Thinking about new boots... Oxtar or Setup or...???

[SpecialisTX]

so im thinking about getting a new pair of riding boots as the tennis shoes have gotta go...

ive found a pair of oxtar evo ti boots for 180$ + tax and shipping and ive been looking into the setup vision boots as well for about 113$ + tax and shipping. what i want to ask is if i should pick up the oxtars since they seem to provide a little more better protection but for a little under 70$ more. it seems that the evo tis are discontinued since they arent on the oxtar website anymore. the newer ones are the tcs evo rx boots and ive seen them go for around 250$. do any of you have any suggestions for better boots for the price? if not, which should i go with. any outside recommendations other than the choices ive put out are welcomed, and if possible, a general idea of prices and benefits too please. thanks all!

[SilverRider]

What is going to be the main purpose for your footwear? Are you just riding in them or are you going to be doing a lot of walking as well? Some boots are not too friendly for walking far but will provide better protection for unexpected get offs. Some boots are comfy for walking and riding, little less protection but if they are a pain to walk in and you don't wear them all of the time then you might be defeating the objective in the first place. I like the Alpinestar SMX boots. They are comfy to ride in and walk around in. They are not as expensive as the higher end boots. I would say they are in the top 3/4 as far as quality and protection. My next pair of boots (for riding only) are going to be the Sidi Vertigo Corsa boots. They have great protection and a nice heel cup to hold your heel from lifting as you toe in to your pegs. They are expensive but protection is top notch. I am not to sure about the boots you have listed. I have not tried those personaly.

[TreAdidas]

+1

Depends on what you need them for.

Personally I cherish the use of my ankles. Plus the ankles are pretty complex and have a rather demanding job relative to other part of your body. I take ankle and foot protection VERY seriously.

Seems like you're looking into race style boots as it is. This is good. You can go for a "touring" style boot that offers a lower amount of protection. Me? I just take a backpack with my street/office kicks in it.

Like SilverRider, I'm partial to the SIDI Vertigo boots (http://www.buymoto.com/Sidi_Vertigo_p/sidivertigo.htm), or the SIDI Vertigo Corsa boots (http://www.buymoto.com/Sidi_Vertigo_Corsa_p/sidivertigocorsa.htm)as are most riders on this forum.

One of the primary reasons is the SIDI's are adjustable to achieve good fit. This is useful for guys like me who have chicken legs as well as those who have ginormous calves. Most boots do a poor job of accommodating this. The SIDI's have unparalleled ventilation, which is not the case with the boots you've listed.

The SIDI Vertigo Corsas are nice because they add a brace system that protects against lateral motion in your ankle, as well as crush pressure on your ankle. Neither of the boots you've listed offer that. I've known people that have crushed their ankle and it took a year or so of therapy and hundreds of dollars to get it back to usable. Such a shame that a $375 investment could have stopped or at least lessened some of the damage.

So I sound like a SIDI Advertisement, but that is why I chose the boots I currently ride. Do your research on the boots and the cost of ankle injuries (both downtime and money) and I'm sure you'll feel the same way.

If you're going to the Long Beach Bike Show this weekend go to the Buymoto booth, they'll be selling SIDI boots and can tell you all about 'em.

[TreAdidas]

Or if you want a head start... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yamSTuuv-z0

This points out a lot of things to look for.

[grimfandango]

my boots squeak like the ****ens...

if you can stand the squeaking.. astars aren't too bad, they're cheaper than sidis too, but if i were to do it all over again.. i'd get the sidis

-grim

[SilverRider]

Go to the Buymoto booth for sure. Try to get there early so there are plenty of choices and sizes available. I was just at the shop and they have a lot of boots they are taking. They will be selling them for a good price as well.

Hey grimfandango put some Baby powder down the pivot point to help eliminat the squeaking. And there is no law mandating that you can only own one pair of boots. It is never too late to do it all over again, just do it again, lol.

[SilverRider]

Got the Sidi Vertigo Corsa boot a couple of weeks ago and love them. The toe box area is more narrow than the Alpinestar boots so fat foot people beware. My feet fit perfect in them and I like them a lot better than the A-Star boots. I like the protection they offer and the comfort (plus no squeek). They are really high tec looking so all of the biker chicks will want to get to know you a bit more better.

[Lost]

Got the same boot and love em. I need to get a size larger because i have fat feet from growing up in Hawaii..

[GetnJgyWitit]

I have A* SMX Plus boots and I've injured my feet and ankle in every crash I've been in including two breaks in one foot. I no longer where them anymore. I now have a pair of Sidi Vertigo Corsas. They are not as comfy as my A* but I feel safer in them. The Oxtar boots are great boots for the price. They seem very similar to my A* boots, but offer more stiffness in the lateral ankle movement. I like them. The Sidi's are the way to go, but if you don't have the money I'd get the Oxtars. I know the Setups are made by Sidi, but they don't offer the protection of the Vertigo Corsas.

[casper13]

Highside at 80 in my sidi's and they still keep on ticking. I wear my sidis out on the streets and I am going to try my A* smx+ with my leathers just cause my sisdis fit kind of weird with my suit.

[bex]

Another benefit of the Sidi boots is that most of the parts are replaceable, which makes them affordable in the long run if you crash in them.