SMX Plus Boots: Gore-Tex or Leather?

[EternalNewb]

Hey guys, I've been looking at getting some better boots (read as actually more protective) and I was just wondering if anyone had experiences/opinions on gore-tex versus leather? I've been looking at the Alpinestars SMX Plus as a nice normal ride/could be used at track if needed option. Any opinions? Or alternatives? I know that if I'm dropping cash on the SMX Plus, some Dainese models are also in the same price range, but I haven't seen a lot of feedback on Dainese boots, and the Alpinestars seem to offer more protection in terms of bang for buck....

[00NissanNinja]

You can't go wrong with the SMX-plus, its an awesome boot. Easily the most comfortable full length boot I've ever worn. Its so easy and comfortable to walk in that none of my other boots satisfy me at all. They also won't squeak if you get lucky (mine eventually started to). I'd just get the regular ones if you aren't expecting to ride in lots of heavy downpours. Gore-tex is really for waterproofing purposes, and most of the time I haven't ridden in rain long enough to get my boots soaked.

IMO they are more comfortable than daniese torque boots as well.

[Byakkotai]

Try em on and others on at a local shop if you haven't already. Does Astars run a retail front in Socal? I know Dainese has one in Costa Mesa. Dependent on local weather, consider the pros/cons of vented vs. waterproof. Regardless, Astars/Dainese are both great brands.

My TRQ Tour Gore-tex Dainese boot ran a little narrow out of the box but broke in only after one ride. It's held up fine in 40-75 F riding so far but haven't taken it out for rain. Really a good long distance boot and kind of looks like some of the other Dainese trackday offerings sans certain technicalities. Won't lie, chose Dainese for the overall look of their boots then started comparing between boots from there.

[EternalNewb]

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I've tried to check the boots out in person, but nobody seems to have them in my size. The closest I got was a standard SMX 5 boot, but I heard that the fit on the plus is a little different. I've been thinking of checking out the Dainese store in Costa Mesa, but fear for my bank account.

[Byakkotai]

Your wallet is going to take a hit anyway if you're looking into these technical boots Check out the D-store for closeouts too - sometimes they are cheaper than what you would find online (and you get to try it on ). D-store SF has a display bike you can also get on to see how the boots feels in a riding position, dunno about Orange County. Good luck on your quest!

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by 00NissanNinja

Easily the most comfortable full length boot I've ever worn.

the smx pro is slightly more comfortable than the plus. also the puma dainese's are more comfortable.

[EternalNewb]

Thanks a ton! I know my wallet is going to take a hit either way, but I fear going to the Dainese store more since there's a race jacket of theirs that I really want to buy. And then I might look at track suits. Hahaha.... I'll try to check it out though.

[alex.s]

the dainese "race leather" jacket is great. not as expensive as the avro but still pretty nice. it is my daily commuter jacket and i love it.

[EternalNewb]

Originally Posted by alex.s

the dainese "race leather" jacket is great. not as expensive as the avro but still pretty nice. it is my daily commuter jacket and i love it.

This one?
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/d...leather-jacket

[alex.s]

yeah, i have that in red/white/red

[EternalNewb]

That's the one I was looking at. Still up in the air about whether to get the white/red or black one though.

[LoneRonin]

I got the best of everything...minus the protection of a full track boot
Leather, Puma Goretex riding shoes.
They're not a full boot but I wear them to school and have even worked out in them, super comfy to wear all day and stylish as ****!!

[alex.s]

have fun breaking your ankle?

[EternalNewb]

Ugh, that's it! Nobody seems to have the SMX Plus or SMX Pro in my size in stock. Off to the Dainese store I go today... Lets see if they have the Puma boots in my size....

[DaveTheCanuck]

Doesn't Revzilla have a no questions asked/no restock fee return policy? You could always order a size and return/exchange them if they don't fit.

[EternalNewb]

Yes, but I don't want to go back and forth wasting money on shipping. Also, boots sooner than later would be great, since I'm not too keen on riding without full gear.

[alex.s]

cyclegear!
in store try on, 100% no questions return policy even if the item is used/damaged, they will even order a different size if they don't stock the right size and you dont have to pay for it if you dont want it once they get it in. (if it still doesn't fit right or you don't like the color or something)

their prices are about average (no ironpony %40 discount here) but paying a little extra is worth having a local store i think. if you still want to pay less, try everything out at cyclegear then buy the boots from ironpony AYC collection for super cheap.

[EternalNewb]

I'll try them again. Maybe the guy Iwas talking to was just having a bad day or something, but he told me they couldn't order the SMX plus anymore.

[alex.s]

i bought my smx plus boots from them. just tell them you want them to order this size... if they say they can't order, tell them order it or i wont shop here... they will order it.

if they still try to give you lip or a hassle ask to talk to the manager. some punk sales people wont sell if they think you will return it cause they waste their commission if you return it. thats what you gotta realize about cyclegear... the sales people are like car salesmen... just ignore them when they hover, and when you are ready, tell them what you want them to do at the counter.

[Byakkotai]

^^^

Read something a while ago about not being able to order things up over the phone if it's gonna be shipped to the store, gotta do it in person or something. Attracted a huge CG flame fest about other CG customer service stuff over at BARF if I remember correctly. It would have been helpful if the guy over the phone offered you alternatives to helping you get the SMX Plus instead of "no, we don't want your money"...

Anyhoos - D-store SF has a Black Friday 3 day sale of 15% off storewide (CG is offering the same deal on all reg priced items although you have to buy online). Wondering if the Orange County store has it as well?

[alex.s]

what shoe size do you wear?

http://www.ironpony.com/ironponydire...s-Mens/Class1/

[EternalNewb]

Haha, I'll do that if I don't find anything that fits (me and my budget) at the Dainese store. I'm still kinda keen on the jacket.
I wear a size 38, I think, since I noticed it changes based on the shoe. Thanks for the link to Ironpony, but the closest they have is the 39.

[alex.s]

these are a 38 and are closer to the shoe you linked..
http://www.ironpony.com/ironponydire...s-Mens/Class1/
a friend of mine wears and swears by these (which they have in a 38):
http://www.ironpony.com/ironponydire...s-Mens/Class1/

[EternalNewb]

@alex.s and @Byakkotai, you guys are awesome. Thanks for all the extra help. I think I'm going to go for a full boot, just to be on the safe side. I'm kind of in love with some of the Dainese boots I tried on today, but they were all too big. The closest they had was a 40... I'm looking online to see if I can find the Torque Out Pro in my size, but it doesn't look like its happening, so I may just have a local cyclegear order the SMX Plus for me, as per Alex's advice.

[rawbert625]

you can always go sidi. Lots of shops carry their stuff in store.

I bought the fusions and I love them!
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/sidi-fusion-boots

[EternalNewb]

Originally Posted by rawbert625

you can always go sidi. Lots of shops carry their stuff in store.

I bought the fusions and I love them!
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/sidi-fusion-boots

Thanks, I'll check them out. However, the problem is finding a place that has euro size 38 in stock.

[Byakkotai]

No problem dude! Keep us posted!

[EternalNewb]

Agggh, as I feared, I'm now somewhat in love with Dainese gear, and find myself wanting a one-piece, $500 boots, and other expensive goodies. Still considering the SMX-Plus and other boots though.

[alex.s]

i wear a used dainese race suit. i picked it up for $250 i think? needed some minor work done that i did myself; something to think about.
a friend of mine has a few JRs... they seem alright. joerocket suits are pretty good quality for the low pricetag they have. but nothing new with a good price tag is going to be as comfy as a dainese. not sure how practical a full one piece would be on the street.
sidi boots are pretty good too and much cheaper than dainese or a*.

[Byakkotai]

Not sure if you've completed the boot search a while ago or not...but I got this in an email like a day ago. $50 off retail, not sure if it'll go any lower - haven't been in this game that long

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street...lus_boots.html

[EternalNewb]

Thanks, Byakkotai! This is precisely the deal I've been waiting for. Just ordered them... after a debate on color. Hahaha.

[Byakkotai]

Very nice Hope they keep your feet happy for many riding seasons to come!

[tfkrocks]

I might have to take advantage of that deal. I noticed that Dainese, Sidi, and some others just don't make racing boots in smaller than a EU 40/Mens 7, which is disappointing cuz I fell in love with a pair of Dainese boots when I saw them in a store. I like the look of the Italian-made boots more but I guess it's just not meant to be. Oh well, A* is still good

[EternalNewb]

tfkrocks, I know!! I had the same problem when I checked out some Dainese and Sidi boots, but they don't make them in a small enough size.

[alex.s]

hey nice price on the smx plus... thats the boot i use on track and i love it. its a great boot. what color did you get

[EternalNewb]

I was torn between the black, white and red. I really wanted the white, but I ended up grabbing black, since it'll be my catch all boot (commuting and what not). Still resisting the temptation to pick up a second pair in white though....

[Byakkotai]

All the colors look good Vented black?

[EternalNewb]

So the boots just came in. Yay!
But they're kinda tight. I can fit into them and zip them up with a little difficulty, but they're definitely tight. Should I go a size up? I'm concerned about it being too loose if I do that though...

I guess a better question to those who have them would be, will they stretch with use/time?

[rawbert625]

Most leather boots will stretch as they're being broken in but for the most part motorcycle boots are supposed to be stiff. Is it extremely comfortable on your foot?

I'm sure @alex.s can give you a better answer though, being that he owns a pair.

I tried getting alplinestars boots before. They're way too narrow in the toe area for me. I ended up going sidi.

[EternalNewb]

I think I'm just going to keep them, and adopt the attitude that they'll fit like rollerblades or ice-skates. Thanks Robert!