Owned by the Dainese Group, TCX Boots offers a broad range of footwear for motorcycling, from urban riding shoes to professional motocross and road-racing boots. Although categorized in TCX’s Vintage subset of urban boots, the TCX Dartwood GTX boots also work as excellent touring boots, as I found out.
To work as an urban boot, comfort and good looks are paramount. When you’re riding around town, you might be in the boots all day—whether at work, exploring your city, or just hanging out with friends at a cool gathering spot.
The TCX Dartwood GTX boots look like upscale high-top sneakers made of full-grain leather—which they are. There’s a patina straight out of the box that gives them lived-in credibility. Fortunately, the boots don’t just look seasoned—they feel that way, even when brand new, and require no break-in.
When I see laced boots, I’m always hesitant. That often means they aren’t quick to slip off and on—you must loosen the laces and tighten them back up. Conveniently, the TCX Dartwood GTX boots have a secret weapon—a discreet zipper on the inside that doesn’t draw attention to itself. While you might still need to loosen the laces a bit, the zipped opening makes it much easier to get into and out of them.
These are all-day walkaround boots, with OrthoLite foam insoles and Groundtrax cleated rubber soles. You can wear them even when motorcycle riding isn’t on the agenda—they’re that comfortable and presentable. If someone happens to notice the Italian tricolor tag on the top of the heel, so much the better.
Just as they’re great around town, they’re comfortable when you’re riding your bike all day or on a multi-day trip. They don’t draw attention to themselves when you’re on the bike—they simply protect your feet transparently.
More than just urban protection is built into the TCX Dartwood GTX boots. They meet CE Category II, which is more than casual use but less than racing protection—touring territory, in other words. They also meet the EN 13634 standard, guaranteeing rigidity for motorcycle riding, plus resistance to abrasion, impact, and cuts.
The robust footbed of the Dartwood GTX boots features TCX’s proprietary ZPlate midsole insert, which provides transverse rigidity for safety and longitudinal flexibility for walking and operating the brake pedal and shift lever. Remember, though, that these are not steel-toe boots, and there’s no shifter pad for your left toe. D3O delivers flexible ankle protection, and the heel is reinforced.
In urban and touring testing, I loved the feel of the boots. The leather is thick enough that my toe wasn’t sore from shifting, and the feel is spot-on thanks to a different leather texture in the shift-toe area. I ran into some wet weather with the boots, and my feet stayed dry, so the Gore-Tex did its job.
I’m definitely smitten with the TCX Dartwood GTX boots. They look great, feel fantastic on my feet for rides of any length, and give me confidence that my feet will be protected in a mishap. While not inexpensive at $259 a pair, the Dartwood GTX boots are fantastic for urban jaunts and short- or long-haul touring.
TCX Dartwood GTX Boots Fast Facts
- Sizes: 38-48 Euro
- Waterproofing: T-Dry
- Ankle armor: D3O
- Certifications: CE Category II – EN 13634
- Colors: Black; Brown
TCX Dartwood GTX Boots Price: $259/pair MSRP
