Choose the right cross shoes

Each motocross shoe manufacturer has several variants on offer so as to match the range to your needs. Manufacturers such as FOX Racing, Alpinestars MX, SIDI, Gaerne, Forma, LEATT produce high-end boots for demanding riders and more affordable models for entry-level and amateur riding. The main goal of all companies producing cross shoes is to protect your foot, ankle and calf from damage and serious injury, while allowing you to hold the motorcycle with your feet naturally and securely.

In the past, enduro and motocross boots were mainly made of leather. They were lightweight, flexible and as comfortable as household slippers. The Heckel cross boots produced in 1974 were the first ever hinged cross boots made entirely of plastic. However, they didn't stay on the sales charts for long, as the tip, sole and insole didn't provide any feel for the footpegs, shifter and brake levers. They were also much heavier than their leather counterparts. It's funny that motorcycle feel and weight are the key parameters and assumptions of hinged cross boots today.

What kind of cross shoes do riders choose?

When it comes to riders' preferences and choice of shoes. There is no one universal and loved by all model of cross shoes. We have a huge number of die-hard Gaerne SG-12 fans, many SIDI fanatics and devotees of Alpinestars TECH10 and TECH7. If you're wondering how to choose cross shoes for yourself, unfortunately no one can give you a magically perfect answer. You'll have to try them on, test them out, and once you choose, you'll probably stay with your chosen model for a very long time. Instead, remember the key rule: "The cheapest cross shoes can give you an expensive and long treatment"

What are the features of the best cross shoes?

Manufacturers of motorcycle boots are constantly searching for the right balance between walking comfort, flexibility, protection, motorcycle feel and the best appearance while keeping weight down. The more desirable the parameters, the better the boots are, but unfortunately the price also increases.

Lighter boots mean better motorcycle feel

Lighter and softer cross boots claim better motorcycle feel, thanks to boots that are flexible. The less rigid sole allows you to position your feet more comfortably on the footpegs. You can rest comfortably on the midfoot with less effort. As an added plus, you definitely get a better feel for the gearshift lever and better contact with the brake lever, which can definitely improve the metering and braking precision of the rear wheel. However, their biggest downside is definitely more modest protection of the leg from injury during crashes and rollovers.

A stiff motocross boot is a guarantee of safety

The primary advantage of stiffer off-road boots is the extra reinforcement around the heel, ankle and lower leg. A stronger and stiffer motocross boot will better protect the joint and bones during strong and unexpected impacts, which are not lacking during enduro riding. With a stiffer sole to absorb vibrations and minor peg impacts, your feet will be much less fatigued after all-day training or long competition formulas. An indirect benefit of using armored shoes is their reduced wear and tear, which further affects your wallet - you use longer, spend less often. Unfortunately, the first thing you will feel after wearing such shoes is limited mobility of the leg at the ankle and complete stiffness of the toes of the foot. This affects reduced brake metering and impeded shifting. A stiff cross shoe will also simply be larger, making it more difficult to fit on the footpegs and assume a comfortable position.

What gives a hinge in cross shoes?

For several years now, the hinge has become a standard feature in mid- to high-end shoes. It is used to improve the flexibility of the shoe and improve ankle mobility. Additional advantages include a significantly shorter time for cross shoes to lay down to the leg and improved longevity. 

In top Alpinestars, SIDI and Gaerne shoes, the hinge also acts as an orthosis to protect your ankle from twisting even during the most dangerous falls on the motocross track.

Actually, only the cheapest cross boots up to £800 are manufactured without a hinge. Its absence forces manufacturers to use thinner and more flexible materials in the ankle area. Without these modifications, it would be almost impossible to bend the leg at the ankle.

The Big Three of cross shoes

According to riders, the stiffest motocross shoe on the market is the Alpinestars TECH10. On the opposite side of the range, for the most comfortable and best-feeling shoe is the Sidi ATOJO. The Gaerne SG-12 and Sidi CrossFire rank in the middle of this pile. The SG-12 are sleeker than the TECH 10, while still being larger than the tiny SIDIs. What they have in common is Italian design and an Italian manufacturer.

How to choose cross shoes?

There are no universally good or totally lousy shoes. Each rider has to ride many motocross hours in shoes to choose the most suitable ones for himself. Or you can order several pairs and spend several days walking around the apartment in them. 

The easiest solution is when you visit us in our stationary store and under the watchful eye of our experienced salesman choose something for yourself.