RST Paragon 2 £119.99
For touring boots, the Paragons have quite a sporty feel to them. External TPU shin armour and heel cup suggest good protection and they feature a single inner zip with a Velcro-fastened cover flap. They went on easily, though the zip was a little tricky to do up initially. They felt comfortable, with feet held securely, particularly at the heel and there was enough room for the feet not to feel squashed. On the bike they worked well, the concertinaed sections providing enough articulation to get under the gear lever and work the brakes. Feel was surprisingly good — a function of a relatively thin sole. They didn’t feel cumbersome and inspired confidence though the CE rating didn’t match up to expectations. In the spray test, the right boot allowed a little water to enter through the front concertina section and in the dunk test, the same spot allowed a similar amount of water in.