August 4th, 2011, 01:46 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Jon
Location: Brampton
Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 Posts: 190
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Need advice on A* SMX 5 boots
Im looking to finally get myself some proper riding boots. Ive been riding in my nike high tops this year and after reading all these threads about people fakin their feet up in soooo many different ways its pushed me to the point where i want some good boots. I love the white Sidi Vertigo boots but dont have 500 bucks to spend on boots right now and my feet are a bit wide for these boots. So ive been looking at the A* SMX-5 boots, The reviews i have read online say these are good everyday riding boots and thats what i mostly do...No track days for me yet anyways im just wondering if anyone here has or had these boots and what they think of them
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August 4th, 2011, 01:58 PM | #2 |
n00b
Name: Jorge
Location: Perris, CA
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): Blue 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 581
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I saw those at Cycle Gear and I liked them, but I decided to go with the A* Roam Waterproof boots because they were waterproof and I think they were like 10 bucks cheaper. It might be an option for you if you can take a look at them.
Also, Cycle Gear has Bilt boots on sale for like 80 bucks...another option to consider... I don't mean to deviate from your OP but maybe it's something worth considering. I like the boots you mentioned though, they seem legit, sturdy, and should hold up. They aren't the best boots in the world but if you want them and can afford them now you should do it since it's better than riding in regular sneakers. |
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August 4th, 2011, 02:00 PM | #3 |
wat
Name: wat
Location: tustin/long beach
Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much.
Blog Entries: 5
MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14
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a* smx5's:
i have them. i love them. once broken in they're comfy, tho a little hot at times. they aren't waterproof, so riding through rain will leave your toes ever slightly damp. when tightened down the ankle protection hides under loose jeans. i've even dropped the rear wheel of a bike on my toe while unloading it and they protected me well... noticed that the bike was on my toe but really didn't bother me all the bad i've recently pushed a bike/walked about 3 miles in them. that being said, i wouldn't want to jog in them.
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August 4th, 2011, 02:05 PM | #4 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Jon
Location: Brampton
Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 Posts: 190
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Yeah i dont think id want to go for a jog in them lol. How do u find the ankle roll protection. I have not been able to try to boots on as no shops locally have them in stock. Also how is the size is it pretty close to your shoe size?? I have heard these boots fit a bit big i was going to order half size smaller than i wear in shoes
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August 4th, 2011, 02:10 PM | #5 |
wat
Name: wat
Location: tustin/long beach
Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much.
Blog Entries: 5
MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14
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they are maybe 2 or 3mm larger than my normal 11 shoe. ankle protection is pretty good when tightened. there are definitely better boots out there, but i paid a great price for mine. not sure what retail is... i think i remember them being like 200 retail or something... i paid around 140 or something like that for them
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August 4th, 2011, 02:11 PM | #6 | |
n00b
Name: Jorge
Location: Perris, CA
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): Blue 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 581
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Quote:
The ankle roll protection isn't the best, I feel like I can roll it if I really tried, but there isn't anything really there to protect it except for the thick materials wrapped tightly around your foot. Any real ankle protection is going to have some type of rod or bar going up the boot to prevent any bending at all in that area. These don't have it. Try them on in person, if there is any chance you could ride in water or rain then I would really recommend you pick the Roam boots because they are pretty much the same thing but one are waterproof and one aren't. |
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August 4th, 2011, 02:13 PM | #7 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Jon
Location: Brampton
Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 Posts: 190
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yeah they are 219.95 and seem to be the best quality boot in that price range. Did you get a size 11 boot aswell then(Alex)?? Would you say half size smaller is too drastic of a change and could possibly too small??
Im normally a 10 and was looking at getting a 9.5 that is offered online. I tried on a pair of technic boots or how ever its spelt and they felt like thin winter boots lol no kind of support at all, these seem to be stiff untill you really try and make them roll
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August 4th, 2011, 02:53 PM | #8 |
wat
Name: wat
Location: tustin/long beach
Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much.
Blog Entries: 5
MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14
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i was torn between the smx5's and a sidi boot that cost the same. i chose the a* because they seemed like they were more comfy but looking back i think i would choose the sidi's now. my foot is between 10.5 and 11, closer to 10.5 than 11 but slightly larger than 10.5 so normal shoes i wear 11. the 10.5 in the smx5 fit perfect so i got those. i would highly recommend either buying from somewhere with a great return policy or trying them on in store before committing
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August 4th, 2011, 03:00 PM | #9 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Jon
Location: Brampton
Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 Posts: 190
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Well i was going to get them from Ridersdiscount they have a good return/exchange policy. I tried on a pair of the sidi's and they were super tight on the sides on my feet becuz i have wide feet. They dont have any of these boots anywhere i have looked around here in stock otherwise i would have tried them on. Im the same as you alex my feet are inbetween 9.5 and 10 but 9.5 shoes dont fit me. I was going to order the 9.5 boots
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August 4th, 2011, 06:29 PM | #10 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Paul
Location: Atlanta, GA
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250R Posts: 48
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If you can find a way to pony up $400, get the Sidi ST boots. I have a wide foot and their size 14 fits snugly. I have thick toes so walking around in them is a strenuous, but I'm glad I have all the protection when I ride! Someone else was looking for suggestions on here for boots and someone recommended the STs as well. I tried on the A* boots you want in a size 14 at a Cyclegear and the fit wasn't comfortable.
I understand the budget scenario, I had to stop eating for a week to afford the STs, but my feet are worth it in case the worst happens. |
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August 4th, 2011, 07:11 PM | #11 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Mike
Location: Chantilly
Join Date: Aug 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250R SE Posts: 262
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I'd say go halfway and get the SIDI vertigo air. They dont have the side bars like the STs but they are good everyday street boots.
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August 4th, 2011, 08:04 PM | #12 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Brian
Location: Detroit, MI
Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Green Posts: A lot.
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TCX has a tendency to have a design for wider feet. If you have wide feet, I'd hightly recommend looking into them.
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August 4th, 2011, 08:42 PM | #13 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Kim
Location: mundo de ensueño
Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 250 Posts: A lot.
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You can search through the What's in your closet thread to see exactly which SMX boots I have, as I don't really remember, but I love mine. They are really comfortable and have great support. I've worked a full day on my feet in them and not had any problems - highly recommend them
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August 5th, 2011, 05:40 AM | #14 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Jon
Location: Brampton
Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 Posts: 190
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Thanks for all the advice everyone i tried the sidi's vertigo on this morning and they are still a bit narrow for my feet i find when im walking or just standing in them. They guy at the shop told me he has the SMX-5 in a 9.5 we compaired foot size's and have almost the exact same feet so i went ahead and ordered them thanks again everyone
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August 5th, 2011, 11:36 AM | #15 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Jon
Location: Brampton
Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 Posts: 190
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So I cancelled the order when the told me it was going to take 15-25 buisness days to get them shipped to me and i would also have to pay duties on them when they come across the bored so it would have been another 40 bucks or so and atleast a month untill i would get my boots. I went to some small bike shop the most unlikely place to have high end boots and they had everything i could want for boot selection. I tried on the sidi ST boots and they dont fit my feet at all WAY to narrow. I tried on some TCX i think they were called and they felt ok but the SMX-5 boots are most comfortable boots ive tried on. So i bought them, they were a little bit more than online but no duties and i dont have to wait for a month to get them. I have been wearing them around the office ever since i got them good thing there isnt too many people here today lol Thanks for all the advice on the boots i really like them and cant wait untill i can go for a ride in them
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August 5th, 2011, 12:13 PM | #16 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Binh
Location: N. Cali
Join Date: Oct 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2010 ninja 250 Posts: 85
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Congrats on the new boots, post a review on them after you put a lot of miles on them.
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August 5th, 2011, 03:33 PM | #17 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Jon
Location: Brampton
Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 Posts: 190
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So i went for my first ride with the boots tonight and first thoughts are i love them. Super comfortable and light no vibrations at all. The one thing i did notice tho was it seemed weird as hell to shift gears...I find i have to push my toes down otherwise i feel like i might upshift by accident is this just becuz the difference from shoes to real boots and how long did u take for you to become comfortable shifting after switching to boots?
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Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly |
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August 5th, 2011, 05:10 PM | #18 | |
Internet Slut
Name: Jeff
Location: L.A.
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 04 FZ1, 07 FZ6 Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
I have SMX-5's as well and I love them. On my 5 day moto trip to San Diego that was all I had. Spent 5 days at the zoo and sea world and had them on the entire time, feet felt fine but I have had them a while and they are well broken in. |
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August 5th, 2011, 06:36 PM | #19 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Keven
Location: San Diego
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250 Green, 00 R6 Posts: 160
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Quote:
Wow, now that i'm not so sure i could endure. Did you wear them with shorts? Hope mine get that comfortable. |
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August 6th, 2011, 10:17 AM | #20 |
Internet Slut
Name: Jeff
Location: L.A.
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 04 FZ1, 07 FZ6 Posts: A lot.
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No jeans and not once did I notice them. Once broken in they are very comfortable, the only issue is there is not much extra room in them so gel inserts caused them to be to tight around my feet so I had to take them out.
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September 15th, 2011, 11:15 PM | #21 |
ninjette.org member
Name: George
Location: North
Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 black 250r Posts: 29
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hi speeddemon.. i just came across this thread. quick question. what small shop did you buy the boots from? I live in stouffville and gp bikes/royal distributing is about 40kms..wondering if this shop is any closer to me.
thanx |
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September 17th, 2011, 07:26 PM | #22 |
ninjette.org member
Name: CJ
Location: Las Vegas NV
Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R, 2009 CRF230L, 1998 Honda VT1100c, 1974 Honda XL100, 07 Yamaha Wolverine 350, 06 ArticCat 250 Posts: 43
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My A*
I love them. They are comfy it is true they can get hot if just sitting around. To defeat this I open them up and leave them open until I need to ride again.
I can not say or input on any other brand since I have no others. I plan to try a couple of others but I am very happy with mine. |
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