I only asked b/c lots of off-road guys don't even run them. I know that we need the bumpstops, but are dustboots essential for strut longevity?

 

Yes, Very essential to keep the road grime out of the strut piston

-matt

 

It is highly recommended that you use them. You run the risk of piston life being shortened due to dirt, pebbles etc getting in there and screwing them up.
D

 

If you don't use them you are waiting for something to go bad. On the other hand it is also possible for stuff to get trapped inside the dustboot and cause damage this way.

 

I read the title of this thread and was about to say, “Hell yeah you need them”. Then I thought about a motocross bike. It sees 10x the grime and debris that a Maxima ever will and it doesn't use boots on the shock. Of course, their piston is at the bottom of the shock assembly so it would be hard for dirt to get in the seal. You could probably get away without them but, for the $60 that they cost, its cheap insurance.