How to beat no-feel MX boots?

[Beeza]

I've bought my first pair of proper MX boots after years of wearing rubber gumboots and going like the clappers. But now I can't feel a thing through these new O'Neals. I can't feel the brake pedal and I can't feel the gear pedal. It's like I'm an amputee or someone with rigid knee-high plaster casts on both legs. The pedals -- especially the gear lever -- feel as though they're now about 4 inches too short. Is this normal? I can't ride at more than one-third my normal breakneck speed in these puppies. Will this get any better? Should I wear these boots around as ordinary streetwear to break them in?

[Henk]

You get usd to it. DOn't go back to gumboots if you value your feet. It may help to check your lever adjustment.They should be pretty much level with the top of the footpegs.

[Ocean1]

They do soften up a bit.

You do get used to it.

MX boots are not absolutely required, they're you're feet, there's some less rigid ADV-type boots like Forma you might try.

I used Gaerne trials boots, good compromise for me...

[scott411]

you will get used to them, and they do wear in as well,

you can speed up the process by using tanners oil or something similar on the leather

[Motu]

I use Gaerne trials boots for all my riding too - for road use they give much more protection than road boots,but are lighter and more flexible than MX boots,with a grippy sole for when your feet need traction.

[R6chick]

i was the same when I first got MX boots, I got used to them eventually, an now i wouldn't ride without them.

[pete.ktm]

i had softish adventure boots before going to gaerne mx boots, i couldn't feel a thing the first 75% of the first ride but after that it just came right and now feels pretty natural.

gumboots to mx boots might take a little longer but you'll get there.

[Beeza]

Well, thanks all! But I've never read or been told by anyone that MX boots are so dreadfully plaster-casty and utterly no-feel. All you ever hear is of how much they protect your shins and feet.

Well, until I break in these O'Neals properly, I'll be nervously pottering around at 25km/h in second gear and I might as well be wearing a pair of jandals for all the leg damage I could possibly do by going so slow.

I think I bought the wrong boot. These rigid MX boots just SUCK!