I agree 100%, I had some adventure boots and crashed with them, foot got caught up in the bike and twisted and got smashed like I never thought possible. I wasn't back to 100% for about 6 months and couldn't ride for a month in prime riding season. Within the first hour of being laid up on the couch I bought a pair of SG12s, should have just got them from the begining!
Had my forma adv low on for light off road and dropped the bike on me - ruptured Achilles, still not right. Same, loads of research while lying up and went for the gaerne fastback enduro which would suit me. Still love my forma adv low for touring though as they are comfy and waterproof. Got a pair of sealskinz waterproof socks for the fastback
The problem is if the boot does not allow the ankle to twist, during the crash, the twist of your leg is transfered upwards towards the knee. The perfect scenario would be where the boot allows the ankle to twist to the maximum possible twist angle and then stop. This would protect the knee as much as possible from the twisting force
@gamingradeon If you're wearing full mx boots the might as well get knee braces. Not much fun doing anything off the bike while wearing that gear. My SG-12's are great but suck to walk in.
The bloodiest patient I ever picked up as a helicopter air ambulance pilot was a guy who wrecked a motorcycle (one that he stole and was then running from the police with). His foot was partially amputated. When we got to the hospital and opened the clamshell doors on the back of the helicopter, blood just poured out. It was a big mess. They were able to re-attach his foot, though.
@@anonymous_friendprobably most of the people we pick up at accident sites are stupid people doing stupid things, like drunk driving or running from the police. Most of them don’t have insurance.
Agree with everything! I used to think my old 2007 Tech-3s were decent until I clipped a hidden boulder at the side of a trail doing about 20-30 kph. Crushed and folded my foot, shattered the heads of three metatarsals and broke some other bones. Had to ride 10KM down a mountain trail and 350km of mountain roads to the nearest hospital with an ER kick shifting. Lost 3 months of riding and after that restricted to simple road rides for a couple of months. Had SG12s for two years now and I’ll never go back to anything else off road, they are tanks yet still easy enough to finesse all the controls after a bit of getting used to. I tel every new rider that boots and gloves are the most important pieces of safety gear after a helmet.
Can you try the exact same crash with the new boots, please? I agree that the buckles are terrible on the Tech3, but it is possible that lots of other boots would have failed you too. You can't tell without back-to-back testing. I can understand that you might be reluctant to do those experiments for me.
Yea, I agree with Andypoughtube. We really need you to crash into that rock again with the new boots. I would consider paying more for the extra protection if it works. Thanks in advance. 🙏🍿
On point! I love my Fastbacks and landed on them awhile back after trying several others. I would never trade protection for Goretex either, if you need waterproof, stick your foot in a trash bag! Another thing people forget when they but into the hype of the Adv boots is that if anything you need MORE protection if a huge loaded up bike lands on your foot the ADV style boots can leave your ankle snapped like a twig in a simple drop
I'd like to see what you think about gortex after taking a trip measured in weeks or months through various climates and unpredictable weather. Being on the bike for long hours while wet (especially your feet) is miserable. The only thing worse is being wet AND cold.
@@LayerZeroDesign I know as far as long distance backpacking goes that gortex sucks. It's advertised to breathe.... that's total bullshit! I buy ONLY non-gortex boots now and if/when I need water intrusion protection I use either a plastic bag inside the boot Or use a waterproof" sock.... and remove it after the water crossing so my foot can breathe again. Also, when you do get water over the top of that fancy, overpriced, gortex boot it will take 3 times longer for the lining inside the boot to dry vs a non-gortex boot.
@WallDiver7 you say gortex doesn't breathe but you'll put your foot in a trash bag? I mean anything that's impervious to liquid is never going to breathe as well as something that isn't, but putting your foot in a trash bag has got to be one of the worst possible options. At that point you're just better off with wet feet imo cause they're gonna be wet with sweat anyway because a trash bag literally doesn't breathe.
If we are serious off roading we always wear full boots. Great video and great message. The only time we really wear 'ADV' boots is on mellow streeti'ish rides where the hard core is low and the walking/exploring is high. That and a KLIM airbag vest. There is that. Love the video. Thanks for taking the time to put it together! We know all too well what that takes LOL.
Thank you for your review on the Gaerne Fastback Enduro boots. I just received mine and have spent one day in them, going through the break in process. The fit is great, I have a wide foot and a big calf and so far so good, no pressure points. The construction on these boots is impressive and the buckles operate the way they should. On my first day out I was having trouble getting my toe under the shifter in bumpy terrain so I went ahead and moved the shifter up one notch for the time being, it should work out fine until the boots break in, then we will see. Anyway, I am very impressed overall. Cheers!
Would a boot like this be overkill if you're only riding tarmac? I'm looking for a boot that offers protection but also comfortable to walk in and doesn't squeak! I know it sounds dumb but I tried a pair of motocross boots and couldn't stand the squeaking everything I got off the bike to walk around.
I’ve had at least 3 hard hits to my SG12s that I know would have resulted in a bad injury if I was wearing softer boots without hard plastic armor. Definitely pack some light hikers along because if you have to hike out for help it’ll be miserable with MX boots, done that before once.
The Fastback Enduro boots are also one of the only boots I've been able to successfully use. I have a high instep / "high volume" foot. If I try to put on most other boots (ie Alpine Star Tech series) they become painful in minutes if I can even get my foot into the boots as they all crush the top of my feet. If anyone has a high instep foot these are the best I've found after trying on multiple brands and styles.
Fastback boots are brilliant. Jammed my left foot/ankle between a tree and my bike hard at probably 30kph on an endro climb that pulled and twisted it as I past. Definitely felt it, and while it was a little sore for maybe an hour or two, there was no real injury, and I was fine finishing the day out. I have no doubt my fastback boot saved me from destroying both my foot and ankle in that moment. I'm so glad I had them that day and swear by them
I started riding a year ago at age 60. I wear the low alpinestar belize adventure boot. Solid boot but I low sided and foot got caught enough for my 400lb bike to come down hard on my lower leg. Bruised the hell out of my leg and left me with a couple palm size hematomas. Didnt ride for a month but the boots probably kept me from getting a broken leg and shredded skin. Im looking to upgrade to motorcross voots even though I basically ride street and gravel roads. Sounds silly but I need better protection even though It will hamper my shifting.
i use Gaerne Fastback since 2006. They are a great value for Money(get them for 350,-). They are flexible enough to start riding immediately Out of the Box. I tried Fox(very Stiff, No Feeling at all on the MX) and Alpinestars (better thanks Fox, but still cant keep Up with quality and Feeling for the Bike with Gaerne). i did 15 years MX andnow use the Fastback for Rallies and Adventure riding.
I broke my foot in March wearing some Solomon mid hiking boots in my KLR650 and have since upgraded to AlpineStar Tech 7 Enduro Drystars (got ‘em for $300 brand new) If you go full MX route and the boots are too stiff, just stand in your living room for an hour or so and bend them back in forth while you’re wearing them (basically lean forwards and backwards) and it should get them mostly broken in
As someone currently lying in bed with 4 breaks in my left lower leg, this video hits home. My TCX Drifter ADV boot did not protect my bones, but skin was intact. Time to get some enduro or MX boots, the Gaerne Fastbacks look a great balance.
there is no guarantee a diff boot would have helped you. The only difference between the drifters and these is the metal toe protection. Its very possible to break your legs in any boot. Cool thing is, at least the boots should keep it in line so your not dealing with floppy foot out on the trail.
ran across this vid about 4 months ago - and I have to whole-heartedly agree....these are money...money well spent! I did wedge my foot/boot under the edge of a car tire and rocked my leg back & forth to loosen up the hinge a bit, and I did raise my shift lever...but once that was done....it's GAME ON! Thx
another pair of boots to talk about... I wear Forma Terra Evo's. Picked that model since it has more ankle protection than the "adventure" model. I'm on an r12gs so there's a lot more weight that can fall on me and I wanted the extra protection. I will say that once broken in, they are the most comfortable that I've worn. I often find myself at camp for a few hours before I realize I still have them on.
I just learned the hard way. I snapped both bones in my leg and ruptured the ligaments and tendons in my ankle on a fall that wasn’t too bad. I was wearing fly racing maverick enduros, which were a comfortable boot, but when put to the test, fell short.
I've got the Gaerne Dakar boots and I'm absolutely loving them. They've provide the ankle protection and only have to buckles that makes it easier to put my pants over them. Also they are wider than other brands I've tried, easy to walk in, along with a slim toebox that is easy to get under your shifter. In my opinion, there's simply nothing out there that compares. I definitely recommend them! By the way, "Great review!"
I got the Dakar GTX a few days back, paid close to $470 here in India! I have wide feet and size 10.5 fits perfectly for me, but after a few hours (including a lot of standing and walking) my toes started to hurt. Will boots adapt to my feet or should have gone half-size over?
I have the Gaerne trials boots and love them for more casual rides and especially moto- camping. Not much protection though, but better than hiking boots. Shifter pads on both boots in case you are a vintage guy like me and have older Spanish or Italian trials or enduro bikes (older Ducati, Montessa etc).
I broke my foot in three places in a minor crash wearing Alpinestars Corozal Boots. Those were very comfortable boots, but they weren't protective enough. Way too much flex. Comfort and safety don't go together when it comes to boots. Now I wear Tech 7 Enduros and they're great and more comfortable than I thought they'd be. If you're looking to buy Alpinestars boots, always check for last seasons colors cause you can usually get a pretty solid discount for the same product (just different colors). Edit: I got a last season color open box pair of Tech 7s for $250. My visits to the doctor cause of the foot ended up being about $800. Definitely worth it to spend the money.
I have some Corozals as well. After an off in the woods I realized I needed to upgrade and also bought some Gaerne Fastback boots. The difference is amazing.
I wear the Alpinestars Belize (the shorter version of the Corozal) for my straight street riding and the Tech 7 Enduros for riding off road on my dirt bike. I mostly do single track enduro type riding so the Tech 7s are perfect for me. Both boots are good for their specific purpose. I would never wear the Belize off road but as a street boot it is great.
@@nbrider7235 By the way, I bought mine from Atomic Moto, a great business. The owner spent about thirty minutes on the phone with me helping me make a selection.
I returned to riding after 15 years and bought mx boots, couldn't feel what I was doing with the rear brake, couldn't change gear properly without missing shifts and getting half neutrals, bought some Gaerne Midland adventure boots and they've been good, sure they don't feel as stiff and protective but a lot less control problems also
I have the AS Toucan and they are superb. The biggest advantage over MX boots is, they are waterproof and give you just slightly more articulation when you walk around. I know they are expensive, but I feel they are safe and worth the money.
Crashed in the Toucans. Slide down the motorway at 70mph they definitely saved my feet, but I still don't feel they're good enough. Went for the SG22s as they've got a goretex version and don't twist like the AS ones do
@@Nbxcortez I bought them too. I wanted a true Off Road Boot for my 450 and must say the SG22 is crazy good. Stiff but flexible enough for shifting. The goretex Version however sucks, my friend has them and if they get wet, and they will, you have a hard time getting them dry.
@ first time the water run in through the top, I was wearing the pant in boot and it turned the shoes in a lake . It was so bad I had to buy a boot dryer to get the water out. 2nd time I was having the pant over boot, but still somehow the water found its way in - but not as bad and now I have a boot dryer lol
Boots are one thing I won’t skimp on. I’ve had a pair of Sidi Flex Force boots since about 2002 or so. They were stiff as heck in the beginning, but they offer excellent support. I wear them regardless of what type of riding I do, whether is forest service roads, single track or long adventure rides on mostly paved roads. They are old and need replaced. I am planning on the SIDI Crossfire 3.
I ride with the Fastback Enduros as well. I ride hard enduro with them and have really beaten them up and they are still super solid. To closer resemble the SG12 I took some thin cutting board material and used contact cement to adhere on the inner portion. On top of that, it took 1/4" thick saddle leather and adhered that to the plastic, all cut out to the existing shape. That has transformed the boots to be even more confidence inspiring without sacrificing agility. Thanks for the video. Nice "Fight Club" subliminal message too by the way. I support your message.😉
Edit* finished reading your comment. That was super smart to reinfornce that, i overlooked it and paid the price There is a gap right across the inside of the ankle below the plastic ankle triangulation and the lower pad protecting the foot. I high sided at speed off road and the swing arm landed right on that gap smashing my foot. I am waiting on some apline tech 10. But my brother's sg12 doesn't have that gap. Seriously pinch that area with your hand it folds so easy.
Had some SG 12s for a while and I love them. now I’m rocking the LEATT 4.5’s. Never looked back. My go to boot from now on and that’s coming from an SG 12
What do you think of Gaerne Dakar boots? They're an adv boot with about half (as opposed to none) of the protection of a motocross boot. From what I see they lack in metatarsal and fibula protection, but have good ankle hyperflexion protection, which seems to be the primary concern according to the Internet.
I started riding dirt bikes in 1971 . I've gone through a lot of boots . I got my first pair of Alpinestars Supertech series back in 1991 . When I moved to Charlotte NC I was doing more street riding and putting on the motocross boots was beginning to be a pain in the butt not just with the buckles but for going in to get coffee and stores ect . I liked the way the supertech's were thinner in the front more like a tennis shoe thickness which made shifting a lot easier . The rubber sole is pretty much like the motocross sole and works pretty good on the dirt and on the blacktop . I really like that the single zipper is on the back so its super fast to put your foot in and just zip it up . They have a removable lining that the ankle protective piece and ball joint piece are part of . For dual sport or street riding you are getting the same support in the ankles as the motocross boots but a lot easier shifting motion because of the joint hinge . Remember most dual sport riders are not riding as if they are on a motor cross track . I think the super tech series is made for racing on blacktop but it makes for a great dual sport boot . They last for years and years . I still have my first pair I got back in 1991 and they still look pretty new . If I know I'm going on trails I have to do river crossings I'll take my water proof SIDI 's other than that for short rides and then back home I go for the supertech's for the comfort and ease of the super tech . If you find a older pair on ebay for 50 bucks or less in your size give them a try I guarantee you will like them a lot for dual sport use . As of 2023 most of the newer dual sport boots have started adding ankle protection like the Adventure 2 Gore-Tex Boots ua-cam.com/video/8DZTdL4iK_A/v-deo.html This boot is water proof and it supports your ankles with the new ankle supports . Most dual sport riders are going to go through water so the boot you are showing is bound to cause you to have to ride with wet feet and that's not good at all . It really can ruin your day . Remember most dual sport riders are taking off for a week end or even a week so having a dry boot to get into the next day is very important . If you are not planing of being in or around water or rain and you are riding around in your back yard then the G12 would be fine but if you are out on the road and trails for a weekend or a week away from home you better be thinking about rain and creek crossing and keeping your feet dry . I would suggest you try a pair of the Adventure 2 Gore-Tex Boots that is made for dual sport use and I think you change your title of the video to Buy a ADV Boot with Ankle support ...Your Ankles Will Thank You.
Hey Sertao2013 I'm that guy you describe. The dualsport rider (just starting out) and long time street rider. Most of my rides are street and gravel road but 2024 should see allot more puddles and such. The rain has also caught me on occasion but rarely so far. Thanks for pointing me toward the Adventure 2 boots. Something for me to consider. I really don't like the idea of hours or days in wet boots.
fully agree, I’m 45 now and have been riding since I was 7 - have had many pairs of boots in that time and the Gaerne SG-10’s are the best boots I’ve ever owned, the protection is incredible and they are comfortable as hell on and off the bike. Build quality of Gaerne’s is better than any other manufacturer by far. walking in MX boots sucks, always has always will - but worth it for the protection, they’ve saved me many times
You are so correct!! Get some nice motocross boots and they will last way longer than cheap soft boots. How much does a cast cost???? Wear good protection people. I love my Sidi boots and friends love the G boots you have 👍🏻😎
I have Tech 7s for true offroading, sidi vortices for road racing and Forma Evo Terras for adv riding. They have a stiff MX-style sole , metal buckles and great ankle support.
Adv boots are for street riding with some occasional dirt, certainly not optimal for hard off road riding. If you you want boots that still have tread on the bottom, there are some options. I used to use Comp 5 boots and loved them, but recently switched to Forma boots for more comfort.
Other considerations: Owned Gaerne SG12s. The company stands behind their products. Handled my warranty claim with a full refund outside of warranty because a very small batch had defects. The enduro version will be my next pair, because they stand behind their products, once my Leatts are toast. I bought them before I knew there was a recall on my SG12s. That said, no matter what anyone tells me SG12s are a motocross boot. Overly stiff which is what you want for jamming gears and absorbing massive hits from big jumps. For trails there is no feel for shifting or braking and the range of movement is limited. They are also heavy at around 6lbs each. With a slick sole they are a liability in muddy situations, especially on hills. As someone who gave a really insightful view with video on knee braces you should consider how ankle restriction means force will travel to the next weakest point. I was braking on a steep downhill and dabbed, unexpectedly catching my right toe on a root. Due to the weight of the boots and no flexibility I couldn’t free my foot or hit the rear brake. My bike slid forward and pressure went from ankle to knee, which I straightened until I had to drop the bike but not before popping my hip. Happened fast and walked away with only soreness but it easily could have been worse. Had the same thing happen in a deep rutted downhill with my Leatts with no issue because I had more ankle mobility and could get free. I am convinced overly restrictive gear can be worse in many situations. Trail riders save your money and skip the SG12s.
100% agree on lack of protection with adv boots. Broke a bunch of bones in my foot when I crashed my F800GS off road last year. Foot ended up pinned under the engine crankcase when the bike landed on its side.. Was wearing my Sidi ADV goretex boots. There's next to zero lateral stiffness with those boots and they did nothing to protect me from forces in that direction. My el cheapo Fox MX boots have way more lateral stiffness and I may not have broken anything if I had been wearing them. Needed surgery and now have two titanium screws in my foot. Yay. The adv boots are superb for long days in the saddle especially when it's wet or muddy. But for real protection? False sense of security. I'd rather not wear MX boots all the time, so maybe these Gaerne would work for me.
Here in Thailand, the biggest challenge is finding boots that will survive the environment - the heat and humidity destroys adhesives and plastics. I've had Alpinstars that crumbled to dust after 3 years. My latest SIDI Crossfire's had the soles fall off after a couple of months, which I managed to get stiched back on, and now, after a couple of years, the plastics have started cracking. I've actually gone back to an old cheap pair of Shot MX boots, but I've just noticed the soles are starting to peel off...😢
I live in Vietnam, and prefer to use stitched boots. All the boots I wear have double or triple stitching, and last years. Sometimes I have to get a shoe maker put in a few repairs, but I feel if you avoid glued boots you can have more longevity.
My Forma Adventure boots have already save my ankles from two crushing incidents where my bike landed on them. I actually feel unprotected if I ride the big BMW R1150GS Adventure without them. The side armor over the lateral malleous spread the impact over a large enough area so my ankle wasn't broken, just bruised.
I use these as well, but I don't do enduro or trails. Actually, my bike is a cafe racer sportster iron 1200. So mostly road for me, but still the formas are just good enougj for urban and road situations. You can walk on them no problem.
These look like a perfect companion to my Gaerne Balance Oil boot! These boots have been great, so i imagine these will be a more protective version for the more spicier riding!!! Thanks for tour review!!!
There’s never a do-it-all boot as much as I wish there was. I use my moto boots for hard trails where I already know I’m gonna fall. I keep sneakers with me or some slides. I use some basic DC boots for street riding but they offer almost no protection. Icon makes a cool boot with some solid protection. You can still hike. You can get good brake and shifter control. Great for mellow beach rides or street rides.
Run the same boots and couldn't be happier with them - they're well made, relatively light and offer great protection! Only slight downside is the sole isn't quite so grippy on slick surfaces (very hard compound) compared to my previous boots.
Totally agree with you - 100%. I love my ADV boots as they are comfortable and waterproof BUT, I only use them for street riding. I've ridden for over 4,000 & 2,000 mile rides in Africa and Baja in my Sidi Crossfire 2 boots. Very comfortable to ride in but not good at all for the off-bike hikes. yes, take shoes or sandal for any distance walking off the bike.
I run SG12 for dual sport riding. Anything more 50% dirt. Sidi Adventure for touring. I agree with everything you said about the SG12. So much confidence with those when you put your foot down to catch yourself. Sounds like next set of boots would be those Fastback Enduro
Have to agree. The Sidi Adventure boots are fantastic. First pair lasted me 7 years of everything from racing endro to regular trail riding to cross country adventure trips. I hit a antelope at about 60 mph in northern Colorado. The bike went down on my right boot and drug me into the ditch. My foot and ankle were perfect and I walked away. Finally replaced them with the updated Sidi Adventure Gortex and plan to get another 7 years or more out of this pair.
My opinion is situational (sketchy jagged rocks means opting for more armor), but *I opt for bike control over rigid armor.* Of note to me is that several *pro MX riders have started bucking decades of trends of stiff over armored gear and are now (with modern riding stances) moving away from restrictive neck braces and some are moving away from stiff soled boots.* Their major reason was that they found the stiff stances were _causing_ wrecks and injuries. Modern stances significantly reduced the likelihood of those injuries, and their opinions were that they were safer overall to avoid the crash overall by less fatigue and constraint vs "armoring up." *Here's a real life test for you:* Stand feet flat on the floor weight on your heel, knees bent. Now hop as high as you can knees only without using your ankle and also land flat footed knees only. *Did you get very high? And how did it feel to land that way?* Not try the same thing, knees still bent, but instead of using knees, try with weight forward using only your ankles. *Notice how much easier it was? How high you went, and how soft the landing was?* (obviously combining your knees and ankles is best for both jump height and landing soft. But the ankles were the most important( Just like your arms, you have a high speed and control joint (wrist and ankle) and a _slow speed_ larger movement joint (elbow and knee). While they are used in conjunction to pad each other's movement, artificially restricting your motion to only use part weakens you and forces more strain on the single joint. If your legs get tired or you find your knees getting swollen, your overly stiff MX style boots are most likely pushing a knees-only riding style. You are missing out on your fast spring and control of your ankles. (look at how a cat moves, but our heels should be down much more for riding stance, but still sprung on our ankles) Also consider leverage. If you wear an overly rigid boot, you undo the natural flex of your leg (yep, bones flex), but not only do you transfer that load to your knee, but you also just gave it a long stiff lever to apply torque to your knee. I'm all for crush protection, hyper extension protection (both up and down), etc. But I think motion restrictions need to be moderated and balanced together as a whole system that load shares together.
So what would you recommend for a new hard enduro enthusiast? SG12 enduro (maybe also the new updated SG22) or fastback enduro? Or something entirely different?
Amen to that. I bought tech 7s after hearing how they were so mobile for an offroad boot and... Sure. I guess? But they still have practically zero mobility, no feel through the sole, etc. Yeah, they'll be better in a crash, but every ride I felt much more likely *to* crash because I didn't have the control that I wanted.
Just wondering ? The guys who say the tech 7 is still a boot that has restricted movement have given the boot time to break in? I ride with the forma adventure boot. It gives me so much freedom of movement. Yet it does lack protection. Yet I still feel more confident wearing them ! Hence I feel if I did crash it wouldn’t be as bad because I have more range of movement and feel less likely to crash. Yet I’m tempted to buy some tech 7 to ride the more gnarly stuff.
@@fozrick at least for me it's less about restricted movement and more about losing the feel through the sole of the boot, as well as the clunky shifting from having such a massive toe box. I'll be the first to admit I'm not the best or most experienced rider though-it must okay with practice given what we see with top level racers
I recently broke my ankle in a Forma Adventure boot, so this is good info as I have been shopping for new boots, SIDI crossfire 3 has been recommended by the local store, but at that time I was still swollen so could not try on.
I run the adv style boots when I am on a long trip on my Super Tenere, I like the comfort and the waterproofing and I am not doing hardcore trails. When I'm on the enduro bike riding single track that's when the MX boots go on. Each one has a purpose
Adventure riding has become perceived as folks riding dirt bikes in difficult terrain which requires mx style boots. But when traveling for months in world travel a boot that allows one to walk extensively is important and that’s where the adventure style boot comes in. That said there is a wide variation of quality between versions of adv boots…
@ Absolutely, which is what I did when at a base hotel or camp where you can securely leave your boots. When traveling during the day just make sure you can secure them to the moto - most folks don’t have room to put them in a side case - but I carried a PacSafe net that I could stuff my jacket under and lock over the seat. Initially I also stuffed boots under as well but I found out quickly that changing boots and shoes was time consuming and often inconvenient based on mud etc. That’s where a more comfortable boot for walking is a game changer. Not disagreeing about getting most protective boots possible just explaining that long term travels and more off road oriented riding are different. I went through several brands to find the right balance that worked for me and a couple of years of international travel as a moto journalist.
mid and high end ADV boots are good enough for some use cases, they're still much better than street/race boots in terms of protection, and sometimes even comfort, I could hike on my adventure boots all day but would never do it with a regular mc boot. I've had my bike fall on my ankle while wearing AP Corozal boots, my leg was just fine, the shin bone protection is good enough, and yes, it won't offer much protection from accidents involving twisting and flexing motions but my worst use case is unpaved mountinous roads so I probably won't encounter such accidents like enduro/motorcross riders do. also, please note that these boots will probably contain metal plates on the sole, these are very dangerous when filling from gas stations.
As someone who learned to ride at 12yo on a 75 YZ250, I agree that boots are the most important piece of gear. When riding a bike, your lower lehs and feet basically become sledge hammers. And if you have ever stupidly put a foot into a rock to move it, and it didn't, and then the back tire roled over your leg to get over that rock, you will understand.
I bought a pair of Fastbacks, but they turned to be too narrow in the foot. Most motorcycle boot manufacturers for some reason make boots with weird foot shapes, with the foot being narrow in the middle part - the very part where the foot is the widest in most people!. The only more or less anatomically correct boots are made by Forma. After trying a dozen of makes a and models, I finally bought a pair of Forma Terra Evo Dry X boots. They offer a good amount of protection and at the same time are more user-friendly. They are great for dual sport biking.
I have always struggled with getting used boots that are comfortable and actually fit through my entire time riding until recently when I got my brand new Forma Adventure Low boots. I use them for day trips to and from the mountains or a quick hard spin at the retention pond on the other side of my neighborhood. My other pair are used O'neal boots, a bit stiff but definitely what I need for the time being for trail riding.
Alexis looked into the Forma adventure boots because they come in her size, they seem to have good reviews so maybe she will try those as well to compare. Thanks for the info!
@@AdventureDaily Constructive criticism: lose the background noise! The subject & your narration of it is great. The addition of distracting, monotonous & annoying music ruined the vid for me.
Better video than I thought. So many guys are basically just saying buy motocross for adventure riding. Where your riding and how long you need to ride is a factor for what you wear.
Adv Daily, Thank you, so much, for the warning of adv style boots. I am in my 50’s and am just now getting into dirt riding. Been on pavement for over 25 years. Must be a timing thing. I appreciate your candor on what boots you would steer away from. Motocross/enduro boots and this brand are what you recommend for numerous and very good reasons, then I would follow your suggestion.
I wear TCX terrain 3 a bit less protective but very good nonetheless. Plus I don’t really ride hard off road, I do adv riding, dual sport riding. Dirt roads, gravel roads that kind of thing. And occasionally a bit more rugged surface, the boots are great. Protective enough and very comfortable, just as good as Garne oiled the trails versions. Boots on an adv bike even when going down gravel roads at 80/100 kph are very important, and so comfortable to stand on the pegs with the flat rubber sole.
I had Alpinestars Corozals and ended up getting the Tech 7 Enduros. I’ve had a really bad ankle injury that required a full reconstruction with screws and plates and the Alpinestars are the only boots that seem to fit me perfectly! I’ll never go back to ADV boots after having the Tech 7’s
1st boot purchase uocoming for me. Im torn between the SG12, the Tech 7 Enduro, and the Fastbacks. Im not able to ride very often so i dont want to break the bank but still want to be protected.
Fastbacks for the win. I prefer the ergonomics compared to the Tech 7 and they offer more than enough protection and are a bit more comfortable than the SG12.
I have a pair of Garne Balance boots that I use for trials (their intended use) and casual riding. They are extremely comfortable but provide limited protection. I am going to try a bail of Fastback Enduro boots when they become available.
Great video. 👍 Best part was the blooper 🤣🤣 I usually use track boots on my long adventure touring rides. Sidi Cobra Gore-tex. They have good protection, at least i think, and there quite fine to walk in. When it´s hot, i just go with regular walking boots... Yeah i know... I just can't do the whole sweaty foot thing for days on end... On my enduro rides, tech 3's are my option. 👍
Very good and balanced review. Like you said it depends what you do with them. I use the forma boots mainly for moderate paces dual sport riding and like you I go for long walks to waterfall’s and lookouts and the full on enduro boots. I have no illusions re the level of protection they give but they are good enough for the ADV riding with full gear I do. I am looking for something better that is a better compromise on the safety. The revit seem to fit the bill but are worth more then the bike. Will have a look at your setup too through the sole might be a bit stiff for what I need
Great review. I’ve previously owned SG-10 and SG-12’s and can say that Gaerne builds the best motocross/adv/trials boots in the world. I currently run and prefer the Gaerne G-Dakar for ADV riding. I run Alpinestar Tech 7’s when I’m riding single track on my 2 stroke 250. I love the extra protection when I’m on my dirt bike and I have had falls where they absolutely saved my ankles and legs. The stiffness of the boot doesn’t bother me when riding MX or single track. To me though, MX boots are just way too stiff and impossible to walk in to be a perfect ADV boot. Also for casual riding around town, the 2 buckle system and comfort of the G-Dakar is a game changer. They are easier to walk in, more comfortable, and have more flexibility and toe-box feel for accurate shifts every time. They are the perfect boot that sits in between the Balance oiled and the full blown MX SG-12. Gaerne G-Dakar for the win personally, perfect BDR boot that will protect you and is comfortable to walk in. And they look amazing
Been riding for years with Thor Blitz XP boots. They did the job but finally upgraded to Gaerne SG12 enduro boot. The fastback is a great boot as well and I would have went that route but chose to spend the extra for added protection.
40 years ago I bought a pair of boots whilst I was still riding trail bikes in the U.K. They were bullet proof even after I removed the stupid chunks of bright red plastic. The trail bikes went then SR250,XS650,GS550,GS850, and I left the boots in the U.K. in 1990. Up til then I wore them just about everywhere- to me they were comfortable, I even biked to the coast and clambered up & down cliffs in them to fish. Everyone thought I was mad.
depends on how you ride and what you ride. The motorcross boots do have better protection but are so stiff and so uncomfortable for ADV riding, I stopped using them. I own and ADV, ride intermediate off road, and have never had an issue with my Alpinestar Corazol boots, love them. Just keep your feet on the pegs off road, no sweat
I have these for off road. I have a pair of Forma Boulders for general dual sport riding. Less protective; better off the bike; still have toe, heel, shin, and some ankle protection (pucks).
Have the same fastbacks, excellent for dedicated off road adv rides. The TCX drifter ADV boots have their place on the street & for more casual rides that might involve some hiking
Have the Gaerne fastback enduros. They are ace, only downside is the calf section doesnt have much room to run long knee/shin pads like the SG12s. Prefer the enduro sole though.
Yup. I learned the hard way after breaking an ankle. I bought motocross boots the next day as I was 800 miles from home. Without them I wouldn't have made it home. Never ride off road without them again. BMW R1100GS
Just broke my lower shin bone tip in an off road accident, definitely could have used these Gaerne Outbacks--$400 to save 6-8 weeks recovery is well worth it.
Few years back i started strapping an old pair of skate shoes to my back fender for longer rides in case of mechanical issues or mid ride hiking. they squash down nice and flat. then i can just wear my Gaernes when riding without worrying about having to walk miles in them.
Good idea, but does your bike brake down a lot? I found when young, excellent bike maintenance leads to less walking. But today, I stick with a bike I know well, a 2-stroke with a carburetor. :) Now I switched to a ADV boot because I could not feel the rear brake or shift lever with a modern MX boot, which will make me crash. I just stood in water yesterday (got stuck) with dry feet (until the water went over the top of the boot), and easily walked a mile in comfort, with the TCX Gortex Baja boots. That boot is as good as anything MX into the late 80's, where I raced MX for 10 years with no foot injuries.
@@EarthSurferUSA no it doesnt, but at the time i started doing it i was living in colorado, going very very deep into the mountains. The trails were very rugged and rocky. Very very easy to break things even with all the armor on the bike. Now im up near the idaho washington border and donelt venture out near as far from town as when i was in the rockies. But i still like the option.
Right boot shift pad? European boots have the shift pad on the right boot as well. It's there for vintage racing that's so popular in Europe these days. The older (vintage) bikes often have the kick-start on the left, chain & sprockets on the right. Some even have the brake and shifter on opposite sides, as compared to layout found on bikes today.
@@MeerkatADV If you think that, what do you call the Forma Adventure? The Evo has limited joint motion built in and has crush and impact plates. The Adventure is a soggy leather piece of crap.
@LarryMusgrave agreed, the adventure is basically a hiking boot. And I've used the Evos, they only have a joint on one side and a steel shank in the sole. If you can crush the body of the boot flat with your hands, and fold the toe to the body of the boot, it does not have enough protection in these areas.
What about the toe-box height? It's not mentioned very often in reviews but it's important to me. I've had MX boots where it felt like I had to lift my toe 1/2 inch before reaching the top of the boot in order to shift and that is not conducive to a comfortable riding experience.
Okay, first off, I'm not trying to tell you what to do or whatever, just some neat advice that has helped me. Maybe you've already done this or tried it, but if not, try think of your ankle as totally locked and it can't pivot. When we try to tilt our toe up from the ankle, our knee actually moves up and forward slightly. Sit down in a chair and lift your toe, you'll see what I mean. Now, while in stiff mx boots, try thinking about driving your knee straight backwards after you slide your toe in position to shift. Almost like your whole leg is now a crowbar. Took a bit for me to get the feel of it because it feels super weird. But it might open up with boots you can use if you want. You're more than welcome to not try it and that's cool too. I just like having good discussions and love it when I can learn something new from someone else so I thought I'd share my experience with this. God Bless!
@@Daltonleach11 Good advice to try. I went through probably 5 or 6 different boots before I found that Sidi Crossfire boots are a tad bit narrower and a much thinner toe box which works out well for my feet. But everyone don't have the $$ to experiment until they find the right boot. I'm not rich but I'm old and I just finally got lucky (LOL) and found the boot for me.
@philrc1 I agree. I bought the SIDI X-Powers and I love them. Great hinge design, they have broke in great, I can walk in them but they are still stiff.
I just got mine and everything looks fine and they fit fine. Note for those that care about the material though - the upper is made (at least in 2024) from a PU (synthetic) leather and not full grain leather. I am a bit disappointed by this and wonder how long it will be before it starts peeling away.
Hello, great clip and advice, thanks. I’m a broken foot (recovering) rider. I’m looking for a super strong boot with as much crush protection as possible for the mid-foot. That's mid-foot protection from side to side and top to bottom forces. So SG12s or the Fastback ? Or something else? Any advice from anyone will help please...Thanks T
I love my storm trooper SG12s when I am dirt riding with the dedicated dirtbike. But I would highly recommend the TCX Drifter boots for dual sport riding or even day long touring. Check them out. Comfortable while offering real protection.
I have TCX Drifter boots. I fell twice and crashed once. I ended up injuring right ankle in one fall, broke 3 bones in left foot on third fall , and nothing on 2 nd fall/crash. I will be getting the Fastbacks or new SG 22's. Apparently I need more protection.
@@jimgerace1746 all I got is that you are better at crashing than falling. :). No seriously, sorry to hear about your injuries. What kind of heavy bike do you ride?
With you on the Alpinestars Tech 3s. You need a mallet to snap the buckles shut. Which is silly. But I only use them a few times a year, so I have put up with it.
I wrecked in a pair of Alpinestars dry star boots and broke my tibia and fibula off of my ankle. I broke my femur years ago on my dirtbike wearing Alpinestars tech 7 boots , and my ankles were fine. When I heal , I'm going to ride my dualsport with my tech 7s.
landed sideways after a high jump on a training day. Bike want over my left leg. G12 are the best. pair this with forcefield pro harness and Mobius 8s both knees and wrists. Amazing combo!
I appreciate you adding the forcefield and Mobius comments. I'm also shopping for that type of gear as well, good to hear an experienced user comment. Thanks!
Thanks that’s great info but now a bit worried and confused… should everyone be wearing high quality motocross boots all the time… I just bought a new KLR 650 and some Forma adventure full length boots I’m 60 year old haven’t ridden for 30 years and plan on mainly road touring with light off road … very steady 😊
How is the width on the fastbacks compared to the SG12s? I have a very wide foot and I cant even get my foot into the SG 12s. I'd basically have to fold my foot into a taco.
Hmm they are pretty wide but the SG12s were wide on me anyways, I have pretty narrow feet so you might just have to see if you're able to try them on locally or able to return if they don't work!
Agree completely with this. Broke my ankle (10mm displacement) and sustained a Maisonneuve fracture wearing my Sidi Crossfires when my 990SE landed on my foot in the dirt. Ankle was pinned (subsequently removed) and leg was casted. Took a year to get better and its been a few years for the full strength to come back. My left ankle still can't dorsiflex very well and likely never will. Can't imagine the damage regular adventure boots could have caused and I haven't worn my other pair of Sidi Adv boots since.
After similarly smashing my ankle, my hard rule is hinged boots- either these or full MX. I'll barely ride to the gas station without 'em. It just isn't worth the several years of recovery.
I used to have GX1's for dirt and set of Forma Adventures for road... Upgraded last year and use a set of Fastbacks for all my riding now. Not as much feel as I am used to on the road, but I'm slowing getting used to them. (They are awesome on the dirt.)
Same. I've stopped riding in the Forma Adventures off road after multiple foot injuries on both sides. They just don't have the protection or stability. They are touring boots and that's about it. Now I run Tech 7s on the dirt and the Klim Adventure GTX boots for mid-size ADV rides where I'm gonna see a decent mix of terrain but nothing too gnarly.
@@AdventureDaily the Formas are one of the most comfortable (and very reliably waterproof) boots you can buy, but the tradeoff is the stability and protection. Both ankles and the arches of your feet - the soles have a ton of flex. Makes hiking in them easy, but can also lead to broken feet, sprains, etc.
Balance boots with gore tex for trials are the best for long distances, practicing slow endure stuff. The soles are so comfy and with the soles being flat works well for not getting the heal part snaged on the pegs when practicing.
Those are as protective as the boots we wore racing in the 70's. The ankle is basically what braces the boot. Once they are broken in those boots can be bent fully sideways easily like any leather boot. I destroyed ankles wearing leather boots back in the day, the good old Hi-Points everybody wore.
When I started adventure riding I wanted the Sidi’s so bad. I liked the versatility of them but when I went to try them on and they were so narrow in the tow box they actually hurt. My feet are small but a little wide up front. The salesman told me to try on the Gaerne SG12s and they were so comfortable right out of the box. I bought them in 2019 and have 11,000 brutal miles on them. Haven’t had a single problem with them at all. Still look good and even the soles are holding up. They suck to walk in but I don’t stop alot and walk around during the day. We ride up to 50-200 miles in the back country a day depending on terrain. I carry an old pair of sneakers to walk around at night in around camp or around town when done for the day. My next pair of boots will be the SG12s.
I agree 100%, I had some adventure boots and crashed with them, foot got caught up in the bike and twisted and got smashed like I never thought possible. I wasn't back to 100% for about 6 months and couldn't ride for a month in prime riding season. Within the first hour of being laid up on the couch I bought a pair of SG12s, should have just got them from the begining!
Hundo P - two crashes with ADV boots on both left and right resulting in 6 months recoveries each.....Moto boots - same crash - no problem....
Had my forma adv low on for light off road and dropped the bike on me - ruptured Achilles, still not right. Same, loads of research while lying up and went for the gaerne fastback enduro which would suit me. Still love my forma adv low for touring though as they are comfy and waterproof. Got a pair of sealskinz waterproof socks for the fastback
Amazing that you think of better boots after the broken leg.....plenty of time to think and reflect...I did the same.....6 weeks in a wheel chair....
The problem is if the boot does not allow the ankle to twist, during the crash, the twist of your leg is transfered upwards towards the knee. The perfect scenario would be where the boot allows the ankle to twist to the maximum possible twist angle and then stop. This would protect the knee as much as possible from the twisting force
@gamingradeon If you're wearing full mx boots the might as well get knee braces. Not much fun doing anything off the bike while wearing that gear. My SG-12's are great but suck to walk in.
The bloodiest patient I ever picked up as a helicopter air ambulance pilot was a guy who wrecked a motorcycle (one that he stole and was then running from the police with). His foot was partially amputated. When we got to the hospital and opened the clamshell doors on the back of the helicopter, blood just poured out. It was a big mess. They were able to re-attach his foot, though.
Do you think he paid his hospital bill? Do criminals have health insurance? 😂
@@anonymous_friendprobably most of the people we pick up at accident sites are stupid people doing stupid things, like drunk driving or running from the police. Most of them don’t have insurance.
moral of the story - wear SG12s before stealing a bike?
@@vintagemxer9165 Does sound like it will be a little difficult to run after wrecking though...
Agree with everything! I used to think my old 2007 Tech-3s were decent until I clipped a hidden boulder at the side of a trail doing about 20-30 kph. Crushed and folded my foot, shattered the heads of three metatarsals and broke some other bones. Had to ride 10KM down a mountain trail and 350km of mountain roads to the nearest hospital with an ER kick shifting. Lost 3 months of riding and after that restricted to simple road rides for a couple of months. Had SG12s for two years now and I’ll never go back to anything else off road, they are tanks yet still easy enough to finesse all the controls after a bit of getting used to. I tel every new rider that boots and gloves are the most important pieces of safety gear after a helmet.
What do you think about the Tech-7s compared to your SG12s?
Can you try the exact same crash with the new boots, please? I agree that the buckles are terrible on the Tech3, but it is possible that lots of other boots would have failed you too. You can't tell without back-to-back testing. I can understand that you might be reluctant to do those experiments for me.
Yea, I agree with Andypoughtube. We really need you to crash into that rock again with the new boots. I would consider paying more for the extra protection if it works. Thanks in advance. 🙏🍿
On point! I love my Fastbacks and landed on them awhile back after trying several others. I would never trade protection for Goretex either, if you need waterproof, stick your foot in a trash bag! Another thing people forget when they but into the hype of the Adv boots is that if anything you need MORE protection if a huge loaded up bike lands on your foot the ADV style boots can leave your ankle snapped like a twig in a simple drop
I'd like to see what you think about gortex after taking a trip measured in weeks or months through various climates and unpredictable weather. Being on the bike for long hours while wet (especially your feet) is miserable. The only thing worse is being wet AND cold.
@@LayerZeroDesign I know as far as long distance backpacking goes that gortex sucks. It's advertised to breathe.... that's total bullshit! I buy ONLY non-gortex boots now and if/when I need water intrusion protection I use either a plastic bag inside the boot Or use a waterproof" sock.... and remove it after the water crossing so my foot can breathe again. Also, when you do get water over the top of that fancy, overpriced, gortex boot it will take 3 times longer for the lining inside the boot to dry vs a non-gortex boot.
@WallDiver7 you say gortex doesn't breathe but you'll put your foot in a trash bag? I mean anything that's impervious to liquid is never going to breathe as well as something that isn't, but putting your foot in a trash bag has got to be one of the worst possible options. At that point you're just better off with wet feet imo cause they're gonna be wet with sweat anyway because a trash bag literally doesn't breathe.
If we are serious off roading we always wear full boots. Great video and great message. The only time we really wear 'ADV' boots is on mellow streeti'ish rides where the hard core is low and the walking/exploring is high. That and a KLIM airbag vest. There is that. Love the video. Thanks for taking the time to put it together! We know all too well what that takes LOL.
I love my SG12s. After some ankle injuries, full moto boots ALL the time for me
Thank you for your review on the Gaerne Fastback Enduro boots. I just received mine and have spent one day in them, going through the break in process. The fit is great, I have a wide foot and a big calf and so far so good, no pressure points. The construction on these boots is impressive and the buckles operate the way they should. On my first day out I was having trouble getting my toe under the shifter in bumpy terrain so I went ahead and moved the shifter up one notch for the time being, it should work out fine until the boots break in, then we will see. Anyway, I am very impressed overall. Cheers!
Awesome to hear Marc! I am sure you will become more and more comfortable in them the longer you wear them. Thanks for tuning in!
Great information! Would you recommend them for street too, or something else with the same level of protection?
Would a boot like this be overkill if you're only riding tarmac? I'm looking for a boot that offers protection but also comfortable to walk in and doesn't squeak! I know it sounds dumb but I tried a pair of motocross boots and couldn't stand the squeaking everything I got off the bike to walk around.
I’ve had at least 3 hard hits to my SG12s that I know would have resulted in a bad injury if I was wearing softer boots without hard plastic armor. Definitely pack some light hikers along because if you have to hike out for help it’ll be miserable with MX boots, done that before once.
The Fastback Enduro boots are also one of the only boots I've been able to successfully use. I have a high instep / "high volume" foot. If I try to put on most other boots (ie Alpine Star Tech series) they become painful in minutes if I can even get my foot into the boots as they all crush the top of my feet. If anyone has a high instep foot these are the best I've found after trying on multiple brands and styles.
Fastback boots are brilliant. Jammed my left foot/ankle between a tree and my bike hard at probably 30kph on an endro climb that pulled and twisted it as I past. Definitely felt it, and while it was a little sore for maybe an hour or two, there was no real injury, and I was fine finishing the day out. I have no doubt my fastback boot saved me from destroying both my foot and ankle in that moment. I'm so glad I had them that day and swear by them
I started riding a year ago at age 60. I wear the low alpinestar belize adventure boot. Solid boot but I low sided and foot got caught enough for my 400lb bike to come down hard on my lower leg. Bruised the hell out of my leg and left me with a couple palm size hematomas. Didnt ride for a month but the boots probably kept me from getting a broken leg and shredded skin. Im looking to upgrade to motorcross voots even though I basically ride street and gravel roads. Sounds silly but I need better protection even though It will hamper my shifting.
Kudos for starting riding at 60!
i use Gaerne Fastback since 2006. They are a great value for Money(get them for 350,-). They are flexible enough to start riding immediately Out of the Box. I tried Fox(very Stiff, No Feeling at all on the MX) and Alpinestars (better thanks Fox, but still cant keep Up with quality and Feeling for the Bike with Gaerne). i did 15 years MX andnow use the Fastback for Rallies and Adventure riding.
I broke my foot in March wearing some Solomon mid hiking boots in my KLR650 and have since upgraded to AlpineStar Tech 7 Enduro Drystars (got ‘em for $300 brand new)
If you go full MX route and the boots are too stiff, just stand in your living room for an hour or so and bend them back in forth while you’re wearing them (basically lean forwards and backwards) and it should get them mostly broken in
As someone currently lying in bed with 4 breaks in my left lower leg, this video hits home.
My TCX Drifter ADV boot did not protect my bones, but skin was intact. Time to get some enduro or MX boots, the Gaerne Fastbacks look a great balance.
there is no guarantee a diff boot would have helped you. The only difference between the drifters and these is the metal toe protection. Its very possible to break your legs in any boot. Cool thing is, at least the boots should keep it in line so your not dealing with floppy foot out on the trail.
@@bmfbbmfb Exactly !!
ran across this vid about 4 months ago - and I have to whole-heartedly agree....these are money...money well spent! I did wedge my foot/boot under the edge of a car tire and rocked my leg back & forth to loosen up the hinge a bit, and I did raise my shift lever...but once that was done....it's GAME ON! Thx
another pair of boots to talk about... I wear Forma Terra Evo's. Picked that model since it has more ankle protection than the "adventure" model. I'm on an r12gs so there's a lot more weight that can fall on me and I wanted the extra protection. I will say that once broken in, they are the most comfortable that I've worn. I often find myself at camp for a few hours before I realize I still have them on.
I just learned the hard way. I snapped both bones in my leg and ruptured the ligaments and tendons in my ankle on a fall that wasn’t too bad. I was wearing fly racing maverick enduros, which were a comfortable boot, but when put to the test, fell short.
I've got the Gaerne Dakar boots and I'm absolutely loving them. They've provide the ankle protection and only have to buckles that makes it easier to put my pants over them. Also they are wider than other brands I've tried, easy to walk in, along with a slim toebox that is easy to get under your shifter. In my opinion, there's simply nothing out there that compares. I definitely recommend them! By the way, "Great review!"
Thanks Thorsteinn, appreciate the feedback and glad you like the boots as much as I do!
I got the Dakar GTX a few days back, paid close to $470 here in India! I have wide feet and size 10.5 fits perfectly for me, but after a few hours (including a lot of standing and walking) my toes started to hurt. Will boots adapt to my feet or should have gone half-size over?
@@VaibhavGandhi What’s the best channel to buy these boots in India? Any recommendations? Where did you get them from?
I have the Gaerne trials boots and love them for more casual rides and especially moto- camping. Not much protection though, but better than hiking boots. Shifter pads on both boots in case you are a vintage guy like me and have older Spanish or Italian trials or enduro bikes (older Ducati, Montessa etc).
I broke my foot in three places in a minor crash wearing Alpinestars Corozal Boots. Those were very comfortable boots, but they weren't protective enough. Way too much flex. Comfort and safety don't go together when it comes to boots.
Now I wear Tech 7 Enduros and they're great and more comfortable than I thought they'd be. If you're looking to buy Alpinestars boots, always check for last seasons colors cause you can usually get a pretty solid discount for the same product (just different colors).
Edit: I got a last season color open box pair of Tech 7s for $250. My visits to the doctor cause of the foot ended up being about $800. Definitely worth it to spend the money.
I have some Corozals as well. After an off in the woods I realized I needed to upgrade and also bought some Gaerne Fastback boots. The difference is amazing.
I wear the Alpinestars Belize (the shorter version of the Corozal) for my straight street riding and the Tech 7 Enduros for riding off road on my dirt bike. I mostly do single track enduro type riding so the Tech 7s are perfect for me.
Both boots are good for their specific purpose. I would never wear the Belize off road but as a street boot it is great.
@@nbrider7235 By the way, I bought mine from Atomic Moto, a great business. The owner spent about thirty minutes on the phone with me helping me make a selection.
I returned to riding after 15 years and bought mx boots, couldn't feel what I was doing with the rear brake, couldn't change gear properly without missing shifts and getting half neutrals, bought some Gaerne Midland adventure boots and they've been good, sure they don't feel as stiff and protective but a lot less control problems also
yeah, safety is a complex phenomenon
I have the AS Toucan and they are superb. The biggest advantage over MX boots is, they are waterproof and give you just slightly more articulation when you walk around. I know they are expensive, but I feel they are safe and worth the money.
Crashed in the Toucans. Slide down the motorway at 70mph they definitely saved my feet, but I still don't feel they're good enough. Went for the SG22s as they've got a goretex version and don't twist like the AS ones do
@@Nbxcortez I bought them too. I wanted a true Off Road Boot for my 450 and must say the SG22 is crazy good. Stiff but flexible enough for shifting. The goretex Version however sucks, my friend has them and if they get wet, and they will, you have a hard time getting them dry.
@@ogoshikimura5621 Oh jeez, hope they dont stay wet though its not the end of the world if the foot is dry on the inside.
@ first time the water run in through the top, I was wearing the pant in boot and it turned the shoes in a lake .
It was so bad I had to buy a boot dryer to get the water out.
2nd time I was having the pant over boot, but still somehow the water found its way in - but not as bad and now I have a boot dryer lol
Boots are one thing I won’t skimp on. I’ve had a pair of Sidi Flex Force boots since about 2002 or so. They were stiff as heck in the beginning, but they offer excellent support. I wear them regardless of what type of riding I do, whether is forest service roads, single track or long adventure rides on mostly paved roads. They are old and need replaced. I am planning on the SIDI Crossfire 3.
I ride with the Fastback Enduros as well. I ride hard enduro with them and have really beaten them up and they are still super solid. To closer resemble the SG12 I took some thin cutting board material and used contact cement to adhere on the inner portion. On top of that, it took 1/4" thick saddle leather and adhered that to the plastic, all cut out to the existing shape. That has transformed the boots to be even more confidence inspiring without sacrificing agility. Thanks for the video. Nice "Fight Club" subliminal message too by the way. I support your message.😉
Edit* finished reading your comment. That was super smart to reinfornce that, i overlooked it and paid the price
There is a gap right across the inside of the ankle below the plastic ankle triangulation and the lower pad protecting the foot. I high sided at speed off road and the swing arm landed right on that gap smashing my foot. I am waiting on some apline tech 10. But my brother's sg12 doesn't have that gap. Seriously pinch that area with your hand it folds so easy.
"eye-talian made" - adventure daily 2023
That's the Ohio in me😂
americans are not smart. Out of seven continents, they come in at ninth!
Fra-Gee-Lay! Must be Italian.
Gorlami
To be fair, none of us are saying it correctly 😂
I have the same Gaerne Fastback boot you showcased. Hands down the best boot I've ever owned.
Had some SG 12s for a while and I love them. now I’m rocking the LEATT 4.5’s. Never looked back. My go to boot from now on and that’s coming from an SG 12
What do you think of Gaerne Dakar boots? They're an adv boot with about half (as opposed to none) of the protection of a motocross boot. From what I see they lack in metatarsal and fibula protection, but have good ankle hyperflexion protection, which seems to be the primary concern according to the Internet.
I started riding dirt bikes in 1971 . I've gone through a lot of boots . I got my first pair of Alpinestars Supertech series back in 1991 . When I moved to Charlotte NC I was doing more street riding and putting on the motocross boots was beginning to be a pain in the butt not just with the buckles but for going in to get coffee and stores ect .
I liked the way the supertech's were thinner in the front more like a tennis shoe thickness which made shifting a lot easier . The rubber sole is pretty much like the motocross sole and works pretty good on the dirt and on the blacktop .
I really like that the single zipper is on the back so its super fast to put your foot in and just zip it up . They have a removable lining that the ankle protective piece and ball joint piece are part of .
For dual sport or street riding you are getting the same support in the ankles as the motocross boots but a lot easier shifting motion because of the joint hinge . Remember most dual sport riders are not riding as if they are on a motor cross track .
I think the super tech series is made for racing on blacktop but it makes for a great dual sport boot . They last for years and years . I still have my first pair I got back in 1991 and they still look pretty new .
If I know I'm going on trails I have to do river crossings I'll take my water proof SIDI 's other than that for short rides and then back home I go for the supertech's for the comfort and ease of the super tech . If you find a older pair on ebay for 50 bucks or less in your size give them a try I guarantee you will like them a lot for dual sport use .
As of 2023 most of the newer dual sport boots have started adding ankle protection like the Adventure 2 Gore-Tex Boots ua-cam.com/video/8DZTdL4iK_A/v-deo.html This boot is water proof and it supports your ankles with the new ankle supports .
Most dual sport riders are going to go through water so the boot you are showing is bound to cause you to have to ride with wet feet and that's not good at all . It really can ruin your day . Remember most dual sport riders are taking off for a week end or even a week so having a dry boot to get into the next day is very important .
If you are not planing of being in or around water or rain and you are riding around in your back yard then the G12 would be fine but if you are out on the road and trails for a weekend or a week away from home you better be thinking about rain and creek crossing and keeping your feet dry .
I would suggest you try a pair of the Adventure 2 Gore-Tex Boots that is made for dual sport use and I think you change your title of the video to Buy a ADV Boot with Ankle support ...Your Ankles Will Thank You.
Hey Sertao2013 I'm that guy you describe. The dualsport rider (just starting out) and long time street rider. Most of my rides are street and gravel road but 2024 should see allot more puddles and such. The rain has also caught me on occasion but rarely so far. Thanks for pointing me toward the Adventure 2 boots. Something for me to consider. I really don't like the idea of hours or days in wet boots.
fully agree, I’m 45 now and have been riding since I was 7 - have had many pairs of boots in that time and the Gaerne SG-10’s are the best boots I’ve ever owned, the protection is incredible and they are comfortable as hell on and off the bike. Build quality of Gaerne’s is better than any other manufacturer by far. walking in MX boots sucks, always has always will - but worth it for the protection, they’ve saved me many times
You are so correct!! Get some nice motocross boots and they will last way longer than cheap soft boots. How much does a cast cost???? Wear good protection people. I love my Sidi boots and friends love the G boots you have 👍🏻😎
I have Tech 7s for true offroading, sidi vortices for road racing and Forma Evo Terras for adv riding. They have a stiff MX-style sole , metal buckles and great ankle support.
Adv boots are for street riding with some occasional dirt, certainly not optimal for hard off road riding. If you you want boots that still have tread on the bottom, there are some options. I used to use Comp 5 boots and loved them, but recently switched to Forma boots for more comfort.
Other considerations:
Owned Gaerne SG12s. The company stands behind their products. Handled my warranty claim with a full refund outside of warranty because a very small batch had defects. The enduro version will be my next pair, because they stand behind their products, once my Leatts are toast. I bought them before I knew there was a recall on my SG12s. That said, no matter what anyone tells me SG12s are a motocross boot. Overly stiff which is what you want for jamming gears and absorbing massive hits from big jumps. For trails there is no feel for shifting or braking and the range of movement is limited. They are also heavy at around 6lbs each. With a slick sole they are a liability in muddy situations, especially on hills.
As someone who gave a really insightful view with video on knee braces you should consider how ankle restriction means force will travel to the next weakest point. I was braking on a steep downhill and dabbed, unexpectedly catching my right toe on a root. Due to the weight of the boots and no flexibility I couldn’t free my foot or hit the rear brake. My bike slid forward and pressure went from ankle to knee, which I straightened until I had to drop the bike but not before popping my hip. Happened fast and walked away with only soreness but it easily could have been worse. Had the same thing happen in a deep rutted downhill with my Leatts with no issue because I had more ankle mobility and could get free. I am convinced overly restrictive gear can be worse in many situations.
Trail riders save your money and skip the SG12s.
100% agree on lack of protection with adv boots. Broke a bunch of bones in my foot when I crashed my F800GS off road last year. Foot ended up pinned under the engine crankcase when the bike landed on its side.. Was wearing my Sidi ADV goretex boots. There's next to zero lateral stiffness with those boots and they did nothing to protect me from forces in that direction. My el cheapo Fox MX boots have way more lateral stiffness and I may not have broken anything if I had been wearing them. Needed surgery and now have two titanium screws in my foot. Yay. The adv boots are superb for long days in the saddle especially when it's wet or muddy. But for real protection? False sense of security. I'd rather not wear MX boots all the time, so maybe these Gaerne would work for me.
Here in Thailand, the biggest challenge is finding boots that will survive the environment - the heat and humidity destroys adhesives and plastics. I've had Alpinstars that crumbled to dust after 3 years. My latest SIDI Crossfire's had the soles fall off after a couple of months, which I managed to get stiched back on, and now, after a couple of years, the plastics have started cracking. I've actually gone back to an old cheap pair of Shot MX boots, but I've just noticed the soles are starting to peel off...😢
I live in Vietnam, and prefer to use stitched boots. All the boots I wear have double or triple stitching, and last years. Sometimes I have to get a shoe maker put in a few repairs, but I feel if you avoid glued boots you can have more longevity.
Keep Your gear in Air Conditioning room. It will help in long term:)
@@GediminasZakarauskas yes, I agree. Heat and humidity ruins boots.
My Forma Adventure boots have already save my ankles from two crushing incidents where my bike landed on them. I actually feel unprotected if I ride the big BMW R1150GS Adventure without them. The side armor over the lateral malleous spread the impact over a large enough area so my ankle wasn't broken, just bruised.
I use these as well, but I don't do enduro or trails. Actually, my bike is a cafe racer sportster iron 1200. So mostly road for me, but still the formas are just good enougj for urban and road situations. You can walk on them no problem.
Learned my lesson after dropping a 990 on my leg with cheap 'adventure' boots on. Tech 10's became my go to after that.
These look like a perfect companion to my Gaerne Balance Oil boot! These boots have been great, so i imagine these will be a more protective version for the more spicier riding!!! Thanks for tour review!!!
There’s never a do-it-all boot as much as I wish there was.
I use my moto boots for hard trails where I already know I’m gonna fall. I keep sneakers with me or some slides. I use some basic DC boots for street riding but they offer almost no protection.
Icon makes a cool boot with some solid protection. You can still hike. You can get good brake and shifter control. Great for mellow beach rides or street rides.
Run the same boots and couldn't be happier with them - they're well made, relatively light and offer great protection! Only slight downside is the sole isn't quite so grippy on slick surfaces (very hard compound) compared to my previous boots.
Totally agree with you - 100%. I love my ADV boots as they are comfortable and waterproof BUT, I only use them for street riding. I've ridden for over 4,000 & 2,000 mile rides in Africa and Baja in my Sidi Crossfire 2 boots. Very comfortable to ride in but not good at all for the off-bike hikes. yes, take shoes or sandal for any distance walking off the bike.
I run SG12 for dual sport riding. Anything more 50% dirt. Sidi Adventure for touring. I agree with everything you said about the SG12. So much confidence with those when you put your foot down to catch yourself. Sounds like next set of boots would be those Fastback Enduro
I've been running the Sidi Adventure 2 for years and love them
For sure another great high quality brand!
Have to agree. The Sidi Adventure boots are fantastic. First pair lasted me 7 years of everything from racing endro to regular trail riding to cross country adventure trips. I hit a antelope at about 60 mph in northern Colorado. The bike went down on my right boot and drug me into the ditch. My foot and ankle were perfect and I walked away. Finally replaced them with the updated Sidi Adventure Gortex and plan to get another 7 years or more out of this pair.
@@dracer35 I've only had one problem with one of the soles delaminate and had to reglue it back on.
@@richardharris5819 Interesting. Can't say I've had the same experience but I will update if I do.
My opinion is situational (sketchy jagged rocks means opting for more armor), but *I opt for bike control over rigid armor.*
Of note to me is that several *pro MX riders have started bucking decades of trends of stiff over armored gear and are now (with modern riding stances) moving away from restrictive neck braces and some are moving away from stiff soled boots.*
Their major reason was that they found the stiff stances were _causing_ wrecks and injuries. Modern stances significantly reduced the likelihood of those injuries, and their opinions were that they were safer overall to avoid the crash overall by less fatigue and constraint vs "armoring up."
*Here's a real life test for you:*
Stand feet flat on the floor weight on your heel, knees bent. Now hop as high as you can knees only without using your ankle and also land flat footed knees only. *Did you get very high? And how did it feel to land that way?*
Not try the same thing, knees still bent, but instead of using knees, try with weight forward using only your ankles. *Notice how much easier it was? How high you went, and how soft the landing was?*
(obviously combining your knees and ankles is best for both jump height and landing soft. But the ankles were the most important(
Just like your arms, you have a high speed and control joint (wrist and ankle) and a _slow speed_ larger movement joint (elbow and knee). While they are used in conjunction to pad each other's movement, artificially restricting your motion to only use part weakens you and forces more strain on the single joint.
If your legs get tired or you find your knees getting swollen, your overly stiff MX style boots are most likely pushing a knees-only riding style. You are missing out on your fast spring and control of your ankles.
(look at how a cat moves, but our heels should be down much more for riding stance, but still sprung on our ankles)
Also consider leverage. If you wear an overly rigid boot, you undo the natural flex of your leg (yep, bones flex), but not only do you transfer that load to your knee, but you also just gave it a long stiff lever to apply torque to your knee.
I'm all for crush protection, hyper extension protection (both up and down), etc. But I think motion restrictions need to be moderated and balanced together as a whole system that load shares together.
So what would you recommend for a new hard enduro enthusiast? SG12 enduro (maybe also the new updated SG22) or fastback enduro?
Or something entirely different?
Amen to that. I bought tech 7s after hearing how they were so mobile for an offroad boot and... Sure. I guess? But they still have practically zero mobility, no feel through the sole, etc. Yeah, they'll be better in a crash, but every ride I felt much more likely *to* crash because I didn't have the control that I wanted.
Overall I like my Tech 7s, but brake modulation sucks big time in comparison to more flexible boots.
Just wondering ? The guys who say the tech 7 is still a boot that has restricted movement have given the boot time to break in? I ride with the forma adventure boot. It gives me so much freedom of movement. Yet it does lack protection. Yet I still feel more confident wearing them ! Hence I feel if I did crash it wouldn’t be as bad because I have more range of movement and feel less likely to crash. Yet I’m tempted to buy some tech 7 to ride the more gnarly stuff.
@@fozrick at least for me it's less about restricted movement and more about losing the feel through the sole of the boot, as well as the clunky shifting from having such a massive toe box. I'll be the first to admit I'm not the best or most experienced rider though-it must okay with practice given what we see with top level racers
I recently broke my ankle in a Forma Adventure boot, so this is good info as I have been shopping for new boots, SIDI crossfire 3 has been recommended by the local store, but at that time I was still swollen so could not try on.
I run the adv style boots when I am on a long trip on my Super Tenere, I like the comfort and the waterproofing and I am not doing hardcore trails. When I'm on the enduro bike riding single track that's when the MX boots go on. Each one has a purpose
Adventure riding has become perceived as folks riding dirt bikes in difficult terrain which requires mx style boots. But when traveling for months in world travel a boot that allows one to walk extensively is important and that’s where the adventure style boot comes in. That said there is a wide variation of quality between versions of adv boots…
What do you think about having a mx style boots and carrying a pair of walkable shoes?
@ Absolutely, which is what I did when at a base hotel or camp where you can securely leave your boots. When traveling during the day just make sure you can secure them to the moto - most folks don’t have room to put them in a side case - but I carried a PacSafe net that I could stuff my jacket under and lock over the seat. Initially I also stuffed boots under as well but I found out quickly that changing boots and shoes was time consuming and often inconvenient based on mud etc. That’s where a more comfortable boot for walking is a game changer. Not disagreeing about getting most protective boots possible just explaining that long term travels and more off road oriented riding are different. I went through several brands to find the right balance that worked for me and a couple of years of international travel as a moto journalist.
Mine came in today. Will start breaking them in when I get off work. Thanks for the video.
mid and high end ADV boots are good enough for some use cases, they're still much better than street/race boots in terms of protection, and sometimes even comfort, I could hike on my adventure boots all day but would never do it with a regular mc boot.
I've had my bike fall on my ankle while wearing AP Corozal boots, my leg was just fine, the shin bone protection is good enough, and yes, it won't offer much protection from accidents involving twisting and flexing motions but my worst use case is unpaved mountinous roads so I probably won't encounter such accidents like enduro/motorcross riders do.
also, please note that these boots will probably contain metal plates on the sole, these are very dangerous when filling from gas stations.
As someone who learned to ride at 12yo on a 75 YZ250, I agree that boots are the most important piece of gear. When riding a bike, your lower lehs and feet basically become sledge hammers. And if you have ever stupidly put a foot into a rock to move it, and it didn't, and then the back tire roled over your leg to get over that rock, you will understand.
I bought a pair of Fastbacks, but they turned to be too narrow in the foot. Most motorcycle boot manufacturers for some reason make boots with weird foot shapes, with the foot being narrow in the middle part - the very part where the foot is the widest in most people!. The only more or less anatomically correct boots are made by Forma. After trying a dozen of makes a and models, I finally bought a pair of Forma Terra Evo Dry X boots. They offer a good amount of protection and at the same time are more user-friendly. They are great for dual sport biking.
I have always struggled with getting used boots that are comfortable and actually fit through my entire time riding until recently when I got my brand new Forma Adventure Low boots. I use them for day trips to and from the mountains or a quick hard spin at the retention pond on the other side of my neighborhood. My other pair are used O'neal boots, a bit stiff but definitely what I need for the time being for trail riding.
Alexis looked into the Forma adventure boots because they come in her size, they seem to have good reviews so maybe she will try those as well to compare. Thanks for the info!
@@AdventureDaily Constructive criticism: lose the background noise!
The subject & your narration of it is great. The addition of distracting, monotonous & annoying music ruined the vid for me.
Better video than I thought. So many guys are basically just saying buy motocross for adventure riding. Where your riding and how long you need to ride is a factor for what you wear.
Adv Daily, Thank you, so much, for the warning of adv style boots. I am in my 50’s and am just now getting into dirt riding. Been on pavement for over 25 years. Must be a timing thing. I appreciate your candor on what boots you would steer away from. Motocross/enduro boots and this brand are what you recommend for numerous and very good reasons, then I would follow your suggestion.
This is timely for me . Going boot shopping Saturday.
Sweet Bill, let me know what you end up getting!
Just get some pair of Crocs. Boots dont really matter a shit if u ride 100+ mph.
I wear TCX terrain 3 a bit less protective but very good nonetheless. Plus I don’t really ride hard off road, I do adv riding, dual sport riding. Dirt roads, gravel roads that kind of thing. And occasionally a bit more rugged surface, the boots are great. Protective enough and very comfortable, just as good as Garne oiled the trails versions. Boots on an adv bike even when going down gravel roads at 80/100 kph are very important, and so comfortable to stand on the pegs with the flat rubber sole.
Agreed. Carry hiking sandals if you want to hike, wear motocross boots or similar other times
Great advice. I wear the Fox Instinct Offroad boots. I love them. Feel great from day one. Ride safe my 2 wheel friends.
I absolutely love the Alpinestars Tech 7 Enduros. They are waterproof, have a lugged sole, and offer the protection of an all out MX boot.
Same!! Got the enduro sole ones and LOVE them.
I have same and love them aswell😊
Once you buy a quality boot like an Alpinestar you will never go back to cheap boots! Same goes for helmets.
I just wish they were wider. Too narrow for my feet.
I had Alpinestars Corozals and ended up getting the Tech 7 Enduros. I’ve had a really bad ankle injury that required a full reconstruction with screws and plates and the Alpinestars are the only boots that seem to fit me perfectly! I’ll never go back to ADV boots after having the Tech 7’s
1st boot purchase uocoming for me. Im torn between the SG12, the Tech 7 Enduro, and the Fastbacks. Im not able to ride very often so i dont want to break the bank but still want to be protected.
Fastbacks for the win. I prefer the ergonomics compared to the Tech 7 and they offer more than enough protection and are a bit more comfortable than the SG12.
@@AdventureDaily thanks brother.
I have a pair of Garne Balance boots that I use for trials (their intended use) and casual riding. They are extremely comfortable but provide limited protection. I am going to try a bail of Fastback Enduro boots when they become available.
Great video. 👍
Best part was the blooper 🤣🤣
I usually use track boots on my long adventure touring rides. Sidi Cobra Gore-tex.
They have good protection, at least i think, and there quite fine to walk in.
When it´s hot, i just go with regular walking boots... Yeah i know... I just can't do the whole sweaty foot thing for days on end...
On my enduro rides, tech 3's are my option. 👍
Very good and balanced review. Like you said it depends what you do with them. I use the forma boots mainly for moderate paces dual sport riding and like you I go for long walks to waterfall’s and lookouts and the full on enduro boots. I have no illusions re the level of protection they give but they are good enough for the ADV riding with full gear I do. I am looking for something better that is a better compromise on the safety. The revit seem to fit the bill but are worth more then the bike. Will have a look at your setup too through the sole might be a bit stiff for what I need
Great review. I’ve previously owned SG-10 and SG-12’s and can say that Gaerne builds the best motocross/adv/trials boots in the world. I currently run and prefer the Gaerne G-Dakar for ADV riding. I run Alpinestar Tech 7’s when I’m riding single track on my 2 stroke 250. I love the extra protection when I’m on my dirt bike and I have had falls where they absolutely saved my ankles and legs. The stiffness of the boot doesn’t bother me when riding MX or single track. To me though, MX boots are just way too stiff and impossible to walk in to be a perfect ADV boot. Also for casual riding around town, the 2 buckle system and comfort of the G-Dakar is a game changer. They are easier to walk in, more comfortable, and have more flexibility and toe-box feel for accurate shifts every time. They are the perfect boot that sits in between the Balance oiled and the full blown MX SG-12. Gaerne G-Dakar for the win personally, perfect BDR boot that will protect you and is comfortable to walk in. And they look amazing
Been riding for years with Thor Blitz XP boots. They did the job but finally upgraded to Gaerne SG12 enduro boot. The fastback is a great boot as well and I would have went that route but chose to spend the extra for added protection.
Looking to get my first off-road boot. How are the Thor Blitz XP?
40 years ago I bought a pair of boots whilst I was still riding trail bikes in the U.K. They were bullet proof even after I removed the stupid chunks of bright red plastic. The trail bikes went then SR250,XS650,GS550,GS850, and I left the boots in the U.K. in 1990. Up til then I wore them just about everywhere- to me they were comfortable, I even biked to the coast and clambered up & down cliffs in them to fish. Everyone thought I was mad.
Any good actual data on boot protectiveness?
Kind of like consumer reports type evaluation?
depends on how you ride and what you ride. The motorcross boots do have better protection but are so stiff and so uncomfortable for ADV riding, I stopped using them. I own and ADV, ride intermediate off road, and have never had an issue with my Alpinestar Corazol boots, love them. Just keep your feet on the pegs off road, no sweat
I have these for off road. I have a pair of Forma Boulders for general dual sport riding. Less protective; better off the bike; still have toe, heel, shin, and some ankle protection (pucks).
Dude you run a good channel, learning a lot from you. Keep it up bro.
Have the same fastbacks, excellent for dedicated off road adv rides. The TCX drifter ADV boots have their place on the street & for more casual rides that might involve some hiking
My son has those Garniers (sp?). He gets only the best stuff, and they fit our wide feet. I’ll probably go with them for new boots.
I have the Fastback in white. So far, I've really enjoyed them. It didn't need any break in time and was way more protection than my older O'Neals.
Have the Gaerne fastback enduros. They are ace, only downside is the calf section doesnt have much room to run long knee/shin pads like the SG12s. Prefer the enduro sole though.
Yup. I learned the hard way after breaking an ankle. I bought motocross boots the next day as I was 800 miles from home. Without them I wouldn't have made it home. Never ride off road without them again. BMW R1100GS
Just broke my lower shin bone tip in an off road accident, definitely could have used these Gaerne Outbacks--$400 to save 6-8 weeks recovery is well worth it.
How is this boots for long distance adventure touring. With 25% offroad and 75 % road riding?
Few years back i started strapping an old pair of skate shoes to my back fender for longer rides in case of mechanical issues or mid ride hiking. they squash down nice and flat. then i can just wear my Gaernes when riding without worrying about having to walk miles in them.
Good idea, but does your bike brake down a lot? I found when young, excellent bike maintenance leads to less walking.
But today, I stick with a bike I know well, a 2-stroke with a carburetor. :)
Now I switched to a ADV boot because I could not feel the rear brake or shift lever with a modern MX boot, which will make me crash. I just stood in water yesterday (got stuck) with dry feet (until the water went over the top of the boot), and easily walked a mile in comfort, with the TCX Gortex Baja boots.
That boot is as good as anything MX into the late 80's, where I raced MX for 10 years with no foot injuries.
@@EarthSurferUSA no it doesnt, but at the time i started doing it i was living in colorado, going very very deep into the mountains. The trails were very rugged and rocky. Very very easy to break things even with all the armor on the bike. Now im up near the idaho washington border and donelt venture out near as far from town as when i was in the rockies. But i still like the option.
Right boot shift pad? European boots have the shift pad on the right boot as well. It's there for vintage racing that's so popular in Europe these days. The older (vintage) bikes often have the kick-start on the left, chain & sprockets on the right. Some even have the brake and shifter on opposite sides, as compared to layout found on bikes today.
Another fabulous boot that is out there is the Forma Terra EVO that mixes MX features into a very walkable boot. I love mine.
Terra Evo is a very soft touring boot. Not nearly protective enough.
@@MeerkatADV
If you think that, what do you call the Forma Adventure? The Evo has limited joint motion built in and has crush and impact plates. The Adventure is a soggy leather piece of crap.
@LarryMusgrave agreed, the adventure is basically a hiking boot. And I've used the Evos, they only have a joint on one side and a steel shank in the sole. If you can crush the body of the boot flat with your hands, and fold the toe to the body of the boot, it does not have enough protection in these areas.
What about the toe-box height? It's not mentioned very often in reviews but it's important to me. I've had MX boots where it felt like I had to lift my toe 1/2 inch before reaching the top of the boot in order to shift and that is not conducive to a comfortable riding experience.
Okay, first off, I'm not trying to tell you what to do or whatever, just some neat advice that has helped me. Maybe you've already done this or tried it, but if not, try think of your ankle as totally locked and it can't pivot. When we try to tilt our toe up from the ankle, our knee actually moves up and forward slightly. Sit down in a chair and lift your toe, you'll see what I mean. Now, while in stiff mx boots, try thinking about driving your knee straight backwards after you slide your toe in position to shift. Almost like your whole leg is now a crowbar. Took a bit for me to get the feel of it because it feels super weird. But it might open up with boots you can use if you want. You're more than welcome to not try it and that's cool too. I just like having good discussions and love it when I can learn something new from someone else so I thought I'd share my experience with this. God Bless!
@@Daltonleach11 Good advice to try. I went through probably 5 or 6 different boots before I found that Sidi Crossfire boots are a tad bit narrower and a much thinner toe box which works out well for my feet. But everyone don't have the $$ to experiment until they find the right boot. I'm not rich but I'm old and I just finally got lucky (LOL) and found the boot for me.
@philrc1 I agree. I bought the SIDI X-Powers and I love them. Great hinge design, they have broke in great, I can walk in them but they are still stiff.
I just got mine and everything looks fine and they fit fine. Note for those that care about the material though - the upper is made (at least in 2024) from a PU (synthetic) leather and not full grain leather. I am a bit disappointed by this and wonder how long it will be before it starts peeling away.
Hello, great clip and advice, thanks. I’m a broken foot (recovering) rider. I’m looking for a super strong boot with as much crush protection as possible for the mid-foot. That's mid-foot protection from side to side and top to bottom forces. So SG12s or the Fastback ? Or something else? Any advice from anyone will help please...Thanks T
I love my storm trooper SG12s when I am dirt riding with the dedicated dirtbike. But I would highly recommend the TCX Drifter boots for dual sport riding or even day long touring. Check them out. Comfortable while offering real protection.
I have TCX Drifter boots. I fell twice and crashed once. I ended up injuring right ankle in one fall, broke 3 bones in left foot on third fall , and nothing on 2 nd fall/crash. I will be getting the Fastbacks or new SG 22's. Apparently I need more protection.
@@jimgerace1746 all I got is that you are better at crashing than falling. :). No seriously, sorry to hear about your injuries. What kind of heavy bike do you ride?
@@gregorbabic7664 Kawasaki Versysx300
With you on the Alpinestars Tech 3s. You need a mallet to snap the buckles shut. Which is silly. But I only use them a few times a year, so I have put up with it.
I wrecked in a pair of Alpinestars dry star boots and broke my tibia and fibula off of my ankle. I broke my femur years ago on my dirtbike wearing Alpinestars tech 7 boots , and my ankles were fine. When I heal , I'm going to ride my dualsport with my tech 7s.
landed sideways after a high jump on a training day. Bike want over my left leg. G12 are the best. pair this with forcefield pro harness and Mobius 8s both knees and wrists. Amazing combo!
I appreciate you adding the forcefield and Mobius comments. I'm also shopping for that type of gear as well, good to hear an experienced user comment. Thanks!
Thanks that’s great info but now a bit worried and confused… should everyone be wearing high quality motocross boots all the time… I just bought a new KLR 650 and some Forma adventure full length boots
I’m 60 year old haven’t ridden for 30 years and plan on mainly road touring with light off road … very steady 😊
How is the width on the fastbacks compared to the SG12s? I have a very wide foot and I cant even get my foot into the SG 12s. I'd basically have to fold my foot into a taco.
Hmm they are pretty wide but the SG12s were wide on me anyways, I have pretty narrow feet so you might just have to see if you're able to try them on locally or able to return if they don't work!
Agree completely with this.
Broke my ankle (10mm displacement) and sustained a Maisonneuve fracture wearing my Sidi Crossfires when my 990SE landed on my foot in the dirt. Ankle was pinned (subsequently removed) and leg was casted. Took a year to get better and its been a few years for the full strength to come back. My left ankle still can't dorsiflex very well and likely never will.
Can't imagine the damage regular adventure boots could have caused and I haven't worn my other pair of Sidi Adv boots since.
After similarly smashing my ankle, my hard rule is hinged boots- either these or full MX. I'll barely ride to the gas station without 'em. It just isn't worth the several years of recovery.
My only complaint about Gaerne is they leak more water than home with a blue tarp on the roof.
Hi From Ireland.
Thanks For The Info On The Gaerne Boots Looking Into It Wright Now, Cheers.
Good alternative Forma Terra EVO Dry X-Series.
I used to have GX1's for dirt and set of Forma Adventures for road... Upgraded last year and use a set of Fastbacks for all my riding now. Not as much feel as I am used to on the road, but I'm slowing getting used to them. (They are awesome on the dirt.)
Same. I've stopped riding in the Forma Adventures off road after multiple foot injuries on both sides. They just don't have the protection or stability. They are touring boots and that's about it. Now I run Tech 7s on the dirt and the Klim Adventure GTX boots for mid-size ADV rides where I'm gonna see a decent mix of terrain but nothing too gnarly.
Interesting to hear from both of you, I had heard good things about the Forma's but I am glad I stuck with these for now. Have fun out there! 👊🏻
@@AdventureDaily the Formas are one of the most comfortable (and very reliably waterproof) boots you can buy, but the tradeoff is the stability and protection. Both ankles and the arches of your feet - the soles have a ton of flex. Makes hiking in them easy, but can also lead to broken feet, sprains, etc.
my ankles have thanked my forma adventure boots many a time after getting hit with cut tree limbs in the bush, scraping to tight to trees or rocks...
Bought the same boots last season and they are great. Really solid protection and build quality and a good price.
Balance boots with gore tex for trials are the best for long distances, practicing slow endure stuff. The soles are so comfy and with the soles being flat works well for not getting the heal part snaged on the pegs when practicing.
Those are as protective as the boots we wore racing in the 70's.
The ankle is basically what braces the boot. Once they are broken in those boots can be bent fully sideways easily like any leather boot. I destroyed ankles wearing leather boots back in the day, the good old Hi-Points everybody wore.
When I started adventure riding I wanted the Sidi’s so bad. I liked the versatility of them but when I went to try them on and they were so narrow in the tow box they actually hurt. My feet are small but a little wide up front. The salesman told me to try on the Gaerne SG12s and they were so comfortable right out of the box. I bought them in 2019 and have 11,000 brutal miles on them. Haven’t had a single problem with them at all. Still look good and even the soles are holding up. They suck to walk in but I don’t stop alot and walk around during the day. We ride up to 50-200 miles in the back country a day depending on terrain. I carry an old pair of sneakers to walk around at night in around camp or around town when done for the day. My next pair of boots will be the SG12s.