• There has been a recent cluster of spammers accessing BARFer accounts and posting spam. To safeguard your account, please consider changing your password. It would be even better to take the additional step of enabling 2 Factor Authentication (2FA) on your BARF account. Read more here.

Waterproof boots that are actually waterproof

Gaerne All Terrain GTX - mine have proven to be totally waterproof :thumbup
 
I have a pair of cheap Firstgear boots that are marketed as "waterproof," that are only so when it's sunny and dry.

I've been using boot covers which do work, but I hate dealing with those so I'm hoping to find boots that are actually waterproof.

A quick Revzilla search shows 100+ boots that are supposedly waterproof. Is there a particular brand or price point that's true to the description?

Are waterproof boots as effective as good boot covers?

I have a pair of the Firstgear Kili Hi boots - mine are completely waterproof. Rode for hours in heavy rain on 101 on a trip back from Arcata and my socks were completely dry when I stopped in Ukiah for gas. Did you have your pants tucked in to the tops or something?
 
+1 I really like my Toucans and they have kept me dry on my commute. If they ever wear out, I’m getting another pair.

Hi five! That's my plan as well.
 
I use a combo of various Gore-Tex for everything but gloves (heated leather, but also waterproof) and was completely dry after riding home in the torrential rain at the start of the week (commute from SJ to Livermore and back).

Boots: Daytona Roadstar GTX
Jacket: Rukka Flexius
Pants: Klim Badlands (Gen 1)
Gloves: Highway 21 7v heated
 
Those are great boots (actually made by Sidi), but not waterproof. They have to be treated.

Yeah, and they also have a lace system, which I expect makes them difficult to get on and off (more difficult than simple buckles). So probably a great boot for long rides, but not great for commuting where you want boots that are easy and fast to get on and off. That’s another reason I like the Toucans - they have great buckles.
 
Yeah, and they also have a lace system, which I expect makes them difficult to get on and off (more difficult than simple buckles). So probably a great boot for long rides, but not great for commuting where you want boots that are easy and fast to get on and off. That’s another reason I like the Toucans - they have great buckles.

It's a simple lace system. Time to put on is marginally more than buckles or velcro, really. If your commute is more than a few miles, that difference is likely immaterial.
 
TCX gore-tex boots ordered. A couple comments have mentioned the lighter protection on these boots as compared to, say, racing boots with all the armored plates and sliders. How much of a compromise in protection are we talking about?
WHICH TCX boots did you order??? TCX make about 20 different boots with Gore-Tex.

The brand in general have been really good in my experience ... going back to when they were called Oxtar, mid 2000's.
 
Gaerne All Terrain GTX - mine have proven to be totally waterproof :thumbup
Gaerne are making some really good boots rivaling the best ... and costing less. Mostly OFF ROAD oriented.

Another boot I've been impressed with lately is Forma. Both Street and ADV boots. Forma have their own water proofing system, which as tested this week, seems pretty good!

Forma, Like most TCX boots, are made in Romania. Both TCX and Forma are Italian designed, Italian owned companies.

To me it's the "walking around" part where both TCX and Forma excel ... and IMO, surpass somr SIDI and Alpinestar boots. As always ... YMMV.
 
It's a simple lace system. Time to put on is marginally more than buckles or velcro, really. If your commute is more than a few miles, that difference is likely immaterial.

If you've worn those Aerostich boots you'd know better than me, but I'm skeptical that laces, no matter how simple, could be nearly as fast and easy as sliding your foot in and closing 2 buckles. The Toucan buckles are particularly fast, it takes me less than 5 seconds per boot to get them on (from standing on the floor in my socks to the boot being on and buckled).
 
I have a pair of cheap Firstgear boots that are marketed as "waterproof," that are only so when it's sunny and dry.

I've been using boot covers which do work, but I hate dealing with those so I'm hoping to find boots that are actually waterproof.

A quick Revzilla search shows 100+ boots that are supposedly waterproof. Is there a particular brand or price point that's true to the description?

Are waterproof boots as effective as good boot covers?

I have heard of only two brands.

Sidi and Harley FXRG. These were tested a few years ago by Motorcycle Consumer News and among many were the only ones that passed.

Harley no longer list FXRG boots on its website.
 
These Alpinestars Web Gore-Tex boots are probably the best gear I own. No issues through the 2016-2017 winter rains and I commuted almost every day.

alpinestars_web_gtx_boots_750x750.jpg
 
So probably a great boot for long rides, but not great for commuting where you want boots that are easy and fast to get on and off. That’s another reason I like the Toucans - they have great buckles.
Hard to beat BOA for fast on & off.

Icon Patrol 2 are the least expensive motorcycle boot with BOA, as far as I know, but mine aren't waterproof, though they're supposed to be.

Revit Discovery boots also use BOA. Ditto for the shorter, less expensive Revit Pioneer boot. Judging by online user reviews their Outdry waterproofing works too.
 
If you've worn those Aerostich boots you'd know better than me, but I'm skeptical that laces, no matter how simple, could be nearly as fast and easy as sliding your foot in and closing 2 buckles. The Toucan buckles are particularly fast, it takes me less than 5 seconds per boot to get them on (from standing on the floor in my socks to the boot being on and buckled).

The laces are secured with a slide fastener. I'd challenge you to a race getting them on and off but after a day in the garage working on bikes I could barely roll out of bed this morning...

Here's where the rubber hits the road. I'm on my third pair of soles with on a set of these boots. I've done over 100K in them and never, ever, ever has a single toe gotten wet, or failed to make it to market.

Yeap. They're made by Sidi. Yeap. They suck to break in. Yeap. They do cost a bit of $$$. But they are heads and shoulders above all the other glued and bonded garbage that's out there and certain to fail on you when you need it.
 
I wear Daytona M-Star GTX Boots. They're amazing boots w/ Gore-tex. The women's version is called the Lady-Star. I love these boots so much -- they've been 100% waterproof and so comfortable that I wear them all day at work.
 

Attachments

  • Screen Shot 2018-03-04 at 10.59.49 AM.png
    Screen Shot 2018-03-04 at 10.59.49 AM.png
    201 KB · Views: 13
Ive never owned waterproof motorcycle boots cause I avoid riding in the rain but you can always get caught in a shower I suppose. It seems these type of boots don't offer much crash protection.
 
Nice but very pricey!
https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/alpinestars-toucan-gtx-boots

I own several much less expensive boots that combine nearly all the features of the Toucan boots ... including decent wet weather protection.

In any case, I treat ALL my boots with Sno-Seal once a year. Seems to help improve water tightness.

I'd rather buy one excellent pair of boots that afford awesome wet weather protection over a couple pairs of lower priced boots that only offer decent protection. When I'm on an 8 +hour ride home from mom's in the pouring rain I have no desire to have wet feet.

The toucans have kept my feet dry. Always. Even that time 101 and the road through leggett were closed and I had to ride over 36 at night and back down 5 to get home in time for work the next day. God, that sucked. But my dry feet after 13 hours of rain riding were appreciated.
 
I wear Daytona M-Star GTX Boots. They're amazing boots w/ Gore-tex. The women's version is called the Lady-Star. I love these boots so much -- they've been 100% waterproof and so comfortable that I wear them all day at work.
I owned the male version of the GTX some years ago. A very comfortable boot to walk in but I was less than impressed with the protection. Everything, everywhere on that boot is ... IMHO ... too soft to protect you well in a crash.

But I totally believe you wore yours all day at work ... but at the price they get for them, I'd not want to wear them out as office attire. :thumbup

How much are the those Daytona's now? My Forma "Jasper" Outdry boots were $229. Super comfy, very good protection, WATERPROOF (so far!) Very easy to put ON and OFF.
 
Back
Top