Product test: boots

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Product test: boots
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Product test: boots

Product test: boots
Touring boots up to 100 euros

Where is the shoe pinching? About the price? It shouldn’t be that. MOTORRAD took a close look at seven touring boots up to 100 euros. How do the cheap pedestrians fare in everyday use on the bike and in the wetness test in the laboratory?

Jorg Lohse

03/26/2009

It has to be a big green glow if you want to get yourself a decent pair of boots for motorcycling. Sometimes some chain stores offer all-round biker boots at a special price of 50 euros. But if you want to choose from a more extensive range, you usually have to spend twice as much. Above all, all-round suitability means that the range of uses for the boots should be as broad as possible. And waterproof equipment is a prerequisite for this. These are fulfilled by the seven test pairs in paper form: 100 percent waterproof is stated in all article descriptions.

Paper is patient, the MOTORCYCLE wetness test is merciless. And here you seem to have caught the Achilles heel with the low-budget kicks. Only a single test candidate actually fulfills the 100 percent in the measurement protocol. All other failures have been reported, some of them even blatant. That shouldn’t really be. Because the water damage to the boot has no structural cause, since the membrane itself is tight, but is a sign of sloppy workmanship.

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Product test: boots

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Touring boots up to 100 euros

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With tens of times wet feet, the end result can be very poor. Four couples do only satisfactorily or sufficiently. For comparison: Even in the next higher price range of up to 150 euros, eleven tested pairs of boots received consistently good to very good marks (see MOTORRAD 8/2008). Mainly because they performed significantly better in the wetness test. A signal to quality assurance in the cheap segment: There is an urgent need for action here. And for customers, that means: If you want to make sure that you won’t be standing there with wet feet on your first tour in the rain, you should check the waterproof equipment immediately after buying it. So put on your shoes and then off to a Kneipp treatment of a different kind in an ankle-high water bath. As a rule, it takes just a few minutes to find out whether you should register your warranty claims with the dealer as soon as possible.

In terms of fit, it is difficult to assert any exchange rights after the purchase. Therefore, take enough time to try them on and take a long stroll through the shop to find pressure points. Ideally, your own machine will park in front of the door. In this way, comfort can be assessed particularly well in the preferred resting position. Of course, a certain entry time also applies to motorcycle boots. But reinforcements made of hard plastic, which press uncomfortably on the feet or calves, do not soften over time. There, too, some test pairs show severe deficits. And before you agree on an uncomfortable compromise, you should perhaps make another sham. Even if it pushes again at first.

This is how MOTORRAD tests


Product test: boots


Sdun

Waterproof? The weaknesses show up in the filling test.

Practice driving (30 points): a crucial category. If the grip on the notch is correct, the gear and brake levers can be reached quickly, and how comfortable is the boot on the motorcycle?

Wetness test (30 points): Many points, which are only awarded if two pairs of boots really hold tight in the filling test (duration eight hours) and immersion bath (ten minutes of flexing movements under water). 7.5 points are deducted for each failure.

Security (15 points): The quality of reinforcements and reflectors as well as the slip-proof grip on the foot were evaluated.

Practice walking (10 points): Where does the boot pinch when you’re out and about on foot??

Handling (10 points): Full points only if the entry and closure are convincing.

Processing (5 points): What is the quality like? A look at the cobbler performance in the budget segment.

Conclusion

After all, in one case it is enough to achieve “very good”, two more pairs of boots can be rated as “good” be graded. A big drawback in this price range is the big failure in the wetness test. Almost all models leave feathers here, only the test winner of Richa crosses in all points to be awarded. The Probiker offers a good mix of all test criteria.

Sock customer – the right rope


Product test: boots


Sdun

Comfortable savings sock from Louis. Significant plus in comfort, the only problem is with the fit.

For comparison purposes, MOTORRAD tried out special functional socks for bikers in this test. The models from Probiker (9.95 euros / pair, from Louis) as well as the Moto Touring socks from X-Socks in the long version (23.95 euros / pair, also Louis). One thing is clear: Even with the high-end functional socks from X-Socks, which cost a quarter of what is required for a pair of boots in this test, deficits in wearing cannot be ironed out. Badly fitting boots remain uncomfortable even with these socks. Nevertheless, these are a far better choice than a simple cotton knit for 1.50 euros under the boot. On the one hand, this is due to the fact that, thanks to their padded structure, they eliminate bothersome points of friction and pressure points, especially between the boot shaft and the lower leg. The same applies to the back of the foot (instep), which is constantly in motion due to braking and switching processes. In terms of fit, the very tight-fitting X-Socks, which are tailored to a smaller range of sizes, are more appealing. The slightly too wide cut, slightly flared toe area bothers the Probiker.

High-end boots can do that – why expensive is better?

With a price of 225.95 euros, the Daytona Spirit XCR is in a completely different league. Does twice as expensive mean twice as good? The added value of such a boot can already be felt when trying it on in the shop. Because even when you slip it on for the first time, the Spirit XCR fits noticeably better, even in direct comparison with the best examples of this test in terms of fit and comfort. Hardly anything is missing from the famous sneaker effect. The leather used also contributes a lot, as it is significantly more supple than that used in the price segment up to 100 euros. As a result, the footwear adapts much better to all movements on the bike? and that up to the shaft. When it comes to weather protection, the traditional German brand relies on the well-known Gore-Tex membrane, in the case of the Spirit, on the XCR version, which is specially designed for use at higher temperatures. The boot is therefore perforated over a large area for quick moisture transport. That doesn’t mean that you shiver on cool days. After all, the Gore membrane is not only waterproof, but also windproof. You won’t find that much comfort in the low-price sector. All in all, clear advantages for the expensive kicks. By the way: With good care, the experience in the editorial team has shown that the membrane does not lose its weight even with intensive use and guarantees dry feet even after many years.

Bullson Cycko III


Product test: boots


Sdun

Providers: Hein Gericke, phone 0180/5229522, www.hein-gericke.de
Price: 99.95 euros
Sizes: 36 to 47

plus
Can be put on very quickly thanks to the large entry opening, very good grip on the notches.

minus
Always present pressure points in the ankle area; The heel cannot be fixed, the footbed offers little support overall; three out of four test boots leaking; no reflectors; overall only weakly reinforced; Velcro on the instep with only moderate adhesion.

Conclusion
A very comfortable touring boot when it comes to putting on. When it comes to wearing, however, there is a real lack of comfort. The bottom line is that the feet do not find a decent hold in the boots. And the failure rate in the wet test was high.

MOTORRAD verdict: Sufficient

Drive Discovery 2


Product test: boots


Sdun

Providers: Polo express delivery, phone 0180/5225785, www.polo-motorrad.de
Price: 89.95 euros
Sizes: 37 to 47

plus
Great hold on the pegs.

minus
Very close entry; no reflectors; many bruises; Heel not properly fixed; Toe very narrowed; little comfort when walking.

Conclusion
Even when slipping on there is a lack of comfort due to the narrow entry. An uncomfortable feeling remains while driving and walking. In addition, there are weaknesses in the equipment and in the wetness test. The bottom line is a mixed offer.

MOTORRAD verdict: Satisfactory

IXS attack


Product test: boots


Sdun

Providers: Hostettler, phone 07631/18040, www.ixs.de
Price: 99.95 euros
Sizes: 35 to 48

plus
Comfortable entry, good fit thanks to the neatly shaped footbed, great hold on the rest, good rolling comfort when walking, clearly visible reflectors, good fit.

minus
Small pressure points in the clamping area; Shaft protrudes too far.

Conclusion
Good entry-level boot from Ixs, which at the end of the day ensures a comfortable ride. The processing is also impressive. Small weaknesses: annoying pressure points and a non-waterproof copy.

MOTORRAD verdict: good

Kochmann Monaco


Product test: boots


Sdun

Providers: Karl Kochmann, phone 02241/39420, www.kochmann.de
Price: 99.95 euros Sizes: 38 to 47

plus
Very secure hold on the pegs; Reflectors available; easy entry, easy to lock; extensive safety equipment.

minus
The foot cannot find a hold, is constantly sliding back and forth; overall very stiff, mobility severely restricted; all test boots leak in the wetness test.

Conclusion
From the outside, the Kochmann boots are very similar to the touring boot construction of the well-known Daytona brand. In terms of fit, comfort and workmanship, however, they cannot keep up. Particularly annoying: the complete failure in the wetness test.

MOTORRAD verdict: Sufficient

Modeka Most


Product test: boots


Sdun

Providers: Beckumer Leder-Bekleidungswerk, phone 02521/850322, www.modeka.de
Price: 99.90 euros
Sizes: 37 to 46

plus
Very easy to put on and take off, sits firmly on the foot; great hold on the pegs; proper safety equipment with clearly visible reflectors.

minus
Two out of four copies leak in the wetness test; slight pressure points in the ankle area; minor flaws in workmanship.

Conclusion
In terms of fit, a decent pair of boots, but their comfort is diminished by pressure points that are particularly noticeable when shifting or braking. Other negative points about the Modeka boot: the sometimes careless workmanship and the only moderate performance in the wet test.

MOTORRAD verdict: Satisfactory

Probiker Touring II


Product test: boots


Sdun

Providers: Detlev Louis, phone 040/73419360, www.louis.de
Price: 89.95 euros
Sizes: $) 4 37 to 47

$ (text: b: Plus
Easy entry, quick to close; very close fitting, no pressure points, comfortable to wear; Adjustable calf width, great hold on the pegs; highly mobile; decent safety package with clearly visible reflectors.

minus
One in four test boots not waterproof.

Conclusion
Great all-round boot with a convincing fit and good wearing comfort. The Probiker is also easy to walk away from the motorcycle. Only because of a slight weakness in the wetness test does the Touring II barely score? Very good ?? past. The bottom line is that it is very balanced and therefore a tip to buy.

MOTORRAD verdict: good

Richa Imola


Product test: boots


Sdun

MOTORCYCLE test winner!

Providers: Grand Canyon, phone 05931/886163, www.grandcanyonbike.eu
Price: 99 euros Sizes: 36 to 48

plus
Perfect hold on the notches, super comfort; properly reinforced; highly mobile; absolutely waterproof.

minus
Very narrow entry, zipper difficult to close; no reflectors.

Conclusion
Except for the laborious putting on, an all-round successful motorcycle boot in the 100 euro class. Fit and comfort are great, plus the brilliant result in the wetness test: The Richa boot masters this category without failures. No other test candidate managed that.

MOTORRAD verdict: very good

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