ADVrider.com
Boots can make or break an adventure. Get it right, and they protect both your feet and lower legs while allowing you to walk at least some distance without calling attention to themselves. Get it wrong and podiatric misery can short-circuit your ride with discomfort from the start.
Italian boot maker TCX sent along a pair of $329.99 USD Infinity 3 Mid WP boots for ADVrider.com to review, and I wore them on numerous long rides over the summer.
TCV Infinity 3 Mid WP Overview
Photo: Bill Roberson
The “mid” and WP in the boots’ name stands for their mid-shin high leg coverage and WP for waterproofing. TCX describes them as a “short-cut boot ideal for use on and off-road, in all conditions, optimized for practicality and easy fit.” Fair enough.
The boots are made of a collection of materials, with a mix of microfiber, leather and other fabrics. The interior includes TCX’s reliable T-DRY waterproof membrane to keep out water when the boot is submerged, and the sole is a lightly treaded pad TCX calls “Groundtrax” for comfort walking on most surfaces. Insoles by Ortholite adds some cushion to your steps. The top of the boot has an elastic band that hugs your lower leg but not tightly (a good thing) and the back of the boot has a fabric extension panel and a small reflective stripe.
The atop lacing system looked like a gimmick at first, but it’s got many advantages over traditional laces and proved to be very robust – and easy to use. Photo: Bill Roberson
Like many riding boots on the market, the Infinity 3 boots don’t have traditional laces. Instead, an atop rotary dial system (above) cinches a braided wire “lace” to fit the boot to your foot. To take the boots off, wearers turn the cinching dial backwards 90 degrees and the wire lacing system goes slack. A large flap with Velcro closure secures the top of the boot and acts as a shin guard of sorts. There is considerable reinforcement around the heel, toes and ankle areas, as well as some abrasion resistance where your left foot meets the shifter. My review boots were size 10 (US) and overall black and grey with the top closure and a bottom section in “military green.”
On The Bike And In The Field (And In Airports)
After months of riding in dust, dirt, water and urban hellscapes, the Infinity 3 boots remain intact and comfortable. Photo: Liam Roberson
My first impressions of the TCX Infinity 3 Mid WP were actually less than impressive. After I got them on and laced up, they felt tight and inflexible. But like any pair of new shoes (or boots or pants or gloves), a little break-in time is required. I used them on several shorter riding trips around Oregon and after a few days of constant use, they became more flexible and the fit went from tight to just-right snug. My feet fall right between 9.5 and 10 in US sizing, so I ordered a US size 10 equivalent to make room for warmer, thicker socks I knew I’d be wearing in the near future.
After my first outing with the boots, I messed with the atop lacing system a bit more and found that “tucking in” one side of the boots’ closure while winding up the laces resulted in a much more even and comfortable fit on the top of my feet. Also, I had been cranking the laces too tightly, and backing them off a click or two made for a more comfortable overall fit, especially when walking. The large Velcro closure at the top of boot also required a bit more finessing. Just slapping it closed often meant the flap closed over the lacing adjuster, which left the top of the boot a bit too loose. Taking an extra 1.5 seconds to more carefully close the top flap ABOVE the cinch dial and tucking in the boot flaps correctly resulted in a tighter fit and better purchase for the large Velcro patch.
The soles of the boots have a decent tread pattern, and strike a good balance between outdoor grip and walking comfort. Photo: Bill Roberson
But the biggest test came on a 5-day ride on a Yamaha T7 through the Colorado Rockies, where I basically lived in the boots, as they were my only footwear (by design). This included trekking through airports in them (including doing the DIA marathon), which I was sort of dreading, but once I had the fitment routine figured out, they turned out to be very comfortable while walking, so much so I looked forward to pulling them on in the mornings knowing I could walk long distance in comfort.
The atop lace system and Velcro top closure gives the boots easy entry and exit. Photo: Bill Roberson
Out on the T7, the Infinity 3’s proved their worth time and again as I soaked them riding through deep water, hiked up scree-covered hillsides and plodded through muddy fields to get photos of my journey. But overall, I was able to forget about them as there was never any soreness or abrasion problems through my journey. One night I caught a coyote sniffing at them as I lay in my tent, so I quickly grabbed them before Wiley got brave and made off with one of them. Too big for you anyway, pal.
They even came into play as safety gear during the KTM Adventure Rally where I absorbed some tough lessons on crashing, including one spill that left a 390 Adventure atop my foot after the bike and myself went sliding down an embankment. My lower leg was not injured due to protection from the boots. Even after that much use and abuse, the boots look little worse for wear (if a bit dusty) and now thoroughly broken in, are an excellent fit. A quick cleanup with a stiff brush and some soapy water has them looking good again (as seen in these photos) but they do carry some personality marks from my journeys.
Conclusions
I’ve ridden in boots ranging from real-deal Army surplus combat boots (look cool, very tough but not very comfortable) to cheap close-out bargain boots from the local motorcycle chain store (surprise: not waterproof… at all) to toughened hiking boots from Danner, Hi-Tech and others. In the past, I’d hesitate at spending over $300 on footwear but as is often the case, you get what you pay for. TCX has been making riding boots for over 20 years, and the experience shows in the Infinity 3 Mid WP.
After a short break-in period, they were comfortable, reliable and held up under pressure (and under water). I could complain about the peculiarities of the atop dial-style lacing system, which I had no experience with previously and initially dismissed as gimmickry, but after I experimented with it, I admit it is more secure and much easier to use than traditional laces. I initially worried the system might break, but after thousands of miles of riding and on/off cycles, it operates like the day I first tried it out. I doubt laces would have had the same longevity.
Despite being crashed in and subjected to salt water and more, the TCX Infinity 3 boots cleaned up nicely. Photo: Bill Roberson
Style-wise, the boots are low-profile but look good, and the build quality is excellent. I had the version with a dark green upper and while the boot is usually obscured by whatever pants I’m wearing, I think it’s the better looking of the two color options.
Complaints? I do wish the boots were a bit taller for more shin protection, but as TCX describes them, these are its low-cut model and of course, they have taller options. A bit more aggressive tread pattern would be welcome, but I also never felt I had a shortage of grip as is.
If you’re looking for a solid, durable and above all comfortable all-around riding boot that are less extreme than a heavy, full-shin coverage set of togs and lets you walk for miles in comfort, the TCX Infinity 3 Mid WP gets my hearty recommendation.
We are always looking for gear to evaluate – what’s your choice for boots out on the trail and when you also have to walk between rides? Comment below.
The post TCX Infinity 3 Mid WP Boot Review appeared first on Adventure Rider.
