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.
Brian at Atomic Moto is simply the best in the business - took the time to advise me on the boots for my type of riding and spent almost an hour on the phone. His customer service is legendary and the reason why I’m a repeat customer of his for moto boots
Super comfortable right out of the box. I wear a 2XL and I have issues finding a good fitting helmet. Fit and finish is tops in the helmet business. Highly recommended!
Boots are always a compromise between comfort and protection. I'm 66, live in a rural area and my riding routes are mostly remote dirt forest roads on a 430 pound dual-sport. I want the extra protection a tall, four buckle boot provides when I'm out in the hills and expect that a protective boot is going to provide less feel of the bike and less comfort. I've been riding in the Fastbacks for a couple weeks and around 150 miles, 90% on dirt forest roads, in the dust and in the wet, here in the PNW. For a stiffer, tall, protective boot, these were pretty comfy right out of the box. The sole allows for good feel of the foot pegs and controls but is super comfy with great grip while standing on the pegs. The boots' uppers also help grip the sides of the bike when standing, inspiring confidence and increasing control. There is just enough flex to allow movement for decent shifting and braking. I had to move my shift lever up on the splines to compensate for the toe height. The buckle system is very adjustable, several of the buckles can be detached and moved to compensate for larger or smaller calves and it's possible to get the fit very customized. I found that heating the boots up with a hair dryer and then wearing them while they're still warmed up helped get the plastic to conform to my bony left ankle and knobby feet. I have pretty wide forefeet and am normally an 8.5/43 and these boots are size 9. They are roomy and comfortable but don't feel sloppy. My Re'vit pants will fit over the boots but I have the uppers pretty compressed around my skinny calves. The quality of these boots is outstanding and they look like they'll last for years of dirty riding! I put in some better insoles right away as the stock ones don't have a lot of arch support. Overall, I like the balance these boots strike between good bike feel and protection. For mixed, dual sport riding where I'm off pavement for many miles, I really am happy with these and look forward to riding in them for a long time to come. Although my longest ride so far in these has only been a couple hours, I wouldn't hesitate to put them on for a full day's adventure, even with some pavement thrown in.
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