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![Handcrafted in[br][em]Coste di Maser[/em]](http://www.btosports.com/cdn/shop/files/Gaerne_2_3f67711b-682e-4eda-9e86-49b738a7f9fc.png?format=webp&v=1778608317&width=300)
Gaerne Motocross Boots: SG-22, SG-12, Balance Oiled, GP-1 Evo, Off-Road & Adventure Boots Made in Italy | BTO Sports
Handcrafted in
Coste di Maser
Gaerne was founded in 1962 by master shoemaker Ernesto Gazzola in Coste di Maser, a small town in northern Italy, and the family has been building boots there ever since. The company expanded into motorcycle footwear in the 1970s and has never outsourced production. Today Gaerne makes premium motocross, off-road, and adventure boots using Goodyear Welted artisanal construction, a stitched sole method that allows the boots to be fully resoled, extending their useful life well beyond what bonded-sole competitors offer. At BTO Sports, we carry the Gaerne SG-22, SG-12, and select models from their full off-road lineup.
Featured Boots
Why we like Gaerne
Gaerne is one of the few brands in motocross that still makes their product the hard way, and riders who own a pair tend to stay loyal. The SG-22 is the current flagship: lighter than the SG-12, with a redesigned 3D toe box that sits lower and narrower for faster, cleaner gear shifts. The Dual Stage Pivot System limits hyperextension and compression, and the Goodyear Welted sole can be replaced at a specialized shop instead of thrown away when the rubber wears through. That resole capability changes the math on a $629 boot, especially compared to bonded-sole alternatives that have a fixed lifespan. Ernesto Gazzola, who started the company in 1962, is still in the factory daily in his 80s. That kind of hands-on ownership shows in the product. Gaerne is a brand you buy once, take care of, and ride for years.
FAQ
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The SG-22 is the current flagship and is lighter than the SG-12 with a redesigned 3D toe box that is lower-profile and narrower, which improves gear shift speed and precision. The Dual Stage Pivot System 1.0 is updated on the SG-22, and the sole uses a multi-density construction with improved traction and cushioning compared to the SG-12. The SG-12 is the previous flagship and is still a world-class boot with the same Goodyear Welted construction and resolable sole. Both boots are handmade in Italy and require essentially no break-in period.
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Gaerne uses European sizing and the conversion to US sizes is not always straightforward. An EU 46 in Gaerne sizing corresponds to approximately a US 11.7, which Gaerne labels as US 11. The safest approach is to measure your foot length in centimeters and match it to Gaerne's official size chart rather than converting from your US size. Some riders report the SG-22 fits slightly narrower than the SG-12 due to the Goodyear welt construction pulling the upper tighter underfoot. Riders with wider feet should take note and check the size chart carefully before ordering.
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Goodyear Welted construction means the sole is stitched to the upper rather than glued or bonded. Most motocross boots use bonded soles, which means when the sole wears out the boot is done. A Goodyear Welted boot can be taken to a specialized cobbler or boot repair shop, the worn sole is removed, and a new one is stitched back on. For a $600 boot this matters considerably. Riders who take care of their Gaerne boots can get multiple seasons of riding out of the same pair by resoling rather than replacing.
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The Alpinestars Tech 10 and Gaerne SG-22 are priced similarly, around $630-$680. The Tech 10 uses an integrated inner ankle brace system and is one of the lightest options at the premium tier but uses a bonded sole that cannot be repaired. The Fox Instinct prioritizes peg feel and comfort at a lower entry price but also uses a bonded sole. Gaerne differentiates through Italian craftsmanship, the resolable sole, and a dual-pivot system that many riders prefer for its straightforward ankle control. Over multiple seasons, Gaerne's total cost of ownership often comes out ahead of competitors because the boots can be renewed rather than replaced.
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Yes. In addition to the SG-22 and SG-12 motocross boots, Gaerne makes off-road, enduro, and adventure boots including the Balance Oiled and GP-1 Evo. These models are built for longer days on varied terrain and carry the same Italian craftsmanship as the MX lineup. The Balance Oiled in particular is popular with dual-sport and adventure riders who want real protection with a boot that is also walkable off the bike.
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The Dual Stage Pivot System is Gaerne's built-in ankle protection mechanism. It uses two limit switches, one for hyperextension and one for hyper-compression, that engage to restrict the ankle from moving past safe angles during a crash or hard landing. Unlike rigid braces worn over the boot, this is integrated directly into the boot's hinge hardware and adds no external bulk. It works in conjunction with the boot's structural rigidity to give the ankle both freedom of movement while riding and protection limits when impact forces exceed normal riding loads.
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With normal care and use, Gaerne boots last significantly longer than most MX boots because the sole can be replaced. Riders report getting three to five years or more out of a single pair of SG-12 or SG-22 boots by resoling when the tread wears down. The upper construction on both models is built to handle real riding conditions and resist cracking and delamination that can end the life of bonded boots prematurely. If you treat them as a long-term piece of gear rather than a consumable, Gaerne boots represent strong value despite the upfront price.