New Boots

[Az]

I'm going to replace my Alpinestar SMX6's, having had them for 2 years which translates in to roughly 20k miles of daily abuse, they're starting to show signs of wear (worn sole, toe guard loose, scruffy looking etc'). Saying that, they still function well, but I'd like to replace them.

I've got a budget of £200, can stretch the budget if it means I get a much better boot for an extra few quid (£250 would be max budget).

I love the look of a sporty boot, but I also want a comfortable boot. I found my Alpinestar's very comfortable.

So, my requirements are that the boot comes in the colour black, comfortable and sporty looking. Not essential, but ideally waterproof too.

What i've considered...
Sidi Cobra Gore-Tex - I do like, but i've heard Sidi boots are a bit of a fiddle to get on and off.
A* SMX6 Goretex boots - I'm edging away from these as I fancy something different.

Any other suggestions for me to look at? Anyone had a good experience with a sporty pair of boots for daily use?

[pinkyfloyd]

Sidi are great boots. I loved my B2 Goretex boots, OK they fit weird so you will be best trying them on for size first. I am a size 8 foot and my sidi's are 9.5.

Only issue I have had in the 2 years of owning them is the soles. I am heavy on my soles as I have to wear them walking around the training yard lots. So I replaced the soles, which you can do apparently. I've had the soles fitted by a pro cobbler at his shop, they came lose a day or 2 later. I've used several bottles of glue all with the same result. They are currently waiting for me to strip the remains of the glue off to try another glue.
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illuminateTHEmind wrote: I am just more evolved than most of you guys... this allows me to pick of things quickly which would have normally taken the common man years to master
Hockeystorm65:.well there are childish arguments...there are very childish arguments.....there are really stupid childish arguments and now there are......Pinkfloyd arguments!
Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.

[NJD]

[Beehive Bedlam]

Alpinestar web goretex not very fashionable or sporty but they are extremely comfortable and goretex. Those would be my choice for a commuter boot.

I'd just buy another pair of Alpinestar smx 5/6 if I wanted something more on the sporty side.

I've read good things about sidi boots but they aren't cheap.

Don't bother with RST boots they are OK but are budget boots and not very comfortable especially if you have to walk around with them on.

[Dave70]

[-Matt-]

[Beehive Bedlam]

[Jayy]

Bought a pair of Sidi Vortice boots about 3-4 years ago. I paid £250 for them but they are hands down the best boots I've ever owned and only now are they giving up with the soles starting to come apart (putting your feet down on the roads to check how slippy it is takes its toll over time).

I'm going to buy another pair.

[-Matt-]

[NJD]

[pinkyfloyd]

My waterproof RST Tracktech boots were sent back to the shop and replaced by the Sidi boots I mentioned above.

Turns out Waterproof meant waterlogged in the rain.

My other boots are 99 quid RST "waterproof" ones, I have not tried them in the rain yet, hoping to get the Sidi sole issue sorted before I have to. but they are comfortable. They are judge dread style ones. fuck knows what the name is.
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illuminateTHEmind wrote: I am just more evolved than most of you guys... this allows me to pick of things quickly which would have normally taken the common man years to master
Hockeystorm65:.well there are childish arguments...there are very childish arguments.....there are really stupid childish arguments and now there are......Pinkfloyd arguments!
Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.

[Steve McQueen]

Prob's not what the OP want's to hear but...tall Adventure & mx boots with shin guard just below the knee makes a huge protection difference i know a guy who said he wears Sidi Crossfire 2 SRS (replaceable screw sole) on an Ape Tuono after i mentioned i really want a pair, sadly their way out of my deprived budget £280 from a store in the Neatherlands on ebay & the local store only stocks the less protective, non screw on sole Sidi Adventure GTX's at £300

Local store has these RST Adventure 2 boots for £100

https://www.rst-moto.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/r/s/rst_adventure_wp_boot_1165601.jpg

My Oxtar TCS road race boots & stiff Dune mx boots no longer fit due to feet not stopping growing in length, i guess the hard physical graft working folk don't deserve the highest protection. That hard earned £100 will be blown on replacing worn rear tire/ebay tire levers/rim protectors + another £147 on next month's tax/insurance/mot Chinese touring boot soles gave up their ghost 4 months ago, have no choice but to continue using them until money grows on trees

[pinkyfloyd]

Those are the boots I got just above in the picture. As said, Not tried them in the wet yet but for the price I do not hold out much hope for them. That said, Walking around the yard all day in them they are really comfortable.
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illuminateTHEmind wrote: I am just more evolved than most of you guys... this allows me to pick of things quickly which would have normally taken the common man years to master
Hockeystorm65:.well there are childish arguments...there are very childish arguments.....there are really stupid childish arguments and now there are......Pinkfloyd arguments!
Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.

[BTTD]

[Steve McQueen]

Yup' found a thread on the ADV forum a while back' a few have scored broken ankles & showed the bad wear n tear after a just a few months off roading, some of that was a mix of the shifter toe wearing & stitching around the inner ankle. The Crossfire's are definitely better built, with the additional feature of easily replaceable screw on sole that can also be interchanged to their supermoto & enduro soles id have to justify the extra £30 for the crossfire 2 SRS's in black if i had that kind of money.

The bike's foot pegs are wafer thin so standing up for over 2 mins the soft touring boot soles flex too much & my feet take a pounding over small jumps, i need to get me a better paid job full on stormtrooper from head to knees for past 6 yrs but the boots these days seem the most expensive bit of kit, i keep pitching the idea at xmas & birthdays to the tight arse family/relatives but still nothing

[D_redd]

[Renton]

[MarkJ]

I've had my Sidi B2 Gortex for 8 years now, still going strong. They were resoled last year by [url=https://www.gbbikeleathers.com/Biker%20Boot%20Repairs.html ]gbbikeleathers[/url] who did a great job, albeit pricey. Apparently the issue with getting the soles to bond is the underside of the boot has plastic areas which are hard to get glue to stick to. I've also had to glue back some stitching that was coming loose a few weeks ago and that's it. I'll be getting some Sidis when these are finally done, those Cobra look like my B2s so probably those. I reckon these boots have done a good 50K miles

[Moo.]

Forma Adventure boots? Had a pair 2 years now and they are the best boots I've ever used. Use them daily for commuting, they're the most comfortable boots to walk in. I'd rather use these then hiking boots on trips. The sizes run a little small, so get a size up. Nice amount of ankle protection too, but nowhere near as stiff as MX boots.
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A2 Passed 18/6/10

[ScaredyCat]

+1 for Sidi boots. I have a pair of Sidi Couriers had hem for 3 (~28k miles) years so far and other than a little bit of wear they're still rock solid.
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Honda CBF125 ➝ NC700X
Honda CBF125 ↳ Speed Triple

[Az]

Most likely going to go with Sidi boots, they seem to have good reviews both on BCF (thanks for the replies everyone) and on the wider net.

I can only see one sporty looking boot which is gortex and within budget, so will probably get them (the one's linked in my original post, Sidi Cobra Gore-Tex for ~£200).

Saying that I do prefer the look of the Votice boots (~£260), but will they be as practical? How fiddly it is to take them on and off (looks like they have straps rather than a zip) and the fact they're not gortex or even labled as being waterproof also puts me off, I ride all year round and don't fancy getting wet feet. They're also an extra £60, but I think they're soo much better looking than the Sidi Cobra's.

Anyone who's had Sidi Votice's i'd appreciate it if you'd be able to answer the above questions

[Steve McQueen]