Boot ???

I tried on the Puma 1000 race boots today. What can I say? I am impressed. The are REALLY comfortable. The single only gripe I have is they are slightly too tight in the toe box but I think they will loosen up a tad.

I now have my choices narrowed down to 2:
TCX Competizioni S
Puma 1000

Isn't shopping for moto stuff fun?

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

Enhance that shopping experience by owning the entire collection.

Mr Moto Movie DVD Classic Movies Buy

 

Thanks for that, Denver is finally coming out of a weather issue, so i think I'll try the Puma's at a dealership, but the TCX may be the ticket.

 

It is my understading that Daytona are indeed top-shelf boots. Problem is, try finding them in the US. When I was stationed in Germany, every moto shop had Daytona in stock. I've NEVER seen them in a single shop in the US. With boots, I am trying them on before I buy, period. I like a deal & saving money as much as the next guy but for footwear, unless I have the exact same article, I'm trying them on my foot first.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

Yeah, I had to resort to buying online as I couldn't find them anywhere and learnt the hard way - 20 quid to post them back when I got the wrong size.

 

Does anybody have any experience with the TCX Synergy Touring Boot

TCX Synergy WR Touring Motorcycle Boot :: New Enough, LTD

I would be mostly using them for commuting and weekend rides...some spirited rides but no track days in my foreseeable future.

I am using some Red Wing, steel toe hiking boots right now, but I worry about not having any ankle protection other than the leather.

Thanks

 

I checked out the dealerships in my area for boots recently. I have a wide foot and narrow heel (kinda like a duck). The Puma's had a wider fit that I really liked. I tried everything else they stocked, but they all fit narrow.

 

Well, I've made my decision. I will be going with the TCX Competizioni S in black. It was them or the Puma 1000. I called both Sport Bike Track Gear & Motorcycle Superstore. Both places said the Puma offers more protection. I agree with that completely. Both places said the TCX will be more comfortable to walk in. Since I walk the MSF & Sport Bike range for up to 7 hours at a time, the walking part is a big concern to me. I am getting the boots from my local dealer. They will be $285. I am leaving on Sunday for 11 days & the boots will be here by the time I get back. I will post a full review of the boots & my new gloves as soon as I get to put in some saddle time.

TCX Competizione S Boots - Motorcycle Superstore

On a side note, if anyone is considering doing any kind of track time, Sport Bike Track Gear is freaking awesome. The may not have the best selection out there but their customer service is off the chart. HIGHLY recommended. :thumbsup:
www.sportbiketrackgear.com

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

Due to a shipping mistake, the wrong boots showed up. The correct ones will be here in the next couple days.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

I just received my TCX Comp S. I ordered an 11 from kneedraggers.com. That translates to a European 44. I ordered slightly large due to a wide foot, I'm a 10 1/2 usually. The boots ended up being too big so I've sent them back. With some more in depth research I found out that a Euro 44 is more like an 11 1/2 and the next size down is more like a 10 1/2. With the width of a TCX boot I think it's safe to say that one should order as close to true as possible with Euro sizing. After briefly wearing them, they will fit a wide foot without going to a longer size. I can also surmise that once fitted they will be very comfortable despite the great amount of protection.

Thanks again KC for the recomendation, I am very much looking forward to getting the proper size and getting out on the street/track with them!!

P.S. I got mine at knee for $290, went with dragger because I trust them, however I did find them a day later at motosports.com for $260

 

Yup, I wrote a review about it here: http://vfrworld.com/forums/apparel-reviews/21767-tcx-synergy-wr-touring-boots-review.html

 

I got my boots & I have reviewed them in their own thread. I would like to sum up my little boot shopping odyssey for everyone. I hope someone can get some useful info out of this.

The one major thing I couldn't understand while shopping for boots:
Why don't the boot companies get it? EVERYONE, not just people on a track, EVERYONE can use the best protection money can buy. To get all the features I want, I need to spend way over $400 to get the boot I want & one that fits. That's silly. I should be able to buy a normal everyday riding boot with the TCS or equivalent system. If I would have had more than $300 to work with, I would have most likely gone with the TCX Competizioni RS simply because they fit exactly the same & have the 2 features I want & the Competizioni S are missing.

More companies need to start offering boots featuring "point-of-no-return" injury prevention. Once you try on a pair of boots with this feature, you'll understand & agree with me.

Fit is the most important. No protective garment is worth a damn unless you like to wear it.

Looks are up to the end user. What I think looks good may not be to everyone elses liking.

Troll around at your local dealers for boots. A person really needs to try a product like this on before putting the cash down.

Race boots are ridiculously over-priced. The upper limit is near $500. Sorry, that's crazy.


My opinion on the various companies, in no particular order.

TCX: Best fitting boots for my feet so that's where my cash went. I think the price for the Competizioni RS & S need to be dropped about $50. If they did that, they would be the best bang for my buck.

Sidi: The Sidi Vortice is $475? Are they kidding? The ONLY advantage they offer over the competition is the fact that just about EVERYTHING on the boot can be replaced. They don't have any mechanism to prevent "point-of-no-return" injuries. They are made for people with skinny feet. If Sidi wants to say they are the best in the boot business (& they do say that), they need to offer ALL their boots in widths. If you have narrow feet, Sidi boots are for you. The Vortice is noticably wider than the Vertigo, but still not wide enough for me. The Vertigo was down right painful to walk in. I bought my Sidi Canyon's thinking they would loosen up like most shoes do. I was wrong. I will put up with lots of crap, but I need to have comfy shoes on or I'm not happy. I'm probably going to be getting new touring boots this winter because of this. They are a great boot but they are not nearly as comfortable as I would like.

Alpinestars: The only boot I liked was the Supertech. Again, these things are in the $475 range. I like the fact the exo skeleton is not attached to the outer boot. For the rest of the AStars lineup, much like TCX, they need to drop the price about $50 each.

Gaerne: The GRS is a great boot & SUPER DUPER comfy. If you don't plan on wearing them over leathers that is. Like I mentioned in the other thread, what the hell good is a race boot that DOESN'T fit over leathers? For they asking price of $225 - $250, I would have purchased them if they fit over leathers.

Teknic: I would be embarassed to put these on my feet. They just are not up to the standard I have for my footwear.

AGV: Nothing worth looking at if you ask me.

Diadora: They look like decent boots for the asking price but I couldn't find them anywhere I looked.

Dainese: I really like Dainese Axial boots. Yet again, I couldn't find anyplace that had them. The closest place to me that stocks them is nearly 150 miles/3.5 hours. Pretty much everything Dainese makes is above the standard of most other companies.

Joe Rocket: I have the SpeedMaster Jacket, Pants & Gloves. The SpeedMaster boot? No thanks. If they were about $150 maybe, but they are not worth $270. JR is going down the tubes if you ask me.

Spidi: Never saw a single place that had Spidi anything in stock. The XP-7 & XP-7R are nice looking boots. They would have been in the running for my cash for sure. Like the Dainese, I'm not buying footwear unless I've tried them on first.

Icon: The Field Armour boot is the only boot they make that is even remotely suitable for performance riding. FORGET THEM. Unless you like not being able to feel anything thru your feet when you ride that is.

Puma: The 1000 is (in my opinion) the best boot for the money. The fact the Version 1's are on closeout from Sport Bike Track Gear for $275 is simply icing on the cake. I have no clue what the differences are between V1 & V2. If they fit me, I would be wearing them. They were too narrow at the toe. I am sure they would have caused discomfort after some use. Everywhere else on the foot, the 1000 was super comfy. The heel "cockpit" (Puma's term, not mine) is fantastic. The "Ghost Doctor" is most likely the best ankle protection money can buy. The single only flaw (again, my opinion) with the 1000 is the lack of ventilation. Believe me, if you're looking for race boots & if they fit you, these are the boots you want.

Happy feet bitches.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2: