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Extreme MOTOCROSS

Scott Genius Boot

Boots have evolved a lot since motocross first began. From the leather straps and metal shin guards of old to the specifically engineered soles, buckles, and hinges of new; the high quality modern motocross boot is now as comfortable as it is protective.

While you might think that Scott is a newcomer to the boot market, that couldn’t be any further from the truth. They have actually been producing top-of-the-line ski boots for years now, and back in the ‘70s manufactured an all-plastic boot, but since then, have been focusing their MX efforts elsewhere.

Now after years of development, Scott is back in the boot business with the innovative new Genius boot made from a protective plastic called Hytrel. But if you ask them, they don’t want to call it a comeback, “It’s a fresh answer to a category with questionable protection qualities.” Does the Genius really live up to it’s name, though, and perform like a true genius? You’re going to have to watch and see, because first we’re going to go over the features found on one of the most forward-thinking pieces of foot protection to come out in a long time.

Scott really did their homework when it came to designing the Genius—five years to be exact—and through consulting a doctor, researching lower leg injuries sustained in MX, and studying the anatomical parameters of the lower leg, Scott was able to effectively identify areas where improvement was needed in current motocross boots. Beginning with the sole, Scott designed the Genius with a super strong, shock absorbing sole that is designed to protect against most hard landings and hits. Another notable feature is the internal bootie, which comes equipped with a custom-fitting insole, as well as removable fitting pads on the ankles for an even more custom fit. Moving on to the straps and buckles, they are fully adjustable, removable, and replaceable. They also are part of a patented floating injection molded shin guard that can be moved and placed in the right protective position over the tibia and fibula, depending on the rider. Perhaps one of the biggest aspects, though, that most people wonder about the Genius boot is if they would still be able to feel the controls. To make sure this is possible, Scott built in a sure-feel shifter pad as well as a brake-transfer pad. Both of which transfer feeling to the rider through small ridges on the interior of the boot.

Probably one of the main safety features on the boot, besides the fact that it’s made out of Hytrel, is Scott’s revolutionary pivot system. Through its design, the system allows the boot to flex while still retaining a solid construction, something that has been difficult to attain with other boots over the years. This system allows for the natural movement of the ankle—all four directions—but has stops built in to help prevent injury. Finally, for those who like to keep their boots smelling fresh—and who doesn’t—the liner is fully removable and washable, just like the bootie.

It pretty much goes without saying, and we were expecting it heading into the test, but the Genius boot takes some getting used to. Not necessarily that it takes a long time to break in, because it doesn’t, it’s the feel of the boot that takes some getting used to. When we first slipped the boot on, though, we were amazed at how comfortable it was, as the hard plastic exterior definitely isn’t how the interior is. The internal bootie makes things feel very comfortable, and the removable ankle doughnuts help to customize the fit even further. One aspect that is deceiving on the boot is how tight you need to run the buckles. Unlike conventional leather boots that need to be tight to have any level of security, due to the hard shell of the Genius, about half the amount is needed to attain an even higher level of safety. Out on the track, the larger size of the boot required us to raise both the shift lever and rear brake lever, but once we did that, our comfort level grew immensely. One thing that we really did like about the boot was the sturdy feel of it. The Genius offers a feeling that not many other boots do, and when we over-jumped a jump or had a hard hit, the solid protective sole did its job. As for feeling the shifter or brake lever, the sure-feel pads actually do a great job of providing feel. Finally, unlike most boots on the market, the Genius’ body doesn’t break down over the course of time, and has remained very supportive after numerous rides.

RATING

Would we recommend that you purchase this boot? Absolutely, because based on how protective the Genius is, and how surprisingly comfortable it is, we would recommend anyone to buy it. What we knocked it down in the rating for mainly, though, was the hefty price tag. At $500, the price is very high for a boot and probably too high for an average rider. Then again, though, when it’s all said and done, the money spent on a more expensive pair of boots will certainly pay off in the long run, in both protection and longevity.

Information from: http://www.motocross.com/articles/article/news/20080124/scott_genius_boot-7048.html

Etnies Two Wheel Tour: Episode Six

Check out the sixth and final installment from the wild trip with the Etnies crew. Watch as the guys perform in the FreestyleMX.com jump demo benefiting Jeremy Carter. Did you like watching this tour? Did you catch all of the episodes? Leave a comment!

Information from: http://www.motocross.com/articles/article/news/20080215/etnies_two_wheel_tour__episode_six-8412.html

Scott Murray Attempts Another Double Backflip

While surfing around the web today, we came across some news that Scott Murray crashed while attempting another double backflip. Murray, who attempted the trick at X Games this past year and later landed it at a demo in Europe, was performing on the Crusty Demons Tour. He attempted the trick twice at the show, crashing both times. Below is a link to the entire story, as well as a video of both his attempts.

Information from: http://www.motocross.com/articles/article/news/20080219/scott_murray_attempts_another_double_backflip-8496.html