Well first off, Atomic Moto rocks...had a little trouble selecting the perfect boot for me since I was looking for something that had reasonable protection but yet was comfortable for riding all day and for taking short hikes off of the bike plus I wanted "cool" since it is always hot in Florida :). Atomic Moto recommended the Forma Boulder and they hit the nail on the head. Had to try two different sizes but in the end the Forma sizing guide worked the best for me: https://www.formabootsusa.com/pages/sizing. I have worn several Alpinestars and several Gaerne in the past with the GX-1 being a great bang for your buck but the Forma Boulder is more comfortable, cooler (breathes better) than the others while only giving up a little bit in the protection department. They did take a couple hours to break in...were a little tight to start with but the Form sizing guide worked in the long run. Well worth the break in time and the price :). Thank YOU Atomic Moto.
I had my choices narrowed down to this and the Gaerne because of the flat welt sole construction and wider toe box. Picked this one for both the wife and I as it had many good reviews about the width, was less expensive than the Gaerne and was claimed to have a stiffer sole than the Gaerne. The main purpose is for dual sport riding.
Pros:
The boot is well made. Buckles work very well. Sizing was spot on based on our euro size. They look good too, very much like a work boot to the casual observation with regular pants.
Cons:
Not as wide as the reviews made them sound. They are good in the sense the heel is not ridiculous in order to get a wider forefoot but these could be wider up front for both of us. For reference we both normally wear either Lems or Xero shoes 95% of the time. OF course this is individual specific and just our experience. They also have zero resemblance of trying to keep water out. Skipped the waterproof because of the Texas heat but even water puddles or river crossings with just the splash result in wet feet, however they have kept mud and dirt out.
Would I recommend, yes, if your budget puts you in this price range and you don't need any more width. But if more budget or more width, then pony up and get the Gaerne Balance/G All Terrain. I had tried on the G All Terrain and they felt great. Will be getting a pair in the future. Most importantly will be purchasing from Atomic Moto. Service here is the best I have had in a long time.
These boots are a bit snug in the forefoot area but seem to be loosening up after wearing for a few hours. Quality seems pretty good. Customer service is great.
Pretty stiff new calf is tight for me can't wear my usual knee/shin guards definitely made for slender legs. Toe box is pretty good. Really like the solid feel of the sole.
This is my first set of real motorcycle boots as I've always worn hikers in the past I ride an 83 bmw r80 commuting and on off road trips. I was looking at the balance pro-techs but after talking to Brian we decided the boulder would suit my needs better. I wasn't concerned with waterproofing (i'd rather have something that breathes) and I haven't really gotten these boots wet yet so I can't speak to that aspect of them. I am very impressed with how comfortable they are to walk around in I have been wearing them to work and aside from being a bit warm they are comfortable all day. I did replace the insoles I'll never understand why the boots in this price range don't come with decent insoles it makes such a huge difference. I recently got a plated wr400 and I want to start riding more trails but I will probably get another set of boots for that as these don't offer as much ankle support as an mx boot. In the meantime I am wearing an ankle brace inside the boot per Brians recommendation. My only regret is waiting so long to get them.
I was having a hard time finding in between sizes in these Forma boots. Atomic Moto gets them directly from Forma so you can have it your way, to steal a phrase. The boots are plenty tough for street riding and occasional offroad. The toe box is roomy and are more walkable than MX boots.
I have over 6 months use in rocky, sandy, hardback West Texas terrain and they have served me very well. I would buy again. The fit was perfect- always a concern when purchasing online. I'm a wider size 11 and the 45 fits nicely. Quality is evident and boot is made in the EU. After ordering I received a call from Atomic just to let me know it would be shipped in a few days (not immediately), was that OK? Great job of customer service.
Boot is firm and will take time to break-in, not a great walker but a no joke foot protection beast. I've had a few dabs hitting an unseen rock or stump and the energy is absorbed by the boot and not your foot other than a sting.
Thanks, Atomic
Bought these to replace 6 inch Danner boots I wear during the summer. The Danners although good for walking leak while riding. I also have a pair of Dianese GT fulcrums which are great boots but are not great for camping. MY actual adventure riding is limited but wanted something with better traction than the Dianese and I do a good bit of moto camping but dont want to look like too much of a poser in full height boots. My Klim outrider jeans fit nicely over these. I wear a 11 1/2 to 12 shoe. 12 in hiking and running shoes and 11 1/2 in others. I went with a 46 knowing the majority of what I have is a 46 with the exception of my back packing boots which are 47s. Fit is very good and I think a 47 would have been a little too big. One pre requisite I have is I put green super feet in all my shoes except running and they feel great with them. Yes , at first they feel like ski boots
and are a little clompy but are already loosening. To sum it up I think the support they provide and the fit will be perfect for my gravel road, camping , road riding.
You can see and feel the quality in every part of this boot. Buckles are especially great. Surprising at this price point. I expect to be wearing these for a long time to come. Normally wear 10.5 shoe, but the 10 boots fit just right.
I recently purchased a BMW R1200 GSA. My past motorcycle was Victory Vision. Last year I underwent surgery for a broken 5th metatarsal on my right foot due to a freak drop of the Victory. Lost 3 months of work and riding. After purchasing the GSA, I decided to get proper foot protection right up front. After asking about my riding style and intentions, I ultimately ended up with this Forma model. I wore them for 8 hours last night and the fit is perfect at a 13. They protect all of the key areas I am concerned about and while not ballerina shoes, have been surprising comfortable to walk around the house with. Brian's recommendation is a home run and he really knows boots. I should be getting out for a days ride soon involving some rough roads and off pavement. I feel much safer knowing I have the right boot for the job. I will update later after I get some miles with these boots, but my gut tells me they will be great.