Motocross Riding Boots: Full vs. Half

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ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ Riding boots are a main staple to any riders set of protective gear, but some people may not know that there are a variety of different options to choose from depending on what type of riding you’re doing. In this week’s featured article, we will take a closer look at the full boot versus the half boot and what each can offer to the die hard dirt bike rider.

Let’s Split it in Two

ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ Most riders have a general idea about boots: what they do and why it’s important to wear a pair every time they throw a leg over their bike. However, there are many different versions of boots available and each rider has their own specific style they prefer. Some boot manufacturers offer full riding boots that cover the entire ankle to calf area, while also offering half boots that offer protection to the ankle area only. While there are varying boot types, each boot type is designed for a varied type of riding experience. Let’s dig a little deeper and find out the main differences between full boots and half boots.

Full Boots They have you covered

ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ Full motocross boots offer coverage from your toes all the way up to your knee. They protect your toes, foot, ankle, fibula and tibia. These boots are geared specifically towards motocross racing and are designed to protect your feet, ankles and shins from scrapes and burns, along with keeping things stabilized in the case of a crash. They will help to keep your lower leg from twisting unnaturally and will help in preventing any spraining or breakage from occurring.

ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ Full boots are often made of materials such as steel, high impact plastic, heavy duty rubber, suede/leather and carbon fiber. These top-of-the-line materials are used in order to keep exhaust heat away from your skin, help your grip, give support to the soles of your feet and much more. Though full boots are larger than half boots, most are very lightweight and can be worn in extreme comfort when riding. Strapping systems are adjustable to accommodate any size of calf for added comfort.

Half Boots Good things in a small package

ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ Half boots give you coverage from your toes up slightly past your ankle. They offer great coverage for your toes and ankles. These boots are ideal for off-road riding, generally done for leisure or casually, pit bike riding, ATV’s or dual sport riding.

Half boots are designed to give maximum protection with minimum coverage. Most often, half boots are made of leather/suede, molded plastics and rubber. They are extremely light and are easy to wear.

Why one or the other?

ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ In searching the web, hitting up any store or walking around any track, it is easy to see that there are many styles of boots to choose from. There are a few questions you can ask yourself when you’re looking for the right boots:

• Where will you be riding with them?
• Will you be riding for leisure or participating in serious racing?
• What sort of protection do you want?

If you’ll be riding in motocross races and competing, you’ll want to look more towards a full boot to ensure that your lower legs are as well protected as possible. If you’re looking to trail ride or ride in your back yard on a homemade track, a half boot may just do the job.

Also, be sure to keep in mind that most manufacturers will make both types: full and half. There will generally be price differences from one company to the next and price fluctuations dependent on the varying style including the detailing, added features such as gel inserts, and composition of the boot itself. Be sure to look around extensively before deciding on a boot and make sure you’re fully protected for your type of riding.

Head to toe

ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ While buying a boot may not seem as important as buying a helmet or knee braces, it is part of the whole package deal that keeps you riding safely. From head to toe, you need to be sure every time you get on your bike, you are fully protected. Now enjoy the day?strap those buckles and ride!

“EVS-Winning with Safety”

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