With the performance, technology and comfort of today’s adventure touring motorcycles, one bike really can do it all. Load up the panniers and trunk with a week’s worth of gear, then head off on a two-up tour with your spouse. Spoon on a set of knobbies, pack the camping gear and head into the national forest for an off-road adventure with your buddies. Or go canyon carving, commute to work, you name it.
Likewise, adventure touring boots should be able to do it all, and TCX X-Desert Boots fit the bill. These rugged boots have a full-grain leather upper and plenty of reinforcements to protect the lower legs and feet, with CE-certified polyurethane armor at the heel, ankle, shin and shift area. Suede on the inside of the foot/leg protects from engine heat and helps prevent scratches on the bike’s bodywork (but scratches are a badge of honor among adventure riders, right?). The tall boots secure with a hook-and-loop flap at the top and three adjustable aluminum buckles, and an elasticized collar provides a close fit around the leg. A lugged enduro-style sole provides good grip on cleated pegs and rough terrain.
Lining the boot is a Gore-Tex Performance waterproof, breathable membrane, with a full gusset to keep water out. The interior features TCX’s Comfort Fit System, a proprietary, manual manufacturing technique that shapes the boot on a mold that “faithfully reproduces the anatomy of the foot.” And the anatomic footbed is removable and replaceable.
These boots were tested by experienced adventure rider Peter Neuper. Here’s his report:
“I tested the TCX X-Desert Boots on several road rides around the Santa Monica Mountains, and a ride from L.A. to Pahrump, Nevada, for AltRider’s Taste of Dakar [dual-sport/adventure ride]. They’ve seen sun, rain, sand, rocks and mud, and have performed really well in all areas.
“What I like most about the boots: they are light and comfortable; they’re waterproof (and I mean really waterproof – I rode in rain for hours and through ‘lakes of water’ on a flash-flooded desert highway, and my feet stayed dry and warm); the three buckles stay closed (though they can be hard to open at times); and they provide good support when standing on the pegs and don’t interfere with shifting or braking.
“Some features of the boots took some getting used to: finding the right buckle adjustment so they’re not too loose or too tight; and I don’t like the look of polyurethane armor plate at the heel, but it’s there for protection not style.
“Overall, they are great boots and I can recommend them to riders looking for durable, comfortable, waterproof adventure touring boots.”
TCX X-Desert Boots are available in men’s sizes 5-13 for $399.99.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
See your TCX dealer or visit tcxboots.com or atomic-moto.com
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