TCX Dartwood WP boots review

Date reviewed: October 2024 | Tested by: Ben Cordy | RRP: £189.99 | https://www.nevis.uk.com

Finding stylish, protective, comfortable and practical motorcycle gear is getting easier with every year that goes by, and the TCX Dartwood WP boots on review here are testament to that being especially true with footwear. They wouldn’t look out of place in a premium trainer brand’s range and have all the features I expect from a motorcycle boot, so these have been a fantastic addition to my riding set-up.

Over two months of daily commuting use on my Honda CB500X they’ve endured unexpected flurries of snow, torrential rain and even the occasional moderately pleasant day. Would I go as far as saying they are my favourite casual riding boots? Here’s why I think they are certainly a contender for that title…

Pros & Cons

Construction and features

The TCX Dartwood WP boots are constructed from full-grain leather with a mix of other premium materials.

The main leather has a lovely vintage feel with a natural patina that hides marks well. They come in dark brown, light brown or black, which was the colour I had on test. In pictures this looks like a straight black but in person there’s a deep greenish tint to the finish that I absolutely love.

The vintage feel of the leather is very forgiving, which I find helpful as the boots develop creases quite quickly, especially on the left boot’s upper where it contacts the bike’s gear lever.

This has not been a problem as the material disguises wear and tear very well. The finish reminds me of a good wax jacket, in that wear marks improve the look over time.

The contrast of the tan-coloured sole along with patterned laces makes for a very good-looking set of boots. I’ve worn these in relatively smart settings and they also look great as casual knockabout boots.

The branding is subtle and in keeping with the rest of the design, although I find the padded D3O labels on the ankle cuff are a tad unnecessary.

The boots have shift pads etched into the inner toe areas, however they are further forward than normal and I found them to be a design touch rather than a functional element.

The area I actually contacted my bike’s shifter is between these markings and the laces. After a couple of months’ use there’s a slight shine in this area from the wear, but this hasn’t worsened to any great degree.

The combination of great style, good protection and premium materials makes these stand out. When comparing the Dartwood WPs to other options in my local bike shop, the quality of finish and materials is noticeably better. They are more in keeping with the finish of traditional leather boots rather than casual trainer-style boots.

Fastening

The Dartwood WPs have both a traditional lace closure and a side zip on the inner ankle. In both cases the fastenings are well finished.

The round laces have a premium feel and feed through good-quality metal eyes that sit flush on the upper. TCX has also included an elastic tuck-away on the tongue for any excess lace. This is placed well to keep the tied portion of the lace entirely secure and above the hem line of most jeans, giving a neat and tidy finish. Crucially it also prevents the laces from catching on parts of the bike. The laces, lace eyes and the elastic on my boots are all still in great condition, despite the daily use.

The side zips are high-quality YKKs that give a really tight seal once fully fastened. The zip puller is covered by a good-sized flap made from the same leather as the upper, keeping it tucked out of the way when either riding or walking.

A large amount of extra outer material sits behind the zip, making for quite a bit of stretch room when getting my feet in. Unlike most other similar boots I’ve tried, undoing the zip gives enough room for me to get my feet in and out without undoing and retying the laces. The laces just stay neatly tied with the excess tucked in at all times.

While the fastenings were generally positive the side zips also presented my only real gripe with the Dartwood WPs. They are prone to coming apart or jamming if not zipped very carefully.

This has been an issue throughout and seems to be down to a combination of the excess material behind the zip catching and the need for the two zip halves to be held tightly together while zipping.

I’ve developed a knack of forcing the two zip halves together while gently operating the zip. The issue has improved over time, in part due to me being more careful in how I zip them up.

Protection and certification

The boots are approved to the EN13634:2017 standard. They reach the higher Level 2 for impact abrasion resistance and for impact cut resistance. As an ankle-high boot they are rated at Level 1 for height, and they also have a basic Level 1 pass for transverse rigidity (resistance to crushing if caught under the bike).

At the ankles are D3O inserts, which are some of the thinnest and most discreet pads available. I’d say they provide impact protection, but the absence of an ‘IPA’ marking on the label shows they haven’t been tested as part of the CE approval process.

Despite the basic Level 1 pass for transverse rigidity I found the stiffness of the sole confidence-inspiring. I’ll occasionally stand on my pegs the stiffness gives a feel akin to a more traditional motorcycle boot.

For everything you need to know about the safety labels in your motorcycle kit, click here.

Comfort

This is another area where the Dartwood WPs excel. Unlike some riding trainers they are quite slim and compact. There’s no obvious bulk, including around the ankle, and they are also quite light.

A ‘Z-plate’ midsole is designed to improve rigidity without compromising flexibility for walking. I found this worked well; walking long distances, sometimes for the whole day, has been no problem and yet they still give confidence on the bike. From standing on the pegs to getting a foot down when coming to a stop they are solid when I want them to be, without comfort being compromised at all.

TCX Z-Plate midsole explained

Promotional video shows the design

They’ve handled the very varied temperatures admirably too. I’ve ridden in as low as -5°C with no more than a basic thermal sock and have been plenty warm enough. The breathability meant I didn’t feel at all clammy after playing in a five-a-side football match in an excessively heated school hall. That’s not quite what they were designed for, but the fact I remained comfortable in both contexts says a lot about the boots’ versatility.  

Sole and Grip

The sole is one of the Dartwood WPs’ greatest strengths. An Ortholite insole gives added comfort and TCX claims the Groundtrax outer sole improves wear resistance and grip.

Both inner and outer soles have been fantastic. For the first two weeks I kept thinking I’d stood in chewing gum as when I walked on a carpeted surface the increased grip meant these felt almost tacky, in a good way.

This is of course most beneficial out on the road. I’ve used these through some absolutely horrible weather, including several days of snow and sludge. The grip and confidence they give is only really matched or beaten by my full-length adventure boots. Having given the Dartwood WPs a considerable amount of use in a short period of time I can see no signs of wear anywhere across the sole.

The insole has performed well too. I’ve owned several products with Ortholite soles before and I find they are comfortable, manage temperature well and last notably longer than other insoles.

As with the outsoles there are no significant signs of wear, apart from the disappearance of the markings, and they remain as comfortable as the day they came out the box.

I’ve regularly worn these for 12-hour work days and over 10,000 steps with no level of discomfort and crucially no sweaty feet. I did have a couple of days early on where one of the insoles shifted position slightly but this was easily rectified and hasn’t been a problem since.

Waterproofing

A T-Dry lining means the Dartwood WPs are fully waterproof. They’re slightly taller than other riding trainers I’ve worn and they have been 100% waterproof in my use, which is not something I can often say with such confidence. I’ve worn them in torrential downpours, fine misty drizzle and even several sleety snow days.

Not only did my feet remain dry but the outer material didn’t hold moisture half as badly as many of the similarly-styled boots I’ve worn before.

This makes a big difference for a commuter like me as it saves the painful task of forever trying to dry out kit ready for the next morning. I also think it’s part of why I’ve found them so comfortable in the cold as I don’t have a wet layer of material sat close to my feet.

TCX also offers a slightly more expensive option with a Gore-Tex waterproof layer rather than the T-Dry membrane in the version I tested. At just £10 more it’s an affordable uplift and some may appreciate the Gore guarantee that brings. But I prefer the styling of the T-Dry versions and so far their waterproofing has worked flawlessly for me.

The CE label in the Dartwood WP boots shows they have passed the optional waterproofing test and also the test for water absorption. This is not always the case and it means you don’t have to just take my word for their ability to keep your feet dry and warm.

Three alternatives to the TCX Dartwood WP boots

Casual riding boots are a growing segment so there are lots to choose from…

• The TCX Street 3 WP boots are arguably the best-in-class casual riding boots. At £149.99 and with a slightly more ‘informal’ look than the Dartwoods but many of the same features, they are worthy of consideration. Check out John’s review here.

• Another possibility from the boffins at TCX are the Momo Firegun-3s reviewed here. They are mesh-style casual trainers that are incredibly light and breathable while still being waterproof. They also come in at £179.99.

• With a slightly more accessible price of £79.99, the DXR Claytons reviewed here are great leather trainers with good waterproofing, decent styling and some impressive durability.

These are just three of many alternatives – you can find all the boots we’ve tested here and be sure to regularly check for the discounts available through Bikesocial membership.

TCX Dartwood boots review: Verdict

All too often we have to juggle style and function. I’m glad to say TCX has done a remarkable job of giving both in the TCX Dartwood WP boots. In my opinion they are some of the best-looking casually-styled motorcycle boots out there, yet still deliver practical riding features, comfort and safety.

When I wore them with my wax cotton jacket and armoured jeans, friends and colleagues repeatedly said they didn’t realise I was in bike gear. If, like me, you are looking to be as discreet as possible when commuting or riding then these might well be just what you are looking for.

They boast top-quality materials, are finished in a somewhat timeless style and I suspect I have many, many more miles ahead of me in these boots. In fact I’ve struggled to find any significant fault, so much that the brown version may end up on my birthday list. Getting back to where we started, have they earned the title of my favourite casual-style riding boots? Unequivocally yes.

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