Best motocross/enduro boots and how to maintain them︱Cross Training Enduro
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- čas přidán 31. 07. 2024
- www.crosstrainingenduro.com
Our best motocross boot review and also maintenance and repair tips for enduro boots.
0:24 Problems with cheap boots
0:42 Which brand is best?
1:08 Where are the boots made?
1:30 Boot maintenance tips
2:15 Boot repairs
3:25 Importance of stitched soles
When it comes to dirt riding protective gear, I believe motorbike boots are the only thing you need to spend a lot of money on. Helmets are very important too, but if you do careful research you can get very good protection at a cheap price. But for motocross or enduro boots, you need to spend money to get excellent protection. Yes, cheap motorbikeboots might feel stiff when new. But they quickly soften and provide less protection with time... important for finding the best enduro boot. Into enduro riding? See all our dirt bike videos for dirt riding tips. Our channel now had hundreds of dirt bike videos covering reviews, and dirt riding techniques. Currently the motocross boot with the best protection and quality for dirt riders is the Gaerne. Second? Forma. Third? Sidi. Often riders avoid buying adventure boots made in China nowadays, here is the country of manufacture for some brands. We strongly advise you buy the best boot possible, then make it last. Here are some motorbike boot maintenance tips, we'll follow up with motorbike boot repairs. Avoid harsh chemicals, bleach and degreasers. Just use soap or whatever the manufacturer recommends. Fourth? Alpinestar. Search our channel for dirt riding gear too. Our dirt riding tips also include wider topics such as the best dirt riding boots. Recently we collected hundreds of owner's comments and reviews to find the best adventure boots were seen as the best in real world conditions. Fox is just getting worse every year and came in last for the major enduro boot brands. So we think the best motocross boot is Gaerne. Use a proper boot dryer. If you don't have one, make one, just set up a fan to dry your boots overnight. Block your boots in the garage. Plug your boots with old rags or newspaper so spiders don't live in your boots. Check your boot soles after each ride. And motocross boot repairs. If the sole is starting to peel loose, sometimes you can stop this with a screw. Unfortunately the quality of Sidi Crossfire boots has been dropping. Don't use pressure washers on motocross boots. Or if you do, don't get it too close to the boot. Dry your boots if they are wet. If your boots stink, use baking soda and/or vinegar. What about enduro boot repairs? Avoid heat. Drying your enduro boots next to a fire or using a lot of heat can be bad for the motorbike boot adhesives. I found my soles were starting to peel quite quickly in various spots, but a pile of screws has stopped this. Just don't walk on timber floors or floor tiles in your house and damage them! If your soles are peeling badly, some riders attempt their own repairs. And motorbike boot maintenance? Remember soles for quality stitched boots are usually cheap. And you often the choice of a motocross or enduro-style sole. Get a quality boot with a stitched base. Buy new soles and go to a good cobbler. You can clean the surfaces, use sandpaper, then apply an adhesive like Shoe Glue. Everyone has very mixed results with motocross boot repairs. Sometimes the repair lasts permanently. Other times the sole falls off on the first ride. Good luck. Take your boots to a cobbler for repair. Many refuse to repair dirt riding boots. They know how much abuse our boots receive! Google around for a cobbler who is experienced in motocross boot repairs. One final point with enduro boot maintenance. The best boots always have a stitched base like this. Cheaper boots always have the base of the boot glued on because it's a cheap way to manufacture enduro boots. And a point with motocross boot maintenance... It's much cheaper in the long run. And you will get the best protection and comfort available. Which boots do you wear? And why? Any more tips for boot maintenance? Let us know in the comments But it means you must throw the boot out when the sole wears out. In recent years, Alpinestar did start to sell these replacement soles, but I can't find any reports on how well these work if you try to repair the boots yourself.
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I have no complaints with my Alpinestar tech 7s I've warn now for right on 2 yrs.
And I have acreage at my disposal, and ride an average fo 9-10hrs a week. I did have to replace mid-sole on shifter side because...
You must follow instructions to the letter though, or like me you do again 3rd ride. They provide plenty glue, and guidance. 👍👍👍
On my second pair of sg-12s, over 400 hours on the first pair and they're still in good shape.
2 years or racing hare & hound, 3 tops ends in 2 different bikes, a half dozen tires, and still on the first pair of SG-12s.
I went through 2 pair of Sidi's in my first year of racing and was talked in into making the switch. Best gear choice I've ever made.
I've been using O'Neal boots for years I've have had no issues and they have saved me more times than I can count
Dad used to have a tin of what they used to call bear glue, we used to glue up everything shoes and upholstery related with it. Spread it on with a spatula or knife, keep the two halves separated while it tacks up, once tacky then carefully (because you only get 1 go at it) put the two halves together. The stuff will glue your ears together and take the skin of your fingers when you try to remove it off your hands.
Edit, i just had a look online now, it is Automotive contact adhesive, septone still make it 'like they used to'.
I've just bought my second pair of yellow-and-purple Leatt gpx 5,5. I use (and abuse) them all year round, clean them with pressure washer, never use any kind of wax for leather parts - and they work just great. After 1,5 years of everyday use. One thing to remember: keep the buckles relatively clean or put some oil on them and they'll be fine. I've decided to buy another pair out of fear that I won't find so reliable and comfortable (and dashingly beautiful!) boots in the future.
Good to hear, we've been hearing quite a few negative cases with the Leatt... so it's good to hear they don't fail for everyone.
I abuse mine and they are still mint after two seasons. Filthy, but intact.
Awesome. Just got myself a set of Gaernes! Glad they are the top of the list.
Boots. Get 'em. Use 'em. Totally necessary.
I've had the A-star Tech 3 for a couple years now, no breakage or wear problems yet. I like the narrow profile so that I'm not clipping stuff as much and easier lever control, like my A-star roadracing boots, they squeak like crazy when walking. They seem to protect alright, (I'm kinda the gear tester in our group)
Tech 10’s atm. Probably done about 30-40 hours. First 4 hours sucked. Thought I’d made an expensive mistake and bought one or two sizes too small, and actually broke my foot on a slow speed downhill get off. Didn’t break it badly, just one of the little bones in the top. Metacarpals I think they’re called? once worn in a bit they’re great 👍🏻. Good support, firm, good protection…..so far they’re holding up well. No boots are gonna last forever
I use Alpinestars Tech 5. I have them for 3+ years.
On average I ride for several hours once every 3 weeks.
The boots are still in good condition (I think).
I recently crashed and except a bit of nerve damage at the shin area (which is getting better), I felt the boots protected me quite well.
When I crashed, my CRF250L landed my on shin+heel, so the minimal damage proved me that they do a good job protecting at least the bones.
This video is perfect. I actually use to own those Scott boots you used as the bad example. I broke a strap and couldn't replace it. Upgraded to the Gaerne SG12's and love them.
Thanks for the tips and videos! 💪😃
Those Scott boots. Such a terrible boot and a waste of money. I urgently needed boots for a weekend ride and didn't do my research. 😢 At least it paid off as a warning for viewers!
I'm on my second pair of garene SG12's my first pair would have close to a 1000 hours on them. All they needed was a sole replacement, but I bought a new bike and wanted some nice shiny new boots to go with it.
I clean them with water and simple green. Never had a problem.
Excelent information 👍🏻
Mi last 4 boots were Sidis
And i love It ❤️
No problems at all.
Maibe the next boots i tried gaerne 🤷🏻♂️
Chears from Argentina 🇦🇷
SG-12, top, high quality, perfect look, made for my feets.
SG12s...have at least 250 hours on them, no end in sight. And wear SG11s for ADV, just like the 12s, comfortable, great protection. Both pairs bought used!
Alpinestars tech 5. I had them for 6 years with a lot of riding and racing. love the feel and the toe box for shifting. Last fall the glue started to come lose but happy for the 6 year I got out of them
Six years is good! When we collected hundreds of rider comments the quality seems to be hit and miss nowadays. But certainly the older ones were better overall.
I bought a pair of Thor Blitz XP boots as my first off-road boots and I gotta say that after 2 seasons of abuse (specifically in the muddy Canadian Shield) they are holding up surprisingly well. The only knock so far is that the steel toes are falling off, but I don't notice any difference riding without them. I'd be happy if they gave me another season of riding. They haven't significantly softened yet and are still pretty stiff. I religiously dry them with boot driers after every ride, that's about all the maintenance I do. I recently got my ankle pinned under the bike and the boot protected me well (no injury whatsoever). I did melt slightly as it was pinned under the exhaust, but the damage seems superficial.
I have had several brands of boots and last year bought Gaerne. Best boots I have ever had.
Never had any, but it will be my next boot!
@@crosstrainingenduro you won't regret buying Gaerne.
On my second pair of Gaerne boots . I was so impressed the first time they were what i was looking for the second time , heavy on the leather dressing yes , cleaning not so much .
Howdy from the states
I just found this channel while sitting in a hospital bed with a broken ankle (actually due to bmx not motor bikes) I’m enjoying your videos but this is definitely taught me something. I have a pair of stitched flys and thought the glued aplinestars were better Now I now stitched vs glue
Hope you heal up fast, Wade.
For the most part, I've been having good luck with the Sidi Crossfires I purchased 3 years ago. I haven't had the opportunity to get them soaked in water though so perhaps that's why they're holding up so well. I've been cleaning them with Mr. Clean Antibacterial cleaner and a cloth after each trip and then spraying them down with Armor All Shine Protectant. That stuff does a good job of keeping leather, plastic and rubber in good shape and also cleans fairly well too. I've started using it on my dirt bike plastics after washing with the same excellent results. I'll give the boot buckles a shot of silicone spray every now and again too.
Same here, a bit of Armor All on the boots but especially the buckles so hopefully the plastic doesn't get brittle too quickly.
ive got tech 3s alpinestars and they work great never had problem
I really like my Sidi Crossfire 2 SRS boots. I swapped the sole for an enduro sole. Took 5 minutes! Much better protection than my Alpinestars had.
I tried on a pair of Sidi boots, but they are apparently made for folks with really narrow feet, or just 4 toes...
I own a Pair of Gaerne SG-12 and SG-10... I was very happy with the SG-10 until i tried the Sg-12. I didnt think that it would make such a huge difference, as the SG-10 were very good already, but boy was i suprised! The boots are very stiff where they need to be, but in the directions where you need flexebility to have good feeling (shifting, braking) they are a lot better. The Sg-12 have a memory foam or something like that inside, after 10-20h it "sets" around your feets and makes them that little bit more comfy than the SG10. Did i say i really love them? Yes, I do love them SG-12....
I have the SG-12 enduro boots, they are a little tight in the ankle area and the stitching along the soles allows water to wick up under the insoles. Otherwise good movement for such a stiff pair of boots and fine workmanship. I am going to use some sealant on that stitching.
Good to hear VF. That will be my next boot and I was wondering whether to get the 10 or 12 boot.
Thor Radial, built in China, around 2 years using, they have no damages yet, when I wash them (together with the bike on pressure washer) they look new. No sign of glue failing yet. Obviously all depends on how you use them, and these are my first mx boots. I used motorcycle specific above ankle shoes before that, like an idiot, worn each pair in a year max so these are great in comparison. While new they had an issue, ankle hinge thing, I felt it pressing on my ankles, there was slight pain and skin irritation. I put a tennis ball in there every time I wasnt riding and it was fine after that, I dont feel pain or irritation anymore at all. And they are still basically as stiff as when new, done around 10 000km in them over 2y. Also its CRF250L so dual sport riding. Also they squeek a lot, neighbours know un advance when I'm going for a ride :)
I just chose between buying a pair of sg12's or crossfire's (the ones with the regular stitched sole). I ended up going with the crossfire's. First pair of high end boots I've owned. So far so good but they've only got a few hours on them. They fit my very large calves and wide feet which was the main selling point.
Only use Gaurne! Best boot out there. Had the same pair for 4 seasons and still great. I’ve had other brands and in the end the boots also quickly turned to crap.
40 buck big brand boots second hand as the soles sepperated. Industrial goo from work and 4 bucks worth of short self tappers. Golden.
Love my Alpinstars tech 7
I have been riding in Leatt's GPX 5.5, same as show in the video, for >90 hours
They've seen a lot: rocks, mud, sand, water, swamps, dozens of dirt muppet "tricks" and days, staying dirty, before I go clean them
Probably, I'm a lucky one to have a good pair of those
Apparently, not the best pair of boots ever, and probably not the worst, at least, they do their job
If you want to buy those, don't be surprised, that 2 lower latches shall get stuck, when you try to close them, when they get a smallest piece of dirt/sand, but they’re easy to clean with bare hands
P.S. Thank's for your vids
Good to hear, Eugene. Early reports suggested a fair number of riders were hitting issues, and we wondered if it was because Leatt has almost all their gear made in China. But there are definitely riders having good experiences too.
Gaerne SG12. I've whacked all kinds of branches and had rocks fly up into the shins and no issues thus far. Going on 3rd year.
My goto boot was always Alpine Star Tech 7, that was until my last pair were rooted in under 12 months.
I replaced them with a pair of Gaerne SG 10 and I absolutely love the quality and protection they offer. I went the SG 10 over the SG 12 for the extra width toe box.
It's a shame Alpinestar didn't stick with Italian manufacturing the way Gaerne has, Glenn. I know they still work well for some riders, but the number of issues nowadays is way higher than years ago when they were one of the top brands.
Gearne SG12. are on my pegs. I lost two toes inside Sidi Crossfire 2's. Reaching for 3rd gear in the woods that I haven't been in a year. I caught a rock behind a bush and went over the bars. The surgeon tried to save my pointer toe and middle toe on my left foot but were unsuccessful. The Sidis appeared untouched and were known for good feedback. I'd have to agree because I felt that rock crush my toes against my footpeg.
Well I did get my eyes checked during recovery, and now wear corrective lens inserts in my goggles, and had my last name changed from Santos to Sumtoes, Gearne SG12's and Arai's for life baby.
Sumtoes... 😂 I'm glad it didn't go worse for you. I've done four metatarsals and it's not fun. Thankfully my toes were fine.
I’ve ridden with Sidi Chargers for years and they just keep going!
I've got 5 seasons of racing on my gearne sg12's. they are holding up great. had a bunch of hard impacts and I've never injured a foot or leg yet.
I also have 3 seasons on my forma adventure boots, they are doing great.
From all the comments I've read over the years it's hard to go wrong with either of those brands, Adam 👍
I spent a fourth of what I did on my bike, on my boots. Sidi crossfire were the top of the food chain when I did my research so I got them
Around eight years ago I think the general consensus was Sidi and Gaerne were on par. But unfortunately not anymore.
I have Gaerne SG 12 and they are great
Tech 7s. At the time I was just getting into it and didint know much about it. I have about 100hrs riding time on them and they’re still holding up pretty good. I’m trying to just burn these up before I get a set of gaerne or formas.
Alpinestar tech 7 best value for money boot you can get IMO
Super comfy and wear well
I am wearing the O'Neal Rider and I spent about one and a half year on them and still like brand new with not even a scratch on. There like rocks in the sharp, poky and heavy rocks and branches. You even get some good grip on the ground if it's dry, sandy, muddy or frozen, they don't get slippery. I would recommend them with five stars to everyone who wants good quality for little price.
Which O'Neal ones do you use?
@@yazanakho8907 the name is O'Neal "Rider"
I've got both Gaernes, the sg10 and 12.
Both are very good, but the sg 12 is so far one of the best boots in the market.
I think almost every Enduro rider in Germany stays with a Gaerne boot.
And one of the best benefits is that they last quiet long!
I was just saying in another comment... I'm the only guy in our group not wearing SG12 boots now. The guys just can't seem to wear them out at all.
SG-12 for sure. I actually still have an old pair of SIDI Crossfires that I give out to anyone that I see riding in work boots or sneakers. I tell them to pass them along once they get a decent boot but they keep coming back! They are still in good shape due to the fact they were made in Italy.
Still made in Italy! Must be a pretty old pair, Dave. I think the Romanian factory started up about 10 years ago? Although they claim the SRS model is still made in Italy... strangely they are much more unreliable than the TA model with the stiched sole.
@@crosstrainingenduro Yes, pretty old but still good enough to keep using!
They stopped making tech sixes but I bought every pair I could and I'm now down to my last pair.. these Boots are great.. not sure how the new Alpine Star stuff is but I am planning on getting a non Chinese boot next
Alpin Tech 3's on my feet. I started trying on boots at the store in order of cheapest to most expensive until I found one that fit my foot well.
I just recently picked up a pair of Gaerne GX1's. Sure they're a cheaper boot, but they're way nicer than the Alpinestars Tech3's that I had.
Time will tell how they hold up.
If you need to glue your boot, use the strongest contact cement you can find. It is what the manufacturer and the cobbler are using. However, you need to check the instructions carefully because contact cement is applied in a unique procedure. Usually, you need to clean the surface, rough it, apply glue on both surface, let it dry so it doesn't stick when touch (usually around 15min), heat the glue (not written on the box but it add strength), carefully bond each piece together (contact cement bond instantly) and finally apply A LOT of pressure (like hold the boot firmly in between your leg and strike on it with a hammer). That's the best bond you can get that will remain flexible.
I remember seeing a video about a cobbler which has decided to sand the sole thin, then decided to glue a new one underneath. It might be an option if your boot aren't stitched.
I've found the C.A Glue mixed with rubber works well its about the toughest glue I've found it's used for making speakers/subwoofers. I use it on about everything plastic or rubber I keep a bottle in the fridge to keep from drying out and it will last a long time.
Good tip, Cedric. I hadn't heard about heating the glue before...
Boots aren't repairable.
@@redtobertshateshandles ?
I got the Alpinestars toucan. Bloody expensive but totally worth it. I got them for the soles having a bit of tread on them
As an old skateboarder I will just say the E6000 industrial strength adhesive is better than Shoegoo. Which I pre-emptively applied on the sole stitching around my new Forma Terra Evo boots to prevent frayed separation. My first pair of motorcycle boots so have no comparison.
I currently have alpine stars tech 7s they have about 250 hours of hard riding on them. I tried the sg12 but it Doug into my ankles and was painful after 20 seconds to were.were as the tech 7 is super comfortable to were all day. the soles on my tech 7s are pretty shot but probably still have 50-100 hours left in them
Sole was coming off on Sidi Crossfires after not that many (well looked after) hours. I took them to Mr Minit at Kawana Shopping World on the Sunshine Coast Qld. $60 bucks and have more than doubled the hours now with no sign of them letting go again. 👍🏼
Good to hear, Glen. So often no one will touch mx boots!
SG12's for Enduro and gaerne fastback's for riding on public roads with the supermoto. The gaerne fastback's are more comfy but less protective
Try hebo trials boots. Mine have lasted ages and the grip on the sole is awesome for less graceful "riding".
Man... that had me rolling at 0:35 😂😂😂
Thanks for laughs, love the videos! Keep it up!
And my brother just bought a secondhand GS1200 lol. What do I do? Put him out of his misery?
@@crosstrainingenduro Invite him to join you on one of those single tracks that you guys ride on! (and make sure not to forget gopro back at home. lol's and views guarenteed!) 🤣
Excellent advice!
400+hrs on my Sidi Crossfire 2 SRS. They need the stitching repaired around the hinges and enduro soles replaced for the 3rd time. I spray them with lanocote so they don't go hard and hurt my feet, also gives them that sheep smell. My SG10's lasted about the same 2x soles 500hrs and some stitching repairs.
The smell of sheep.... intriguing!
I'm an occasional rider, once every 2 months or so. Have been using the same pair of Alpine Star Tech3 boots since 2017 and they're still in very good condition because I always clean them off and air them out for at least a day after use. They've always protected my legs and my bike has landed on them countless times with only a bruised ego to show for it.
I think the main problem is people buy less expensive things that are adaquate quality but don't look after them.
I'm sure lack of maintenance will sometimes be an issue... although quality boots seem to last no matter how you treat them lol. But there are many cases of failures such as soles coming off far too soon or straps breaking which can't be blamed on maintenance. We can't help feeling it's cheaper parts, lower quality glues, and often Chinese manufacturing.
i just bougt the thor radial, good value for money, confortable, but order one size above your usual they come in a bit small
I sprung for some crossfire 2's after having had cheapies for years. Went with them specifically because they had the easy screw lock sole replacement set up, and all the parts are replaceable, so as long as the primary carcass holds up, I hope to be in them for years
Just bought a pair with the normal sole because i read the srs sole wasn't good for wide feet. I'm liking them so far.
@@Lucas12v There's still 2 feet of snow outside, so I've only had them on walking around the house to break in, and static balance practice out in the garage, so I can't say for sure how they'll do out in the world , but I like em so far
alpinestars tech 7s best boot iver ever bought pricey at 360pounds here in uk
Forma, very good protection and not a single issue after 250 enduro hours!
I couldn't destroy my Predators a few years back, Vasilis.
Gaerne SG12. I've had them around three years. Hardly any wear on the soles and the tops are dirty but like new for wear and tear. I'll get them again for sure.
I'm the only guy in our group not wearing SG12 boots now. The guys just can't seem to wear them out at all.
Bought a pair of sidi adventure 2 a few years ago. Went down last oktober and my ankle still isn't 100%. In hindsight I should've bought serious mx boots and take some sneakers with me for walking.
Gaerne love these boots for comfort and it’s nice to know they are lasting long- 67 hours on them and the bike
A few months back a guy said he'd been using his for 20 years. And plenty of comments from guys who had at least 10 years of use.
I suffered a serious foot injury with my gaerne enduros. I broke 4 metatarsals in 7 places. As soon as my foot was healed I bought sg-12’s. I can say without a doubt that had I been wearing them instead of my enduros that my injury might not have even happened or it would have been much less severe. Take it from me, don’t cheap out on boots.
On my third pair of Gaerne, great boots! But would love to find water-resistant boots with ample protection.
ALPINESTARS TOUCAN GORE-TEX-for me the shoes are very comfortable, but in winter it's not so colorful anymore, I have had them for less than a year and I have traveled 30 thousand kilometers in mud, sand with salt and water.At the moment there are no signs of damage, the soles are not worn despite frequent walks.
Great to hear! Their mx boots have dropped off a fair bit in quality since moving manufacturing from Italy to various countries, unfortunately. Although not everyone hits problems of course.
Hey Guys, I went with Gaerne SG12 the last couple of years. Like the quality, they still feel new (just don't look at them). I recommend Gaerne, even if... freak accident last weekend - I hit a wood at some speed and it pierced through the small soft patch on the top of the foot. Had a potato-like foot for 3 days, now it's ok, going out again tomorrow... :)
Glad you weren't in a cheap boot, Lorant!
I wear theForma Predator 2.0 it seems to be top quality at a more economical price. Stitched soles and a comfortable hinged boot.
I had the first model and reviewed them a while back. Very solid! They were incredibly cheap the first few years when they were getting a name for themselves...
I wore out 2 pairs of Alpinestars 8 and the fit was just ok. I would get hot spots whenever I went on long ride. I read a lot of good reviews obout the Gearne SG-12. I decided to spend the $$$ and give them a try, the fit and finish is much better than the Aplinestars. I tell anybody looking for new boots to try on a pair of Gearnes. Yes, they are expensive but "you get, what you pay for".
There simply aren't any shortcuts with boots. You get what you pay for. The only exception might have been the Forma Predators a few years ago, they were selling them incredibly cheaply as they got into the market.
I agree these name brand non Chinese boots are better. But my ONeal element boots are light, comfortable, and I haven’t had any shin or foot injuries after four years.
I have probably 60 or so hours on forma predator 2.0 enduro boots. Replaced a pair of sg10's. The forma boot I wouldn't describe as being very comfortable but they feel incredibly stable and I'm a huge fan of the buckles.
I really wish the leatt gxp 5.5 was better quality, it was in the running since they had an enduro specific offering in the states. I loved their one way velcro when I tried their boots on and they were really comfy. Just didn't quite trust them enough to pull the trigger.
It's a real shame that Leatt has almost all their gear made in China. I think the neck brace quality is okay, but stuff like their boots is getting a lot of negative feedback.
Have been wearing Alpinestar tech 7s for roughly 15 years. My last pair were purchased in 2016 and lasted until 2021. I still use them for play riding and I could replace the soles. But in my experience by the time you wear a sole, the entire boot is very worn.
Pro Tip: Every boot manufacturer makes a low end model, I would avoid this as much as possible. Opt for tech 7 over tech 3, sg10 over the base model gaerne. Just because it has the big brand name, doesn't mean it's quality.
You are probably right, Will. By the time you wear out a sole, most low to mid-priced boots are probably not protecting you that well anymore. Whereas you can resole an SG12 happily.
@@crosstrainingenduro I'm not ragging on gaerne because they were at one point my favorite boots. But my sg12 were the only ones that failed in an unreasonable time. After about 20 - 30 rides where the buckle mounts (second one up from bottom) the shell of the boot actually broke. Could've been a fluke, but they didnt want to warranty it. They are great boots, and could've been a fluke get off. Alpistars aren't impervious to random failures either, I had tech 10s pop apart at the pivot point.
Any chance those were orange and grey SG12s, Will? A few years back there was a bad batch which cracked fast but Gaerne did warranty them all. But I've heard very occasional cases outside of this and unfortunately Gaerne usually offers no aftersales support. 🤔
@@crosstrainingenduro I believe they were grey and white. Defects happen, I don't hate them. But I also don't 100% agree that there is a longevity difference between a mid-tier to high tier boot. I can only speak from my experience, but generally the jump in price is more features, but the same materials. Like an XLT f150 will probably last the same amount of time as a Platinum F150. But the platinum may have more safety features like assisted cruise control, blind spot monitoring, backup camera. But this is only my experience and doesn't mean it's a fact.
I’ve owned most all brands, settled on SG12’s for dirt, Forma adventure boots for my adventures.
I really like my old off-road Forma boots TX, as they’re lightweight but hmmm, they don’t offer the protection that the Gaerne affords. This most recent pair of Gaerne’s after 4 years they’re more comfortable now than when new which is crazy comfortable, I’d call ‘em my off-road slippers 🏆 they’re maybe 1/2 worn out.
I think you’re spot on for maintenance though, simple soaps and proper drying and some Neetsfoot oil once a year seems to keep the leather in check 😉
What do you think of Forma adv boots, Mark? My brother just bought a pair... do they seem to last well?
@@crosstrainingenduro They’re amazing, seemingly simple in the buckle department but tried an true design they are without issues, very nice supportive foot box as they hold well without pinching, grippy sole. I even tried them on my BMW cruiser last fall for 1800 miles, and will continue to use ‘em on the big beast as they really afforded a lot of stability and could easily shift the RT-LC with.
In Europe if you’re Gaerne sole are worn out your dealer can ship them to Gaerne !! The repair cost about €70,- and €100,-
My crossfire 2ta boots are still kicking it. But buy Gaerne cause they are still made in Italy.
I think Falco is the only other brand still making all their boots in Italy? But their only enduro model doesn't look all that great... no stitched sole or ankle pivot. giannifalco.com/en/1612/level
Always do your boots up after you take them off. They stay molded to the shape of your leg and fit better over time.
My sg12 are gone. After paying to resoul them with no luck (always peeling), the ankle pivot pop out and was pretty beat up. They are great but dont belive they are gonna last forever. I wil probably buy another pair tho.
I ride with Forma Predator 2.0 and Astars tech 7s. The breakdown for me is, Forma very comfortable and has all the protection you need but heavy and a large toebox for certain dirt bike brands. Tech 7 comfortable, so easy to walk and maneuver in. Very light. Protection not as good particularly in the heel area. I generally choose the astars to ride because of the weight. Also, better for racing in my opionion.
...and the Forma's are HEAVY.
Robocop heavy lol. I think we had the original boots, Dallas. I don't know if the Predator 2.0 was any lighter though.
They're only slightly heavier than G12 boots from what I remember. You get used to it. Like I said I still ride with them, especially if I'm gonna be in rocks.
I do mostly enduro and i find myself swapping between my fox instincts and my a stars colozol boots
Forma predator. Because of your video on best boots
Working out well so far? I hope they haven't dropped their standards, you never know in these days of maximising profits above everything else!
@@crosstrainingenduro just as stiff as the first day. Getting better. I feel like they are too bulky in the toe box. My first ever pair though so can't compare to anything else. Look cool though.
O'Neal rider boots, maybe 100 hours old. Souls started to fall off after 50, tries glue, tried screws, kind of worked but not really, so I use couple zip ties just for peace of mind. They have good stiffness and protection otherwise.
What a load of old cobblers ,
Great video and great info thanks
😂
Has anyone done the conversion of stitched motocross to trials soles as seen on some extreme enduro riders?
I wear Gaerne SG-10's supermotard version. They look almost exactly as those at 3:27 except for the added sliders on the sole, which are replaceable.
And I agree, I tend to buy quality. You get what you pay for. I don't do it with the gear only, I do the same with the food, clothes, etc. It's not that I am some sort of snob cvunt, it's just I like to support good practices/businesses with hard earned money.
I'm definitely moving that way nowadays, for similar reasons. And geopolitcial too, I'm just not keen to support China anymore with their recent behaviour.
I had an Alpinestar tech 3 for almost 3 years, so far so good, but my footpeg ate its sole. Instead of buying a new one $1000 boot, I tried to fix its sole, replacing for a new one made by Alpinestar. I watched some tutorial how to do it on CZcams, bought the PU tube of glue and after some heat and patience it was brand new again and only cost $300 (70% economy). But in reality, the contact was not like the factory glued one, and the weight caused by the extra ammount of PU glue on the bottom of the boot made it almosr 250g heavier. The result: slower legs movement, pain and fatigue. So, I do not recommend the new sole replacement. It was better to sell it and replace for a brand new Gaerne GX1...
Bummer. I really like getting good mileage by repairing gear... but you don't want these already heavy boots getting any heavier.
Alpinestars Tech 7 waterproof ones 💪🏽
Sidi Crossfire 2 (not 3). Went to a cobbler to change the outer sole (hot neoprene process) after 700 hours on my 500 (not hard enduro). Good to go for another hopefully 500 hours. Then Gaerne SG12👍
700 hours on the original soles is good, Oli!
Gaerne sg-10 over 5 yaers good as new nathing open yet
I wish you included weight as one factor between boots as it has meaning in slow technical riding. Hard to find weight reported online but I noticed (after purchasing) Gaerne being much heavier than Sidi for example.
We did weigh the best boots and they are all pretty similar. If you want a lighter boot, there's always a trade off with protection.. from what we can see. So we decided not to mention weight at all. We'll always go for full protection when it comes to enduro.
I like sidi but they do not make boots that fit my calves so I use garnere
Any recommendations for wide feet. I broke down and bought Fox last Time just because the last two pair of expensive boots squeezed my feet so bad I wouldn’t go riding . Fox was wide enough but the buckles are terrible protection is just good enough for a 50 year old intermediate.
A few years back I think the general idea was Gaerne for wide feet, Sidi is narrower? But that may have changed.
Think RM-ATVMC did a tutorial on how to change soles on the Alpinestars, can't remember if they did any test on how long they lasted though...
Ha, ha! Answering myself now after editing my first post. It was Rocky Mountain ATV/MC who did it, not our Swedish replica 😅😅😅
Have Gaernes and Sidis mostly: SG12, CF3TA, X3, Fastback. All are good. SG12 would be my favorite, if it wasn't for the weight. I'm waiting for Atojo TA. Billy Bolt has been riding in them for weeks. But Sidi is yet to release them.
I guess it's a cost cutting measure? Glued on base instead of stitched on?
@@crosstrainingenduro I suppose it might be. Some people prefer the glued sole because it creates a smaller footprint. If you run a large size, it can keep your toe from unintentionally engaging the brake and the shifter. I prefer the stitched sole because it's thinner and because it actually helps me reach the controls with size 8.
Gaerne SG-12. after 150h of hard riding, the only signs of wear are on my soles (peg marks). Seems to me it will handle antoher 150h of abuse before I need to consider sole replacement.
The soles seem to be incredibly long lived, Ariel. I'm the only guy in our group not wearing them... yet. They just never seem to wear out the soles at all.
I usually get a couple seasons from the boots, and then toss them, usually not completely worn out, but too stinky to even keep in the house. I will have to try the vinegar and baking soda. Separately, or do you mix them?
The info is read said mix them or separately, David.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve placed more and more emphasis on foot comfort. If they don’t fit well, then I’m not buying them; I don’t care how well they’re made. I’d rather have a boot that lasts 100 hours and is comfortable than one that lasts 500 and isn’t. I currently have tech 8s.
Comfort first! I have several pairs of high end expensive boots that sit because my feet hurt when just looking at them.
I agree, Phil. In another vid about boots, I did make a point of saying try before you buy. Unfortunately a lot of guys are buying online and then find the boot doesn't fit well. 🤔
Gaerne or Gernies as the local Aussie yobs Call them are the best! (SG12s) btw there's a MX boot cobbler in Deception Bay specialises in repairing them.
Cool. What's his name? Might be worth putting here for anyone from the Sunshine Coast.
My Shoe Repair Specialist, Seashell Rd, Deception Bay.
He's has plenty of parts in stock for Gaerne & Sidi
👍
Which one is good for wide feet.
Not Sidi, apparently.
I got forma Predator 2, since they were the only ones that fit. Sidi was way to small in width and gaerne also didnt machy foot
I wore these for years and years because they fit well. Great protection, the only knock is that they are super HEAVY.
I use formas i think the quality and price are perfect, the insert that they come with are thin so i just buy another more padded insert to improve the comfort
I had the original Forma Predators. Great boot but so little padding inside! I'm not sure if the upgraded version improved or not?
@@crosstrainingenduro i use to dominators and the padded is about the same as the sidi i think
I have the leatt 5.5 boots shown at 1:22 as the quintessential example of crap boots. I put about 50-60hrs on mine and they are still in excellent condition. I've seen these boots get covered in insults on a bunch of internet reviews but for my part I have to say they have been perfect so far. It's the off-season here in Quebec, I'll be able to tell you if the same is true after the next season.
The quality definitely varies a lot. For example, Sidi quality appears to have dropped in recent years... but many owners still have no problems. Years ago, there was almost a 100% thumbs up from owners, but nowadays it's more around 50%. The Leatts haven't been around long enough yet to get a good idea of what percentage fail.