Dane Esby £199
The Esbys are good-looking and well-spec’d boots with twin zips and a simple, uncluttered design. They have hard shin and ankle armour under outer layers with strong heel and toe protection. Getting them on was really easy and the fit was good, albeit with a slight amount of slack; heel location wasn’t quite as good as we’d have hoped but there was plenty of room around the toes. Comfort was good, with a nice soft lining and good breathability but they were a bit sweaty, as shown by the post-ride damp rating. They flex well on the bike, allowing the foot to get under the gear lever easily and feel was surprisingly good for such a thick heel. Confidence was good, though they were a little loose. The Danes aced the spray test, allowing no water in at all but in the dunk test, both boots allowed a little in at the back of the ankle at the very end.