Tested: TCX X-Five Plus Gore-Tex waterproof motorcycle boots review

Date reviewed: July 2019 | Tested by: Jon Mansfield, BikeSocial Test Team | Price: £149.99 | www.nevis.uk.com

As a motorcycle instructor at 1on1 Rider Training in Bedfordshire, I wear my bike kit all day, every day – if I’m not riding, I’m walking around in it. I’ve been using the TCX X-Five Plus Gore-Tex boots in all weathers for 3,000 miles on my own Kawasaki ZZR1100, as well as our company’s ER6s, Yamaha MT-07s and XJ6s.

A tiny bit of surface fraying is the only sign of wear on these boots

Construction and features

The TCX X-Five Plus boots have a full-grain leather upper, along with a Gore-Tex waterproof lining. The footbed’s replaceable and the overall construction seems excellent – as is typically the case with TCX kit.

Build quality is great – my gear tends to get a hard life, and while there’s a little bit of fraying on the surface of a tiny section of the stitching, it’s nothing to worry about – these really are boots that feel like they’ll last a very long time.

Fastening

I find the X-Fives quite snug to get on and off, but they open up quite well with a two thirds-height zip on the inside edge and a large Velcro flap across the top. The zip pull also has a Velcro tab, allowing it to be secured safely out of the way.

Protection and certification

These CE-approved boots feel extremely safe and solid without being too bulky or awkward to walk in. There’s extra protection on both sides of the heels, and being CE-approved the sole is crush-resistant – an important point to be sure of when buying any boots as they’ll help protect your foot if you’re unlucky enough to be in an accident and get caught under the bike.

From April 21 2018, all new motorcycle clothing is deemed to be Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). To meet this legislation, it must be tested to a recognised standard. For more information on the laws, click here.

Comfort

With a large elasticated section on the upper rear, the TCX X-Five Plus boots wrap snugly but comfortably around your calf. Because the zip doesn’t run right to the top of the boot there’s room to tighten or loosen the main Velcro panel to accommodate various calf sizes.

These did take some breaking in though – at first they were quite stiff, but they’ve softened up well and now feel extremely comfortable even when I’ve got them on all day, with no aches or rubbing anywhere.

In warm temperatures (by UK standards) the TCXs don’t feel overly hot, but they manage to keep warm in the winter too.

Sole and grip

Being a touring boot, the soles are relatively thick on the TCX X-Fives – that means you can’t feel the pegs like you would on a race boot, but you also can’t feel the weather. And they’re much more comfortable to walk around in.

Grip is good, and the soles are wearing really well – as I spend so long walking around on tarmac in bike boots, the soles usually give up very quickly, but these are showing no real signs of wear at all.

Waterproofing

I’ve ridden in a LOT of rain in these TCXs, but as I’d expect with a Gore-Tex liner, they’ve never let any rain in at all. Being leather, it’s also easy to give them a quick polish up, which helps keep the rain beading, but even after several days of far from ideal conditions, the X-Fives have been brilliant.

Conclusion

As touring boots go, the TCX X-Five Plus Gore-Tex waterproof boots are superb; all-day comfortable, fully waterproof and hard wearing, they’re offer excellent value for money.

I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend these to any of my students…