My XPD boots are old and abused but continue to serve me well. Have worn them while touring, track use, city rides everything and they have held well through the years. Recently noticed that the heel protector of the boot was cracking in places and the sole was showing signs of aging. Decided that these will now be delegated to city use and new boots are needed for track riding.
Went researching online and in my peer circles to figure out which are the track boots that I should buy. A lot of friends wear the Sidi ST Air and they look fantastic hence they were on top of the consideration list. Finally tried my friend's ST Air and wasnt too happy with the fit. It was somehow too narrow for my broad foot. Good build and features but my feet were grumpy.
Alpinestars Supertech-R were also a popular choice and the fact that almost the entire MotoGP grid wears them was proof enough of their pedigree. Turns out the Indian vendor was charging a bomb for them (almost 35k) so ruled them out. Thought about waiting for someone to maybe go to the US and handcarry a set for me.
In the meanwhile, saw a friend wearing the TCX RS2 boots. Looked beautiful and I had heard about and witnessed the bulletproof build of the erstwhile Oxtar (now called TCX). Researched a bit more and turns out that the latest iteration called the
TCX RS2 EVO are also MotoGP used boots with a reputation for quality. Infact revzilla rated them quite brilliant along with the Sidi Mag1 and the A-Star Supertech. Even a review by Overdrive was quite appreciative of the boots.
The RS2 EVO come with a unique air-pump system which basically inflates an inbuilt bladder system in the boot (through a button on the side of the boot) to ensure a perfect snug fit of the boot on your foot and leg. The EVO also came with a quick-lace inner booty for a further perfect fit. Magnesium toe sliders and a full skeleton system to control ankle flex and movement were other top-spec features. The boots were also advocated strongly for people with broader feet (mine are) and have a bigger toe box than their competitors.
Icing on the cake was that these were available at a very competitive price of Rs 26,500 at High Note Performance in Delhi (Revzilla was about $430).
Spoke to the good guys at HNP and ordered a set in size 46 online. They assured me of a prompt exchange incase of size issues.
The boots arrived bang within the time committed and the fit was WOW. My old XPD feel like bathroom slippers in front of these. These are proper race-spec boots and feel generations ahead of anything I had tried on till now. This was proper big-league stuff. The fit is precise, the leather is immaculate and the build seems very strong like a typical Oxtar. The air pump system actually works and just makes the boot fit like a glove around your foot. These actually feel like an extension of your body when on the bike. You will not even realize that you are wearing something as rigid and sturdy as these feel. And believe me a pair of comfortable boots can do wonders to your riding be it on the track or touring.
The only downsides are:
1. The inner booty and quick lace system needs some time and effort to get the foot in and close. My XPD are simple - put foot in and zip up. But then this inner booty system makes the fit so much nicer. Time and effort consuming but not without results.
2. The toe-box is actually bigger than normal. I had to adjust the gear lever of the bike slightly higher to ensure the toe of my boot slides under it for a shift. Otherwise it was just colliding with the lever at the stock position. The toe box is quite roomy and this makes my broad feet very happy.
Honestly, these boots are worth every penny spent. From a safety, build and comfort angle they are right up there on top of the food chain with some $500 competition. Infact my friend uses these as his staple weekend ride/ touring boots without any issue.
A thank you to the good chaps at
High Note Performance who handled all my queries and requests very patiently and ensured my boots reached me well before my trackday as promised.