Boot Shootout

[SwollenRaccoon]

I gotta agree with you. Although I haven't owned any AlpineStars, I have a fellow riding buddy who owned a pair of AGVs, and they were OK, but kind of a pain in the ass to put on and tighten to fit. My last pair of riding boots were a pair of from Motoport that I bought about 10 years ago, and they were fair. They weren't very comfortable off the bike, but at least they were fairly durable (i.e., no manufacturing defects over 10 riding seasons). I ordered a pair of Sidi OnRoads after reading the review here at Motorcycle Online. I haven't had the opportunity (misfortune?) of riding in all-day rain or crashing in them, but I'm very happy with the fit, quality, comfort, and ease-of-use. I would have liked some ankle pucks, but at least the boots have a nice steel shank, as well as pretty thick leather. Unless you spend a lot of time on the track, I would say these boots are a nice choice. The review in the Motorcycle Online gear archives is a fairly accurate report.

[ducatirdr]

I was looking for a boot with good protection without spending more than $200 dollars. I know it's stupid to put a low price on safety but the checkbook only has so much power.

Price = *****



Under $200 if you shop around



Protection = *****



They offer a lot of armor in the form of foam under leather covered in hard plastic.



Comfort = ***



A bit heavy, but the feel through the sole to peg is excellent. Walking isn't the best due to the heavy plastic armor.



Durability = **



The armor takes a lot of abuse but it shows the abuse forever. One low side later and the plastic looks like it was dragged down the road. Next time I'll spend more on a boot with replaceable exterior armor. The toe sliders are replaceable but the shin and heel can look shredded after a spill.

[Bo]

I hope you have good health insurance plastic surgery is expensive.

[Wingman]

If you don't have the brains to wear a helmet, I understand the neglect of your feet.

[Hamrhd]

I just recently bought a pair of MX boots and Sidi's were the only ones I could get a size in that fit me. The rest (Tech 6, Tech 7, Tech 8, Fox, AXO,Msr etc.) did not have half sizes and the Sidi's were metric and had a size for me. If you do a survey get people that fall in between whole sizes and see what fits and what doesn't.

[SilverSurfer]

In my lifetime I've worn, a pair of Alpinestars GP-Pros (I think they were 508's, white with red, very old style), Fieldsheer Torino boots (terrible boots), and my current Alpinestars ST-Pros.



My personal requirements list for riding boots is as follows, but in no particular order:[*]armor and plenty of it; solid toe, ankle, heal, and shin protection.[*]looks; the more subdued the better, basic black is a winner here.[*]features; adjustable calf, some form of foot liner to absorb vibration, anything that makes me say, "ya, that's a good idea!"[*]price; I'm not made of money.



I'm fairly happy with my ST-Pros, but I think Frey-Daytona puts out the best boot on the market. I'm starting to see some F-D competitors in IXS and Altimate, that's good, because F-D is expensive.



I guess what I'd like to see in a boot comparison is a wide range of products that answer to specific markets, and come out with a winner in your opinion. What categories and I interested in? Probably mid level sport boots, I don't need the latest/greatest/most expensive.



I also think it would be a good idea to include boots that aren't available in the US as a kind of "what if" scenario.