I need riding boots that I can walk around Wal-Mart or school in, yet not hesitate to head to Deals Gap in. It needs to be comfortable and protective. Anything is better than my New Balance though.

I am looking at the Alpinestars SMX. I know that AS is a big name in gear so I trust their products. They run right around $200 or so which is not bad.
-OR-
However, I have just discovered this boot…Oxtar TCS Sport. I have never heard about this company, but the boot looks good. It is a little cheaper too. They are availiable in a 49 euro too and thats probably what I need.

Suggestion/Thoughts/Comments/Recommendations?

 

sidi vert 2s or smx plus. I wish I had gotten the smx plus instead of the regular smx to begin with.

 

Yea, those are the 2 that I hear most about. There is just some many in that $200-$250 range to freaking choose from.

How are they for just walking around?
Why did wish that you had got the Plus?

 

Sidi race verts are the only way to go.

Spend the extra 150 now or spend $$$$ more when you break toes. Trust me I learned the hard way.

 

Why are ya'll recommending Verts for walking around school and walmart? It's possible, but they're not that great. I have verts, and I keep them for track and spirited riding.

For my road/work boot I wear the Sidi Sympatex. It's the best road boot I've ever owned. It stays dry in the rain, It stays cool in up to about 90-95 deg weather, it stays warm as best as any non-moon boot can. It's easy on and off. It doesn't win you strange glares when you clomp around in it.

I've been meaning to try out some Alpinestar's Web & Ridge waterproof boots to see how they compare. They're half the price of the Sidis.

 

I have the Sidi Champion Tepor Boots:

http://www.newenough.com/boots...s.htm (scroll down a little)

I have nothing to compare them too, but they're comfy enough to hop off the bike and walk around town in. I think they offer good protection too, and any pant leg can fit over the boot so you'll look pretty normal.

 

I guess that there it no really good all-around boot. They are either on one way or the other. I probably need to to be worried more about safety than walking around Wal-Mart. The Verts do have a articulating plastic plates down the back of the boot...for precise shifting and comfortable walking.

hhmmm...choices

The Sympatex seems to be a taller version of the Champion, which I like the taller one. What kind of protection does it offer other than being leather...any toe or ankle guards?

 

From the same site, the Champion features:

Lorica outer construction with a waterproof Tepor inner liner.
Internal plastic ankle protection plate encased in a foam pad for maximum protection and comfort.
Foam padded shin and Achilles area for all day comfort.
Internal heel and toe protection.
Double layer of material over the toe shift area.
Inner steel arch support.
Reflective panel above the heel.
Non-slip rubber sole.

I really like it. Pretty affordable too. And I always hear great things about Sidi.

 

If you're a weekend warrior, then go with the race boots. I ride every day. Especially now that my Civic got killed, it's my only form of transportation. I couldn't get away with hard-shell boots 24/7. Keep in mind, I've done just about everything in Verts, including going to a Rave and dancing for 5 hours. I'm just saying, I like the road boots better.

As for the sympatex, It's padded around the front and back. The toe's pretty thick, but I can push it down somewhat if I really mash on it. I think there might be some plastic thing in the front on the sides and nose. Not entierly sure.

 

Sidi Vert II's = , as for the part about walking around, carry a backpack w/ some flipflops

 

i use sidi vertabraes also. great boots. I wear them everytime i ride. sometimes i even forget that Im wearing boots.
go for the sidis.

 

raving for 5 hours in sidi vert2s...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tonydatyga &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">raving for 5 hours in sidi vert2s... </TD></TR></TABLE>

it was one of those days you get up to go for a short ride, and next thing you know, it's 6 am the next day and you still haven't been home yet.

 

After thinking about it for the past few hours, I am starting to lean towards just getting a street boot now and eventually get a race boot. I am not sure that I do enough hard riding to justify a race boot at this point.

 

Those were my thoughts exactly. I'm really new at the sport, and I don't do any racing.

 

sidi vertebrae 2
its the ONLY way to go

i had the carbon race, they were like $310.

 

i love my sidi vert II's too.

 

Um ok if you guys say so....

How many of you have had a small lowspeed crash? Probably most of you. I did and had a set of goretex timberland leather boots on. The passenger footpeg on my f3 stabbed my left heal, crushed my heel bone.

I broke bones in both feet because from rolling the back of the heel would hit, then the toes, then the heel the boot flexed and did not support my metatarsals (the bone that connects the toes to the heelbone.)

15 thousand in medical bills later and a permanantly numb foot.... I will clunk around in my 350 dollar moon boots every day but that is just me.

I will post pics of my boot sometime if you dont believe me....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by cbrman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Um ok if you guys say so....

How many of you have had a small lowspeed crash? Probably most of you. I did and had a set of goretex timberland leather boots on. The passenger footpeg on my f3 stabbed my left heal, crushed my heel bone.

I broke bones in both feet because from rolling the back of the heel would hit, then the toes, then the heel the boot flexed and did not support my metatarsals (the bone that connects the toes to the heelbone.)

15 thousand in medical bills later and a permanantly numb foot.... I will clunk around in my 350 dollar moon boots every day but that is just me.

I will post pics of my boot sometime if you dont believe me....
</TD></TR></TABLE>

i read this story when it happened...this was before i even started riding. i tell it to everyone who doesn't wear boots and it inspired me to get a nice pair for myself. thanks for sharing this unfortunate event with us...i know it made a difference in at least my choice of gear.

 

I'm looking at the sidi vertabraes too...looks really protective and all the shells can be replaced which is a big bonus...

When one of my friends came over to see my bike the first day i got it he recommended to me to get boots before i started riding, i was to eager to ride and that was stupid as hell on my part. I lowsided and jacked up my ankle pretty bad and my calf was purple as **** from the bike landing directly on it. I am 100% sure that boots would have saved my ankles, cause if you think about it, where's the first place the bike falls?? on your leg pinning your foot to the ground... My i get my next bike I will not ride with protection.

 

too easy... you talk/post about riding too much. Go riding or something

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by cbrman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Um ok if you guys say so....

How many of you have had a small lowspeed crash? Probably most of you. I did and had a set of goretex timberland leather boots on. The passenger footpeg on my f3 stabbed my left heal, crushed my heel bone.

I broke bones in both feet because from rolling the back of the heel would hit, then the toes, then the heel the boot flexed and did not support my metatarsals (the bone that connects the toes to the heelbone.)

15 thousand in medical bills later and a permanantly numb foot.... I will clunk around in my 350 dollar moon boots every day but that is just me.

I will post pics of my boot sometime if you dont believe me....
</TD></TR></TABLE>
So are you recommending me to not get street boots but full race ones, ie Vert II's or SMX+'s? Do you think that a street boot would not be protective enough?

 

 

I use these on hot days:

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nerdish &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I use these on hot days:

</TD></TR></TABLE>

i wouldn't doubt it...

I know this kid that has a gixxer 600 and rides with leather abercrombie sandals