Need your help finding cheap boots!

[djpharoah]

Update - after talking to the guy with the new Oxtars (he bought two pairs but got two sizes) I've decided to pass on them. He said they were a full race/track boot and walking in them would be hell beyond a certain point.

So I'm back onto the Setups or what about Icons? I mean at the $100 level how are those icons?

[TrueFaith]

Originally Posted by djpharoah

Guys looks like I've decided to spend a bit more and get either a pair of Oxtar Evo RXs or Setup by Sidi Vision boots. Both boots are discontinued due to the renaming of the brand. Wish me luck! Cannot wait - I've been riding with sneakers the past 2 days and I hate the feeling of tempting fate. I feel so...squid like

You really ARE tempting fate too. Crash with sneakers and the road rash on your ankle will still be healing (and hurt like hell) long after the rest of you has recovered.

[miks]

Thats what he said. Did you try the Oxtars on? Maybe you would have found them comfortable, and remember that most boots need to be broken in.

As for the Icon, I'm still intrigued, c'mon Icon owners - how are those shoes?

[miks]

Originally Posted by TrueFaith

You really ARE tempting fate too. Crash with sneakers and the road rash on your ankle will still be healing (and hurt like hell) long after the rest of you has recovered.

Also, crashing in sneakers theres a BIG chance that not only your ankle will suffer from road rash, but will be smashed up into a bajillion little pieces.

[kkim]

Originally Posted by djpharoah

Update - after talking to the guy with the new Oxtars (he bought two pairs but got two sizes) I've decided to pass on them. He said they were a full race/track boot and walking in them would be hell beyond a certain point.

what guy in which oxtars?

[djpharoah]

Wayne - I'm wearing for the last couple of days a pair of old boots, figure its a smidge better than basketball sneaks.

Mike - haven't tried on the Oxtars - but I did try on a similar race boot (A*s SMX-5) at a cycle gear store. It was fairly stiff - dont know how much to compensate for the breaking in process.

[djpharoah]

Originally Posted by kkim

what guy in which oxtars?

The Oxtars I was looking at was from a guy who bought 2 pairs of Size 44 when they were being closed out (Oxtar Evo RX) but got one Size 44 and one 46 (my size).

He said for a whole day of walking around it might be horrible and that I should get maybe lower end riding boots or commuter boots.

Those setups are looking pretty good right now..

[TrueFaith]

Originally Posted by miks

Also, crashing in sneakers theres a BIG chance that not only your ankle will suffer from road rash, but will be smashed up into a bajillion little pieces.

Well, I can think of a few guys who's ankles exploded even though they were wearing the best boots on the market, but it's at least FAR less likely you'll need pins and screws to hold it together with a good boot.

[miks]

Originally Posted by TrueFaith

Well, I can think of a few guys who's ankles exploded even though they were wearing the best boots on the market, but it's at least FAR less likely you'll need pins and screws to hold it together with a good boot.

Oh my, exploding ankles even with high quality boots?! That must have been a crazy ass crash. Hope they're okay.

[sometimesido]

Jeebus, where is that picture of a purple foot someone posted in another thread?

[djpharoah]

Arggg - decisions decisions.

1) Oxtar Evo RX (full race boot)
2) Setup Vision (full race -but like a commuter)
3) Icons of some kind.

[sometimesido]

My vote is whatever choice that has better protection and Chuck Taylors folded and carried in a bag.

[miks]

I've read many reviews on the net about Icon boots, many people say its too chunky and find it hard to fit under gear lever. Anyone care to help?

But, IMO they look good, like a casual shoe would look, and the protection on them looks half decent.

[TrueFaith]

Originally Posted by miks

Oh my, exploding ankles even with high quality boots?! That must have been a crazy ass crash. Hope they're okay.

I was thinking of JT over on KawiForums. he crashed at like 90mph last year with full gear and very expensive racing boots and is still recovering from numerous surgeries (including a lot of pins) to his ankle. He bought a new bike and is almost fully healed now, but it took all winter. There was another crash a few years ago where a guy with heavy protective street boots hit the curb feet first and actually tore one of his feet clean off. Good boots are undeniably a must for riding, but it all depends on your velocity and how you impact when you go down. The very best protective gear will not save you from ALL accidents and even if you're an ATGATT guy it bears keeping that in mind every time you ride.

[djpharoah]

Originally Posted by sometimesido

My vote is whatever choice that has better protection and Chuck Taylors folded and carried in a bag.

Thats what I'm thinking but then I've got even more weight weighing me down.

I think the Setups are probably the better compromise for me as they aren't fully armored so they are comfy but they have ankle armor which the icons' really dont.

.....i hate buying gear..

[sometimesido]

Originally Posted by djpharoah

Thats what I'm thinking but then I've got even more weight weighing me down.

I think the Setups are probably the better compromise for me as they aren't fully armored so they are comfy but they have ankle armor which the icons' really dont.

.....i hate buying gear..

backpack and a net in the back seat!

[djpharoah]

Originally Posted by sometimesido

backpack and a net in the back seat!

Yeah not really feasible cuz I'm carrying quite a bit of books, a laptop etc. Don't think adding 20lbs of boots is gonna help.

[sometimesido]

i don't know about other boots mentioned, but the tcx ss weigh 710 grams (1 lb., 9-1/8 oz.) each.

[djpharoah]

Originally Posted by sometimesido

i don't know about other boots mentioned, but the tcx ss weigh 710 grams (1 lb., 9-1/8 oz.) each.

still dont think its really that feasible - im already carrying a helmet+gloves in one hand. Will decide in a bit.

[miks]

Have you got a link to these Setup Vision boots, I did a quick Google search and they look awesome, but I don't know if its the same boot.

[djpharoah]

[Blue Ninja 250R]

Mesh, can't you just leave a pair of shoes at school and another at where you work? (I'm sure you have more then 2 pairs of shoes). by that you can buy whatever boots you like and don't need to wear them except riding. Just my

[miks]

The exact pair I saw on google, they look sweet. Pretty sure they would provide decent protection by the looks of them.

So if you do get these, what colour mate?

Just read a few reviews, they seem to be comfy and provide protection, but the down side is their ventilation.

Oh well, sweaty feet or broken feet? I'd have the sweaty feet please.

Just found out that Vision is Sidi's sister company, made under the same roof kind of thing. Thats always a plus.

[djpharoah]

Originally Posted by Blue Ninja 250R

Mesh, can't you just leave a pair of shoes at school and another at where you work? (I'm sure you have more then 2 pairs of shoes). by that you can buy whatever boots you like and don't need to wear them except riding. Just my

I'd like to but there are no lockers at university. Ideally that would be my plan but with no office/locker etc its too much of a hassle.

Originally Posted by miks

The exact pair I saw on google, they look sweet. Pretty sure they would provide decent protection by the looks of them.

So if you do get these, what colour mate?

Just read a few reviews, they seem to be comfy and provide protection, but the down side is their ventilation.

Oh well, sweaty feet or broken feet? I'd have the sweaty feet please.

Just found out that Vision is Sidi's sister company, made under the same roof kind of thing. Thats always a plus.

They were actually produced by Sidi in Romania to keep costs down. Setup was Sidi's budget/lower end line up. However due to the falling dollar they were axed - I'm sure it had something to do with people buying setups' instead of Sidis.

I'd get the blue ones as they match my gear.

[miks]

So have you decided? And where are you going to purchase these from?

[djpharoah]

Mike - most likely going with the blue Setups. I think they'd be perfect for my type of riding which is 95% commuting to work+school and 5% joy riding in the hills.

[kkim]

Originally Posted by djpharoah

They were actually produced by Sidi in Romania to keep costs down. Setup was Sidi's budget/lower end line up. However due to the falling dollar they were axed - I'm sure it had something to do with people buying setups' instead of Sidis.

did you see me post earlier setups are made in the far east? that's how they kept the cost down.

[miks]

Well in that case, get off the computer and go buy them . Just found out that they were not available from NewEnough. Must be quite hard to find a pair.

[djpharoah]

Originally Posted by kkim

did you see me post earlier setups are made in the far east? that's how they kept the cost down.

Yeah I saw that - but have heard otherwise too. I mean honestly for the price range I'm talking whats not made in the far east

[kkim]

Originally Posted by djpharoah

Yeah I saw that - but have heard otherwise too. I mean honestly for the price range I'm talking whats not made in the far east

the tags on my setups told me they were made in the far east. not knocking anything about those countries... just trying to keep people who read this thread from thinking they are going to get a European SIDI boot at that price if they purchase the setups.

I think you've found your boot... what are you waiting for?

[djpharoah]

Originally Posted by kkim

I think you've found your boot... what are you waiting for?

Paycheck to clear tonight

[TrueFaith]

How can anyone knock Far East footwear manufacturing? I mean isn't that where Nikes and most quality running shoes are made? And if you're thinking of buying Sidi, I believe they are made from European lasts that are typically more narrow than American lasts. That means they fit narrower feet and if yours is wide fit may be a problem. I wouldn't buy a pair of European-made boots without trying on a similar pair at a local bike shop first.

[djpharoah]

I'd love to try them out - thing is only stuff carried out here in the stores are the top of the line Sidis and A*s. At this price I guess its a gamble. One thing I did get is my EU shoe size.

[kkim]

who's knocking far east footwear manufacturing? was that directed at me?

and boot companies are not like shoe companies which offer a range of widths in the same sizes, but there are certain manufactures that start with a wider foot pattern than others, european or not. SIDI are noted to fit narrower feet. Oxtar=TCX are also made in Europe and use a wide foot pattern. A* typically lay somewhere between the two.

European or far east... you need to know what companies offers what and buy accordingly in stead of bunching them all together. If you buy online, search out a firm that will exchange goods w/o a lot of hassle.... that's why I highly recommend newenough, again and again.

[kkim]

Originally Posted by djpharoah

I'd love to try them out - thing is only stuff carried out here in the stores are the top of the line Sidis and A*s. At this price I guess its a gamble. One thing I did get is my EU shoe size.

it doesn't need to be a gamble. do you even know your shoe size and width? if the store has SIDIs go try them on and see how they compare to the A* you tried earlier. The SIDIs should be similar to the setups in terms of width.

[djpharoah]

Originally Posted by kkim

it doesn't need to be a gamble. do you even know your shoe size and width? if the store has SIDIs go try them on and see how they compare to the A* you tried earlier. The SIDIs should be similar to the setups in terms of width.

They had like 1 pair of Sidis which were a size 8 or something. Not really the best in terms of boot selection.

[TrueFaith]

Originally Posted by kkim

who's knocking far east footwear manufacturing? was that directed at me?

C'mon Kelly. You know by now that I'd never "direct" anything your way that wasn't a compliment. If anything, I was reinterating what you said and giving my reasons for it. Things have gotten a lot better lately, but it used to be that if you bought any Italian boot you'd better have skinny feet. Now that boots are made all over the place it's less common, but I'd still want to try on any boot before I'd order it online. And the Euro/US sizing thing is still a big PITA. Half the time the conversion charts on gear websites aren't even close!

[kkim]

yeah, with MC boots it is a real PITA trying to figure out what will fit and what won't. It makes it a bit easier that the companies make their widths based on what they feel their market is. I was just trying to pass on what little I know about boot companies based on what experience I've had recently with street bike boots.

I agree with you, though, that trying them on is the best thing to do, but for many, that option just doesn't exist... at least not for me.

Based on what I think I've learned about boot companies and my feet, I have two pairs of TCX boots on their way from newenough.

You can be sure if I need to modify my ideas based on what I learn from them, I will be sure to let the forum know.

[TrueFaith]

Originally Posted by kkim

yeah, with MC boots it is a real PITA trying to figure out what will fit and what won't. It makes it a bit easier that the companies make their widths based on what they feel their market is. I was just trying to pass on what little I know about boot companies based on what experience I've had recently with street bike boots.

I agree with you, though, that trying them on is the best thing to do, but for many, that option just doesn't exist... at least not for me.

Based on what I think I've learned about boot companies and my feet, I have two pairs of TCX boots on their way from newenough.

You can be sure if I need to modify my ideas based on what I learn from them, I will be sure to let the forum know.

I find that the "reviews" of products by buyers that most web sellers have are an invaluable tool when buying online. Many times I will think I've figured out the correct Euro/US size conversion for me from the charts, only to find I'm totally wrong when I read comments from past buyers. Comments like "I recommend buying one size smaller/larger than you normally would" or "this product runs big/small" are where you really nail down the correct size. Nothing beats trying something on first, but if you really do your reasearch on a product you're less likely to be dissapointed when they arrive in the mail. It's also a priority to insure the seller has a liberal return policy. Otherwise, you'll be

[miks]

Originally Posted by djpharoah

Paycheck to clear tonight

Remember to do a little review when you get them, and post pictures