November 28, 2007

Pearson on Protection and the Genius Boot

Recently we had the opportunity to sit down with Russell Pearson, past winner of two AMA Hare and Hound titles, a WORCS title and four time ISDE Gold Medalist,  to discuss his experiences using the Scott Genius Boot. Below is what Russell had to say.   Russell, I understand you are now wearing the Scott Genius boot. Was it the superior protection the boots offer that prompted you to start wearing it? Yes, I have had two ankle surgeries the past two years and was looking for the best lower leg protection available. Racing off road in the desert at speeds approaching a hundred miles an hour while navigating through rocks and bushes and everything else the desert has to throw at you is brutal. I am always looking to use the products which offer the best protection. Some riders who wear the Genius Boot find they need a little time to adapt to them. What was your experience? It was really simple. I took the little donut adjustment pads out of my right boot because my ankle on that side is a bit larger from surgeries I have had on it. With that simple adjustment they felt really comfortable and stable and were race-ready. Amazingly, when I rode in the boots I really adapted to them very quickly. I did not have to adapt my riding style. Given the look of them I thought I might have to make some changes but I just put them on and started pinning it. Were the boots comfortable? Yeah, they felt good right away. At the end of a ride when I am hanging out by the truck with friends they feel light and comfortable, like I am wearing shoes. Definitely, one of the more comfortable boots I have worn.   Have you had any experiences while wearing the Genius Boot where you felt the boots have saved you from an injury? Definitely, I was riding in some sagebrush and caught my ankle on a bush. I thought to myself, “uh oh”. Having caught my foot on a lot of bushes during my racing career, I was afraid it was going to tweak my ankle. To my surprise, I pulled my foot back onto the peg and the ankle was perfectly fine. Also, I have a friend who recently bought a pair of Scott Genius boots and he told me about an experience he had the other day. While riding he smashed his foot between a huge rock and his 650 motorcycle, he was sure his foot was going to be crushed. To his surprise, even though the accident caused a loud smashing noise, his foot was not injured at all and he kept riding for the rest of the day. So, definitely, I think they offer the best lower leg protection of any of the boots I have worn. Clean up and maintenance is supposed to be simple with the Genius Boots, Have you found this to be true?     Yeah, after a race or recreational riding, I take out the bootie and throw a little cleaner on the boots and spray them down with some water. They dry in no time flat and are ready to go. Super easy! Are you going to be using the Genius Boots next year? I have not signed a contract yet, but that is the plan.