I think I'm going to go with white. I know they look like go-go boots but I won't be walking around in them much. Just riding.

Alpine Stars S-MXlooks best IMO.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/36/77/ITEM/Alpinestars-S-MX-Plus-Racing-Boots.aspx

Puma 1000 v2 is best protection but weighs 3.5 lbs each. No white. :(

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/36/18190/ITEM/Puma-1000-v2-Boots.aspx

Sidi Vortices are ~$175 off of normal price which puts them lower than the A*s S-MX. Vortices are the most adjustable for foot and ankle size and all parts including the sole are replaceable. Buy once, wear for ever. The Vortice is a real PITA to get on and off but that's not my concern as I plan to use for track and sport riding.

http://www.newenough.com/street/closeouts/boots/sidi/closeout_vortice_motorcycle_boots.html

What do you say? I'm hopinging to order today. Will I get razzed for wearing white boots and leather pants on the street?

* Last updated by: Rook on 8/20/2010 @ 10:30 AM *

Rook, I had a pair of white Sidis. They were pretty cool, but I have a white suit.

However, of all the boots I have or had, the SMX+ is the most comfortable for long rides.

Look into the Falco brand. ( http://www.advancedmotorcyclegear.com )They fit and size like a Sidi boot. Here's my new pair:

* Last updated by: ZXSyko on 8/20/2010 @ 11:02 AM *

I have a black pair of Alpine stars,, the gore-tex model , I absolutly love them,, I can comfortably walk in them for hours on end aslo.. The only complaint I might have is that they are a little too blah cosmetically.

Thanks ZXS. The Falcos do look comfy and are priced right. They look like they offer some good ankle protection with that armored exterior. Good tip on the sidi A*s comfort also. Thanks.

Rook Wrote:

Will I get razzed for wearing white boots and leather pants on the street?

You tell me! I wonder what they will be say'n?

* Last updated by: CoolWhip on 8/20/2010 @ 2:41 PM *

Well, i meant riding on the street.

I'd go with black if I knew I had to walk around in them. \probably be going with something more sensible like what TaintedTattoo is recomending, too.

* Last updated by: Rook on 8/20/2010 @ 2:14 PM *

Weird. I had to go back and add/reedit my funny pic. It disappeared. ...just toy'n with ya Rook.

I will never own anything other than sidi's again!

That is a good pic with the go-go boots.

I did not know they made a Brokeback Mountain for motorcycles.

Don't worry, I can take a little ribbing for wearing white boots. $175 off. I can almost afford a second pare to wear for less intense riding.

I think I'm getting the Sidi Votices!

WHITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I "try" to think these things through....I bought a pair of SMX 5's.VERY NICE.Black.Plenty of protection.Although they're really good boots...they were still "clunky".I bought a pair of TCX boots from Superstore.They're not racing boots so to speak.They offer protection over the ankle bones.They are VERY COMFORTABLE.They will NOT save my foot if the conditions are just right.

I figure this way.If I crash,I want my ankle to be saved.These will do that.However,buying a spendy(and I have) set of "race boots"...well,what kind of wreck are we talkin?The only thing I could justify having a set of race boots for(for me I mean) would be obviously going racing on the track. IF I nailed a guardrail,and caught my foot between the posts or some kind of crash like that.Wedging yer leg between something while sliding or whatever....yer lower leg's gonna snap or worse.Race boots can't cover your knee area,and just below it.I can't envision just now having a lowside at speed,any speed,and having myself get caught UNDER my bike.Hitting an oncoming car....boots wouldn't save ya no way.Even a sideswipe,you'd most likely LOSE yer whole leg anyway...IF you lived.Yer probably gonna be dead no matter what yer wearin.Hit a tree....major body damage...maybe you'll live.Race boots "might" save ya from a lower leg fracture(maybe).Sliding or rolling on the pavement or skidding with yer body....raceboots will stabilize yer foot,but not any better I'm thinkin that a set of quality over the ankle riding boots.I don't wear my SMX 5's anymore.They're good...but too stiff and such for me.My TCX's are like shoes feeling,but quite sturdy for the possible crunch.They don't seem like they'd crush easily.Nor bend and flex enough to allow a snap of the bones.I really like em...Good grip...nice sole, soft inside.They kinda look "light" built...but they're plenty thick and rigid at the important flex areas.Probably NONE of us(I hope and pray)will ever get into a highside at 170.Or any other serious crunch similar to track riders.I guess if ya walk away and yer lower leg's okay wearin race boots,the proof of their protection is pretty obvious?

* Last updated by: blue07 on 8/20/2010 @ 6:14 PM *

That guy in the pic...aint that Mr.Honda?

Looks like Mr. July. The black socks are a nice touch.

Race boots can't cover your knee area,and just below it.

Actually, If you have boots and pants with knee armor, that is going to cover most of the frontal lower leg from toe to knee

I'm no expert, but i'd put good foot /ankle gear at just a little less important than leather or kevlar pants and jacket. If you go down, you know that stuff is going to save you from abrasion. Abrasion usually isn't a cause of death but who wants to get abraded? As far as the hyperextension/flexion/pronation/suppination, I really don't know how likely that is to happen unless you hit something. Like you say, Blue, if you hit stuff your in serious sh!t with or without gear.

Thanks for the info about encumbrance of boots. I often wondered about that. Seems like they would need to allow sensitivity and good mobility since we use our feet to shift and brake on the track. I guess there is a trade off with that. The highest level of protection is going to be heavy and clumsy. (but so is a prosthetic leg!)

I wont ride without my sidi "race boots", had a buddy eat shit BAD last Saturday and he tried to get away with just riding "shoe" style boots. And now he is looking at three fractures in his ankle ands they are gonna have to operate to get the fragments out before they fuse his ankle!

Came across this thread from last year.

https://zx14ninjaforum.com/messages.cfm?threadid=085B0615-1372-66AE-3B19CFCC277C1839

Ya...I don't wear those Ugg boots anymore.I never actually expected em to really protect my leg/foot/ankle.No way.But they were "cool lookin"(kinda like the harley deal ya know...the bandana thing).It looks to me like most of the pics I've seen of guys legs busted up here,and even on some of those Moto GP and such crashes...the snap point appears to be just below the knee area or midway down the lower leg.I'm kinda leery of wearin a boot that at the top of it,it is FIRM stout plastic.And stopping right at the area they stop at up the leg.Seems like THAT's where the fulcrum point ends up bein...the bone flexes there at the top of the boot(which isn't really made to "give" right there).So the boot wins out,the bones snap...and it's UGLY.If ya look at some of those high side wrecks,where the guy breaks his leg...the flopping leg is broken at the boot top.Not good.Off the shelf pants with "CE" armor around the knee IMO is useless except for not allowing the impact if directly on it to be severe.It will absorb and protect.But it most likely is gonna move anyway,and yer bone's gonna take a hit.I think just by lookin anyway,that the safest and most effective "armor" would be those MX undersuits that have the shin armor going down the length of the leg at the front,and same as the arm armor.Kinda wraps around and secures the bones along their length.THAT's what I would think is the BEST overall protection for keeping bones from breaking.I don't know of ANY streetbike riders who wear those undergarment "suits".In truth...when I ride...in the back of my mind,I'm thinkin quite often.."now what if this guy coming here crosses that line...WHAT am I gonna do?"Or other stuff like that.I "kind of" in a way think it could happen just about any time during my rides.I'm not really afraid of what could happen,more like..."what do I do "IF" this or that occurs.But it doesn't ruin my ride...not at all.I actually feel safer when I'm thinkin like that.Kinda weird I know.

Leather to me is the best protection for slides and punctures.But without stiff strong armor under there...it aint gonna stop bone breakage...not at all.If I hit somethin at 90, or even lower....I'm gonna be hurtin no doubt.It probably won't be scrapes and rash that really messes me up.I think the high speed slide...as long as ya don't smack somethin along the way...is VERY survivable..IF you can somehow keep yer head about ya and relax.Hard to relax when you're facin possible death I know,but sliding won't kill ya.I don't expect to survive an impact from the front or side,or sideswipe...stuff like that.I really don't.If I did survive...it would definitely have to be classed as a miracle...cause I can't really imagine NOT being able to somehow get out of a medium speed encounter.Mine would most likely be at 100 or more.I doubt I'd make it through that.I'm gonna lay er down hopefully BEFORE I hit somethin comin at me.Or at least head away from it,and be changin direction at impact.Shit happens so fast....it's really a lot of chance and circumstance with crashing.And bein STOOPID (here's the mirror)

* Last updated by: blue07 on 8/22/2010 @ 10:18 PM *

wrong blue07 if your theory is right! then why did my leg get totally saved below the femur nuckel, I even snapped off the foot/peg/brake assembly denting the extension pipe with the impact So I would definately endorse wearing my sidi b2's and had I wore my armored pants that day it damn well could have reduced the butchers job I had done to myself ! Notice wear the top of the boot would be !!!!

BELOW THE KNEE SURE ABOUT THAT !

* Last updated by: bean07 on 8/23/2010 @ 5:25 AM *

Rook - I wear the Alpinestars S-MX racing boots (vented) and they're definitely a cut above all the other ones I've owned. Not only do they vent well, they're comfortable enough to wear around out in public and no need in wearing them in enough to ride ok. They fit right off the bat with no superfluous stiffness. What's also nice about mine is that they have a portion just above the heel that's highly reflective for better visibility at night. They're just so comfortable. Lastly, one of the features I really like is that, not only does the whole side of the boot come apart for easy ingress/egress, they have removable toe guards. I continue to be impressed with them to this day.

I had a pair of Sidi's that I actually ended up returning because they were just too stiff (wouldn't even allow me to push my foot forward enough to shift without forcing it), but your mileage may vary. I'll just say I'd be hard-pressed to go with another brand of boot in the future.

Rook, I have both pair you are looking at if you have a wide foot stay away from the Puma 1000. The Puma offers more protection in the ankle, heel and shin area then the SMX Plus. The problem with the Puma 1000s is they are not very street friendly meaning the soles are thin and the boot is very stiff. The Puma really is just an all out no compromise race boot so I only wear them during trackdays. They are also a bastard to get on and even more of bastard to get off. I wear the Alpinestars SMX Plus on the street they offer lots of protection and are way more street friendly than the Puma 1000s.I know lots of people who wear the SMX Plus boots as track boots but I really think the Puma is the better boot for that purpose.

* Last updated by: willidx4 on 8/23/2010 @ 8:13 AM *

WOW! THanks for the input guys. Bean, I knew there was something working on my subconscious telling me to get those boots.

Loaded and Will, Thanks, I'll be ordering the S-MX Plus today. It's going to hurt to let that $175 discount sale price on the Sidis go. That is a nice bargain on a great boot but many more buyer reviews (not to many gripes except for the sqeaky soles) have been written on the S-MX+ and that tells me it is a more popular choice. I'll actually spend $50 more on the S-MX+ but I like the simpler look better than the Vortice. Also like the back and side heal sliders. I have no doubt the S-MX+ will be easier to get on than the Sidi. I'm going with white. Hope I don't regret that choice.

BTW, how do you like the rest of my gear?

* Last updated by: Rook on 8/23/2010 @ 8:43 AM *

Rook - let me know after you've had a chance to ride in your shiny new Alpinestars boots. I think you're going to be blown away at how comfortable they are.

;) Sure, loaded. It will be my first set of motorcycle specific boots but I'll write up a little review. Maybe I'll be able to get my buds to do the same. Here's me and my pose`. I really wish they would stop taking that video camera to bike nights.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIRQf0S3oD0&feature=player_embedded#!

lol

Well...every wreck is different.I was just goin by the vids I've seen of endos and broken legs.I'm really glad ya didn't get yer lower leg snapped.I'm no physicist.What snaps a bone in one person may not in a another.Just heal up well...and I'm glad you lived through it Bro!BTW...what boots WERE you wearing?

* Last updated by: blue07 on 8/23/2010 @ 12:48 PM *

blue07; this is why we all learn by our mistakes, it's to learn/friendship and Comeradery my alternite future, is to see my mates i'm talking to now,that is my best dream! I thought I was the 6 million $$$ man! obviosly I aint,but nothin will ever slow me down, eccept death !!

o yer SIDIR2 AND I started moving my ankle 3 days before/after surgery/still

* Last updated by: bean07 on 8/23/2010 @ 8:08 PM *