TCX Street 3 Waterproof Boots
RRP £144.99
In the box, the Street 3 looks like an upmarket, low cut, basketball boot with grain suede leather uppers.
Beneath the styling is a lot of tech. The soles are stiff, caused by the ZPLATE shank in the midsole; this rigidity prevents the boot from crushing if the bike lands on top of the rider’s foot. The GROUNDTRAX sole has deep hexagonal lugs for grippiness with the grooves cut to self-clean. Armour comes courtesy of my favourite nonNewtonian material D3O – soft, allowing the foot to move, it becomes rigid on impact, supporting the ZPLATE.
I did worry the stiffness would make them hard to break in, and as they’re so low cut, would they protect my ankles (ankle abrasion is a common non-bike boot injury)? Once on, both concerns disappeared. The Street 3s are instantly comfortable and flexible – the shank runs across the sole, in no way hindering the longitudinal flex needed for walking. Ankles are protected with D3O armour over the malleolus (the bony protrusion at the ankle).
I haven’t been for any long hikes, but they were comfortable to walk in from the off with no breaking in required.
On the bike, they flex where needed, and the ankle area especially has great flexion – essential for gear changes. There is reinforcement in the gear change area; I have been known to miss this and gear changes are still comfortable.
During the month I tested the boots I never got to try out their waterproof qualities, but they kept my feet dry through any minor rainfall I did encounter.
A big concern about bike boots is grip. I don’t want to end in the dirt because my foot slipped. No worries with the Street 3s. I tried my damndest to make them slide. No chance, they gripped the Tarmac like glue.
One very minor thing: I have to unlace the top two holes to get them on and off. If said holes could have coloured eyelets added it would make the holes easier to find (my gym changing room can be a little dark) and also protect the aglet at the end of the lace.
Obviously, like all low-cut boots you lose out on shin protection, but this is balanced by their flexibility. Comfortable on and off the bike, the Street 3 is a great all-day boot… after seeing and trying on, my wife is looking at the ladies
version.