Heavy-duty boots have long been a thing for me, starting with my years as a teenager working in the woods with heavy leather work boots to endless configurations of high-top hunting/camping boots, steel-toe work boots, cowboy boots, downhill ski boots, and, finally, to several styles of motorcycle boots.
Too often, motorcycle boots I’ve had—even those not designed for competition—have disappointed me. They’re too hot, heavy, uncomfortable, as inflexible as a ski boot, or some combination of those; they just didn’t quite cut it.
My initial view of the new TCX Tourstep WP boots in black had me wondering if that hefty-looking upper may present that “stiff as a ski boot” problem. The substantial look of the touring boots also made me wonder about the weight.
The moment I unpacked the boots and put them on, I was pleasantly surprised. They have a remarkably light feel. Putting them on the highly accurate Ultimate Motorcycling scale showed why—the pair weighs in at a hair under three pounds. Wearing them on day-long rides with walk-around time thrown in proved to be no problem.
The upper opens wide, making putting them on and getting them off easy. With the instep strap snugged up and fastened with the hook-and-loop top flap closed, the TCX Tourstep WP boots are comfortable with no chafing around the calf, and they flex willingly for normal foot motion when walking. Both the instep strap and upper flap are fully adjustable.
You get a personalized fit on the TCX Tourstep WP boots from the ankle up. There is adjustable web strapping with Velcro closure up the front to ankle height and a large Velcro closure top flap.
The upper is not leather. Instead, it utilizes synthetic materials, including microfiber, the waterproof-but-breathable membrane, and impact-reinforced shin, malleolus, toe, and heel. Soft, flexible textile from the ankle up on the back of the boot helps provide comfortable flexibility in the upper. There’s also a reflective material wrapped around the heel area.
Another pleasant surprise is the Groundtrax sole. Unlike the soles of some boots that are so stiff they make walking on pavement feel like I’m navigating planks with poor ground surface traction, the soles of the TCX Tourstep WP boots flex with the uppers and don’t slip and slide, even on the mirror-finished concrete of my garage floor.
A rubber shift lever pad layer is included on each boot. The flexibility of the upper facilitates easy shifting without having to move the entire boot to move the shift lever.
The insole is cushioned, breathable Ortholite, which overlies the midsole with a Zplate inner shank that allows front-to-back flexibility for comfortable walking while providing transverse rigidity. Whether walking or on the footpegs, the insole cushioning works for rider comfort.
Capping the specifications is the certification to CE Category II EN 13634:2017, as confirmed for conformity by Ricotest. The specifics of the CE Category II certification are described in detail in the owner’s manual.
The manual for the TCX Tourstep WP boots is quite an item—pocket-sized, but over 60 pages in length and covering 15 languages. As a result, each language section is only four pages long. While providing good use and care information, the manual also commits one of my pet peeves—microscopic print. A PDF of the manual would be a helpful option.
Sizing is true to my U.S. boot size—I wear a size 9. Daylong riding proved comfortable even in warm, humid weather, as my feet didn’t overheat. That said, while I haven’t yet tested the TCX Tourstep WP boots in cold weather, I suspect they would keep my feet comfy with just the use of a heavier sock.
My usual riding pants have a straight-leg stovepipe fit that narrows the cuff. With those pants, I started by tucking the cuffs into the boot tops. Initially, each boot’s top flap popped open when flexing at the ankle. However, if I really press the Velcro closure together after flexing the boot a couple of times after putting them on, the flaps stay closed, even with the pants cuffs tucked inside the boot top. Wearing the pant leg cuffs out over the boot top prevented any opening of the top flap and prevented the pants cuff seams and fabric folds from causing any pressure points against my ankle.
The all-around comfort, easy fit, convenience, safety certification features, and sub-$200/pair price of the TCX Tourstep WP boots make them a solid value for a wide range of riding situations, including touring.
TCX Tourstep WP Boots Fast Facts
- Sizes: 3.5 – 13 (US)
- Weight: 2.97 pounds (size 9)
- Color: Black
- Certification: CE – Cat. II – EN 13634 Standard
TCX Tourstep WP Boots Price: $189/pair MSRP
