Boots for Adventure Riding??

[merv]

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/sh...ad.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/sh...ad.php?t=31403.

[Motu]

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]

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/sh...ad.php?t=32413 ?

[Zukin]

Well I contacted the distributor of these Forma boots and they dont bring them into NZ

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]

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]

You not keeping up with my stories? That's Mrs merv's XT. Started talking about it here http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.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/sh...ad.php?t=31403.

Blonde moment, I didn't put two and two together.

[warewolf]

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? ) 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]

Well I contacted the distributor of these Forma boots and they dont bring them into NZ

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/showt...19#post3028519
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...ighlight=setup

Whilst looking I also found these ones 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

Cheers Scott

[Wolf]

The Oxtar Infinity looks good, similar to the Gaerne Explorer

[Ghost Lemur]

I came across these. 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]

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 which are more the style I am looking for, but how suitable are they?

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

I wait with anticipation

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]

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?

[Ghost Lemur]

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. 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. 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. 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. 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 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]

Hi

I ended up getting two sets

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]

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.