New boots!
Posted: 01:08 am Jun 22 2017
Wasn't really sure where to put this since there isn't really a gear section, lol. But anyways.... my old POS Fox boots that I've had since I started riding dirt (a little over 2 years ago) were literally falling apart... badly. Stitching was ripped out, the metal plates on the toes both gone, a buckle broken off, and I had re-glued the soles back on prob 5 times between the 2 of them, lol. These were just some cheaops I had gotten to get me started riding.... as bad of shape as they're in they still served me well as I did get a LOT of use out of them (put 713 hours on the bike since I've had it..... though some are street). But I really didn't want to get another cheap entry level boot, this time I wanted to get something with a little more protection and a bit better quality.... something that would hold up a good long time, especially for somebody who rides a lot, as I do. From the reviews I've read, it seems Alpinestars quality has kinda gone down on their boots here lately, at least if you get anything but the Tech 10's. So I was looking more at Gaerne SG-10/12's, Sidi Crossfire 2's, or the Formas.... either the current model Predators or previous model Dominators. After many nights of searching around, reading reviews, seeing what was available in my size that still fit in my budget, I decided on....
(I love getting new packages in the mail! haha)
Ended up going with the Dominator Comp 2.0's. After talking to a buddy who, I found out from reading reviews, was the rider chosen for a long term test of the Predator boots. Got talking to him about them and he said while he loved them, he actually liked the Dominators more, as they had the little inner booties. Even though the Dominators were they're previous "latest and greatest" model, you can still buy them brand new directly from Forma. So that's what I did! The Formas are supposed to be some of the most comfortable boots to walk in, and since a lot of our rides do involve some foot exploring (or pushing of bikes, hahah), that was an important factor for me, aside from the riding protection
I definitely like the pivot..... doesn't bend and dig into your ankles when walking
The soles are super thick compared to my Fox boots..... I'm thinking I'll prob have to adjust my shift lever up a bit, lol
Pow Pow Power Rangers!! Sorry I had to, LOL. But yea, I guess I might have a thing for bright colors. I really didn't actually mean to get everything matching..... I didn't want white boots, the pants and jersey I got on closeout as last years model a few months back ($64 for the set.... I couldn't pass it up!), and the goggles I got 2 years ago when i first started riding. Can't see it but the socks are black and hi-viz green too, lol. Add a Kawi green bike on top of that..... there's no missing me on the trails!
Seriously though I wanted to make sure everything fit with all the gear in place, and get buckles adjusted and whatnot. Everything fit great! Walked around in them for awhile and they are seriously comfortable
Old boots..... I think they were tired and ready for retirement, haha. Probably more like long overdue
I'm excited to get out and ride with them..... prob gonna head out Friday morning if it's not pouring rain. I have a feeling it'll be a night and day difference from the old ones. Hopefully they last a good long while too. All the reviews were excellent, and just looking and feeling them, the quality and fit/finish and materials seem to be top notch. The buckles are awesome, and everything is soooo much more rigid than the old boots. They do feel a little on the heavy side, but I suppose that's the price you pay for more protection and an overall better boot
Now next on my list is a pair of knee braces.... already wear the regular knee/shin guards, but want to get a set of actual braces
(I love getting new packages in the mail! haha)
Ended up going with the Dominator Comp 2.0's. After talking to a buddy who, I found out from reading reviews, was the rider chosen for a long term test of the Predator boots. Got talking to him about them and he said while he loved them, he actually liked the Dominators more, as they had the little inner booties. Even though the Dominators were they're previous "latest and greatest" model, you can still buy them brand new directly from Forma. So that's what I did! The Formas are supposed to be some of the most comfortable boots to walk in, and since a lot of our rides do involve some foot exploring (or pushing of bikes, hahah), that was an important factor for me, aside from the riding protection
I definitely like the pivot..... doesn't bend and dig into your ankles when walking
The soles are super thick compared to my Fox boots..... I'm thinking I'll prob have to adjust my shift lever up a bit, lol
Pow Pow Power Rangers!! Sorry I had to, LOL. But yea, I guess I might have a thing for bright colors. I really didn't actually mean to get everything matching..... I didn't want white boots, the pants and jersey I got on closeout as last years model a few months back ($64 for the set.... I couldn't pass it up!), and the goggles I got 2 years ago when i first started riding. Can't see it but the socks are black and hi-viz green too, lol. Add a Kawi green bike on top of that..... there's no missing me on the trails!
Seriously though I wanted to make sure everything fit with all the gear in place, and get buckles adjusted and whatnot. Everything fit great! Walked around in them for awhile and they are seriously comfortable
Old boots..... I think they were tired and ready for retirement, haha. Probably more like long overdue
I'm excited to get out and ride with them..... prob gonna head out Friday morning if it's not pouring rain. I have a feeling it'll be a night and day difference from the old ones. Hopefully they last a good long while too. All the reviews were excellent, and just looking and feeling them, the quality and fit/finish and materials seem to be top notch. The buckles are awesome, and everything is soooo much more rigid than the old boots. They do feel a little on the heavy side, but I suppose that's the price you pay for more protection and an overall better boot
Now next on my list is a pair of knee braces.... already wear the regular knee/shin guards, but want to get a set of actual braces