Menus
- Blend into the background
- Grained leather, T-Dry membrane, D3O protections, laces and zip, reinforced heel and toe…
- Discovery
- Technical
- Threading
- Test
- Rain
- Conclusion
- Features TCX Dartwood sneakers
- Availability / Prices
Blend into the background
Grained leather, T-Dry membrane, D3O protections, laces and zip, reinforced heel and toe…
It is fashionable today not to appear too biker, it seems a pledge of vulgarity…. In the 80s, on the contrary, we forced the line, even if it meant being ridiculous. The TCX Dartwood leather shoes are part of the current era, they would easily pass for trendy urban shoes, like the Forma Elite or the Helstons Glenn. I tested them for six months, in very cold weather, in the rain and then in the sun.
Brown leather shoes TCX Dartwood
Discovery
The Groundtrax outsole, with wide side stripes, characterizes the TCX Dartwood, topped with a discreet black piping. The leather, finely grained, remains sober, in a pretty shade. Available from size 38 to 48, this shoe closes with a side zip (reinforced by a scratched flap) and laces. The leather, quite rigid, does not have reinforcements at the level of the malleoli, but rigid supports at the heels. The waterproofing is ensured by the T-Dry membrane. Beautiful stitching covers the various leather elements, the finish is of a high standard.
Laces
Technical
The OrthoLite-type insole, a technology used in running shoes, provides optimal comfort and cushioning. It is a polyurethane material, therefore foam, honeycomb, capable of draining moisture.
Threading
At first I tried to put on the TCX only by lowering the zip, out of laziness about the laces…. Bad idea, the leather does not deform enough to afford such laziness. Once everything is untied and opened, the foot fits easily and immediately finds its place (I wear a size 41). It is caught in the shoe, which leaves few side margins.
Side zip closure
Test
Four months spent with the TCX on the foot almost daily, from March to July (and it’s not over yet), let me discover the advantages and disadvantages of these really nice looking shoes. The internal comfort is reminiscent of lighter, classic city shoes, if it were not for a little too pronounced stiffness, felt for example when you have to climb stairs. But the TCX remain motorcycle shoes and must not be too flexible. Their only real flaw is their lack of "breathability" and ventilation. After two or three hours, the urge to take them off for five minutes is overwhelming. Especially on a hot day. And despite the OrthoLite sole.
For the rest, the Dartwoods do not pose any problem: the feeling of the selector is perfect, the grip is of the same ilk, no internal discomfort is felt, the feeling of security is real. The leather does not get damaged, except of course at the level of the selector, like any shoe or left boot. The laces do not unravel, the sturdy eyelets have not budged after about 4000 km. Likewise, no detachment at the level of the sole appeared. Good cam ’ !
Long-distance TCX Dartwood shoes
Rain
This is the main apprehension of any biker who has just put 150 euros or more in a pair of shoes: are they waterproof? A first ten-minute rain reassured me on this point. But a Paris / Dijon round trip, including around 200 terminals under the fleet, without interruption, definitely convinced me of the waterproofness of the Dartwoods. I also had a big thunderstorm, lasting about five minutes, with no internal humidity..
Lace-up and zip closure
Conclusion
Well finished, solid, suitable for walking, waterproof, the TCX Dartwood have only one flaw, obvious above 20 °, the foot breathes little inside. Their price remains in the average of the competition. I find them better finished and more sober than most shoes of the genre, I will continue to wear them for a long time, there is no doubt. Except on hot days.
Strong points
- Finishing
- Sealing
- Build quality
Weak points
- Leather a little stiff
- Low foot breathability
Features TCX Dartwood sneakers
- Grained leather
- Waterproof T-Dry membrane
- D3O protections on the malleoli
- Reinforced heel and toe
- Lace and zip closure
- Elastic lace-keeping band
- Anatomical OrthoLite sockliner
- ZPlate anti-torsion midsole
- Groundtrax rubber outsole
- Reflective elements
- CE approved shoes
Availability / Prices
- Colors: black, brown
- Sizes: 38 to 48
- Price: 169.99 euros
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