• Established in 1999, TCX is a renowned Italian motorbike footwear manufacturer for road racing, off-road, touring, and adventure bike enthusiasts.
• TCX focuses on engineering quality boots and motorcycle shoes that offer riders comfort, performance, and protection.
• Among others, the Climatrek Surround shoe, Blend 2 waterproof boot, and Dartwood waterproof shoe are three adventure tourer standouts from its current product line that are worth a serious look.

While most people associate Fall with Pumpkin Spice Lattes and Halloween, motorcyclists are looking for ways to extend their riding season. Part of that dilemma is considering footwear that can stand up to the changing weather, but also whether or not it works in our everyday lives. That’s where TCX comes in. The brand started in 1999 in a big way; it launched its first motorbike footwear with an international patent: the T.C.S.® (Torsion Control System). This groundbreaking system allows controlled movement of the foot front-to-back and side-to-side. By doing that, it helps protect the ankle from injury.

Since then, TCX has continued to make strides in the Powersports industry. TCX was the first company in the sector to introduce CE Certification on its full product line. This certification is awarded at a European level by independent bodies as a guarantee that the footwear has passed stringent safety tests.

In 2024, the motorbike footwear options are vast, but that’s good for us because modern riders demand riding gear that fits into the rest of our lives more than ever. TCX’s shoes and boots do exactly that; the hardest part is choosing the best pair for you.

BOOT VS SHOE

When I first started riding, I wore Vans and thought very little about it. That is until I saw that most motorcyclists were wearing footwear that looked a lot like mine but was specifically designed for the task at hand. As you might imagine, these are motorcycle shoes. It’s a segment that’s become more popular of late; people simply don’t want to carry around another pair of shoes—including me—and want something that can seamlessly fit in with the rest of our lives. As a result, motorcycle shoes are, well, livable. Many, including the TCX 24/7, closely resemble the Vans I mentioned earlier. But it’s not all sunshine and roses; where you gain in fashion and convenience, you do give up some support and protection.

A boot will win every day in those measures, but they are heavier, stiffer, and also very utilitarian-looking compared to their shoe counterparts. But when you’re serious about riding, especially off-road, a full-fledged boot with excellent torsional and lateral protection will trump style any day. Street boots (as the name suggests) blend the divide between boots and shoes.

CLIMATREK SURROUND GTX SHOE

The TCX naming convention makes it pretty easy to understand where its shoes or boots will excel. Like many of its footwear offerings, the TCX Climatrek Surround® shoes (20179T7156G-619), which have strategic reinforcements on the ankle, toe, and heel, are designed to offer the perfect combination of protection when you’re riding your bike and versatility when you come off it. But the Climatrek Surround® shines in two important ways: among the elements and across seasons.

Gore-Tex technology (Extended Comfort and Surround) keeps water out while simultaneously ensuring maximum breathability. It’s wizardry that is far beyond my understanding, but the shoe stays cool, dry, and comfortable over long wears. Since it was designed to be a three-season shoe, the Groundtrax® sole features a special tread pattern that is equally good at providing foot peg and trail walking grip.

There’s a specific black/gold colorway available for women, (20279T8027G-885) that we think looks really good.

DARTWOOD WATERPROOF SHOE

The Dartwood Gore-Tex® motorcycle shoes (20177T7307W-004) are a good option between more casual shoe options (like the Climatrek) and a more serious boot. Like the Climatrek, the Dartwood shoe uses Gore-Tex materials to make sure the shoe is waterproof and breathable. The Groundtrax® sole is here too, so you have all the grip you need on and off the bike.

Where this shoe distinguishes itself is through the special Zplate® insert. This molded Z-shaped polymer feature adds rigidity to the shoe without sacrificing flexibility. As a result, the shoes flex and follow the natural movements of the foot, and the insert helps prevent the shoes from crushing under impact. The side zipper system makes fastening easy and the laces can also be tucked below the elasticated band on the tongue. These last two features don’t revolutionize the shoe, but they are nice features to have.

BLEND 2 WATERPROOF BOOT

The Blend 2 GTX boots (20179T7304W-001) are what you want if safety and style are both high priorities. Like the Dartwood we just talked about, the Blend 2 is constructed from full-grain, vintage-effect leather (like a proper boot should be). They also share lots of the features we’ve covered already—Gore-Tex® weatherproofing, a Groundtrax® outsole, and OrthoLite® insoles. But where the shoe options blend the lines between riding and life, these are much more purpose-built. They look like proper boots because they are, which means they aren’t made for a lot of walking. Nevertheless, they look great—like a vintage combat boot—and can be easily dressed up or down depending on what you need them to do. I guess what I’m saying is that while you won’t be hiking the trails in these, they’re arguably more versatile in practical ways.

CAN’T GO WRONG

TCX has made engineering and manufacturing the world’s best motorcycling footwear its calling card. Today the TCX range is the most complete on the market without question, offering road racing and off-road, touring, and leisure footwear in all forms. TCX’s motto—“The ideal boot for every rider”—is a statement it’s earned since its start in 1999.

While some of TCX’s signature systems focus on protection and performance, others bring together premium comfort and superior function. These three do a great job of blending TCX’s mission; each has its appeal, and all three fit into the rest of our lives in unique ways. Whichever shoe or boot you choose, they come with a huge peace of mind knowing that style, safety, and value will follow.

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