New boots causing problems

[landyandy]

Hi.

Finally, after 12 years, my trusty Frank Thomas boots have given up the unequal struggle with my feet. There was no Araldite fix for them this time.

So, with a heavy heart and an emptied bank account, I needed to invest in a suitable replacement.

I'd always fancied a motocross style of boot, and found at Kent Honda (out towards Dover) a pair of Alpinestars Tech 3 - ones that have the solid clasps (a bit like ski boots), so duly made the purchase.

After wandering around the house for a bit doing humourous impressions of Arnold Schwarzenegger (well, I thought it funny), I took them off and put them away.

Come the dreaded Monday morning commute to London, I eagerly put on my new boots, and waddled out to the garage. Once on board the Vara, I was dismayed to find that not only could I not flex my left foot sufficiently to hook the gearchange, there is sod all feeling, so it's hard to know if I'm just resting on the brake/gearchange lever, or about to cause the ABS to cut in!

I'm surprised at how much something like a pair of boots affects the riding - all of a sudden, those completely reflexive tasks now need to be considered (move foot out, point foot down, point foot down a bit more, lift leg up, wait for next gear to clunk in etc). Low speed manouvering has become a jolty affair, with operation of the rear brake resembling a switch-type movement.

I guess this is a long winded way of saying that I hope they wear in soon, otherwise, not only will I continue to ride like a complete amateur, I'll be renewing my allegiance with Araldite.

[YEN_POWELL]

Hi.

Finally, after 12 years, my trusty Frank Thomas boots have given up the unequal struggle with my feet. There was no Araldite fix for them this time.

So, with a heavy heart and an emptied bank account, I needed to invest in a suitable replacement.

I'd always fancied a motocross style of boot, and found at Kent Honda (out towards Dover) a pair of Alpinestars Tech 3 - ones that have the solid clasps (a bit like ski boots), so duly made the purchase.

After wandering around the house for a bit doing humourous impressions of Arnold Schwarzenegger (well, I thought it funny), I took them off and put them away.

Come the dreaded Monday morning commute to London, I eagerly put on my new boots, and waddled out to the garage. Once on board the Vara, I was dismayed to find that not only could I not flex my left foot sufficiently to hook the gearchange, there is sod all feeling, so it's hard to know if I'm just resting on the brake/gearchange lever, or about to cause the ABS to cut in!

I'm surprised at how much something like a pair of boots affects the riding - all of a sudden, those completely reflexive tasks now need to be considered (move foot out, point foot down, point foot down a bit more, lift leg up, wait for next gear to clunk in etc). Low speed manouvering has become a jolty affair, with operation of the rear brake resembling a switch-type movement.

I guess this is a long winded way of saying that I hope they wear in soon, otherwise, not only will I continue to ride like a complete amateur, I'll be renewing my allegiance with Araldite.

I've had this everytime I've got a new pair. I wouldn't even call in the supermarket on the way home cos I walked like I'd had a trouser accident. They do bed in eventually (then they're lovely)but it can be a long wait. Best motocross boots to get are 2nd hand, let someone else soften them up. This is why I repair rather than replace when possible.

[BARRIE]

soak in a bath of water over night [the boots] and walk around in them wet for a while or go for a ride the leather is softer when wet and breaks in easier works for me
BARRIE

[jasonbc]

Hi.

Finally, after 12 years, my trusty Frank Thomas boots have given up the unequal struggle with my feet. There was no Araldite fix for them this time.

So, with a heavy heart and an emptied bank account, I needed to invest in a suitable replacement.

I'd always fancied a motocross style of boot, and found at Kent Honda (out towards Dover) a pair of Alpinestars Tech 3 - ones that have the solid clasps (a bit like ski boots), so duly made the purchase.

After wandering around the house for a bit doing humourous impressions of Arnold Schwarzenegger (well, I thought it funny), I took them off and put them away.

Come the dreaded Monday morning commute to London, I eagerly put on my new boots, and waddled out to the garage. Once on board the Vara, I was dismayed to find that not only could I not flex my left foot sufficiently to hook the gearchange, there is sod all feeling, so it's hard to know if I'm just resting on the brake/gearchange lever, or about to cause the ABS to cut in!

I'm surprised at how much something like a pair of boots affects the riding - all of a sudden, those completely reflexive tasks now need to be considered (move foot out, point foot down, point foot down a bit more, lift leg up, wait for next gear to clunk in etc). Low speed manouvering has become a jolty affair, with operation of the rear brake resembling a switch-type movement.

I guess this is a long winded way of saying that I hope they wear in soon, otherwise, not only will I continue to ride like a complete amateur, I'll be renewing my allegiance with Araldite.

MY OFF ROAD BOOTS WERE LIKE THAT WHEN I GOT THEM ASWELL TAKE THEM OUT IN THE MUD AND **** GET STUCK IN THE WATER FOR A WHILE AND THEY'LL SOFTEN UN QUITE WELL. MINE DID !!!!!!!

[Rubberchicken]

Best motocross boots to get are 2nd hand, let someone else soften them up. This is why I repair rather than replace when possible.

Or go for trial boots instead, apparently.

I'm still going strong in my now sock-like daytonas...

[landyandy]

They're getting better now - still not quite broken in, even after 500 miles use, and much rain. Perhaps they'll improve next week ...

[YEN_POWELL]

They're getting better now - still not quite broken in, even after 500 miles use, and much rain. Perhaps they'll improve next week ...

It'll happen without you noticing. What WILL happen is you'll pick up a healthy fear of going through it again. I know people who are constantly on the look out for 2nd hand boots (I have a pair myself from the next door neighbour) because they are like comfy slippers and useable from the first second. I'm using the 2nd hand boots at the moment, until I find somewhere to resole my pair I last bought new. They've still got the clag on them from when I took Tom out greenlaning (see below). They love it at work when I slap them on top of the staff lockers since they got rid of full size secure storage.

[Pigglet]

I prefer daytona's for road riding, theyre so comfy straight out of the box and totally water proof but if you need an off-road type boot the BMW GS boot is pretty comfy due to the ankle hinge. There's much more give in them than a standard MX boot.
Trials boots are much softer but don't give mech torsional protection.

[alpslapper]

It'll happen without you noticing. What WILL happen is you'll pick up a healthy fear of going through it again. I know people who are constantly on the look out for 2nd hand boots (I have a pair myself from the next door neighbour) because they are like comfy slippers and useable from the first second. I'm using the 2nd hand boots at the moment, until I find somewhere to resole my pair I last bought new. They've still got the clag on them from when I took Tom out greenlaning (see below). They love it at work when I slap them on top of the staff lockers since they got rid of full size secure storage.

Ive just bought a new pair of mx boots - they look rediculus all clean and shiney. Ive kept all the clag on the bike from that ride coz it looks proper hard it does now lol lol

[YEN_POWELL]

Ive kept all the clag on the bike from that ride coz it looks proper hard it does now lol lol

I bet it has gone proper hard too. Everytime you go over a speed table (plenty of mine around Tredgar Road area ) you deposit a piece of essex clay on the road and the ickle seeds in the mud are blown into the local gardens where they germinate. It's a wonderful thing you're doing there.