AXO Norstar Trans-Am Boots

What it is

• Vintage-style motocross boots made with updated materials and construction techniques.

The AXO Norstar Trans-Am boots replicate the look of those made by Munari in Italy in the 1970s. Made from high-quality leather, they feature padded shins and ankles and six strap buckles each to tailor the fit. Available in classic black with red/white/blue stripes and those trademark metal badges on the shins, the boots are part of a larger Trans-Am line that includes jerseys, pants and authentic goatskin gloves.

How it works

• Comfortable on and off the bike and decently protective. Dual-sport and trials riders will love them!
• Break-in is nowhere near as painful as in the Bad Old Days. There's no need to wrap them in rags soaked in Neatsfoot Oil overnight.
• The leather scuffs easily but can be touched up with good old-fashioned shoe polish.

Modern motocross boots are marvelous in terms of protection, but not everyone wants to look like a Star Wars stormtrooper. Many vintage and vet riders want boots that resemble those they wore back in the day. Short of a hot-tub time machine, that has meant scouring eBay and Craigslist (if you're computer-literate) or swap meets and the classified ads (if you're not) for a pair of well-preserved vintage boots. But now there's another option: the AXO Norstar Trans-Am boots.

If you're old like me, you may recall Norstar boots from the 1970s. These latest ones are faithful to that memory, with one notable exception: They don't have metal toe caps, which seems like a sin of omission on a vintage-style motocross boot. (If you really want metal toe caps, you can purchase them from various online retailers for less than $10.) Other modern updates include stretchy expansion panels at the openings and synthetic gaitors to help seal out the elements. Shift pads on both the left and right boots will appeal to old Bultaco and Triumph riders.

The first thing you notice when you go to put on these boots is how long it takes to fasten the buckles (12 total, down from 14 on the originals). The leather straps are wider than they used to be, which should help longevity as those were prone to tearing. But while there are four holes in each strap, I wish there were more as I sometimes found myself “between holes,” so to speak. Be careful not to try to force a pin into a hole that doesn't exist or it may pop off—and it'll be nearly impossible to find in the dirt! It helps to check the pins once in a while and crimp the loose ones with pliers. Should you lose one, however, the buckle will still hold pretty well if you pull the strap tight. Don't ask how I know...

Functionally these boots perform better than I thought they would. I expected them to lack protection but they actually have ample padding. The modern scalloped soles appear to be thicker than the smooth soles of the originals, which helps absorb jump landings, especially if you're riding a vintage bike with narrow footpegs (the wider pegs on modern bikes spread the load better). My only real complaint was the lack of ankle support. If I were going to race in these boots regularly, I'd look into getting some sort of ankle braces. And maybe some gel sole inserts.

What these boots are really all about, though, is their look. And everyone commented on them, especially when worn with the matching AXO Trans-Am gear. (On an aside, while AXO doesn't make a matching helmet, the black Bell Moto-9 Stunt—in black, not that dreadful pearl—complements this outfit perfectly.)

As for cost, the Norstar Trans-Am boots originally retailed for $380. Unfortunately, AXO has discontinued them but is currently blowing out remaining inventory (smaller sizes only) on its website (www.axo.com) for just $149.99. The boots are also available from a few online retailers and on eBay with prices ranging from $60-$300. So you still don't need a hot-tub time machine to get a set.