Alpine Fastback Shoes

JonHorv

JonHorv

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Hey All!

I'm trying to outfit properly for the coming season, (moderate city riding, mostly - 80km/h) on a Ninja250. I've gotten myself a Bullitt for the head and some great coverage on the hands, but am still debating whats on the feet. Currently they're steel toe work boots (terrible, I know).

Right now, I'm looking at: http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/alpinestars-fastback-wp-shoes which seem to be a good combination of safety and functionality, especially at that price point. Steel shank, and reinforced toe / heel is important to me.

I don't suppose anyone has these, or experience with something similar? :)

Thanks!
Jon
 
I have the TCX X-Square boots. They're great, but I will be upgrading to a water proof boot sometime this year.

If you like the style you linked, you can also check out TCX's collection, which might be a better boot than Alpine Stars. Both are good, but for boots, I think TCX is a step up.

http://www.tcxboots.com/eng/prodotti-dettaglio.php?categoria=4

You should also look in to some sort of leg protection as well. Hips and glutes are the first thing to go when sliding, and road rash isn't the most fun thing.
 
TCX stuff looks great, I have the waterproof TCX high top. It was also only about $130

for $199 you're getting close to the price for boots. Depending on whether you'll be walking around after your ride somewhere, you may want to just get a race boot or something instead for superior protection. I wear the TCX to ride locally to the starbucks, etc. but the boots to "commute" anywhere, or if I'm going to someone's house and don't need to keep my shoes on. (keep shoes at work)

The shoe however won't protect your ankle from getting twisted, and I wouldn't trust my TCX to protect my ankle from getting crushed if something were to land on it either. Slides and scuffs sure, np.
 
Woot I was just looking at those shoes ahha I sold my S-MX5 and looking for something more casual to wear for the street and that is about it, was thinking Alphinestar Fastlane Air or some TCX X-Square Boots, which one would have best of both world? use for casual riding and also walking on them for a bit.
 
If I remember correctly - those Astars don't really have any ankle protection.. So i went with the Dainese short-boots instead.. MUCH better if you care about saving your feet.
 
Otay said:
Woot I was just looking at those shoes ahha I sold my S-MX5 and looking for something more casual to wear for the street and that is about it, was thinking Alphinestar Fastlane Air or some TCX X-Square Boots, which one would have best of both world? use for casual riding and also walking on them for a bit.
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I wear my TCX X-Square boots all day everyday when I wear them. They blend in nicely and no one can tell they are a motorcycle specific boot.

It's not waterproof though, so don't get caught in rain, but it breathes nice and is super light and comfy with all the protection you would need.

As bboySushi said, for more protection, you might want to move up to an X-Move as it will provide much better ankle protection.
 
jay-d said:
I wear my TCX X-Square boots all day everyday when I wear them. They blend in nicely and no one can tell they are a motorcycle specific boot.

It's not waterproof though, so don't get caught in rain, but it breathes nice and is super light and comfy with all the protection you would need.

As bboySushi said, for more protection, you might want to move up to an X-Move as it will provide much better ankle protection.
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I will most likely go to GP bike to try them out first before deciding that seems to be the best fit to see which one is the most comfortable to me, the SMX5 i had i didn't like much even though lots of protection but the ankle and heel part being locked i wasn't able to tip toe which i need to as I am a bit too short for my bike.
 
e90 said:
If I remember correctly - those Astars don't really have any ankle protection.. So i went with the Dainese short-boots instead.. MUCH better if you care about saving your feet.
Click to expand...
Those won't really help either.
 
Just make sure it has ankle protection. They tend not to heal well and there are many ways to crunch them on a bike.

Not what you are looking for, but I wear a pair of Gaerne Balance Boots every day. They are comfortable enough to walk in them all day.
 
I bought speed and strength because I saw nothing but good reviews at the time but the ankle protection is pretty bad. For the price of those fastback shoes, I'd rather go with either of these versions of fastback.
They have better ankle protection and although you wont need it unless you track, a slider plate on the toe. Also like half the price.

http://www.ingliscycle.com/eshopprod_cat_6662-92996_product_1598696.FASTLANE_SHOE.htm
http://www.ingliscycle.com/eshoppro...uct_1475022.ALPINESTARS_FASTLANE_AIR_SHOE.htm
 
I ride with Dainese Axial Pro In Boots...Not cheap. However, my choice would always be ride with good ankle protection. Get the best that you can afford. As with any protection, dress for the slide not the ride.
Fashion is nice but who cares when you get into an accident and wish you could have done more. Too late.
Even if just riding locally that is supposedly where you are most likely to get into an accident.
 
skip said:
Just make sure it has ankle protection. They tend not to heal well and there are many ways to crunch them on a bike.

Not what you are looking for, but I wear a pair of Gaerne Balance Boots every day. They are comfortable enough to walk in them all day.
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Actually, I really like the look of those, the toe seems to be low profile and the support & protection seem on par. Any insight or comments on having used them as a daily? What price point would be reasonable / where'd ya get em? :)
Jon
 
To the OP,

Take a good hard thought about using those sort of half boots. While better than a pair of runners I think you would be much better off with an actual full boot.

These pics are from this thread:
http://www.600rr.net/vb/showthread.php?t=163896





I personally would look at an Alpine * SMX-5/6 or equivalent. The SMX-6 is the new model so you might be able to score a deal on a pair of SMX-5.

I recently upgraded my "cruiser" style boots to the A* SMX-5 and I found them easier and quicker to get on and off than my lace up cruiser boots and they protection is on a whole other level. I wore them around the house for a couple of hours and then took the bike out for a bit today and other than adjusting to the shifter there was nothing to adapt to.

 
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Hi,

I'm a new rider. What actually causes these foot injuries? Is it that when you fall or are knocked off the bike your ankles drag on the ground, or that the bike tips over and crushes the foot under it while skidding on the ground? I'm not being morbid, just very curious for my own safety's sake.

Frank
 
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I just bought the Fastback airs, the feel great so far. I haven't rode with the yet.
 
Zoodles95 said:
To the OP,

Take a good hard thought about using those sort of half boots. While better than a pair of runners I think you would be much better off with an actual full boot.

These pics are from this thread:
http://www.600rr.net/vb/showthread.php?t=163896

I personally would look at an Alpine * SMX-5/6 or equivalent. The SMX-6 is the new model so you might be able to score a deal on a pair of SMX-5.
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thank you for linking that, Zoodles. Exactly the kind of thing to keep in mind when buying gear, and from everything I've seen, the sneaker style shoe will do little more than a pair or runners or flip flops.

As Skip posted above, I really like the look and fit of these: http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/gaerne-balance-oiled-boots and they seem to offer some reasonable protection, especially being a full height. Although, these ICON boots look to offer a bit more protection: http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/icon-1000-elsinore-boots for less of the price too.

Protection is going to be paramount for me, style would be nice as well though, as always. :P
 
JonHorv said:
thank you for linking that, Zoodles. Exactly the kind of thing to keep in mind when buying gear, and from everything I've seen, the sneaker style shoe will do little more than a pair or runners or flip flops.

As Skip posted above, I really like the look and fit of these: http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/gaerne-balance-oiled-boots and they seem to offer some reasonable protection, especially being a full height. Although, these ICON boots look to offer a bit more protection: http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/icon-1000-elsinore-boots for less of the price too.

Protection is going to be paramount for me, style would be nice as well though, as always. :P
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If you want proven protection I would go with the Gaerne boots. It is a boot with a proven track record. If you hit the Adventure Riding Forum and search for that boot you are going to see some crazy pics and hear some crazy stories.

Icon stuff can be hit and miss. Some of the gear is very good but a lot of it is just okay (I should know I have quite a bit of Icon gear). I don't know if the Elsinore is very good, good, or just okay. They certainly look cool though and if you are riding vintage, cafe racer etc I can see the appeal. I wear A* SMX-5 boots now and I am on a vintage standard bike for what its worth.
 
Zoodles95 said:
If you want proven protection I would go with the Gaerne boots. It is a boot with a proven track record. If you hit the Adventure Riding Forum and search for that boot you are going to see some crazy pics and hear some crazy stories.
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I forgot my dress shoes at home today, so I'm actually wearing a pair of black Gaerne Balance boots at the office right now. They don't look widely out of place, and my feet are not in pain which is nice. I can vouch for how well they hold up when things get interesting. They are not a road race boot or a full on MX boot, but for dirt road/logging road and every day commuting they work amazingly well and are comfortable.
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