Recommend me some boots (please)

[cbmotorsport]

My old Sidi vertigos have been fantastic. They're about 10 years old now, and very tired.

It's been a tough year, so only looking to spend around £150, but could stretch to £200 if pushed on a pair of sports/race boots.

Looking at TCX at the moment..any experience of these?

Thanks!

[the cueball]

I use TCX explorer boots for my everyday/winter wear.

Had them a few years now, they have stood up to the abuse really well and are still water tight.

I tend to give them a clean once a month and forgot about them.

[MrGman]

I’ve been really impressed with my sidi mag 1’s they’ve worn very well over 4 years I’ve had them, very comfy too, though they did take a while to loosen up.
If you shop about you’ll pick them up for £200 now. Quite a few places have them on eBay at that.

[trickywoo]

The TCX I had were very comfortable but I think because they had massive amounts of padding. The result was that the side zip didn't last long.

[Birky_41]

I'm a bit of a DAINESE TORQUE-OUT guy. They do a summer one, goretex version etc

I've had SIDI in the 00's just remember them squeaking a lot. Also got a set of Atar Supertech R for track - they are ok but just prefer the Dainese

I have 3 sets now. 1 summer, one goretex and one inner for track days. Toe slider design is good and doesn't kill the fitment if you accidently grind through (for me on track at times). They last years. First set is still going strong some 35k and 5 years on. Really comfy and built well. I think with a bit off fleabay hunting you can get for about 200 quid

[cbmotorsport]

Thanks all, some food for thought. I'll have a look at these.

[Wildfire]

If you can get them, Alpine Star SMX range is very good. I did around 40k in mine before the sole was shot. Conversely I've had 3 pars of SIDI go back in a year.

[SAS Tom]

Another vote for the alpinestars SMX range. Personally I think that alpinestars make some of the best boots you can buy and their after sales support is great.

[dibblecorse]

Another vote for SMX's, I have both the summer and the Goretex ones and they have been fantastic, decent fit (for me, always found Sidis a bit narrow).

The non Goretex ones were used for trackdays and commuting and no issues.

I also have a pair of Dainese In Boots but am on the second pair after the first started breaking up inside after just a few trackdays, second set were about 20 trackdays in before being stolen in the NL robbery, the 3rd pair are still new, just 3 days on them.

I don't think the SMX's can be beaten on price / value / quality, I even got my Mrs a set for pillion.

[XSRay900]

If you need a wider fitment then consider the TCX

[CAPP0]

I used a pair of Gaerne touring-ish boots for commuting for a good few years, they were £150-ish iirc and wore very well and remained waterproof, if Gaerne have anything in the style you're looking for.

[sociopath]

May not be what you're looking for but I'm still wearing my Altberg All-Weather hogs, had them over 15 years, still waterproof, still as comfortable as old boots, and they're British.

[Iminquarantine]

More touring than your Sidis: Alpinestars Web Goretex. Current pair about 7 years old. Comfortable, 100% waterproof.

[Bob_Defly]

Another vote for Alpinestars here. I have the SMX-3 and the Belize Drystar, really like them both.

[SteveFLS]

Another vote for Altberg here...

[airsafari87]

cbmotorsport said:

My old Sidi vertigos have been fantastic. They're about 10 years old now, and very tired.

It's been a tough year, so only looking to spend around £150, but could stretch to £200 if pushed on a pair of sports/race boots.

Looking at TCX at the moment..any experience of these?

Thanks!

I've been wearing TCX RT-Race Pro Air for about 5000 miles now and I absolutely love them.

They are comfier to wear than some of my trainers.
Stiff where they need to be.
Squeaky as buggery.
Well priced compared to the equivalent Alpinestars offerings.
And crash well too.

The only thing I can fault with them is the metal heel plate catches the swing arm on my bike occasionally, but that is more a fault of my foot position than it is the boots.

If I had to go out and buy another pair of boots tomorrow I would buy the exact same ones again without hesitation.

[wilbo83]

As they haven't been mentioned yet, I'll throw the RST paragon 2 WP into the mix. I've had mine for about 5 years now and they have been great.

[Speedy23]

If you don't mind the slightly MX type appearance, Sidi Couriers are great. I had a pair that lasted for 40k over 10 years, what actually wore out was the plastic heel cup. Just bought another pair so looking forward to next 10 years.

Only proviso is that they can be a bit snug, so if you are UK9 (43), go for a 44.

Because the Couriers were so good, I initially got a pair of Sidi Adventure 2 to replace them. Very, very comfy....but I couldn't change gear (FJR1300) so had to get another pair of Couriers instead.

Now I've got the boots, my bloody bike's just been put on recall for the gearbox repair. Oh well, 2021 awaits...