Boot quality/features and actual safety improvements

[eforer]

So after braking my ankle in 2 places on Friday, I'm left wondering if a higher level boot (I crashed in Alpine Stars SM-5 boots) would have made a difference. Impossible to say of course, but I am still left wondering...

[scubasteveRR]

Depending on the boot and the situation of course I think it would have. SMX-5 although much better than wearing a pair of boots seem to be geared more towards stopping the road rash from burning through the material and onto your foot. there is really no ankle protection in terms of stopping the foot from bending further than it should.

I would recomment something in the SMX-R PLUS range or up for a better ankle protection as even my SMX-R are a little soft on the sides. the Plus is where they start the real ankle protection at least in the A* brand line.

[eforer]

Anyone have thoughts on a good sub $300.00 option other than the a*'s?

[RocketPunch]

Anyone have thoughts on a good sub $300.00 option other than the a*'s?

Personally I like the TCX S-Race and I like their anti hyper extension system, the white version is on sale at revzilla for $250 if you can get one that fits you. Don't think any boot can guarantee you won't get a broken ankle regardless of price.

[timmyho414]

I just picked up (yesterday) a pair of Sidi's from Seacoast. I got the 500ish dollar ones. The side support is way better the the Oxstars I wore out. They had a less expensive(300ish?) pair that had the same side support but did not have the ski boot type adjustments.

[boloson]

Sorry to hear about your ankle. I just read that on the bomo thread (don't know how I missed your post). What group were u riding in? Are your boots the A* smx5? If it is it doesn't seem liken that boot have any ankle protection at all and just a slider type protection. Like scuba said it seems to be geared more towards road rash protection then anything. An smx plus or supertech r's have the ankle protection u need in A * stuff. And the sidi's vertigo on up should cover u. Pumas 1000 have that ghost doctor ankle protection which saved my ankle at a get off in t3 which I was certain would've been broken had it not been for these boots.

Not sure of the extent of your crash and I guess it could happen to anyone with Any boots but it does offer way more protection then the boot u currently have. I love my sidi st airs. It's in your price range oF about $350

[pontifex]

Damnit. I bought the SMX5s 2 months ago. I thought the ankle protection seemed weak but they were listed as "race" boots so I figured they would do the job.

Looks like I need to drop a lot more money for real protection but if they can help keep me from breaking my ankle it's money well spent. Just wished I spent that money in the first place.

I think I'll swing by Moto Market and check out what Paul has left for boots and wish him well.

[eforer]

I was in the advanced group, so we were the very first out on the track which certainly accounts for the unfortunate person in front of me to crash at such low speeds. When I got started with getting out on the track I feel like I got some dubious advice on gear. I've since replaced most of the gear I bought to get started in (and in fairness I crashed a bunch in most of that stuff and never got hurt), but I've kept the boots which were purported to be "just as good as the more expensive boots." I feel like they did very little to stabilize my ankle on impact. My helmet has to be replaced as it was badly damaged, I'm thinking the boots are going to get replaced while I'm at it. Who knows if better boots would have saved me from injury, but if it did help, I wouldn't be facing this being the likely end of my season missing out on the last LRRS and the 2 day at NJMP. I'm just looking for advice on the best boots in terms of protection being cognoscente of where the law of diminishing returns kick in (ie what does a 1k boot buy you over a 400 dollar boot). Don't get me wrong, I get that this is a dangerous sport hobby and getting hurt a little is inevitable and I got off pretty lucky in the end, but it's still a drag.

Sorry to hear about your ankle. I just read that on the bomo thread (don't know how I missed your post). What group were u riding in? Are your boots the A* smx5? If it is it doesn't seem liken that boot have any ankle protection at all and just a slider type protection. Like scuba said it seems to be geared more towards road rash protection then anything. An smx plus or supertech r's have the ankle protection u need in A * stuff. And the sidi's vertigo on up should cover u. Pumas 1000 have that ghost doctor ankle protection which saved my ankle at a get off in t3 which I was certain would've been broken had it not been for these boots.

Not sure of the extent of your crash and I guess it could happen to anyone with Any boots but it does offer way more protection then the boot u currently have. I love my sidi st airs. It's in your price range oF about $350

[ecd2004]

go to sportbike track gears site or revzilla and watch the product videos. i remember seeing in one of the sidi videos that the heal cup have a crush foam type system like a helmet that absorbs a lot of damage from the foot impacting the ground and the lateral braces absord impact through the plastic and metal and prevent your ankle from rolling.

i have the Axo Primato boots cause i figured they were leather and it was a good place to start. well i tried on the supertech r's at the indy gp this year and I would equate it now to feeling the difference between snowboarding in a snowboot to snowboarding in a snowboard specific boot. the difference in boot structural stability is incredible

[eforer]

Just bought a set of 46's in white. Great price, thanks for the lead. The video convinced me.

Personally I like the TCX S-Race and I like their anti hyper extension system, the white version is on sale at revzilla for $250 if you can get one that fits you. Don't think any boot can guarantee you won't get a broken ankle regardless of price.

[nhbubba]

I went to Seacoast last spring, intent on buying a solid pair of boots that would provide good protection. Normally I shop by price, wait for closeouts, cheap out at every opportunity. This time I ignored price and walked out with what I wanted. Wound up with the TCX S-Race special ordered.

[Trajiks9]

I've had my Sidi Vortice going on 3 years. They are a solid boot with plenty of ankle protection. Purchased them from Pat @ Seacoast on clearance for around $350.00.

[maxim_X]

I have the SMX-R's. I'm pretty unimpressed by them. I've been shopping around lately. I've been looking at the gearne gp1.

[G21forme]

I think there is a very good reason a lot of people wear a* on the street and sidis on track.

[Arcee-51]

I have a pair a TCX RS2's and really like them. When I first put them on I was really surprised how comfortable they were right out of the box. Virtually no break in period. I think you'll like yours when you get'em.

[eforer]

I think there is a very good reason a lot of people wear a* on the street and sidis on track.

That's what I thought a couple of years ago when I went out and bought all my first bits of gear. My SP1 suit hasn't held up nearly as well as my Vanson and has an alarming number of seam failures, even in uncrashed areas! Likewise, my GP pro gloves have been resewn a couple of times. They have protected me well, but on my left glove (which has virtually no crash damage), 3 fingers blew seams just in normal use. The suit I sort of understand, but the gloves are top of the line. I suspect the higher end bits of gear are good, but the entry and mid-range stuff has been disappointing. I really like the look of their stuff and I was very discouraged with my A* experiences with my track stuff.

I suspect the SMX-Plus boots are much better with actual ankle protection, but looking at my SMX-5s, there is nothing there to help you. They should be marketed more as a street boot IMO. I'm excited to get the TCX boots.

Thanks for all the input on this thread everyone!

[Ducatijocki]

+1 on the Sidi Vortice boots!

[Gecko]

I went to Seacoast last spring, intent on buying a solid pair of boots that would provide good protection. Normally I shop by price, wait for closeouts, cheap out at every opportunity. This time I ignored price and walked out with what I wanted. Wound up with the TCX S-Race special ordered.

I've been using TCX Competizione RS Boots for a number of years (and the prior version before that). The TCX Competizione RS Boots are on close-out at Sportbike Track Gear, down from $439.95 to $275.95. I'd buy and extra pair of these at this price, but I already have an extra pair of these.

White:
http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/Detail.bok?no=4162

Black:
http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/Detail.bok?no=4163

[Chippertheripper]

Only 8.5/12.5 left.

[Gecko]

Only 8.5/12.5 left.

Oops ... didn't even check that part. Van has been running that sale for a little while now.

[maxim_X]

Hrmm I'm 12.5. I think I'm still stuck on the gearne gp1 though.

[RyanNicholson]

I swear by Sidi for boots, never tried TCX personally but heard great things.... as for gloves, I bought a pair of high end A*'s and they blew up the first get off I had w/ them... they saved my hands thankfully but so would a cheap pair of teknics (which I had before, and held up great).

...just my experience but I have no intention of buying A* road racing gear or anything Joe Rocket. I had a pair of SP-1 gloves that I loved by the way they fit and moved, but I never crashed in them. They got lost in travel though, so no experience as far as safety.

[Gecko]

Hrmm I'm 12.5. I think I'm still stuck on the gearne gp1 though.

Respect the choice. You have to go with what works for you and gives you piece of mind. For me, I've been wearing TCX's back before they were TCX, when they were called Oxtar's. Comfortable, great protection (IMHO) and crash tested (a few times); I have nothing but good things to say about them. You really have to like the Gearne GP1's to pass up $160 in savings on the TCX Competizione RS. Just saying.... LoL!!!

[nhbubba]

Another I'd consider is the Cortech Latigo boot. I haven't seen anyone local stock it, but it looks good on paper. Protection looks really similar to the TCXs I wound up with. I'm a big and growing fan of Tour Master/Cortech gear. Half my stuff is Cortech or Tour Master now.

[Gecko]

I have no intention of buying A* road racing gear or anything Joe Rocket. I had a pair of SP-1 gloves that I loved by the way they fit and moved, but I never crashed in them. They got lost in travel though, so no experience as far as safety.

Then you were lucky to loose them ... I crash tested a pair in T3-T4 on a crash ... the seam ripped open on the right index finger, over the first knuckle. I have a really nice scar as a souvenir. Shit happens, but its the last pair of A* anything I've bought.