Difference between motocross and racing boots

[aniladitya]

Hello Barf,

I recently started riding dirt. Currently i am riding with my dianese racing boots and i feel comfortable in them. However people asked me to buy motocross boots. What is the difference between motocross boots and race boots?

Cheers!

 

[Butch]

Dirtbike riding sees a different set of obstacles than street. Mostly more. Way more.

Depending on how you ride, there is a lot more toe, shin and sole contact. MX boots are built for that. You could trash your street boots in short order...

 

[ViperThreat]

My dirtbike boots feel like tanks next to my street boots. They have virtually no flex or give, but honestly that's what you want with dirt riding. As I'm sure you've probably already figured out, dritbikes is a bit more of an "impact" sport than street riding, and street boots aren't really built to take that kind of abuse.

Street boots are great for protecting you for one long slide at 130mph, and reasonably decent impact protectio. Dirt boots won't fare as well on the street due to their lack of flexibility, but they'll shatter rocks before they cave in.

 

[banshee01]

Get some good boots, good protection will minimize foot and ankle injuries. Like stated the motocross boots are stiffer with more protection. I really like the 2 sets of alpine stars I have owned.

 

[ColdOnes]

The difference is a broken ankle the first time you put your foot down hard in street boots on a dirt bike. Its worth the money for the proper gear.

 

[HadesOmega]

Dirtbike boots are very stiff and very tall like they said BOMB PROOF. Racing boots have plastic parts on them so you will slide also. You don't really need that for dirt riding. Also would be hard to ride say a sports bike with a dirtbike boot because it would be hard to operate the controls and it would be uncomfortable.

Then there's like an inbetween like a softer taller dirtbike boot. Like adventure riding boots or trials riding boots. They're softer so you can move your feet around more.

Personally on the street I use my Fox Comp5 shorty boots most of the time. They're a little taller than a street riding boot but shorter than a full size dirtbike boot.

Also you can have the best gear and still fall a certain way and still get injured. I was wearing Alpinestar Tech8 and I crash pretty hard going down a hill and broke my foot on the footpeg. The Tech8 is a top dollar dirtbike boot and it didn't save my foot, I suppose it could have been worse if I was wearing say tennis shoes.

 

[KooLaid]

buy real off road boots. You're gonna shatter your foot or ankle from bashing into a rock/root/stump. I've had several instances where other boots would of failed me. Basically imagine kicking a boulder at full speed with a leg out, you'll easily shatter your toes in street boots. Plus wait until it gets moist out later with mist and then rain....... You're gonna want dirt boots.

I was worried about the same thing you are with dexterity but then I went and bought the best boots I could afford which actually has super ankle flexibility with the built in hinge system. You'll find these on close out for around $300 but typically $500. It is worth every single penny. I can climb trails on foot while messing with bike or walk around camp without feeling like I'm in ski boots. I'm currently wearing Sidi X-3 boots and love it. My friends wear Alpinestar tech 10s and Fox Instinct boots. Either way, get something with a built in ankle hinge.

 

[stangmx13]

I bet top of the line road race boots are comparable in stiffness to dirt boots for lateral directions. my Dainese Axial Pros feel stiffer than any dirt boot I ever wore for that. but they've got a hinge and the sole is thinner. so other directions and rotations are definitely not as stiff.

theres no way in hell I would wear my Axial Pros for dirt. they'd get tore up so fast. the soles would wear fast and in the wrong spots. that'd be such a waste of $500.

 

[KooLaid]

Good point about the soles. My street pegs are mostly smooth or have rubber on them. However my KTM dirt pegs are like meat tenderizers. I can't even stand on the pegs in the garage with soft sole shoes or flip flops or they'll stab straight through under bodyweight.

 

[russ69]

Buy the best boot you can afford. Even the best is sometimes not enough when you jam your foot between a rock and a motorcycle.

 

[Sportbiker]

Get these if your size fits.

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/mpo/d/dublin-mx-boots-alpinestars-tech-6-size/6913500687.html

 

[Clem Kevin]

I once rolled my ankle out in the middle of Nevada on the Trans American Trail, damaging just about every muscle, tendon, and ligament. As long as I had my Alpinestars Tech 10's on, I felt no pain as they kept my ankle entirely stable. They're like wearing a comfortable cast that you can walk in.

Worth every penny.

If you want a brand that won't break the bank but will still be nice? Try Gearne.