Practical test: waterproof boots up to 130 euros

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Practical test: waterproof boots up to 130 euros
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Practical test: waterproof boots up to 130 euros

Practical test: waterproof boots up to 130 euros
Gaaas! Water? NS…

No, this is not about the slang term for the plumbing trade. This is about the tester curses when an allegedly tight boot suffers from water ingress again.

Klaus Herder

06/02/2003

The good news first: MOTORCYCLE didn’t really have to be in
test the legendary men’s toilet of the youth center in Stuttgart Mitte. Caretaker Alf C. did the washing without limits only for the lead photo. Now for the bad news: out of 13 models, six did not hold tight. When procuring the test samples, the announcement for the providers was clear: they should be waterproof boots in the price range 90 to 130 euros. This is the case with waterproof boots
lower to middle price segment. And that explains why some premium providers are not included in this test.
Nevertheless, an illustrious test field in sizes 42 and 45 came together. From the sneaker-like »Ixs Track«
The bandwidth extended to the disguised »Held Via« ski boot. Both branded membranes such as Gore-Tex and Sympatex and no-name PU coatings should ensure water resistance. All boots have one thing in common: They play in the touring league. None of the test candidates is suitable for more sporty locomotion, because there are no large protectors and sliders.
Thus, the test program was tailored to the mixed and more tourist-oriented operation on and off the motorcycle. To get started, however, it was all about getting in and out. Do Velcro straps have to be completely opened or shoelaces unthreaded in order to get in? Are zippers easy to grasp, does the lining get stuck somewhere when you close it? The “Kochmann Monza” showed that less is often more. Where there is no zipper, no one can break. If the Velcro fasteners are correctly placed, slipping in and out becomes child’s play.
Second checkpoint: pedestrian suitability. After all, the best boot is of little use to the tourer if it makes every little hike a torture. Tourers are connoisseurs and often combine their trips with sightseeing appointments on foot. So the MOTORRAD testers walked upstairs, downstairs, on asphalt and loose ground and covered a good kilometer on foot for each pair.
Then we went on the motorcycle. Namely, on the good old Yamaha SRX 600, on which a tour-style assembled, but if desired also a slightly sporty sitting position can be taken. Is the switching amplification fitting in a practical way? Does the heel slide up? Is it pressing on your toes? Are there any disturbing drapery? How is the shifting and braking feel? After an extensive test drive, the right answers were found to these and a few other questions.
The big finale came with the wetness test. Went for twenty minutes at a time
it with the test candidates in the tub. The cool water was ankle-high, the feet were constantly in motion. A lavish impregnation had on one
So long a test time only a small chance, for water resistance had to be
the membranes take care of. Ingress of water made itself felt in the end result. One only minimal
leaky boot couldn’t do better than “still recommendable.”.

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Practical test: waterproof boots up to 130 euros

Practical test: waterproof boots up to 130 euros
Gaaas! Water? NS…

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HEIN GERICKE BULLSON VOYAGER

BULLSON VOYAGER

Provider: Hein Gericke, Telephone 0180/5229522 Price: 99.95 eurosSizes: 37 to 47Functional membrane: SheltexWeight *: 1520 grams per pairShaft height *: 31 centimetersEquipment: cowhide, zipper, Velcro fastener on the calf, reflective insert, ankle protection on the inside and outsideOperation: easy on – and exit, easy to use zipper, width adjustment almost impossible; wet test: right boot tight, on left boot slight water ingress after 7.30 minutes, moderate moisture penetration after 20 minutes practical test driving: good fit, switch reinforcement but a little too far back practical test walking: rear edge of the switch reinforcement presses when walking, otherwise inconspicuous and comfortable Conclusion: classically cut , well-made touring boot with a neat fit; slight weaknesses in the wetness test

HEIN GERICKE PSX T1

Provider: Hein Gericke, Telephone 0180/5229522 Price: 129.95 EuroSizes: 38 to 47Functional membrane: Gore-TexWeight *: 1538 grams per pairShaft height *: 22 centimetersEquipment: cowhide-textile mix, lacingUsage: Robust loops facilitate the otherwise somewhat complex entry , pleasantly strong shoelaces and heavy-duty eyelets, easy exit; turns out normal Wet test: tight Practical driving test: comfortable to wear, practical switching amplification, heel could be fixed a little better Practical walking test: looks more comfortable than it is; the very hard, inflexible sole makes long walks an ordeal Conclusion: very well made and absolutely tight short boot with a good fit and high wearing comfort when driving; rather unsuitable as a leisure boot away from the motorcycle

HERO TORBAY

Provider: Held, Telephone 08321/66460 Price: 99.90 Euro Sizes: 37 to 47 Functional membrane: Porelle Weight *: 1946 grams per pair Shaft height *: 33 centimeters Features: cowhide, Velcro fastener on the calf, Velcro strap in the lower area, reflective insert, shin and ankle protection (inside and outside) Operation: very easy entry and exit, protrudes very far at the top ?? tightly cut trouser legs do not fit over it; very large wet test: tight driving test: strong folds on the upper side even with a moderately sporty sitting position, otherwise comfortable and inconspicuous walking test: foot only slightly fixed, everything is a bit loose, pleasantly flexible sole, good standard Conclusion: heavy, no-frills touring boot, well made; but rather unsuitable for a more sporty driver

HERO VIA

Provider: Held, Telephone 08321/66460 Price: 129 eurosSizes: 37 to 47Functional membrane: PorelleWeight *: 2016 grams per pairShaft height *: 32 centimetersEquipment: cowhide, zippers, Velcro fastener on the calf, reflective insert, shin and ankle protection on the inside and outsideOperation: tight entry , Easy to get out, sticks out at the top; results normal Wet test: right boot leaking after six minutes, completely wet after ten minutes; slight water ingress on the left after 14.30 minutes until the end of the test is completely moist ski boot feeling when climbing stairs Conclusion: heavy, chunky touring boot with a very high quality appearance; strong weaknesses in the wetness test; Moderately comfortable when driving and walking

IXS SHOOTER

Provider: Hostettler, Telephone 07361/180448 Price: 129.90 Euro Sizes: 35 to 48 Functional membrane: Veratex Weight *: 1490 grams per pair Shaft height *: 31 centimeters Features: cowhide-synthetic leather mix, zip, reflective piping, shin and ankle protection (inside and outside) Operation: easy entry and exit, easy-to-use zip; is rather small Wet test: after 1.30 minutes water ingress on the sole of the right boot, after two minutes also on the left; Test aborted after five minutes with completely wet feet Practical test driving: very comfortable fit, looks light as a feather, perfect contact with gears and brakes, in size 42 a bit tight on the toes Practical walking test: Fits like a glove and is hardly noticeable, also suitable for longer walks Conclusion: a perfectly fitting and very comfortable boot for tourers and sports tourers ?? but not tight

IXS TRACK

Provider: Hostettler, phone 07361/180448 Price: 115 eurosSizes: 35 to 48Functional membrane: VeratexWeight *: 1186 grams per pairShaft height *: 22 centimetersEquipment: cowhide, lacing, Velcro fastener in the upper area, reflective trimmings, ankle protection on the inside and outsideOperation: Entry and exit very simple, thin shoelaces, cannot be tied very tightly because the upper parts of the boot meet; fails normally Wet test: after 0.30 minutes water ingress on the left boot, after two minutes on the right boot; Test aborted after 4.30 minutes with completely wet feet Practical test driving: too thin upper material, gear lever pushes through Practical test walking: heel not fixed enough, sole too narrow for relaxed walking Conclusion: not very high quality imitation leather sneaker look; the water ingress is probably due to a design flaw (flap not sealed high enough)

COOK MAN MONZA

Provider: Kochmann, Telephone 02241/39420 Price: 130 euros Sizes: 36 to 47 (oversizes 48 to 51) Functional membrane: Sympatex Weight *: 1472 grams per pair Shaft height *: 31 centimeters Features: cowhide, Velcro fastener on the calf, Velcro strap in the lower area, reflective piping, ankle protection on Outside operation: easy entry and exit, a zipper is not missing ?? But on the contrary; turns out normal Wetness test: tight Practical test driving: very good fit, no folds even in a somewhat sportier sitting position, good contact with gearshift and brakes Practical test walking: pleasantly flexible, but not too thin sole; very comfortable and suitable for long journeys Conclusion: well-made, cute and no-frills boots for tourers and sports tourers; the ingeniously simple construction means a long service life can be expected

LOUIS PROBIKER DRY

Provider: Louis, Telephone 040/73419360 Price: 119.95 euros Sizes: 38 to 46 Functional membrane: Tepor Weight *: 1350 grams per pair Shaft height *: 33 centimeters Features: Lorica (high-tech synthetic leather), zipper in the lower area and cover with Velcro, Velcro on the calf, Ankle protection on the outside Operation: easy entry and exit, Velcro fastener on the calf should be longer; results normalWet test: after 15 minutes minimal water penetration into the zipper of the right boot, does not get worse until the end of the test; close to the left Practical test driving: good fit, slight drapery in a sportier sitting position, optimal switching amplification Practical test walking: very comfortable; well fixed heel; slim in the toe area, but cut sufficiently wide Conclusion: inconspicuous, comfortable touring boot with a small weakness in the wetness test

LOUIS PROBIKER SPEED

Provider: Louis, Telephone 040/73419360 Price: 129.95 euros Sizes: 37 to 46 Functional membrane: Sympatex Weight *: 1518 grams per pair Shaft height *: 24 centimeters Features: cowhide-textile mix, lacing, Velcro fastener in the upper area, reflective piping and insert, ankle protection on Inside and outside operation: extremely easy entry and exit, strong laces, robust eyelets; normal to large wet test: after two minutes of water ingress on the right boot (top), after three minutes also on the left; Test aborted after five minutes with completely wet feet Practical driving test: Nothing presses, everything fits perfectly, short boots are extremely comfortable to wear Practical walking test: very comfortable, sole rolls off easily, comfortable even on long journeys Conclusion: great fit, high-quality appearance, absolutely suitable for motorbikes and leisure ?? if only it weren’t for the wetness test problem

FASHIONKA TOURSPORT

Provider: Beckumer Leder-Bekleidungswerk, Telephone 02521/85030 Price: 109 eurosSizes: 38 to 47Functional membrane: MicroporeWeight *: 1688 grams per pairShaft height *: 34 centimetersEquipment: Cowhide, Velcro fastener on the calf, two Velcro straps in the lower area, reflective piping on the heel, ankle protection on Inside operation: Sufficiently easy entry and exit, Velcro strap too short (must always be threaded in and out when putting on and taking off); turns out small Wet test: tight Practical test driving: satisfactory to good fit, somewhat indirect feeling for gear shifting and brakes Practical test walking: heel fits much too loosely, in the toe area quite tight fit, overall satisfactorily comfortable Conclusion: well-made and waterproof touring boot without serious weaknesses

POLO LACER

Provider: Polo, Telephone 0180/5225785 Price: 125.95 euros Sizes: 37 to 47 Functional membrane: Gore-Tex Weight *: 1580 grams per pair Shaft height *: 23 centimeters Features: cowhide-Cordura mix, lacing, Velcro fastener in the upper area, ankle protection on the inside and outside Outside operation: Sufficiently easy entry and exit, strong shoelaces; the continuous lacing with eyelets is a bit more fiddly than a finish with hooks (as for example with the Probiker Speed); Normally wet test: tight Practical test driving: comfortable to wear, good fit, even with a sportier sitting position, nothing presses, well placed switching reinforcement Practical test walking: completely problem-free and comfortable even on long walks Conclusion: very well made and waterproof short boots with a good fit and high wearing comfort

POLO PERFORMER

Provider: Polo, Telephone 0180/5225785 Price: 99.95 eurosSizes: 37 to 47Functional membrane: Gore-TexWeight *: 1636 grams per pairShaft height *: 33 centimetersEquipment: Cow suede Cordura mix, zip, Velcro on calf, shin and ankle protection (inside – and outside) Operation: very easy to get on and off, somewhat stiff zipper, width adjustment on the calf practically not possible (Velcro overlap too little); turns out normal Wet test: tight Practical test driving: satisfactory to good fit, good wearing comfort, somewhat indirect switching and braking sensation Practical test walking: proper fit on heel and toes; Conclusion: good boot standard, properly processed, well suited for tourers and moderately sporty drivers, no serious strengths or weaknesses

UVEX SILVERSTONE

Provider: Uvex, Telephone 0911/97740 Price: 129.95 euros Sizes: 36 to 47 Functional membrane: none; Coated upper material (U-Tec) Weight *: 1426 grams per pair Shaft height *: 34 centimeters Features: cowhide-synthetic leather mix, zip and cover with Velcro fastener, Velcro fastener on the calf, ankle protection on the outside Operation: Entry very easy, closing and exit a bit awkward, zip stiff, width adjustment at the calf only possible to a very limited extent; falls normal Wet test: tight Practical test driving: good fit, in a sporty sitting position strong folds on the upper side; Shift reinforcements not shaped in a practical wayPractical test walking: pronounced, but thoroughly comfortable footbed; after a long period of wear, a somewhat sweaty “rubber boot feeling” arises. Conclusion: waterproof touring boot with small flaws in detail

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