Shocks - boots or no boots

[jessef]

This is one of the most commonly asked questions when people are buying shocks.

Should I get boots ?

Pro's and con's

With boots on :

pro's - keep dust out in dry dusty conditions and looks cool to some people
con's - traps mud, moisture, debris inside the boot which can cause pitting and failure of the shaft and seal

With boots off :

pro's - enables easy wash/clean of shaft from mud/moisture,etc... after going offroad
con's - doesn't look as good as with boots on but that's personal preference

In my 20 years of driving and lots of offroading, I have gone through many a vehicle and punished lots of shocks. I've never put a boot on a shock and I have never had a shock fail that would have been prevented with a boot on. I've seen many shocks fail with boots on because the boots trap mud/dirt and moisture inside that cannot be cleaned unless you remove the boot.

With that said, you can search and read or ask and you'll get the same answers from both sides = it doesn't matter. The shock is just as likely to last with a boot on than it is with a boot off.

If you live in a dry and dusty climate, a boot will most likely be good. If you live in a wet and dirty environment, then a boot will most likely not do your shock any good.

Some shock manufacturer's provide their own semi-covered boot like the low-mid end Bilstein shocks. They come with a flexible plastic 3/4 boot that is open at the bottom to allow mud and debris to not be trapped inside like the typical rubber boots you see on most shocks.

Specific to the L300, the front shock has a stroke length of 13.5 inches and compression is 9.5 inches. The 4 inches of movement at it's maximum is less than 1/2 of what a normal shock boot will allow for flex. This means that the front boot will either pop off or trap debris inside easily. Stock shocks don't come with shock boots. They come in two flavours. Either open or with a 3/4 sleeve similar to the Bilstein's.

[Jensen]

bootless, nobody runs boots unless they're in the desert or driving a commuter car.

[nxski]

I'm glad to see this question responded to! Coincidence or not that I asked you about this a couple days ago?

[DelicaMark]

I didn't want to ask in case I got the answer I wasn't looking for.

It was a total BEE-ATCH to get the front shocks on with the boots for my L400 without taking things apart. That Pro Comp rubber grabs onto everything it touchs. I elected to go without and I am glad to see that was an okay decision.

I have never had boots on a vehicle or any of my mountain bikes before so I figured I was okay.

-Mark

[Super Exceeded]

I'm running boots, I kinda like the look!!!!!

[jessef]

if you do any mudding or such cut a hole the size of a dime at the bottom of the boots to let any crud out otherwise you may end up taking them off and on and off again just to clean out the insides

down south in dry climates, I'd be running boots but up here no booties