MX boots metal tip

[JacoM]

Hi all,
Bought my first pair of MX boots reasantly (from D7).  What is the real function of the metal plate covering the toe and sole section? Can I remove it without weakening the structure of the boot? I ride a Dakar and do mostly slow, very technical stuff, thus the boot will never de draggged on the ground.
Your comments please?!
Regards

 

[Ama ride ride]

 

[Plothond]

 

[Welsh]

 

[Pom]

 

[Goose]

 

[Marlene]