When it comes to some things you just gotta say "screw it".
Installing torsion bars in 69 RR. Not a restoration! Reproduction boots are stupid money. Aftermarket PST are less expensive and Prothane cheaper still. Read a whole buch of posts about how difficult the urethane ones are to get over the ends. Bought Prothane's and spent about 5 minutes on the task and decided "screw it" and left the boots off. This car isn't going to see much foul weather. Lubed up both ends really good and left it at that. My blood pressure stayed in check and I didn't throw things in frustration. I "might" eventually stuff the crossmember openings with joint and gap filler foam rod or pieces of pool noodle.

Hey, even the old OEM ones can wrestle you for a bit - I don't know about the aftermarket ones.
Obviously the purpose is to keep water, dirt & debris out; the grease will attract dirt & debris.
Pool noodle sounds pretty funny, but might work; or maybe slit the aftermarket one and zip-tie it, if they're that irritating.

Only ones Ive ever tried to install have been the stock ones

And found the easiest way is boil a pan of water,
Once removed from the stove, drop the boots in the hot water for maybe a few minutes.
makes them MUCH more pliable to slide over the bars

That and some silicone grease.

When my brother did the torsion bars on his Challenger a few years back he had the same problem and left them off, I never was happy about that. Even on dry roads I too would think grit and sand will be attracted to the grease and that can't be a good thing. He has I think PST 1.03 bars and also bought their aftermarket boots. I think they were these or something similar-
https://www.manciniracing.com/entorbardusb.html

I just recently did mine, also 1.03 bars, I got them from Mancini along with their boots, $34.99 / pr. they went right on, no problems at all.
https://www.manciniracing.com/matobarloses.html

"These are tough like OEM but super stretchy. With a little dish soap they easily slip over the torsion bar ends and DONT TEAR".

I’ve had problems installing them as well. I’ve used stock and aftermarket. The hot water helps with lube but the best method I found is to install them also install them before you install the bars. That way you can use the floor to push against. They have to go on before you install the lower control arms.

I have seen many a car with hundreds of thousands of all weather miles and no boots. They were all fine. Dirt, road salt, mud, etc. never really did anything to them. Most all were greased well but not all of them. Its a great idea to have them but I don't stay up at nights if they are missing.

That being said if I ever have them or access to them I will definitely install them.

Thank you for the link to a good product. I will use them next go round. Last couple pairs I bought, back around the turn of the century, were horrible.

I can't remember exactly what I used but the last time I went through this I used something like this to cover the end of the bar and then slipped the boot over it with lots of grease.

bar cover