Thanks for taking the time to share your experience. I’ve been contemplating these boots for over a year now. I wish they had a little bit of extra plastic along the sides off the boot. Do the soles have any flex? I have the Gaerne Fastback Enduro boots and the soles hardly bend at all. I would assume these are similar.
Though I have not tried the fastback I do have Gaerne sg12s as well and I think think the soles on these are much more pliable/flexible. The dakars do have some flex to the soles. Not to say they are soft but you can walk in them more easily. More similar to a very sturdy work boot. Whereas the sg12 has almost no flex at all.
When you comment, "Your're definitely not gonna be doing any hiking in these!" You are simply WRONG! I did a mountain climbing in those shoes and they worked fantastic! I walked approx 4km up Prekestolen in Norway wearing full gear including the Gaerne shoes and they worked "FANTASTIC!" Just try and do the walk instead of the talk!
Sorry we Americans are prone to a little exaggeration for effect. I was not being literal. Yes technically you can hike in these and full motorcycle gear. But would I choose to hike in these? for me no they weigh to much and limit my mobility too much. I also wouldn't wear the rest of my moto gear hiking. I should also say for me a hike is more in the 4-8 mile range (9-17 km). I've walked 1-2 miles around towns and out in nature. Anyway hope you keep it up. I'm supportive of whatever approach you take that gets you outdoors doing stuff.
Out of the box the didn’t squeak but within a few weeks of use the do squeak a bit especially in warmer weather. Not crazy loud or anything but enough that you notice if you’re walking around town in them. I’ve tried spraying a little silicon lubricant around the pivot hinge area and that does help quiet them for a few weeks. I would still buy them again despite the squeaking.
Thanks for taking the time to share your experience. I’ve been contemplating these boots for over a year now. I wish they had a little bit of extra plastic along the sides off the boot. Do the soles have any flex? I have the Gaerne Fastback Enduro boots and the soles hardly bend at all. I would assume these are similar.
Though I have not tried the fastback I do have Gaerne sg12s as well and I think think the soles on these are much more pliable/flexible. The dakars do have some flex to the soles. Not to say they are soft but you can walk in them more easily. More similar to a very sturdy work boot. Whereas the sg12 has almost no flex at all.
When you comment, "Your're definitely not gonna be doing any hiking in these!" You are simply WRONG! I did a mountain climbing in those shoes and they worked fantastic! I walked approx 4km up Prekestolen in Norway wearing full gear including the Gaerne shoes and they worked "FANTASTIC!" Just try and do the walk instead of the talk!
Sorry we Americans are prone to a little exaggeration for effect. I was not being literal. Yes technically you can hike in these and full motorcycle gear. But would I choose to hike in these? for me no they weigh to much and limit my mobility too much. I also wouldn't wear the rest of my moto gear hiking.
I should also say for me a hike is more in the 4-8 mile range (9-17 km). I've walked 1-2 miles around towns and out in nature.
Anyway hope you keep it up. I'm supportive of whatever approach you take that gets you outdoors doing stuff.
Hello, do the boots squeak while walking? Thanks for your response
Out of the box the didn’t squeak but within a few weeks of use the do squeak a bit especially in warmer weather. Not crazy loud or anything but enough that you notice if you’re walking around town in them. I’ve tried spraying a little silicon lubricant around the pivot hinge area and that does help quiet them for a few weeks. I would still buy them again despite the squeaking.
What material is the shifter pad made of?
Appears to be a rubber material. Feels grippy and sturdy. It’s stitched onto the boot from what I can see.
Just go and buy the Gaerne Fastback...get on your bike and go !!!
No doubt fastbacks look great. Until I wear them out I’ll stick with the Dakars for my road touring and my SG12s for pure dirt.