Boots....again....sorry.... :(

[Lone_RT_rider]

Well, I took a good look at my boots at El Paeso and noticed that the Alpinestars I dearly love have worn out in less than a year. No, I don't drag my feet when I ride. I love them because of their ability to be waterproof and the incredible amount of armor they have for a sport touring boot. Most of the wear has to be from either walking or the Riding smart position of being on the balls of your feet when on the pegs. Given that, I started looking for alternate boot ideas. The Oxtar Sunrays while not having the armor protection I really want seem to have a thicker sole. Anyone have any long term experience with these?

 

 

Shawn

[RightSpin]

Shawn, not with those specifically, but I have the Oxtar Matrix and really like them.

 

 

[Lone_RT_rider]

Steve,

 

How long have you had them? What percentage of wear do you see on the soles for that given amount of time? They look like a similiar sole design so this might give me some perspective. Thanks for the reply!

 

Shawn

[BFish]

like my friend rightspin i have the oxtar matrix and also the non-waterproof sidi champions. sidi's are lower, lighter and cooler in summer. oxtars are taller, sturdier and a bit bulkier in toe. i like them both a lot.

 

have had sidi's for 3 years and wear is not an issue. oxtars for about 6 months.

[RightSpin]

Shawn, I've had them for about 8 months and they are exhibiting very little wear on the soles.

 

My GS has steel pegs (no rubber cushions) and there is no sigh of additional wear due to them.

[flat_twin]

I have just over two years on my Oxtar Matrix boots. Soles are still in good shape. No smooth spots anywhere and they're still waterproof. I probably wear them too much when touring since I don't pack an extra pair of shoes, just flip flops for showers and walking around.

If you start shopping for these boots, make sure they're the gortex version. They also make a Matrix boot without the gortex lining. The lining is identical to the BMW gortex boots, not a big surprise since they make boots for BMW also.

I took a ride recently in my work boots and immediately noticed the lack of "stick" compared to my Oxtar boots when putting my feet down at a stop. Good reminder to wear the right gear when riding.

[mistercindy]

My Sidi Champions have a sole that lasts for quite a bit of walking. Over two years and plenty of riding and they're still going well.

[RandyShields]

Shawn, bit of a hijack, but think of this. I'm on year 7 with my high end BMW boots. They are still waterproof, have virtually no wear (except the toe section where I almost dropped a bike at 30 mph on a rainy Wayah road when I contacted a yellow line), and with an occasional polishing and conditioning, look fairly new. $300 new was high, but adding $20 for treatments yields an annual cost of only $45. Any boot that you pay $150 for that only lasts one or two years will cost you way more than that in the long run.

 

Just a thought.

[Burt]

I've had my Oxtar Matrix for close to four years. I really like them. They are waterproof, and very comfortable.

[Brimoon]

Shawn, bit of a hijack, but think of this. I'm on year 7 with my high end BMW boots. They are still waterproof, have virtually no wear......

I've had the BMW Gortex boots for ten years. I've had one pair of new soles put on and I keep the leather in shape by applying a black leather cream a couple times a year. The boots look and perform as new!

 

Brian

[Lone_RT_rider]

Shawn, bit of a hijack, but think of this. I'm on year 7 with my high end BMW boots. They are still waterproof, have virtually no wear......

I've had the BMW Gortex boots for ten years. I've had one pair of new soles put on and I keep the leather in shape by applying a black leather cream a couple times a year. The boots look and perform as new!

 

Brian

 

There must be an exponential difference between the 200 dollar BMW water resistant boots and the 300 dollar waterproof BMW boots. I had a pair of the 200 dollar boots, the lasted 2 years and they were gone. They also leaked like crazy. I had heard that the more expensive model was worlds apart, but not to this extreme. I have also heard that Oxtar makes boots for BMW. Is that true?

 

Shawn

[sideways]

Another vote for the Oxtar Matrix boots with the Goretex. Really love mine for touring, but am considering getting some A-stars MX plus boots for more sporting occasions. (And a used Daytona 955i to match the boots )

 

One thng I found about the Matrix boots was that they stretched enough to be a little too loose after breaking in - wish I'd tried one size smaller (although the dealer didn't have that size when I bought them). They felt perfect in the store last summer, but I recently met a woman whose boots came off in an accident, so I think about that eventuality now. So I wear two pairs of socks and tighten the velcro as much as possible.

 

Guess most leather boots should feel a bit too tight when new, no?

[philbytx]

Hi Shawn,

Well, I've got 2 pair of Oxtar Matrix..one I've had for 4 years and the other for 2 years (I picked the second pair NIB off Ebay for $100!).

Had a wreck this year and I can say that my RH Oxtar Matrix boot certainly took a VERY hard hit on the outside of the heel/ankle and saved my foot from a severe injury . They are well made, nice thick soles, waterproof and so comfy to walk around in even......

[PhillyFlash]

Another vote for the BMW Goretex boots. Mine were $295 list, but I picked them up for about $220 during a great sale. I think I've had them for about 3 years now, and they are the most comfortable boots I've owned. I got them one size larger than normal; this keeps my feet more comfortable when they get hot and a little swollen in the summer, but they definately are not so large that they feel loose. They do have enough room for an extra pair of socks, if needed, but even in sub-freezing temps I haven't needed them. Never have leaked, and they shine up well with some boot polish. The soles are getting low, and I may need to see if I can get new soles on them in a year of so. I put about 20,000 miles of riding on them each year. Well worth the price for me.