Tested: DXR Code motorcycle boots review

Date reviewed: September 2017 | Tested by: John Milbank | Price: £99.99 | www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk

Available exclusively from Sportsbikeshop, I’ve used these very competitively priced boots for a few months now, on both a KTM 1050 Adventure and a Suzuki GSX-S750 (on road and track)…

Construction and features

Made of ‘microfibre leather’, these are a synthetic material, as many boots are now. This tends to wear fine over long periods, and these are CE-approved for motorcycle use, so have been through a variety of tests including abrasion resistance and transverse rigidity, where the boot is laid horizontally and crushed across the edge of the sole to ensure it can protect your foot if sliding down the road with the bike laying on top. This is interesting, as I’m able to crush the edge of these soles with my hand. While standing on them (I’m 13 stone) doesn’t see them fold entirely like some old boots I used to have, they deflect a fair way, and can be rolled and crushed with one hand. I checked with an expert on CE approval standards, who confirmed that an approved boot shouldn’t be deformable in this manner.

The boots have a gear shift protector on both feet (in case you ride something from the sixties) and replaceable plastic toes sliders. It’s worth checking the tightness of these screws when you buy, or adding a little light threadlock, as one screw fell out of each side of mine quite quickly. Sportsbike shop happily sent out replacements as soon as I told them.

Fastening

A three-quarter-length zip runs up the inside edge of each boot, with a large, tough Velcro fastener at the top. This is edged with a rubbery material that prevents fraying and makes it easy to grip and open them.

The YKK zip puller is finished with a Velcro tag that makes it easier to grab, and allows it to be safely secured out of the way under the flap.

Comfort

I have slightly wide size nine feet, so usually end up in a 45 boot, but these 44s fit me perfectly. Of course, your feet will be different, but Sportsbikeshop offers free returns if you can’t make it to their large Lincolnshire-based store.

I found that, unlike many other boots I’ve tested, I couldn’t walk around for long in these – the ankles seem to rub me quite badly. This may not be an issue at all for you – it’s clear within a few minutes of padding around your front room – but it’s meant I don’t wear them if I know I’ll be spending a lot of time wandering around off the bike.

Sole

The thin soles give excellent feel, which many sportsbike riders find valuable when on track. I find them comfortable, and while you wouldn’t wear them on a bike with metal pegs that you’ll spend most of the day standing up on, that’s clearly not what these are designed for. As a sports boot, they allow you to feel your way around the pegs well, and while the tread isn’t deep, I haven’t found these any more slippery than most other boots.

Waterproofing

While not using a branded waterproof layer like Gore-Tex, the DXRs have proven waterproof in the downpours I’ve worn them through. For the price, this is a great addition, and though the weather hasn’t been baking this year, they’ve never felt overly hot.

Weight

The DXR Code boots weigh 1652g for the pair, which compares to 2056g for the more touring-focussed Daytona Road Star GTX, and 2422g for the very solid sport Sidi ST.

Conclusion

The ability to crush the sole worries me in these boots – if you were to crash, and the bike dropped onto your foot, it’s possible that you might sustain more serious injuries than if you were wearing something more sturdy.

Otherwise, while I find they rub my ankles when walking, this may not be an issue for other users, and the waterproof lining makes their price very competitive.