Mxl Boots

MXL BOOTS

EVALUATION

Plastic boots for motocross and offroad riding are currently available from Scott USA and MXL. We reported on the Scott boots in the December, 1979 issue of Cycle World. The only similarity between the Scott and MXL boots is their total lack of leather.

The MXL boot is made from polyurethane plastic and consists of the upper, lower, full length foam liner, steel pivots and three ski boot type buckles. The plastic is more flexible than that used in Scott boots and its flexibility changes with the weather; they are firm on cold days, soft on hot days. The uppers are attached to the lowers by steel ankle pivots that offer fore and aft movement, but no side movement. Buckles have several grooves on their underside that accept a plastic coated stainless steel bail wire. MXL offers the boot in two colors; blue and red. The red ones have motocross soles, the blue are designed for enduro riders and have a more aggressive sole. The shells come in four basic sizes with fitted liners available in even sizes from 7-13.

Putting on an MXL boot is much the same as any other boot; make sure the buckles are unlatched and the liners fitted, then spread the two halves of the shell and slip your foot in. Adjust the liner so the roll at the top is above the shell top and buckle. Removal is a little different. The liner will come out of the boot with your foot and must be carefully removed and replaced in the shell.

Comfort is excellent. The full length liners isolate the wearer’s foot from the plastic and give a snug fit. Ankle movement isn’t so good . . . movement is extremely limited until they have been worn for a couple of months. Some of our testers adjusted to the lack of movement fairly soon, others never did adapt and wouldn’t wear them. Most riders had to adjust the shift and brake levers at least one position higher to allow for the lack of dexterity and the boot’s thickness. The full length liners limit boot use in the desert. When worn in temperatures above 80° most wearers were uncomfortable, but the liners offer good comfort when cold weather sets in. Another problem we encountered when wearing the boots off-road was keeping the buckles adjusted. The buckle’s curvature doesn’t match the curvature of the boot shell and brush will push the bail wire toward the shell and loosen the adjustment. Open class riders noticed another problem; the shake from open class machines will vibrate the boot sole off the peg when riding in a sit down position. The problem is the hard sole that doesn’t grip the peg like softer materials. The problem only exists when sitting as the extra weight applied when standing loads them enough to stop the problem.

The MXL boot makes no claim at being waterproof. The first water crossing will get the wearer as wet as if he was barefooted. And the liner will soak the water up, keeping the rider’s feet wet all day. After several crossings the liner absorption makes the wearer’s feet feel quite a bit heavier and the discomfort of wet feet is assured for the remainder of the day.

Price of the MXL boot is $149. Too much, we think, for a boot that leaks water, furnishes poor buckles, and doesn’t offer replaceable soles.