Early follow up: TCX Fuel Boots; I rode for two hours, didn't get off the bike and walk around, just riding. First impressions: I like them a lot, so far, with my few issues with them all directly related to their being brand new and needing to 'work in' a bit.
The upper and shaft are quite stiff (yes I know that will subside but I want to point out what to expect.) This newness creates three areas that are (expected to be) a very temporary thing.
Certainly, all three issues, I expect, will be solved simply by wearing them.
If that turns out NOT to be the case, I'll let you know.
First: While the zipper and baffle do open far enough for access, I still wish there were a loop for pulling up the boot. The very basis for this nitpick should also go away as they get softer.
Second, they are stiff enough at first that they initially *resist* walking. Much more so than other similar boots I've had such as enumerable Red Wings, etc. the only boots that I recall starting this rigidly were full lace Lineman's boots.
Third: the angle of the shaft to the sole seems slightly less than I would prefer (let's call it 88* where my riding position on the Ultra is most comfy at, say, 91*. (Annnnnd yes, I just made those numbers up to illustrate so put away your photo-protractors).
This as-built angle is stiff enough right out of the box that the (slight) effort needed to keep my foot flat on the floorboards actually caused my legs to hurt a bit. The boots would be ideal for riding the rear brake and shifter.
Again, this is simply a matter of breaking them in a bit.
If I throw out those complaints that are related to "newness" then I have ZERO complaints.
Some of the likes: the size of the top of the shaft is big enough for me and I'm a fat guy with fat calves (and yes, some edema) who also prefers a tall boot. These fit me fine.
Despite my floorboards and soles being wet, the soles gripped the boards like Velcro.
The boots are very comfortable (discounting the newness issues stated)
In these pics I am wearing Scorpion Pro jeans (Kevlar stuff) that are sold and sized "to be hemmed" and I haven't bothered to hem.... that's why they look that way.The Fit:
I wear a 10-1/2EE. I also have a high arch. Trying on shoes *in person* is quite frustrating enough.
Online footwear buys are always a crapshoot for me. I buy from Revzilla specifically because of their easy return policy. They include a return shipping label with everything just in case you might use it. I used it for the Stylmartins and I gave the box to UPS Tuesday and Friday my card was credited, less a charge of $7.45 for the return freight. Not bad considering that UPS would have charged ME more than that and the fact that RevZilla didn't charge me for the initial shipping. Yes, Revzilla really isn't a *discount* place but with service like that, I don't ~care~.
These boots are not available in a wide size, so I ordered as if ordering an 11D, so I checked the 45 euro box. The result is exactly as expected, the width is tolerable enough and the length is a bit roomy, precisely the way that a typical 11D fits me.
Due to my high arch I often have a real comfort problem involving the *TOP* of my foot. Many boots are stingy with leather in that area; the result is that the top of the arch is super tight to me. It will feel as a strap is wrapped around the whole boot right at the arch and the strap ratcheted down permanently. I have to endure this with most boots.... it's not a parameter that appears in anyone's size chart. Finding a boot that is accommodating in this dimension is heavenly and in this aspect, these TCX Fuels are Nirvana for my arch.
I will need later to add a little arch support to the insole but at least the boot can allow it.
The shift pads on the boots are not scuffed though I was riding in town and shifting a lot.
I'll note here that my Original SWAT boots didn't HAVE a shifter pad (of course, they're not riding boots) and their fake leather material would scuff up at the very first shift.
An unexpected bonus: though I've tried really hard, I canNOT mark up any of the floors with them. They just don't make a mark even violently jamming them on concrete or hardwood or ceramic.
Pending their expected breaking in, a tentative five stars.
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Topic: TCX boots (Read 15347 times)