander around town at lunchtime etc. No problem.

I like the look of the Gaerne Explorers and the Dririder touring boot but have not tried either. The "Setup" boots in the link looked quite good, as did the Forma.

If, as was suggested on the other site, you need to walk a reasonable amount, you'd want lightweight and fairly flexible with decent protection in all the right places - ankles, toes, heels, shins.

What say our resident regular adventurers: Is there a reasonable amount of walking required?

I remember from Ted Simon's Jupiter's Travels he had a few occasions where he had to walk back down a difficult hill and pick up stuff that had fallen off the bike in the rough terrain :D

merv
23rd July 2006, 12:34
I've been on every adventure ride in the lower North island for the last 15 years and I'm not one to walk when I have the bike to ride so don't do much walking.

Typical day is ride up to the start of the venue and stand around talking to people waiting for the riders briefing and the word to start. Then off we go. Then we end up at (on the good ones) a morning tea stop. Get off the bike, might have to walk 30m into a school or local hall to get into the coffee and muffins. Same drill at lunch time. On the last one I went on the Capital Coast the unlucky ones had to walk across the road and into Sawyers, us fast early guys parked right outside so walked about 20m to the lunch. You might get an afternoon tea stop and repeat all this, otherwise we walk nowhere so I'm not sure where the walking comment comes from. I wear my Sidi boots as per the links I posted above and they are fine for walking those kind of distances.

Check out the pics here http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=27185&highlight=capital+coast of the Capital Coast with my Yamaha parked outside the lunch stop http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=29314&d=1143886595 and here http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=2336&highlight=pukemanu of the Pukemanu ride and that time we had lunch at Gladstone school and had to walk all the way into the school grounds to eat http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1374&d=1079829361 having to leave the bikes in the carpark outside the school. You'll see riding and standing around, not much walking and why would you walk and leave your bike somewhere unless you were stuck way off the route somewhere?

Wolf
23rd July 2006, 12:47
I've been on every adventure ride in the lower North island for the last 15 years and I'm not one to walk when I have the bike to ride so don't do much walking.

Typical day is ride up to the start of the venue and stand around talking to people waiting for the riders briefing and the word to start. Then off we go. Then we end up at (on the good ones) a morning tea stop. Get off the bike, might have to walk 30m into a school or local hall to get into the coffee and muffins. Same drill at lunch time. On the last one I went on the Capital Coast the unlucky ones had to walk across the road and into Sawyers, us fast early guys parked right outside so walked about 20m to the lunch. You might get an afternoon tea stop and repeat all this, otherwise we walk nowhere so I'm not sure where the walking comment comes from.
Cheers for that.

The site was focussed more on World Tours etc with variable terrain and carrying a shitload of gear, perhaps they were thinking of saving space by not carrying too much in the way of spare footwear. Or maybe the more crap you're carrying, the more you wind up walking around. Not sure. I'll have to see if I can find the posts about it and ask them what their rationale is.

Wolf
23rd July 2006, 12:49
Here ya are 3 pics, same boots, different bikes:

Heh, I notice you have an XT225 parked behind you in the first of those pics.

merv
23rd July 2006, 12:57
Heh, I notice you have an XT225 parked behind you in the first of those pics.

You not keeping up with my stories? That's Mrs merv's XT. Started talking about it here http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=27531

It got registered as an XT250V as that is the name Yamaha NZ call them even though they are still the 225. That discussion occurred on a thread back here http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=31403.

Motu
23rd July 2006, 13:02
Like a rally,you spend the weekend in your boots,so some people bring shoes.

Trials riders walk in their boots most,they have to walk the sections and plan their moves,they have to climb rocks and wade through streams...and be able to feel the traction through the boots.They are not waterproof,and not designed to be - I apply genuine Gaerne waterproofing cream to mine so the are ok for a quick dunking.We often have to walk a stream over the top of the boot,and they get wet - big deal,it's part of the challenge.

merv
23rd July 2006, 13:17
Too true about trials Motu and all the walking but I guess I haven't done a trial for over 30 years now. Until I bought my Sidi boots in 2003 I had always worn lace up style work boots in the dirt - cheap but effective - and easy enough to walk in.

p.s. Motu you see my DT pic on this thread http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=32413 ?

Zukin
24th July 2006, 14:15
Well I contacted the distributor of these Forma boots (http://www.formaboots.com/prodotti/prodotti_det.php?l=2&titolo=mx_trial_supermoto&id=20) and they dont bring them into NZ:mellow:

I have also sent the team at Setup OZ an email to see if they have a distributor here in NZ that brings their boots in
I will let you all know

Wolf
24th July 2006, 14:50
Trials riders walk in their boots most,they have to walk the sections and plan their moves,they have to climb rocks and wade through streams...
Perhaps the people on the other forum spend a lot of time getting off their touring bikes and walking the tricky bits to plan their moves? Dunno. Might be a good idea when taking an R1 through some of the regions Sjaak Lucassen's been through. Fair few areas in his video clips where I'd at least feel the need to stop the bike, have a cigarette and put some serious thought into "How the fuck am I going to get across there?" (or through/past that).

Wolf
24th July 2006, 14:54
You not keeping up with my stories? That's Mrs merv's XT. Started talking about it here http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=27531

Missed that thread, thanks for the link.


It got registered as an XT250V as that is the name Yamaha NZ call them even though they are still the 225. That discussion occurred on a thread back here http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=31403.
Blonde moment, I didn't put two and two together.

warewolf
24th July 2006, 17:58
What say our resident regular adventurers: Is there a reasonable amount of walking required?Depends! Organised adventure/trail rides in NZ don't plan for much off-bike activity if at all. On your own ride, it's totally up to you.

I suspect that "walking" while adventuring is similar to "walking" while touring. That is, 5-60 minute strolls to see something scenic, often along a bush track, depending how far off the beaten track you are. 30m to get to lunch doesn't count...there's bigger gas station forecourts than that!

As with everything adventuring, it's a compromise. You need a flexible sole to walk. You need a rigid sole to support your weight when standing on the pegs. Trials boots sound neat for exploring. They won't offer the same protection at high speed on the tar as a road-race boot.

Where do you want your compromise?

Higher quality road touring boots are well made and designed for some walking. I've got $400 Alpine Stars, they're surprisingly good for walking...as in, I've never noticed them being a problem. The $550 Daytonas are supposed to be the dogs external genitals.

I've also got MX boots. Generally speaking, for "adventure touring" I'll wear the road boots and my road suit. If it's gnarly enough to remove the rubber inserts in the footpegs, I'll wear the MX boots and my adventure suit (both of which I prefer to get filthy). Call the latter style "adventure trail." I don't know that there is any one ultimate solution.

For a good compromise (was that the original question? :yawn: ) I used the StylMartin "Safety 1" as an everything boot for a few years. It was an mx boot with a less-rigid sole, elasticised draw-string top to keep the crud out, hard plastic shin guard for flying rocks, bottom buckle for the mud, velcro closures up the rest and waterproof liner (morphed into the "quad" model, I think).

Zukin
28th July 2006, 11:00
Well I contacted the distributor of these Forma boots (http://www.formaboots.com/prodotti/prodotti_det.php?l=2&titolo=mx_trial_supermoto&id=20) and they dont bring them into NZ:mellow:

I have also sent the team at Setup OZ an email to see if they have a distributor here in NZ that brings their boots in
I will let you all know

To add to this discussion here is a copy of the reply I recieved from Setup in OZ

Thanks for the enquiry, if you are looking at the 'Adventure Trail' boot it will cost you $260.00 Australian plus a further $30.00 Air mail freight At this stage we do not have a distributor in New Zealand but it is something worth looking into, Tony Rees motorcycles in Whakatane sells our mufflers I might have to have a word with him.

So for $290 they appear to be a good set of boots, there are few riders on ADVriders that are using them and are using them quite a bit.
Here are the links to their posts
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3028519#post3028519
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=125667&highlight=setup

Whilst looking I also found these ones (http://www.nwa.co.nz/nwa/brandsearch.jsp?brnd_id=21&pc_id=5) which are available in NZ. (you need to go to the menu on the left hand side, click on Oxtar, and then scroll down, the boots are Oxtar Infinity
Goretex is good :yes:

Cheers Scott

Wolf
28th July 2006, 11:04
The Oxtar Infinity looks good, similar to the Gaerne Explorer

Ghost Lemur
10th August 2006, 00:33
I came across these (http://www.dirtbikexpress.co.uk/view_product.php?c_id=2&sc_id=4&p_id=185). Look perfect for dual sport use. Comfy enough to be in all day, while strong enough to handle the business in no mans land.

No idea if they're available here. I'd snap up a pair if they were/are.

inlinefour
10th August 2006, 03:35
Howdy all

Just curious to know what sort of boots you wear for adventure riding, now I am looking for boots that can be used on the road, and the gravel roads and are ok in the medium trails?
I have some motorcross boots for general trail riding, but as you know they arent the most comfortable boots for walking around in.

I do like the buckles though, and I want them to waterproof and warm.

I have seen these boots ( http://www.setupaustralia.com/adventure.htm) which are more the style I am looking for, but how suitable are they?

I have also seen some $500 that are similar:gob: but are they worth paying that sort of money for.

I wait with anticipation:first:

Cheers

I reciently got a pair of Answer MX boots as the local dealer put a good price on them for me. Apart from the lack of flex (am told this will improve, might need to get them wet) they are awesome to ride with. Might need to adjust ther gear lever up a tad to make room for the boots yet. Will try it out on my week away...
Have a primo pair of stylmartin boots for street riding, but they go with the CBR...

Garry.W
16th August 2006, 17:10
I have one pair of boots, BMW Kalaharis, They're over 5-years old now and have been through many tough encounters with nature, including all the BMW Safaris since 2000 and mad trips like the one over the Makiro Track we did recently, since I got them. Still totally waterproof and very comfortably moulded to my feet They are great on the Dakar but have found no problems on the more sports orientated bikes (like the wife's TRX) and if I do need to walk anywhere, no problem. In the main they are still holding together, barring one fastener that remains to be repaired. You might say too expensive, but like everything you get what you pay for. I have certainly had value for the money I spent getting these and there's still a bit of life left in them yet. Will next ones be more of the same? :yes:

Ghost Lemur
31st October 2006, 21:42
Those of you who saw my footwear on the Canterbury Rides ride last Monday will know why.

I've been doing a bucket load of research into boots from before I went away. But I'm still keen on some further input. Which boots did you end up getting Zurkin?

My first choice since I discovered (no pun intended) them is the Sidi Discovery (http://www.sidisport.com/eng/motorcycle/art_d.asp?ATp_ID=M04&Art_ID=MMDISCOVE). That is until I talk to my locals and found the price to consistantly be $500. Now I know that you can buy replacement soles and buckles which would extend they're life greatly. But it's still a whole lot of money for a pair of boots.

Other options are...

Forma Gripper 2 (http://www.formaboots.com/prodotti/prodotti_det.php?l=2&titolo=mx_trial_supermoto&id=20). But if Zurkins email exchange with the distributor is anything to go by, we're not special enough to be allowed them here. Surely though they would add a pair to their next factory order if there was a sale in it?

Setup Adventure (http://www.setupaustralia.com/adventure.htm). From reading Advrider.com, the biggest issue with these is no shift pad (such a low cost addition which could greatly add to the value of them, no idea why they would leave it off).

Gaerne Balance Classic/Oiled/or Pro-Tech (http://www.gaerne.com/trial.asp?sezione=trial). A possibility dependant of price and availability. I think Motu has the Oiled ones as I read in a different thread his are red.

I have also heard of Diadora having a pair of trials boots (Stone 2 from memory) , but haven't been able to find out much about them. Also Hebo (http://www.hebo.com) seems to be a Spanish company which make (amongst other things) trials boots. Seem to have a close relationship with GASGAS. Their boots look quite good, but there's bugger all about them on the net, and their site doesn't even have an English version (and my spanish leaves a lot to be desired).

Are there any I've missed? Any of you have, or had, any of the above and can give me your insight into their longterm performance.

As with all large perchases I want to be absolutely certain before forking out the dosh. Last thing I want is to be stuck with a pair of boot I loath for the next 5+ years.

Yes it's all fine and dandy saying go to you locals and try on what they have. But none of them (that I've found) stock any of these or anything like them. They have Road boots, Touring boots and MX boots, fullstop.

Zukin
1st November 2006, 06:50
Hi

I ended up getting two sets :shit:

One for the road and easier rides (as I want waterproof and warm for winter), the y are the Dririder boots, and I can say they are excellent!!
And the other set was a set of motorcross boots for trail or harder rides.

Still like those ones you mentioned though

Motu
1st November 2006, 07:38
I sometimes ride trials,so am not keen on having a pair of boots lying around that don't get much use,and it just so happens that trials boots are perfect for the other riding I do.I'm still happy with the Gaerne Balance,but they are discoloured from rubbing on engine cases and frame for hours,the left toe has no shift pad and also discoloured....but no damage.But the stitching on the left heel is damaged because I heel shift on the trials bike....modern riders don't.I can live with boots that look like they are earning their keep.

upshift
2nd November 2006, 22:32
I have been looking for a while for a suitable adventure boot and eventually decided on the SIDI Discoverys, very nice boot plus the SIDI clip design is just superb IMHO. However upon ordering a (EURO) size 46 it turned out it wasn't available and I was told that these boots are a bit scarce until the next shipment due Feb 2007.

I have instead purchased the OXTAR Infinity and am very pleased with them, they are clearly the same boot as the BMW Savannah but without the BMW logo on them and are quite a bit cheaper. Look here (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69649) for a comparison between the two.

XR250 Si
3rd November 2006, 09:55
I've got a pair of the Sidi Explorers. They are comfortable on the bike very comfortable for walking around in. Not sure how they'd cope with trail riding, but road and gravel use I would think they would be great.

Zukin
4th May 2007, 23:00
Dragging up an old topic here

But

I just purchased some new boots today:yes:
It came about after our Adventure Assault last weekend, it was wet and cold, whilst most of my gear kept me reasonably dry (still damp), my feet were not they were cold and soaking wet, so I looked for some better water resistant boots with a more adventure style to them

So I went with the new Forma boot, its called a ATVone.

It is "Waterproof" (if there is such a thing), Breathable and anti bacterial :yes:
Not sure about the colour, but after all dirt is brown too :laugh:

I will test them out and report back for those that maybe interested.

Cheers Scott

NordieBoy
4th May 2007, 23:28
Woah, nice.
How much?

Zukin
4th May 2007, 23:33
DOH:zzzz:

Forgot to add the price
Retail $399
I paid $320 :yes:
I was looking at the Oxtar Infinity, but decided I liked the look and feel of these ones.
The sole looks good too:yes:

cooneyr
5th May 2007, 08:58
Definatly would like a post testing report on these. I noticed them in Kiwi Rider, thinking they are worth checking out when the time for new boots comes. Maybe first boots for wifey.

Cheers R

Zukin
4th June 2007, 21:30
Well I gave the Forma ATV boots a good test over the weekend :yes:

Torrential Rain and freezing cold southerly
They kept my feet dry and warm, exceptional really :yes:
I had a thin pair of socks on so I could feel any moisture coming through, and not a drop.

7am Start with a wicked frost
I had nice warm toes when I started, but after about an hour or so my toes did start to get a little cold, but I moved them around inside my boots and they got rid of the cold spots.

I had them on to today for most of the day, and I can say they are rather comfortable to walk around in too:yes:
The only thing that I don't like is on the right boot the ankle support digs in a bit, but I guess as the boots wear in and soften this will go away

These boots are great:rockon:

r8309
13th October 2007, 16:45
Hi sounds like your new Forma ATV boots are all good. Can you please advise where did you manage to purcahse them??
Would be gratefull for further information
Thanks NIgel C 09-4433031

NordieBoy
13th October 2007, 17:58
I ended up getting the Fly Stinger ATV Shorties $185
Not so good for standing on the pegs (no metal brace in the sole) but on the upside the sole is flexible for walking.

tri boy
13th October 2007, 18:23
I'm still waiting for my Forma AtVs to show up.
Hopefully some stock will arrive prior to Nov30.
Hey Scott are they starting to "Break In"?
Hopefully the more you wear them, the better they get.

Sidewinder
13th October 2007, 18:33
red bands.....

NordieBoy
13th October 2007, 18:35
Shortie or full length sheep shaggers?

Sidewinder
13th October 2007, 19:36
Shortie or full length sheep shaggers?

short for crusers and full lenght for sports bikes and what the heck of road the old jandal

dmc
14th October 2007, 19:18
I'm selling my Gaerne Balances,

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=122500437