The TCX Airtech 3 GTX are as waterproof as wellies, without feeling like them under foot

Traditional all-weather touring motorbike boots always feel like wellies to me, and from my first winter of discontent as a biker with a set that impressed less than wellies would have, I’ve always eschewed the style in favour of sports or adventure boots with Gore-Tex in the mix. But this pair of TCX Airtech boots look pleasingly technical and modern, boast all the key safety attributes you’d hope for, and promise the performance I’m looking for.

So are they any good?

Well, yes – but they’re not perfect. Built from a breathable microfibre (no leather polishing here) with a Gore-Tex membrane between the outer and inner layers to keep moisture at bay, they also come with the firm’s Groundtrax rubber sole.

These touring boots are slim and svelte, so don’t feel bulky or heavy once they’re on your feet, and I’ve had no issues slipping them under various different trouser options. What I have struggled with is remembering to wear decently thick and long socks for every ride.

The Airmax is an inherently comfortable boot let down by whoever thought leaving a big area of scratchy Velcro exposed to rub your leg raw was a good idea. If they’d put the hooks and the fluffy sections the other way round it wouldn’t be a problem – but it’s a real flaw that it’s hard to understand how they missed.

The boots meet the required EN 13634:2017 with a the label revealing they ‘2122 WR WAD’. The numbers denote that they’re a shin high boot that meets the base standard and offer abrasion resistance and superior passes in impact cut resistance and transverse rigidity.

The letters refer to their Water Resistant and Water Absorption/Desorption properties. I’m pleased to say that they really are impressively waterproof, too.

Most boots that claim this actually leak like sieves after 30mins of prolonged watery assault – these seemingly never give in. They don’t get too sweaty in hot weather (while they’re not cool), and are warm enough to keep your toes happy on long rides down to about 8-degrees C, but I’d wear heated or big thermal socks in winter.

The fit on my size 11 plodders is excellent, and there’s plenty of room in the main fastening to accommodate my big calves. Velcro overlap errors aside, they’re otherwise very comfortable, although I do find the OrthoLite/Groundtrax footbed surprisingly rigid to walk on. Hopefully they’ll break-in with more walking miles.

They open up wide to make getting them on and off easy, with one diagonal zip and the aforementioned flap taking care of keeping your foot on the inside. Unlike many bike boots, they don’t squeak when you walk in them, either.

The need for anti-scratch long socks aside – they’re a brilliant boot, and my go-to rain defenders.

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