TCX Infinity off-road?
 

Hey guys

I'm finally gearing up to take my XTR off-road on some gentle trails and need some advice. My normal road boots are TCX Infinity and they're terrific boots. My current pair is 3 years old and I may well replace them with a new pair in due course.

That leaves me with two options: use my current, worn boots as my off-road boots and buy a nice, shiny, new pair for using on-road or, keep my Infinity boots for road use and buy something like Alpinestars Tech 3 for off-road. My problem with the latter option, which I'm sure is safest, is that if I don't enjoy the off-road stuff so much, then I'll have spent a lot on boots I'll never wear.

The Infinity boots are really comfy and totally waterproof, but I'm just not sure I'd trust the ankle support with a lot of weight.

I don't really want to use the same boots for both on and off road as I ride other, more expensive, cleaner bikes too and wouldn't want to be riding in gritty off-road gear.

Any comments?

I have had a pair of TCX Infinity (albeit the Held branded version) for a number of years and have used them off-road, but they aren't ideal. Here are a few issues I've found with them:

1) The sole has no grip whatsoever on anything but dry ground - grass, mud or wet rocks, then your over on your arse.

2) The sole is too soft and cuts up really badly on abrasive surfaces and is ruined by serrated metal footrests (or even the standard pegs with the rubbers removed).

3) As you've mentioned, they are very supple round the ankle offering little protection. (Makes them dead comfy to walk in though!)

On the road they've been a fantastic boot - comfy, warm and waterproof.

I'm considering pulling the trigger on a pair of these to replace them as a "do-it-all" boot. They seem to be getting good reviews and can be had at a decent price.

Thanks mate. You've pretty much confirmed what I suspected - that the stuff that makes them a great road boot doesn't help with off-road.

As an off-road beginner I don't want to be "all the gear and no idea" but at the same time now is when I'm likely to end up under the bike in dumb situations, so I want good protection.

I guess I'll go back to looking at the TCX X-Mud (because I like TCX and it's an old model so reduced in price) and the Alpinestars Tech 3.

http://www.atomic-moto.com/assets/im...-black-600.jpg
Got these Forma Adventure boots and love them. Can walk, wear or ride in them all day and still walk around fine without looking like a twit (can't walk for chit in my Tech 3s).
Love them and they just fit under my jeans for everyday riding if I want.
Matt

I was reading a review of the Forma Adventure boots earlier today and they do look good. I just wasn't convinced (from the reviews) that ankle protection was anything like on a par with the Tech 3s.

Would you be happy as a noob on a heavy bike taking to the muddy trails in the Forma boots? Are they a big improvement over the Infinitys?

Had the Forma ADV boot, loved em !! no need to wear in , very supple and about as waterproof as a sponge :YellowWink_VZHUX5:
Only paid �99 for mine and wore them untill i tret myself to some TCX infins ,fantastic boot fully water proof mine have done 40k kms Maroc x3 pyrenees x2 and loads round here

BUT.............................for of road BE CAREFULL !!!! this happened to me
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4...o/IMG_0323.JPG
WAT TO LITTLE PROTECTION !!!

That said i'm still wearing them but my next pairwill be SIDI ADV

Phil

Ouch!! That looks nasty!! Was that wearing the Infinitys? Do you think the Forma Adventures would have protected you better?

I had the Infinitys on , as said great boot but not enough protection and the Forma ADV has LESS !!!
That accident was off road in the Pyrennes and the gear shift stuck into my foot and broke it :BangHead: one in a million !!!
If you intend doing more off road you really need something like this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ONEAL-ELEM...item35b711449f

Phil

I had a pair of Sidi Couriers for Christmas. Probably a less waterproof version of the TCX but my missus only liked the look of the Sidis - so that was that.
Not been on a bike since Christmas though - so can't comment except that in the living room, they're superbly comfy
Rob

I have tried on all of the above boots and always have the same problem, my calves are to big making them tight around the top (to many years in the front row, that's my excuse , she says I'm just fat). Does any one know of any boots that have more adjustment and are bigger around the top? My motorcross boots are 1 size bigger ok until I have to walk in them.

ive not used the TCX but can say definately if off road use off road boots on road use road boots they designed very differently my motorcross boots very strong if i wanna stick my foot into the dirt and not snap my ankle but that protection makes riding in traffic or walking about difficult below is my experience boots over last few years

About 10 years ago i buy a pair of Alpinestars Tech 6 boot at the time i was doing alot more off road than on road on the 2 stroke enduros i had at the time very comfy boot very heavy to walk in and to this day they still squeak as i walk even after probably 200k miles mostly ofroad.

When i went for my full bike test i did so on training schools bike so decided to buy a cheap pair of road boots as more suitable to a none enduro bike having owned several pairs of low-mid priced boots none of them seem to last i ride all year round and have had several pair boot basically fall apart on me.

the last pair Swift torsion-x race boot were not a a bad boot for first 2k miles but after 2 winters and only 10k miles the leather has started to give way but the hard plastic outer has not meaning that walking even to and from my bike result in the hard plastic scraping the skin from the side of my ankle unless wearing 2-3 pair thick socks.

Finally other day when walking to my bike the sole actually fell off the front half of the boot i had to cable tie it back on to get me home. http://i1025.photobucket.com/albums/...pse36a4631.jpg

i am now wearing my reliable old alpinestar tech 6 lol http://i1025.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3e3fbadf.jpg still looking good after 10 years and alot more miles these boots still comfy but just a bit too heavy for everyday use

Looking round this week i saw a pair of Alpinestar smx3 boots on gumtree i figure as my other Alpinestars have outlived many other boots they should be good has anyone wore a pair of these as i do not collect mine till saturday

Just picked up a shiny new pair of Alpinestars Tech 3 AT (all terrain enduro sole version instead of motocross sole). Nice fit, and not tooooo stiff out of the box. Not tried them on the bike yet but I can move around in them fine. The local shop was selling them at �189 but with my discount card I picked them up for �170. Result. Well chuffed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIpeJ_WpWuI

Picked up my Alpinestar smx3 boots and hein gerrike leathers weekend done about 200 mile in them now very comfortable boots lightweight and none restrictive for on bike movement but still have a lot of armour on if i happen to need it fingers crossed they last even half aslong as my offroad Alpinestars and i never need that armour

The leathers i purchased were second hand but in good condition only thing is they have no CE armour in knees or hips the pockets are there to fit but just no armour anyone recommend any knee armour to fit 30cm trouser pockets (road riding) as from looking around i see there are so many different types of compound and shape of knee armour