Justin reviews the Fox Defend adventure boots, a favourite for him after 1000s of miles on test

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Off road giants Fox’s foray into the world of adventure touring has resulted in a comprehensive range of kit designed for use on both tarmac and dirt. I’ve already reviewed the Ranger textiles, which proved to be suitably impressive in all conditions, so now I’m turning my attention to the Defend ADV boots. I’ve covered over 5,000 dual sport miles in them so far, from riding dirt roads in Italy to stomping around the NEC at Motorcycle Live.

How comfortable are the Fox Defend Boots?

My first ride out in the Defend was up in the hills around Lake Como, tackling dirt roads and gravel tracks aboard a Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Pro, and it’s fair to say that I was barely aware they were on my feet – the comfort is that good, even straight out of the box.

Protective D3O inserts in the tongue and around the ankle, combined with firm but cushioned padding elsewhere, means they hug your foot in all the right places and give a reassuring feeling of made-to-measure comfort. A big part of that all-enveloping sensation is the BOA closure, a system that uses ultra-fine wires and a rotating ratchet to draw the upper together evenly and secure it snugly around your delicate trotters. Once on, you feel utterly planted in them.

Standing on the footpegs for extended periods is no problem at all, thanks to the anti-shock midsole and sock liner. The sole is substantial but doesn’t affect the feel for controls or knowing exactly where you are on the peg. They also have an aggressive tread pattern which provides plenty of grip when you dab a foot or go wandering about on loose terrain.

As well as riding off road, I’ve completed a 1,000+ mile day on my Harley-Davidson CVO Pan America longtermer without any issue at all. The gear lever pad is sturdily reinforced, with repeated clutchless upshifts failing to put any kind of dent in my big toe. I’ve even spent a day marching from stand to stand at Motorcycle Live, which is as good a test as any for footwear, and they proved to be as comfortable as a pair of walking boots.

How do the Fox Defend Boots look?

The Defend have a tactical air about them, not dissimilar to modern combat boots, and that’s a pretty cool look in my opinion. They’re also relatively subtle, so you can get away by pairing them up with riding jeans for a casual vibe. A brown version is also available if you like a dash of colour in your life.

Are the Fox Defend Boots good quality?

Build quality is absolutely superb and I have no doubt that the Defend is built to last. The double rows of stitching on the microfibre upper shows a fine attention to detail, with all the different elements manufactured to a high standard. Despite being covered in mud and filth on numerous occasions, they always clean up well and show little signs of wear thanks to strategically placed reinforcement panels to soak up scuffs.

So far they’ve kept my feet perfectly dry, which is due no doubt to the genuine Gore-Tex membrane drawing away sweat and stopping water getting in. I’ve ridden in torrential rain wearing a textile jacket and denim jeans (don’t ask, I got caught out) and my socks were the only undergarment that didn’t end up soaked through. They are CE certified with a WR mark on the label for water resistance.

There’s no zip, laces or Velcro on the Defend, just the BOA system to take care of fastening, and I love the way it draws the upper together evenly around your foot by simply rotating the ratchet clasp. Releasing the locking mechanism allows you to pull the tongue right out for easier ingress and egress, and because the wires stay fixed there’s no need to re-thread and tension between each eyelet like you have to with traditional laces.

Protection and ratings on the Fox Defend Boots

The Defend has the higher CE certification of 2 for resistance to cut, impact and torsional forces, and they certainly feel tough enough. I’d go as far as to say they appear more durable than many other boots I’ve tested with the same approval, suggesting they exceed the standard. D3O inserts add comfort to protection, as they’re soft and flexible until subjected to an impact.

My only slight issue with the Defend is the height above the ankle, as despite being CE classified as a tall boot, they don’t extend much further than a typical walking boot. That’s fine for tarmac, hard-packed dirt and gravel, and of course ideal for when you’re off the bike to explore on foot, but if you’re planning to tackle any trickier terrain, then the lack of shin protection is something to bear mind.

Are the Fox Defend Boots good value for money?

Given the build quality, comfort and practicality, not to mention how well protected you feel with them on your feet, the Defend are right on the money. Pricewise they’re on a par with the competition (Merlin Sierra, Klim Outlander, Falco Arrakis), and sit at the top end in terms of performance. I’d be confident in expecting a good few years of use from them, so they should provide a good return on investment.

Fox Defend Boots – the bottom line

I’m a big fan of shorter boots for day-to-day riding, and the Defend have become a firm favourite of mine for commuting as I can wear them all day in the office too. The ease of use of the BOA system makes getting them off or on a breeze, and I really like the secure feeling it gives when fully fastened. As an adventure touring boot, which is what they’re intended for, the Defend is an outstanding performer, providing the practicality for exploring off the beaten track, both on the bike and off it.

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