Removing the metal tip from your MX style boots when riding an ADV bike is highly recommended (especially for shorter riders) www.BretTkacs.com/training
When I resoled my Forma Dominators recently, the cobbler told me to make sure to install the metal tips. Their purpose is to protect the outsoles where they are glued to the welt. Without them you increase the risk of the soles detaching from the welt from toe impacts. That said, I agree the metal tips are slippery and can scratch up floors and engine cases.
@@timothybroga1704 Not their adventure category boots but their Adventure (proper noun) boots. The Terra Evo boots rely on an articulating ankle support for protection while the Forma Adventures are just stiff and uncomfortable. Stiffness really isn't a substitute to proper boot design.
I've got the same forma dominator boots and already resoled them. I did because the whole sole fell apart, and it was only atached to the boot by that metal tip. It was hard enough so i could back home. I wouldn't take them off.
My Forma Terra Evo dry came with the metal tips, I didn’t install them for no specific reason. I’m happy that you have given me an actual reason for my decision.
I just bought these Crossfire boots a week ago. Have had 2 pairs of Sidi's Adventure 2 boots and have liked them. Now when the second pair of Adventure 2 boots is quite worn-out, I finally decided to buy tje Crossfire boots. Remembered that you had talked about removing these metal covers already long time ago. But seeing this video and tip now a few minutes ago, I just decided to remove them and now it's done. Thank you for the tip (and other tips as well). Br, Antti
Great advise Bret!...done that some time ago with two pairs (one short and one long) of ONEAL MX that I bought...for that exact same reason. Thank you!
Also good to reduce the wrath of the better half who caught you quickly walking indoors with boots on to get the forgotten mobile phone. Purely hypothetical, yet oddly specific, example.
For ADV i would agree it is not needed. I ride hard enduro as well. Welted soles will come apart at tip if you remove the metal in extreme conditions. Astars 10 doeant need it as its a glued on sole with no exposed welt at toe. Again ADV not needed.
When i bought my Sidi boots the tips looked like seat slicers. That was my primary reason for removing them. But i can also see they have 0 traction and probably worse on wet ground
I had my local cobbler add 1/2" to the soles on my gaerne fastbacks. Had to remove the steel tip to make it work, but just that little bit made a big difference on being able to touch the ground.
Second that! I wore the front edge of my Toucan soles down so when I had them re-soled, I put the metal caps on them. They didnt last a ride! Got a few miles into my first ride with them and immediately figured out why I wore the sole edge off of Toucans (high seat for knee clearance and tall aftermarket suspension had me on my toes at stops). So slippery with the metal, I nearly dropped the bike at the fist stop sign =P I turned around and pulled them off.
The A-star Tech10 toe is wildly different than those with the metal tips, and isn't at risk for delaminating, which the metal tip can help with. Otherwise, good advice to ditch the tip.
Yep, from what is revealed under the metal plate it looks to serve no purpose in securing the sole to the upper. Going to remove those right now. Thanks Bret
I'm keeping the metal toe caps on my SG10 boots. I do everything from ADV riding on my GSA, to hard enduro on my FE350, to trials on my EM. I have a short inseam, and can never put both feet down on my big bike. I very often wear the same boots for all riding because the Gaerne boots are just that comfortable. Never once have I had an issue with slipping because of the toe caps. In fact, I've had to replace my toe caps because they get worn out and start to break off. I feel that my boots would be much worse for wear otherwise.
I was told (I think by an instructor at the motorcycle license course) that the steel is there specifically to *reduce* the friction, in order to decrease the chance of the front of your foot folding backwards under the foot peg if it drags on the asphalt through the corner. So now I'm thoroughly confused. There's always some expert out there thinking they know something the gear manufacturers don't. Not saying you're necessarily wrong. I suppose it can have both benefits and drawbacks depend on how you ride.
That is the most ludacris thing I've ever heard! I can assure you that if in fact you were told that by an "instructor" they were 100% wrong. It's there to protect the boot so the sole doesn't separate from repetitive toe strikes offroad.
Hey Bret do you have any hacks for getting the horrible stench out my leather dirt bike boots? Smells like a rotting corps with all the forest bacteria and organics, I tried Detol, worked for a day.
Sorry I don’t agree. I have mine installed on my terra Evo boots and they have protected my toes and boot from rocks and sticks. I’m not concerned with scratches on my engine case ffs, my feet never go there. If these are enough to cause a significant hazard to you maybe try another activity.
My motorcycle instructor once said „motorcycling gear is always a compromise between safety, utility, comfort and price - if it were for safety only, we‘d ride in shiny medieval harnesses“ 😂
@@2wheelsr2wheels39 him being a motorcycle instructor, I guess „looks“ was not on his mind at all 😅 And honestly, neither should they be on anyone’s mind as long as they look decently and go with the rider’s preference.
Well, I beg to differ. Depending on the area, if you’re going hard and fast, it is easy to hit a root sticking from the ground, a rock, or different hard obstacles. Which usually means broken toes and/or foot. That’s what the tip is for, to provide extra protection against those injuries. Also, its negative impact on the traction when e.g. pushing the bike is negligible, as you can easily reposition your foot to find grip. I have seen my pal hitting a root buried in the sand in a boot without a steel tip. Thank you very much, I don’t think removing the tip is a good idea, and any alleged advantages are not worth it. Honestly, I’m amazed you gave this "tip". This can literally get people injured or make the otherwise small injury far worse.
Right, so I’m willing to test it and hit a root sticking from the ground with metal toe. Are you willing to do that without it? I mean, I saw a guy crushing his toes just by hitting such root. He made it to the destination point [like 20-ish more kms], took his boot off and never put it on again. He went straight to hospital with several broken toes. I personally hit a couple of roots in my boots without metal toe [but with much lower speed] and the sole literally unglued itself 5cm or so. It was just flapping there. With all that in mind, I can’t see the alleged advantages that would justify taking it off. Unless you barely reach the ground on your bike and tip-toe every single time. Maybe in that case. Otherwise, I’m keeping them 100%.
I understood it that if you reach the ground on your toes like on asphalt or other hard surfaces you are more likely to slip on the metal part. Therefore, Bret recommends to get rid off the metal part that you make contact with the rubber part, rather than the metal part.
Never buy soft ones buy hard ones ı use gaerne fastback it is great my foot was simple broken hit rock but it saves my foot worst one so boot is so important you dont know whats happen on enduro
Hard to believe that removing the metal clip and screws and introducing all those unsealed holes doesn't lead to to water infiltration and weakening the boot. Perhaps better to just coat the clip with polyurethane?
Well, those boots were really designed for motocross racing and not for adventure riding, where the bike never meets paved roads, but ruts, dirt, gravels and mud.
Great "tip" of the day!!!!...
When I resoled my Forma Dominators recently, the cobbler told me to make sure to install the metal tips. Their purpose is to protect the outsoles where they are glued to the welt. Without them you increase the risk of the soles detaching from the welt from toe impacts. That said, I agree the metal tips are slippery and can scratch up floors and engine cases.
Forma adventure boots guaranteed #1 leg breakers
@@volvogt21forma tera evo dry..🤔 Please educate me
@@timothybroga1704 Not their adventure category boots but their Adventure (proper noun) boots. The Terra Evo boots rely on an articulating ankle support for protection while the Forma Adventures are just stiff and uncomfortable. Stiffness really isn't a substitute to proper boot design.
I've got the same forma dominator boots and already resoled them. I did because the whole sole fell apart, and it was only atached to the boot by that metal tip. It was hard enough so i could back home. I wouldn't take them off.
@@timothybroga1704 I just bought a pair of Forma Terra EVO boots to try out on a tour of Iceland ... I will let you know
My Forma Terra Evo dry came with the metal tips, I didn’t install them for no specific reason. I’m happy that you have given me an actual reason for my decision.
I have the same boots. My tips are still in the little bag they came in. Now I won't feel bad about throwing them away.
Me too! I never got around to putting those metal tips on my Forma Terra Evo boots. Now I won't have to!
I just bought these Crossfire boots a week ago. Have had 2 pairs of Sidi's Adventure 2 boots and have liked them. Now when the second pair of Adventure 2 boots is quite worn-out, I finally decided to buy tje Crossfire boots. Remembered that you had talked about removing these metal covers already long time ago. But seeing this video and tip now a few minutes ago, I just decided to remove them and now it's done. Thank you for the tip (and other tips as well). Br, Antti
Just the tip… I needed
Thanks as always Brett for the tip, your content is always a great help, keep it up brother!!!
Great tip! Removed the metal tip on my Gaerne Fastback Enduros!
Great tip about the tip! I wondered about that cause my first pair of boots has a tip like that and I did not know this 🤔 Thank you so much Bret! 😊
Interesting tip, I kept losing screws from my Tech 7s and replacing them. Maybe the Universe was telling me something.
I was going to mount on my forma evo ... your tip seems very wise. Thnaks!
Thanks, your advice is always good..
Great advise Bret!...done that some time ago with two pairs (one short and one long) of ONEAL MX that I bought...for that exact same reason. Thank you!
Yep did this for a short legged buddy at the beginning of the G.O.A.T. ride!
Thanks for this tip of the day. Cheers from Nürnberg/Germany, Günter
I have an pair of the Alpinestars Tech 6's with the metal tips and I glued rubber on them for that same reason.
Agreed! These have ripped my seat when my buddy used my bike and his metal tips were ripped up.
Also good to reduce the wrath of the better half who caught you quickly walking indoors with boots on to get the forgotten mobile phone. Purely hypothetical, yet oddly specific, example.
🤣
Thanks for just the tip.
Good information! I have these boots and will be taking off the tip :)
Thanks for the tip!
For ADV i would agree it is not needed. I ride hard enduro as well. Welted soles will come apart at tip if you remove the metal in extreme conditions. Astars 10 doeant need it as its a glued on sole with no exposed welt at toe. Again ADV not needed.
When i bought my Sidi boots the tips looked like seat slicers. That was my primary reason for removing them. But i can also see they have 0 traction and probably worse on wet ground
Thanks!
I removed mine on my Gaerne boots years ago . I’ve had no de-lamination of the soles and my side cases are much happier .
Yes, first thing I did on my SG12
I had my local cobbler add 1/2" to the soles on my gaerne fastbacks. Had to remove the steel tip to make it work, but just that little bit made a big difference on being able to touch the ground.
I’m waiting on a pair of Gaerne Fastback Enduros and had been wondering about this exact thing, great timing’ Though I will miss the bling.
SAME. Guess I'll take mine off now...
Second that! I wore the front edge of my Toucan soles down so when I had them re-soled, I put the metal caps on them. They didnt last a ride! Got a few miles into my first ride with them and immediately figured out why I wore the sole edge off of Toucans (high seat for knee clearance and tall aftermarket suspension had me on my toes at stops). So slippery with the metal, I nearly dropped the bike at the fist stop sign =P I turned around and pulled them off.
Thank you
The A-star Tech10 toe is wildly different than those with the metal tips, and isn't at risk for delaminating, which the metal tip can help with. Otherwise, good advice to ditch the tip.
Good point, happens the same to me, I have to take the metal out because of this!!!
That tip scratched my gas tank:(
Yep, from what is revealed under the metal plate it looks to serve no purpose in securing the sole to the upper. Going to remove those right now. Thanks Bret
Just got rid of it on my Fastback Enduros. Only had worn them once but thought that that looked pretty slippery.
Same
Thanks for the advice! Do you leave the holes just like that or fill them in with something?
I have the Gaerne Fastback Enduro with the metal tip. Should I nip the tip?
I am keeping my tip on.
Does this affects water insulation?
I'm keeping the metal toe caps on my SG10 boots. I do everything from ADV riding on my GSA, to hard enduro on my FE350, to trials on my EM. I have a short inseam, and can never put both feet down on my big bike. I very often wear the same boots for all riding because the Gaerne boots are just that comfortable. Never once have I had an issue with slipping because of the toe caps. In fact, I've had to replace my toe caps because they get worn out and start to break off. I feel that my boots would be much worse for wear otherwise.
Do you fill up the holes with something like Liquid Sole to protect water from come into the boot?
I learned the hard way. I scratched the tank with the tip of the boots when i fell while riding on sand😢.
So did they lose all the water proofing now with holes on the bottom?
I am almost fallen , because of this bloody tips. First thing I did was to take them away on my Daytonas.
I was told (I think by an instructor at the motorcycle license course) that the steel is there specifically to *reduce* the friction, in order to decrease the chance of the front of your foot folding backwards under the foot peg if it drags on the asphalt through the corner.
So now I'm thoroughly confused. There's always some expert out there thinking they know something the gear manufacturers don't. Not saying you're necessarily wrong. I suppose it can have both benefits and drawbacks depend on how you ride.
That is the most ludacris thing I've ever heard! I can assure you that if in fact you were told that by an "instructor" they were 100% wrong.
It's there to protect the boot so the sole doesn't separate from repetitive toe strikes offroad.
I use them sparks!
Hey Bret do you have any hacks for getting the horrible stench out my leather dirt bike boots? Smells like a rotting corps with all the forest bacteria and organics, I tried Detol, worked for a day.
Chlorine dioxide powder or a spray solution maybe.
Sorry I don’t agree. I have mine installed on my terra Evo boots and they have protected my toes and boot from rocks and sticks. I’m not concerned with scratches on my engine case ffs, my feet never go there. If these are enough to cause a significant hazard to you maybe try another activity.
My motorcycle instructor once said „motorcycling gear is always a compromise between safety, utility, comfort and price - if it were for safety only, we‘d ride in shiny medieval harnesses“ 😂
You left out looks.
@@2wheelsr2wheels39 him being a motorcycle instructor, I guess „looks“ was not on his mind at all 😅
And honestly, neither should they be on anyone’s mind as long as they look decently and go with the rider’s preference.
Did you say Oppenstar? 💥
I removed the steel cap because I tore my seat getting on the bike while throwing my leg over... Will never have a boot with them again
Why not just push with the side?
Cut my seat with metal boot tips on, OK my fault, as always Bret is correct.
🙂
Well, I beg to differ. Depending on the area, if you’re going hard and fast, it is easy to hit a root sticking from the ground, a rock, or different hard obstacles. Which usually means broken toes and/or foot. That’s what the tip is for, to provide extra protection against those injuries. Also, its negative impact on the traction when e.g. pushing the bike is negligible, as you can easily reposition your foot to find grip. I have seen my pal hitting a root buried in the sand in a boot without a steel tip. Thank you very much, I don’t think removing the tip is a good idea, and any alleged advantages are not worth it. Honestly, I’m amazed you gave this "tip". This can literally get people injured or make the otherwise small injury far worse.
The metal toe is not there for toe protection. Toe protection is built into the sole and the toe of the boot.
Right, so I’m willing to test it and hit a root sticking from the ground with metal toe. Are you willing to do that without it? I mean, I saw a guy crushing his toes just by hitting such root. He made it to the destination point [like 20-ish more kms], took his boot off and never put it on again. He went straight to hospital with several broken toes. I personally hit a couple of roots in my boots without metal toe [but with much lower speed] and the sole literally unglued itself 5cm or so. It was just flapping there. With all that in mind, I can’t see the alleged advantages that would justify taking it off. Unless you barely reach the ground on your bike and tip-toe every single time. Maybe in that case. Otherwise, I’m keeping them 100%.
I think it’s there to protect the welt from impact damage off road.
👍
Which one is more comfortable Sidi or Alpinestars?
Gaerne 😊
Riders choice. I prefer Sidi, Christina prefers Alpinestars (her Tech 10's)
How does this help keep you from falling over ?!
It simply slips on the metal tip..
I understood it that if you reach the ground on your toes like on asphalt or other hard surfaces you are more likely to slip on the metal part. Therefore, Bret recommends to get rid off the metal part that you make contact with the rubber part, rather than the metal part.
Tip of the day.... hahah
The metal tip has no advantage to me, its only good for scratching your cardan drive shaft ;) get rid of it! Good tip!!
good tip..um..tip.
If you have to tell people this we are all in trouble.
Never buy soft ones buy hard ones ı use gaerne fastback it is great my foot was simple broken hit rock but it saves my foot worst one so boot is so important you dont know whats happen on enduro
Attitude matters?!
I'm doomed. 😔
Remember the glass halfway filled with water is 100% full: half with water, half with air.
@@L--Z That's something I would say. 🤔
Hard to believe that removing the metal clip and screws and introducing all those unsealed holes doesn't lead to to water infiltration and weakening the boot. Perhaps better to just coat the clip with polyurethane?
Easy enough to fill the holes, but I do wonder if coating it instead of removing would be the best of both worlds.
Well, those boots were really designed for motocross racing and not for adventure riding, where the bike never meets paved roads, but ruts, dirt, gravels and mud.
Removing them from O'NEAL Element boots... 😅
I've scratched my bike with that metal tip!! 🤬
Hm, technically this is an "un-tip", or maybe a "tip reveal"! Anyway, it's good... advice. :D
🤣
So your tip of the day is to loose the tip. 🥾
Just the tip
@@BretTkacs That is what I said.
@@illiyakuryakin3092 No, that is what she said.