TCX S-Race GTX Boots - Review

A few months back Leigh bagged himself a set of TCX's Goretex race/touring boot offering in the form of the S-Race GTX, having personally reviewed the standard S-Race boot he put it through a few seasons to see how it held up in a variety of conditions.

Initial Thoughts

Gore-Tex is often perceived as unattainably expensive in motorcycling products but usually with very good reason, the main reason of course is that Gore-Tex set the benchmark for waterproof and breathable in the same garment and so far it has never been bettered. TCX released the S-Race boot as its competition race boot which was also worn by a number of winning riders across a number of race series the world over so by adding a Gore-Tex layer does this make the boot a touring offering or is it still a race boot? Well actually I believe the lines are so blurred these days with a number of products that it should be camped in both, on foot in each if you like, the S-Race GTX looks and feels just like its standard brother apart from it comes in black only, fitment is slightly tighter of course as you have an additional membrane to take into consideration, I felt the standard S-Race boots were a little baggy in places anyway and especially when compared to the equivalent size in other brands.

Construction

With the Gore-Tex model being a touch more snug you reduce the feeling of bagginess from the standard model which I really appreciated, in use the GTX model has proven to be as waterproof as it would claim to be also, having run in everything from snow and driving rain to beating sunshine the S-Race GTX proved that the membrane works for all conditions and in even the coldest conditions kept my feet at a reasonable temperature with only the addition of snowboarding socks.

The closure of the GTX varient S-Race boot is webbed with membrane and upper too rather than a slit and closing zip on the non Gore-Tex model and while you lose a bit of cooling for summer use in comparison to models on offer with switched vents you do not suffer the same hot and sweaty foot problem that I found while testing their casual styles X-Cube boot during warmer days.

With the S-Race GTX being the same boot essentially as the standard S-Race you get the same styling throughout apart from the webbed zip section which is actually required in order to retain the breathability and waterproofing of the Gore-Tex model so the same technology is included as standard,  Torsion Control System (TCS) and Metatarsal Control System (MCS) keeps your foot well protected and is much more subtley done than most other balls out race boots which in some people's eyes is a bit of a downside - they do not look as flashy as many other boots on the market today, what you get though is a boot that actually does its job extremely well, exceeding expectation across all seasons and never failing to deliver but at a price that it's rival products can come in at without a Gore-Tex membrane.

Off the bike comfort is really good, the S-Race GTX has a neutral stance and the armour protection nigh on undetectable in use while walking as well as on the bike, this means you are not likely to be crippled by a full days outing when you get off for a rest making it feel like a touring boot overall, something I found with the standard model we reviewed also. All in all with TCX you get a high spec boot coupled with the inclusion of a 100% waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex membrane for normal race boot price and that is a really good thing.

• Upper: Micro fibre with micro injected inserts and padded front area for better comfort and flexability
• Lining: Gore-Tex breathable and waterproof lining, suede leather insert in the heel area for a better fit
• Protections: Polyurethane shin plate protection with two iron mesh air intakes and a polyurethane shift pad
• Sliders: Replicable high resistant alloy toe sliders with hidden screw system
• Closure: Zip and Velcro band
• Mid sole: Anti-bacterial mid sole reinforced with anti-shock and anti-vibration heel inserts
• Sole: Special grip on sole