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Best boots for < $300?
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Posted by: wanaride---------------------

I'm an average trail rider in the market for new boots. $300 is my limit for them. I have Thor T-30s now and a manufacturing defect has made them very uncomfortable to wear (when I first got them I didn't realize this). I only got them because they were cheap...now I can't stand to wear them.

I searched this forum and found tons of comments on the Sidi Force, Tech 8s, and Gaerne SG-10...so many comments that it is hard to figure out what to do next. My feet are normal width as far as I know, and I do have an arch.

Considering that I'm an average trail rider who will probably never do big jumps, and considering that I have $300 to spend on boots, what do you recommend I get?

Thanks for your help!

Posted by: SpectraSVT---------------------

Have you tried them on in a store yet? Thats your best bet.

I am partial to the Sidi SRS boots. I have a slim foot and high arch which made the tech 8's way too big and clumsy. I haven't tried the Gaerne's yet but most say the pivot is in the wrong spot and they feel weird. I like the SRS's slim profile and the ankle protection is top notch. Very lil break in also. Tech 8's are a pain to break in and my friends say they were down-right painful the first month. Almost everything but the bottom boot is replaceable on the Sidi's as well. Negatives on the Sidi's is that they tear up your bike. No real damage just cosmetic but after you put fresh airbox stickers on and in less than 1 hour they are completely worn thru, it gets annoying.

Posted by: rybo3---------------------

i like the tech-6's. they are about$220 or so, and are very comfy. i've never had a problem with mine.

Posted by: MX-727---------------------

You are probably going to just get more of the same with respect to these three boots, i.e. you will find recommendations for all three.

That said, I love the Tech 8. It is a stiff boot, which scares people off in the store. After you break them in they are very comfortable. The break-in took me two days. Just wear them, be careful during those rides and you will end up having a boot that lasts a long time. When I say "be careful," I want you to understand that until you get used to the boot and break it in, you may miss shifts and have a harder time finding the brake pedal.

My theory on the stiffness is that the boot breaks into comfortable vs. a softer initial boot which breaks into to the point of being flimsy. Not sure how this applies to the Garne or the Sidi, but I know that the cheaper boots tend to be comfortable in the store and useless in the support department after a few rides.

Posted by: mxjosh---------------------

My Tech 8's are three years old and holding up very well and never had a sole issue with them. If you decide on Tech 8's, make sure you get the 2004 models that have a redesigned bottom sole which eliminates the problem that some people had with the sole chunking. The new sole design is two color and the replacement area is almost 1/2 the sole verses the smaller replace area on the 2003 and earlier years.

Posted by: mac-1---------------------

IMHO, you cannot go wrong with either the Tech 8's or the new Garne SG-10's. I have both and find both to be comfortable and offer great protection. The SG-10's do seem to be more waterproof though

Posted by: rv6junkie---------------------

Tech-8's can be had below $300 new...and below $200 used

Posted by: Speeed---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by rv6junkie

and below $200 used

oh gawd, call me crazy but I would never buy a pair of used riding boots. I know how much I sweat in mine

I have tech 8's and live them but I know no different, never had another brand of boot.

Posted by: rickyd---------------------

Im partial too My Tech8's, but i would go too a dealer and see what is the best fit for you..
Rick

Posted by: MXP1MP---------------------

I love the tech 8's going on 3 yrs same pair now, I think I'd try and hold out for a while longer now that aplinestars has the new Tech 10's coming out to replace the tech 8's you could probably get them on a closeout special here in the not to distant future.

Posted by: GREENBEAN---------------------

Tech 8's for me - saved my feet from severe damage or breakage too many times to count. In wet riding they always give me wet feet tho...

Posted by: LukeRips---------------------

Not to add to the confusion because you can't go wrong with Tech8's but I have the Sidi Force TA and I love them. I'm still on the first pair and normally would have gone through 2 pair of Tech 8's by now.

Posted by: Shig---------------------

Hey Luke, sorry to hear about your leg. Get well soon! Do those Force TAs have a rigid sole like the other plastic Sidi's? The other Sidis I tried made me walk like I was wearing ski boots. How is the peg feel with a long-lasting sole? I've got a pair of Tech 8s and a two month old pair of Fox Formas that both need new soles.

Posted by: LukeRips---------------------

The leg is elevated right now, (Thanks for asking Shig) and thank god for all you guys (and girls) at DRN to give me someone to talk moto with while it heals. The Sidi trials type boot has a real rigid sole but mine don't seem to. They stick to the pegs really well maybe too well

Posted by: Patman---------------------

I love my T8's but they do take some getting use to. For bomb proof protection they are a great solution. That said if I'm going for a little light trail riding and plan to walk a bit (as in cutting trail) I wear my Gaerne Trials boots. They offer decent protection and are moe comfortable to walk in plus have the cleated (Vibram type) sole.

Posted by: Biker2B---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speeed

oh gawd, call me crazy but I would never buy a pair of used riding boots. I know how much I sweat in mine

I have tech 8's and live them but I know no different, never had another brand of boot.

Funny, I just bought a pair of used Tech 8s with the thought of buying new booties to replace the inside, and a good dose of Lysol

At least they're nice and broken in.

Posted by: wanaride---------------------

OK, many thanks to everyone who chimed in on this one. After reading tons of posts and the detailed comparison written by a orthopedic surgeon (there is a link to it around here somewhere ), I FINALLY chose Tech 8s.

I was really leaning towards the Sidi Flex Forces until I read a post from someone who had the toe box on his Sidis break in a collision with another rider. The Sidis may offer better/different ankle protection than the Tech 8s, but I haven't read a single post from someone who got hurt while wearing Tech 8s. (Of course, people will probably start sharing those experiences now that I've made the purchase!)

I also thought about the Gaerne SG-10s, but while many people loved them, I also read articles from people who didn't like the hinge action/placement on that boot, so that made me a little wary.

Regarding the Tech 6s, it appears that the people who really love them are those who haven't had the 8s; the reviews I've read from those who own both indicate the 8s are worth the extra money.

The only thing I've read that is negative about the 8s is that they are heavy and their soles need frequent replacing. Well, I'm hoping my 2004 pair with a new type of sole will do better in that dept. I'm sure there are good and bad points to any boots, but for now, I'm going to try out the Tech 8s...

The boots arrived today and I'm chomping at the bit to try them out tomorrow...again, thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences!

Posted by: Patman---------------------

Chad Reed got T-boned in Millville and when interviewed said "Yeah, my Tech 8... er 10's really did a good job of protecting my leg on that one...."

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Best boots for < $300?

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