[New boots Recommendations]

I tried several on and here is what I found

 Hopefully helpful info to someone. 

 

Also,  how tight should a trials boot fit? Snug to the point of no foot slop or is a little slop a good thing? Obviously these aren't ski boots.

 

Gaerne balance oiled US10 EUR 44.5

• Little support 
• Little protection
• Minimal ankle support
• Feels mostly broken in to start
• Hot spots from just below middle buckle on antero lateral ankle / anterior aspect of medial malleolus could become better/worse after break in period?
• Just slightly wider than alpinestars in forefoot and toebox and significantly wider in heel
• Heel hold dependent on buckle tightness
• 1/4 to half size larger than alpinestar 
• Feels nimble
• Feels like a hiking boot

Alpinestars 

• Lots of support 
• Moderate protection
• Moderate ankle support
• Good heel hold only minimally dependent on buckle tightness
• Might not accommodate a high instep
• Feels quarter to half size smaller than gaerne 
• Less nimble than gaerne; feels heavier than gaerne 
• Feels more like an enduro boot then gaerne 
• Thicker sole than sidi (however under ball of foot thin enough for excellent balance, slightly better than sidi)
• Well padded 

Forma boulder black US 10 EUR 44

• Less support than alpinestar more support than gaerne
• Middle buckle cuts into anterior of ankle when flexing forward
• Minimally wider than gaerne in forefoot and toebox
• Instep is snug
• Ankle has tons of room (swims)
• Poor heel maybe better for high volume ankle
• Slightly longer  boot than alpinestar but not quite as long as gaerne 
• Cuff is one to one and one-half inches taller then gaerne and alpinestar
• Last seems to fit similar to predators but predators have best heel hold for me

 

Sidi 

• Slightly less wide then gaerne 
• More protection then gaerne, less then alpinestar
• Slightly longer then alpinestars and slightly larger overall
• Less heel hold then alpinestar but more than others
• About one inch taller cuff
• Lots of mobility
• Front of boot cuts into ankle with flexion but no buckle involvement so will probably go away with break in
• Feels lighter then alpinestar, lighter then forma  not as light as gaerne 

 

 

 

 

[New boots Recommendations]

On 12/15/2019 at 3:53 PM, nhuskys said:

Gone through a bunch in the last 4 years..... Started with Gaerne Balance Oiled. They were far too slipper like, with no shank in the sole.  Next I tried  Alpinestars Tech T . Good stiff sole with steel shank, but soles are hard and slippery walking sections. Lots of padding and double toe cover.  Also a little short in height, and seemed to catch the tops more often.  I wore the soles out, but still use them for street bike riding. Onto Forma Boulders next. I liked that they were a bit taller, and a reinforced toe box. More flexible, but less padding. Soles are a little better traction wise, but the S3 Hard Rock footpegs, that are stock on my Scorpa Factory are hard on the soles. I'm going to get them resoled, and keep them for spares. I've just got a pair of Stylmartin Impact Pro now. Microfiber, not leather, so stiffer all around. I'll have to see how the toe breaks in, as it is single layer, and doesn't seem to be reinforced.  More padding like the Tech T though.   I think I'll like them.

Noob trials rider here...

How r the stylmartins for fit?  I have a very wide forefoot and low volume ankle with average calf size.  I can't wear most trainers because my forefoot is so wide.