Off-road boot recommendations?

[Danger]

Ok some very sore toes indicate that my old tough as nails boots have lost some of their sole stiffness and protection levels and are now flexible and a liability.
I've always struggled to find an off road boot that has appropriate stiffness and protection against hitting tree stumps and also have some grip on the sole (not a flat MX boot).

Anyone very happy with their boots as far as protection on impact with stumps and sole grip when on the side of a slippery clay rut in Riverhead forest?

[takitimu]

Anyone very happy with their boots as far as protection on impact with stumps and sole grip when on the side of a slippery clay rut in Riverhead forest?

I hit the same stump twice in a special stage @ woodhill & no ill effects apart from cursing, mind you not going as quick as you, Sidi Crossfire SRS, the grip is ok, though you really need crampon's for Riverhead.
I think the Tech 8's mate has have worn better, speaking of Tech 8's from what I hear they handle stumps well also :).

[cheese]

I like my W2's as they have good grip and pretty solid and have lasted me 3 years now. I think that Scott stocks them? I'd stay the fuck away from any of the fox boots. Horrible!

[Danger]

What are W2's?

I've found these, look like they have sole grip and at least a steel toe point, but might be lacking in protection on the outer toe which is where you tend to hit the stumps through corners. Also no telling how stiff the sole is which has a big bearing in protection.

Well that pic won't load and enlarge properly for some reason. They are Alpine Stars Tech 3AT off road boots.

[Boosted]

i know they are very expensive, but i still love my tech10s, so comfy :)

[Danger]

What are the Tech 10's like for protection for the outer toes? They don't have any steel toe point I can see in the picture. Whats the sole like being an MX boot for grip?

[chop]

Oxtar tcx pro

[Danger]

Hit a few stumps in those Chop? They do seem like they are a very rigid boot, could be the go for me.

[chop]

yep im a stump kicker from way back.. Good strong foot on them.. Had a look at Cam's tech 10's yesterday and they look quite soft in the foot

[CRF119]

Years ago i gave away my flash looking gumboots and spent sum hard enrned cash on sum tech 10's, its been the best money i have spent. Mine have done about 200 hours of riding and are looking a tad tired but my mate who brought the same boot at the same time has done similar hours and his look mint. (Im knowen to be hard on boots!) I have had mine resoled as the sole is soft so plenty of grip and good shock absorbing. Soles are $70-$80 ish to buy for a pair and cost me $25.00 to have them refitted.

I have flat landed 80ft jumps comming down from crazy height and walked away. Droped off 3M Drops to flat no problem.

They dont have the steel outer but im sure they are steel in behind the plastic mine have been punnished buy rocks and have held up.

To clean i water blast them and then throw the inner boot in the washing machine when mum isnt looking along with my gear i havnt rinsed out. :Oi:

Dont pay anymore then $800.00 for a pair i know RRP is $899 and the shop is making plenty.

[Boosted]

and there ya go :) haha, they have a inner boot which is pretty cool 2, just walk around in them etc etc :)

[dammad1]

I have tech 7's and they are awesome, so comfortable and can take a big knock without really feeling it, my old fox boots used to leave my feet and ankles aching for days. The other thing I really like about them is that they were comfortable right from the start, didn't take ages to break in like some other boots. Grip is not bad considering the sole design is quite flat.

[theblacksmith]

I am very happy with my Axo Boxers - cheap as and have saved me from many stumps - rocks - gateposts-fencing wire,ktm's, yamaha's and an untold amount of footpegs.Done about 90 hours with them and theyre mint still.And still very stiff. Tried my sons Gaerne's-yuck -what an uncomfortable boot! And twice the price.Each to their own I suppose.

[Reckless]

I got the AXO boxers as well. To be honest I haven't worn any others in my short carer only been riding long enough for one set of boots but I like the AXO's. Good firm boot stiff along the sole, flex at the ankle for gear changes, hold the knees pads in tight. Pretty good boot I reckon.

[scott411]

I use tech 8's now and had tech 10's before that, i prefer the tech 8's as when i need to walk around (trail rides etc) they are a bit more comfortable, the tech 10 has better ankle protection but i think the tech 8 has a better toe protection with the old style sole,

we stock both,

[notch]

Another vote for the Sidi force SRS...

[Danger]

Thanks for all the help guys. When I have time I will read this thread more closely and look up some tests. At this stage it looks like the Oxtar is the stiffer boot so that may be the way I go. Not the best value though.

[takitimu]

Thanks for all the help guys. When I have time I will read this thread more closely and look up some tests. At this stage it looks like the Oxtar is the stiffer boot so that may be the way I go. Not the best value though.

Cycletreads have them on special for 400, they are the same boot, different logo.

[Danger]

Thanks but what is the logo they are using?

[takitimu]

Thanks but what is the logo they are using?

From memory something like what once was Oxtar TCX Pro 2, is now TCX Pro 2, & the change is swap the Oxtar logo for a TCX logo.

[Danger]

Sweet thanks I need to get onto something before I ride again, which might be another week the way my toes are currently.

[tnarg]

Just went to cycletreads to get some new boots and the oxtars are on sale but they only have really small or odd sizes. I ended up getting some sixsixones. Tried on some oxtar motard boots but liked the feel of the sixsixones and were a good price.

[Danger]

Thanks man saved me a trip!

[camchain]

Yeah Danger, remember when you could buy boots with either enduro or MX sole? I just bought some new Fox F3's for irresistable price of $250. They look saucy but I'll probably try something else next time as they don't have quite enough flex at the ankle for my taste and also soles seem to chew out quickly. Not overly impressed with buckles either. Comfort is very good though. I especially liked the v snug internal fit around ankles. Personally a bit wary of couple of the Alpine Star models with very smooth rounded edges on sole. Superb for avoiding catching on stuff when foot out cornering but I still need to be able to get a sole edge into that greasy clay for a push every now and then.

Made the mistake of trying on some Sidi Crossfires at CycleTreads. Those things are the bomb and I'd pick them if money no object (although haven't tried Tech 8s etc). Buckles are just amazingly good, and I really liked the replaceable insert where normal boots get damaged by kickstart slip-offs (Last pair died from that). Didn't buy any boots there as I'd gut-hooked myself on the Sidis but couldn't afford! Liked the Oxtars as well but the 661 ('flight?' or whatever top model was) looked extremely good for quality, fit and especially value (Roger on that tnarg). Only thing I didn't like about them was 'hatched' pattern on tongue that looked like it would make mud adhere thereby adding weight. Might still be worth a trip Danger, as 661s well worth a look.

[Quicker_with_age]

Using oxtar tcx pro 2's myself, so far very durable stiff and comfortable boot I would highly reccomend them.

[Reckless]

I got some Oxtar road boots from Cycletreds real cheap!! I'll try there MX boots next time if I can afford them. English brand they are!
The reason they are cheap at the moment is because their name and logo etc is really close to Alpinestar. I think they had words about it and Oxtar is rebranding to TCX which is why they are dumping Oxtar branded stock cheap!

[Danger]

I use tech 8's now and had tech 10's before that, i prefer the tech 8's as when i need to walk around (trail rides etc) they are a bit more comfortable, the tech 10 has better ankle protection but i think the tech 8 has a better toe protection with the old style sole,

we stock both,

Scott have you seen the Alpine Stars Tech 3AT off road boots? They have the steel toe front, sharp edges on the sole and a tread. Just not sure how stiff/strong they are on impacts.

[Danger]

Read some good reports on the Sidi SRS, and believe I tried on a pair a few years back. Might have another look at them as I was a fan of plastic boots back in the 80's.

[takitimu]

Read some good reports on the Sidi SRS, and believe I tried on a pair a few years back. Might have another look at them as I was a fan of plastic boots back in the 80's.

One thing, if you've got wide feet then the SRS will be a problem, it's the only real issue with them I've found anyway ( I will be going Gaerne next & not white boots, never ever again ).

[Danger]

Yeah I do have wide feet, I've read you need to go up a size or two in these.
Do you know who stocks them in Auckland?

[Pierce]

i rock the astar tech-8's and i'm happy with them. seem tobe lasting good and they're comfy. Broke an ankle in them but that was due to my legs being pile drived into the floor haha.

[green machine]

I have got some Sidi Crossfires which are good boots...........but i'm gonna have to get something else as i broke my little toe a few years ago and it healed on a prick of an angle and causes me alot of grief(actually gets too sore to keep riding) as the Sidi has no give in it........has anyone tried a tech 3 or tech 7??? might go try some on

[dammad1]

I have got some Sidi Crossfires which are good boots...........but i'm gonna have to get something else as i broke my little toe a few years ago and it healed on a prick of an angle and causes me alot of grief(actually gets too sore to keep riding) as the Sidi has no give in it........has anyone tried a tech 3 or tech 7??? might go try some on

I've got Tech 7's and love them, they are so comfortable.

[alistair1]

I've got Tech 7's and love them, they are so comfortable.

thats good to hear,i have a choice of tech 7's,or tech 3's as their the only boots ive seen in my size(16),my tech 6s needed the part of the front metal plate screwed back on after it got part ripped off at the last round of the belray

[humai]

I've just got a pair of the Sidi Crossfires too. I bought them from Cycletreads.

I've ridden once with them and they have been very comfortable but of course, as you do, I got a dose of the "new boot blues" on this first ride with muffed rear brake applications and the odd unscheduled gearchange.

Problem is, I let my old Gaerne Skywalkers get so worn out (down to the metal soleplate on the left boot), I've got to reset the old muscle memory again.

So far, the Sidis seem like a really good boot.