Mountain Biking - Fork boots, What's the deal?

So, I've seen some fork boots at my LBS. Do they really help save your fork? Or are they just another gadget that appeals to the bike geek in me.

I usually don't ride is really wet conditions. However, the trail I'm riding now does have a couple of stream crossings.

They are lizard skins. Anyone use them?

They are intended to sheild the slide surface from grime and grit but will actually keep it trapped against the surfaces once the stuff pentrates the boot.

If you use them you need to cut the tie and slide them up when cleaning your bike to make sure no grit has become trapped by them.

I think a bare fork looks better.

Not all seals are good enough in preventing dirt getting trapped inside the fork, so they use the boots.

They are mainly to help prevent stanchion scratches.

A bare fork looks better, but a scratch free fork works better.

Yep, gotta go with the scratch protection. I put a scratch in my Marzocci Z1 this weekend and it's gonna cost me $200 to have the stanchions replaced (there was oil everywhere!). Most expensive bike ride I have ever had. Invest the $12 and save the money for other stuff.

Might be worth it if you ride in a lot of mud and use big tyres. The only trouble is if dirt gets behind them you may well end up with scratches anyway.

Best thing to do if you ride in a lot mud is make sure your next fork has an arch on the back and the mud will get scraped off before it hits the stanctions.

The trails I've been riding lately have a lot of sand. I really hate that freakin' sand! After a rain shower, it gets everywhere. I hose off the bike when I get home, but I do ride a good bit before I head that way. I may try the boots if the pther trails in my area have as much sand.

Might be worth it if you ride in a lot of mud and use big tyres. The only trouble is if dirt gets behind them you may well end up with scratches anyway.

Best thing to do if you ride in a lot mud is make sure your next fork has an arch on the back and the mud will get scraped off before it hits the stanctions.

The arch doesn't contact the tire, and it doesn't make a difference in the amount of mud that get's on your stanchions.

I know. I've ridden both. That arch is simply for rigidity.

Best thing to do if you ride in a lot mud is make sure your next fork has an arch on the back and the mud will get scraped off before it hits the stanctions.

Sounds like a Marzocchi promo.

Sounds like a Marzocchi promo.

??? More like manitou. Marzocchi arches are on the front after the stanchions:)

kind of OT but did manitou fix the problem with their reverse arches constantly snapping at the base?