Track-day/racing boots

[Usarka]

Talk to dmntd, he's got a patent on sock sliders.....

[discotex]

Sidi Vertigo for me. Farkin awesome boots. The vents really work too.

So what if they're pricey. You plan to do plenty of trackdays so you should be be wearing decent gear.

As JR says - fuck how good they are for walking in (actually they're ok if you undo the back thingy). What you want is top protection for your feet. They'll be the first thing the bike lands on when you lowside.

Get a back protector too.

[lostinflyz]

FYI the oxtar importer (im assuming its the importer) is near incompetent so replacement sliders are almost impossible to get. so go sidi. i wish i had

[sAsLEX]

'Sidi Vertigos' is all you need to know.

Should be about NZ$450 a pair, if I recall correctly.

They have replaceable sliders for the bits that touch down.

But the zips are not very well protected so if your a racer/crasher that part can wear/become fucked much quicker than you would hope from an expensive pair of boots.

[madbikeboy]

I have a pair of Forma's - I couldn't get comfortable with the Sidi's (although I think they're probably a better boot). Mine have replaceable sliders, which have lasted really well, and they have excellent ankle support. They're also dryish, and I don't get pins and needles (which I get with some boots).

Mine cost about $400 ish. I also like the Alpinestars race boots (forget the name), and once these wear out, I'll buy the AStars.

As for being Frosty being like your evil ex - you're saying that he tells you what to do all the time, nags you, and I'm assuming you're not having sex - the answer: YOU'RE MARRIED TO HIM (the no sex bit was the giveaway).

[vifferman]

If you want some boots with good protection that are also comfy to walk in, and/or you have wide or flat feet, try some StylMartins. I'm on my second pair (first ones are still OK apart from one missing tooth on a zip, and are about 5 years old).

[boomer]

Try these on for size.. Perfect !

[FROSTY:Me]

Im a bit of a toedragger so I have sidi verts with ceramic scrapers.
The ceramic lasts bloody yonks -like 10x longer than plastic
Thgeyre $45 a set instead of $20 but well worth it.

Now BOOTS-- The MX type boots offer a HUGE amount of ankle support in multiple directions. Theyre there to protect you from hitin trees and protect your foot/ankle from being broken in a crash.
The down side is that theres NO feel through the controls and you have to move virtually ya whole lower leg to change gear.
Totally not the go for you.
GOOD race boots follow on where MX boots leave off. They protect the ankle from impact they support the foot in a crash and protect the lower leg from impact.--The negative in my experience is that new race boots take a bit of getting used to -they feel stiff and cumbersome and it seems theres no feel for the back brake and gearshift. --You do get used to it and having personally crashed in a set of sidi race verts I'd never go back to boots with no support.
Road boots-They have reduced armour content but nowadays still have protection for shins and ankle. The advantage is feel wise theyre just like normal shoes. the down side is reduced protection

[GIXser]

bikestore have awesome boots real cheap too
www.bikestore.co.nz

[imdying]

Set of Alpinestar SMX-4s here. Would probably go for the SMX-R if I exclusively did track riding, but the 4 is quite comfy. They're a more enjoyable ownership experience over my basic boots... better zips, replacable draggy bits, more meat where you like it, better soft stuff where they rub the bike etc. Best $280 I ever spent on bike boots... was worth paying the extra over another set of touring type boots (although if I'm going somewhere that requires legging it at all, I still wear those... these are bike boots first, comfy fashion accessories second).

[OutForADuck]

GOOD race boots follow on where MX boots leave off. They protect the ankle from impact they support the foot in a crash and protect the lower leg from impact.--The negative in my experience is that new race boots take a bit of getting used to -they feel stiff and cumbersome and it seems theres no feel for the back brake and gearshift. --You do get used to it and having personally crashed in a set of sidi race verts I'd never go back to boots with no support.

I'm with Frosty here. I find the newer style of boots restrictive and yet at the same time very comforting in the support and protection they provide. I own and use two pairs of race boots and would always choose my Alpinestar Super R Tech for a track session!! but often go for more feel/comfort for a road ride.