TCX Dartwood boot review
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- Опубліковано 5 сер 2024
- In this video review, Chris talks through the TCX Dartwood boots.
Now, there are lots of short, motorcycle boots on the market. They are very much in vogue and, these days, most bikers will have a boot in this style for summer riding. Every footwear brand has at least one boot like this in their range. And most of them look pretty similar. We see a lot of them, and even we sometimes cannot tell one from another. Only occasionally does a boot come along that looks different. The Dartwood is just such a boot. It doesn’t look like all the other boots out there, and frankly it looks amazing. When the boot was first shown to us, we all decided that this was the boot we wanted to wear. It ticks all the boxes; and more.
And, of course, it’s made by TCX. Now TCX is not the fanciest, most exclusive footwear brand in this market, but rarely do they put a foot wrong when it comes to short boots; no pun intended! Their X-Blend boot is the most popular Caterpillar-style boot in this market. Their Street Ace was the best-selling trainer-style boot.
The Dartwood really does look the business. The leather is what is known as a ‘pull-up’ leather. This is leather that is dyed and then stretched. As the leather dries, variations of colour arise; darker in some ares; lighter in other. Bottom line? These boots have just the right level of patina. The boot looks authentically worn. They’re not the kind of boot you would wear to the office, perhaps. But they do look cool.
You get protectors in the heel and toe, and D3O in the ankles. There’s a small, rather subtle gear change pad on the toe. The boot sits somewhere between a trainer-style boot and a proper work boot. It’s certainly got a taller shaft than the old Street Ace or the new Street 3.
For waterproofing you get a waterproof membrane; TCX’s is called Dry Star. Now don’t ask us for stats. and specs. on the membrane like somebody did in response to our recent video review of the Street 3. In our view, it’s irrelevant. Yes this boot has a membrane, and in gentle rain this membrane will keep your feet dry, but in a heavy or prolonged downpour, that rain will come in over the top of the shaft. Frankly, if you really want dry feet, buy a taller boot.
The Dartwood has a deep crepe sole; it’s a style that’s pretty prevalent on the streets these days. The sole itself is what is known as a Groundtrax sole. It’s rubber, non-slip and oil resistant. But what we like is that it’s totally flat, making it easy to move up and down the pegs. Now on TCX’s site, they claim that the sole is self-cleaning, but this isn’t true. I went out for a ride in a pair; it was not a nice day and they got a bit muddy. I left them in the hallway when I came home. When I went out in the morning, the soles were still muddy. You just can’t believe what people say these days!
The Dartwood also has a strengthening shank in the sole. It has been designed not to affect the flex, toe to heel, meaning that it stays a boot that’s nice to walk in. But it does add transverse strength. This will held protect the foot if something were to drive over it. The shank is known as a zplate. There also an inner Ortholite sole that will, over time, mould to the shape of your foot. Again all in the interest of added comfort.
But what makes the Dartwood almost the perfect short boot is that it also comes with a zip up the inside. Now obviously there will be a waterproof gusset when you undo the zip, so it’s unlikely that you will be able to get in and out of the boot without loosening the laces, but the zip will certainly make life easier.
So that’s it; that’s the Dartwood. It also comes in black. But in all other respects, it’s the same boot. The price we also think is on the button. There are cheaper boots on the market. The Dartwood is more expensive than the Street 3, but we would expect it to be; it’s certainly a more robust boot. We like it; we really do.
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"I wore a pair of these, got them muddy, left them outside & in the morning they were still muddy". Classic :-)
Excellent review as always
Great review. Honest sounding fellow. If i lived even remotely close to the UK I'd come visit based on this fellow's knowledge and interesting commentary.
Great on-screen delivery
Very useful review and insight on the regular vs Goretex. Thanks !
Glad it was helpful!
Great review. Would love to see more zoomed in view of the shoe
I love my Daytona Classic boots. Highly recommend
Great content 👌
Great review as always Chris, I wouldn't be a fan of this boot I much prefer the short daytona boot you held up briefly. I agree when you say a short boot is far more comfortable and if I was wearing them in heavy rain I'd be wearing waterproof shell anyway which would cover the top of the boot preventing water from getting in. Love to see a helmet attached bag to fit the bike from you guys
I have these in brown and they are superb.
Racetrack boots are the most protective, but as someone that dropped his bike because I couldn’t put my foot down properly after an emergency stop, I can testify that sometimes comfortable is safer.
If it didn't have the side zip on the boot i would buy a pair.on a side note my short tcx rush boots have always been totally water proof and super comfortable my rukka trousers are long enough that they cover the boot so no water gets over the top when riding , I've ridden for 5 hours in torrential rain across France no leaks
Did you ever drink that Coffee???
Does anyone know if the ankle support actually is useful? I tried it out and even though it states that it has ankle support, then the padding was ultra thin
Wish I could find a pair in stock size 13
Are these competing with the X-Blend or the Street Ace? Or is it another product in-between those 2 styles? TCX has too many boots to choose from now :-)
What's short boot is that at the beginning with the red accent? Looks a bit like TCX Mood but isn't
Love these boots but The T Dry started leaking after just 4 months of use - weekend rides.
If boots are leaking then return them. They have a year’s warranty.
Looks good, but shame about the zip. Don’t see the point for a zip on such a short boot. Are we in such a hurry that we can’t loosen a few holes of the laces? It affects the fit as well as the look. Too bad. Not for me.
will they clean my house
Gore-Tex is the only membrane I would buy. This is a nice boot, apart from the zip. I don't like them.
The GTX they dont stock is a much better all black looking full grain leather boot, it does have a zip.
@@paulsmale5436 thanks for taking the time to make this suggestion, Paul.
I prefer the GTX fully all black boot with a full grain leather finish and Gor-tex. Patina brown leather is for pansies.
I personally don't wear short boot, not worth it for me. Dropped my bike once, and a stone hitting right at the top of the boot.
Also I don't see the point of short waterproof boot.