Protection From Boots: Touring Vs Race

[Falco]

I have been considering getting some new boots for the winter. The last pair are good, but with a small hole on the side of one where I used it as a pivot for the broken old centre stand for ~8 months, it has finally begun to leak a little in really heavy downpours. They also were not the most comfy.
The recent accident has made me a little nervous about the vulnerability of my feet, so it seems like a good time to consider getting more protective boots.

So my question is: how can I assess the level of protection given by boots? I know that good boots should conform to EN13634:2010, but what about beyond that? For example, looking at the touring boot it claims to have ankle, shin and heel protection, whereas the race boots have similar but with ankle support braces, there are even so-called armoured touring boots.
I assume that the race boot offer better all round protection, but to what level? How can I tell what (if anything) I am giving up if I got for a touring boot (which I would prefer) over a race boot? How can I compare the armour in the different types of boot (or even different boots within the same category?)

Having read all that, boot recommendations would be welcome.

[Ste]

What have you got at the moment?

Those armoured touring boots are for offroading.

What type of riding do you want them for?

[hedgehugger]

Something like these?
https://www.hein-gericke.co.uk/clothing/shoes-and-boots/motorcycle-boots/hein-gericke-rallye-iii-sheltexr-stiefel.html

I had an Oxtar pair, very similar, then a Hein Gericke pair, still have them in fact.
Cheapest I've seen them, but then I haven't looked for new boots for a while.

[ScaredyCat]

I wear those Sidi Courier boots for my daily commute. They're great, quality is good and they haven't leaked in the 3 years I've had them. I haven't cleaned or done anything to them since I got them. Nothing has worn out yet.

Good grip on the bottom too, so good at soggy petrol stations. They feel pretty solid and, since I have a pin in my leg, they offer great support.

Easy to put on and get off. Initially they're stiff but wear them in and they're very comfy.

They're not really an off-road boot at all.

Would recommend.
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Honda CBF125 ➝ NC700X
Honda CBF125 ↳ Speed Triple

[Falco]

[Falco]

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

This old magazine review has some boots that are still in production today.
https://images.mcn.bauercdn.com/upload/ride%20magazine/product%20test%20pdfs/10%20oct08%20wp%20boot%20test.pdf

My 6yr old TCX Infinity boots are still going strong.
____________________
Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

[ScaredyCat]

[Falco]

[bamt]

Altberg Hogg all-weather dual use boots have done me very nicely for the last 18 months - that's about 36,000 miles and two winters. There is minimal wear showing on them, I expect at least the same again from them. They have been absolutely waterproof, the lacing closure means that they work nicely with jeans tucked inside (so waterproofs can go over the top and my jeans stay dry) or jeans over the top for summer. You can walk around in them as comfortably as any proper walking boot and don't look stupid - whereas with my old SIDI boots I had to bring comfy footwear too if I was expecting to walk around at my destination.

There are a couple of other options that have BSEN 13634:2010, levels 2; 2; 2 (the highest) - the Bahn Rider and Roadrider. I went for Hogg instead as they work well off the bike as well as on.

[hedgehugger]

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

They are not stiff motorcross boots, you can walk around town quite happily in them.
They do have a mechanism inside that is supposed to stop your ankle/foot over extending.

They will not offer the same protection as a MX boot or race boot but for everyday road riding at everyday speeds they're very good and crash quite well.
____________________
Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

[Ste]

It's the other boots, Sidi Adventure Gore-Tex Boots - Black, which are the offroad ones.

[Banana_B1]

Avoid the Courier's, they're just Trial Zero slippers with a metal toe plate @much higher price. Also avoid the Adventure Rain/GTX's, these are the same price as the Crossfires but they don't take enough real world abuse before splitting apart. Go for the base model Crossfire TA's with the typical motocross sole, these are a roomier fit than the more expensive SRS model and will last you a very long time while also offering unbeatable protection over the others.

MY Crossfire (2) TA's cost a little bit more off ebay since the cheapest place to get them bikerland.de were out of stock of the 1st version in my size EU 44/US10/UK9.5 which fit my EU 44 feet perfectly. Don't worry, these mx boots aren't any more restrictive than the Adventures so they double up for dual sport + highway use etc..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYof-jZUNfs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnmAbFhkO3A
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The entire Butthurt BCF wrote: Spam Flame Abusive Redundant Off Topic Boring Disagree Confusing

[Falco]

[talkToTheHat]

I've had Altbergs for about 4 years now. Clubman classics, now replaced by the bahn rider. I have wide and flat feet and I got sorted with boots to my width and a volume reducing insert. They don't leak at all and are comfortable all year round. Even on my clubman boots the soles are treaded like a walking boot, which is useful off the bike. They're quite bulky and I find it hard to jump on different bikes where I can't reset the gear pedal position. Really comfortable on and off the bike.
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Bandit. does. everything.

[ScaredyCat]

Don't get too hung up on CE certifications. A cheese and red cabbage sandwich can pass CE certification levels for motorcycle clothing armour.
____________________
Honda CBF125 ➝ NC700X
Honda CBF125 ↳ Speed Triple

[hedgehugger]

Those Hein Gericke ones I linked to are the same boot as the Infinity. Or at least they were when I bought mine. They are a little smaller which made them a better fit for my feet. Only difference.

[kgm]

Another vote for TCX Inifinity Goretex - I've been wearing mine for 2 years almost daily. Good protection, extremely water proof (never once leaked, even in torrential rain) and they're all day comfortable if you're going a long run or walking about a bit.

Crashed in them twice (in the same month, one lowside, one over the handlebars - I'm a fud both were pure sillyness) and apart from some scratches on the clips (replaceable) you'd never know.

I did have to adjust my gear lever a touch and they're maybe not the best for flexibility in a really crouched riding position but unless you're on an aggressive sports bike they'll be fine. They're pricey but will last for every if looked after.

[Falco]

Cheers for the replies, seems that the TCX infinity gets a lot of recommendations. Sadly, it seems that they have been discontinued and are replaced by the (significantly pricier) TCX Infinity Evo. Better start saving!

[Confusion]