TCX X-Blend Boots- One year(ish) review!

One year... ish 

Okay, I'll admit... this one took a bit longer than expected, hence the "ish" in the title. I originally planned on doing this review right at the one year mark, or as close to it as possible, but the curse of 2020 wouldn't let go, and I wasn't able to do it until now. But enough about those arbitrary timelines- let's talk about these boots! 

First of all, if you haven't read my 6 month review, you can read it by clicking here. If you've already read it, or don't really care about what I said about them last May, then keep reading to see how these puppies have held up so far.

A brief recap

I bought my X-Blends from Union Garage in Brooklyn, NY back in October of 2019 and had them shipped all the way to my humble home in beautiful, sunny South Mississippi. The best part? The good folks at Union Garage shipped them to me from the Big Apple for free, which was nice considering that I dropped $199 on them. Now, don't get me wrong- I'm not saying that $200 is an excessive amount of money for good riding boots, I'm just expressing to you the fact that I tend to be a bit of a cheapskate at times, and I don't like spending $100 bucks (or more) per foot for my brick kickers. 

My TCX X-Blends, when they first showed up on my doorstep

When I first got them, I was like a kid at Christmas. I couldn't wait to get them on my feet and get them broken in. It didn't take long either, because I pretty much wore them ALL OF THE TIME. Actually, I still do.

 Really holding up 

These boots are still my favorite footwear, ever since I first laced them up, way back when the only people that wore masks regularly were doctors and bank robbers. They really are holding up quite well, considering that they are pretty much my primary footwear away from the office. They still look good enough to wear on casual Fridays too. Overall, the leather is still supple and strong and it's pretty obvious to me that the hide they used to stitch these babies up came from one tough bovine, because I have abused these things. Aside from riding in them, I also wear them when working in the garage and have scraped the leather on the concrete, scuffed them while playing with my dog, worn them while cutting the lawn and even accidentally spilled grease from the grill on them! I actually thought that I might have ruined them with that one, but after some cleaning and a bit of leather conditioner, I got them cleaned right up. 

Now, don't get me wrong. I have done some basic maintenance on these boots. I'll admit that the rich, brown color of these boots has been maintained and "spruced up" a bit over the last 17 months with brown Kiwi shoe polish. The Kiwi has helped maintain their good looks as well as helped them keep their water resistance. The nicest part about the leather of these boots, though, is the way that it's wearing in. The boots look awesome and feel great. They are flexible and supple, but still feel rigid and strong enough to instill confidence in their ability to keep my feet and ankles safe in a slide- God forbid I have one.

The soles and heels are simply out of this world. I mean like- they must be made out of some kind of other-worldly materials or something, because they barely show any wear at all, seriously, it's insane. I've had boots from other manufacturers and they have all worn pretty quickly on the heels and toward the toe. These X-Blends have taken all my abuse and just shrugged it off like it was nothing at all. When I did my 6 month review of these boots, I described the soles as "lug like" but more "linear and grooved" which I asserted must be so the soles can avoid trapping gravel and mud in them. I still stand by that assertion and can affirm that if that was TCX's intended purpose, they have succeeded in their design. My driveway is a mix of sand, Mississippi hard red clay and pea gravel and these boots don't pick up any of it. They've got plenty of grip though and I've never lost my footing, not even on the worst oil strips that the highways have had to offer.

Issues and oversights 

These X-Blends aren't perfect though and I have identified a few issues and oversights with them. First of all, the brake side (right) toe pad stitching broke loose within the first six months. I'm still baffled as to why this happened though, because it never gets used. The left side, which does get used (more when I ride my Dyna Street Bob than my Road King) is still just as solid as can be. The stitching on the shifter side is strong and secure, just as it should be. The brake side toe pad, however, is peeling back as the stitching continues to unravel. 

The thin fabric covering on the insoles is another annoyance, too. As you can see in the picture, it has worn under my heel and the fabric has a tendency to bunch-up and it can be a little aggravating because it feels like something is in my boot. It's not uncomfortable, mind you- just annoying.

Lastly, the laces are taking a beating. The metal eyelets are strong and sturdy, but it would seem as if the laces aren't quite as durable as they need to be to go up against such a formidable eyelet. Now, don't get me wrong- the laces are holding up; they are still strong and secure, but they are getting abraded by the eyelets. I suppose it's not too bad, considering the amount of use they get though.

Still my favorite footwear 

Despite those aforementioned, relatively minor, issues though, these are still my go-to footwear when I'm not in the office of the job that actually pays my bills. They look good enough to take my bride out to a decent steakhouse and they are rugged enough to keep me safe while I'm out riding my scooter. They are comfortable enough to wear all day- whether I'm walking through the newly opened Mississippi Aquarium, or if I'm standing around in my garage drinking some brewskies, or even if I'm shuffling around the lift, working on one of my motorcycles (like the MotoWriter Dyna that you see strapped down in the photos- that's another story for another day).

The bottom line- I don't like these boots, I love them. They are the perfect balance of comfort, style, durability, safety and price. TCX Boots really hit it out of the park with the X-Blends and, in my most humble opinion, I think these are best damn motorcycle boots you can get for the money. 

My dad always used to tell me, "son, you get what you pay for", and that statement couldn't be more true of the X-Blends from TCX Boots. For just under $200 shipped (from Union Garage anyway- yeah... this is a pretty gratuitous plug for them- hit them up and tell 'em the MotoWriter sent ya. They probably won't give you a discount or even know who I am, but tell 'em anyway), these boots deliver top-notch safety with their integrated ankle cups and strong, durable (and good-looking) cowhide that is stitched to the absolute best soles of any motorcycle boot, or any work boot, that I've ever owned. 

I can't tell you what to buy, but I can tell you that if you want one hell of a great pair of boots to work, play, ride and relax in- you can't go wrong with the X-Blends. While I don't foresee myself wearing these kickers out anytime soon, I can guarantee that I'll be buying another pair of these soon- not because I need them, but because I want them.

A few more pics

One last thing- 

I feel that it is important to note that I am not an employee of, or a paid affiliate of, Union Garage or TCX Boots (or any company for that matter). The article you just read (like all of the posts on this blog), is my honest opinion based on my personal experience with these boots and that store. 

Now, if either of these companies wanted to send me a few bucks, give me a discount on my next purchase or even float me a new product to test in the future- I'd be more than happy to accept and I'd be more than willing to offer another honest review. 

Till next time- Ride Safe and MAKE GOOD CHOICES!

Brand Loyalty- how far is too far?

Brand loyalty... how far is too far?

OK, I'll admit... I may not be the "best" brand ambassador for Harley-Davidson. But in my defense, I'm honest, hardworking and I don't make a lot of dough, so I need to actually get what I'm paying for. I would consider myself to be more of a spokesman of the working class for Harley-Davidson. I love my Harley-Davidson motorcycles but I'm not a blind follower of them, or of any brand for that matter. If they do something right, I'll sing their praises to everyone I meet, if they shit the bed on something, I'll do my best to try to point it out so they can improve. Think of it like getting constructive criticism from your best friend. 

Take my boots

A year ago, I picked up a pair of TCX riding boots from Union Garage in Brooklyn, NY. I paid $199 and got free shipping... so I got a sweet pair of boots and still had enough left over for a Snicker bar. I bought them without ever even trying them on. Why? Because I read a ton of honest reviews from fellow riders who, like me, refuse to blindly follow a brand name. I believe in the tried and true method of evaluation and review from people who understand that sometimes companies get it right, and sometimes they don't. I did a six month review of my boots back in May (and I'll be doing a one year review soon) so that anyone on a budget that is looking for a new pair of riding boots can read it and, hopefully, get a little insight on them. I got some good feedback on my review and even had some guy claiming to be a rep of the company reach out to me and ask if it was okay if he posted it to the company website (I told him yes, but I don't know if it ever got added). I look at it this way- there might be somebody out there who, like me, has just enough extra scratch at the end of the month to be able to ride motorcycles. Chances are, they probably don't have thousands of dollars a year that they can spend to experiment with gear, so just like reading Yelp reviews on the local greasy spoons- we can get a better idea of where to, or not to, spend our hard-earned money. I don't believe in being a rude, over-critical ass; I just believe in the effectiveness of constructive criticism. 

Die-hard loyalists

I get a kick out of these die-hard loyalists who take the brand loyalty thing way too far. I have a friend, who will remain nameless, that is that guy. His bike is the best- it is the fastest, makes the most horsepower, the most torque, has the best paint, the highest quality finishes and is the most nimble, as well as the most comfortable, motorcycle that has ever been built in the United States and abroad. Of course, that is strictly his, not-at-all humble, opinion. I also get a kick out of these Indian riders who claim that Harley-Davidson is now suddenly going to file for bankruptcy because Polaris has recently breathed life back into the long-dead Indian name. I seem to remember all those same comments being made by the Victory Motorcycle guys a few years back and we can all see how that turned out.

You might be saying, "now hold on just a dag-gummed minute Mr. MotoWriter... you can't compare Victory to Indian!" No? Why not? Because Indian has been around "Since 1901" or because it was "America's FIRST motorcycle company"? Well... I wrote a little nugget about that, too. You can read the brief history of Indian Motorcycles here if you'd like. Look, I like Indians and I think that they have a LOT of potential and if the executives over at Polaris want to give me a loaner bike for a year, and some of that sweet Indian swag to go with it, I'll do a fair, honest long-term review and evaluation of their bike and products. Hell, if I like their products enough, I might even buy 'em. 

Harley guys aren't the worst, but they're close

Harley-Davidson is an iconic brand. It has somehow survived over a century, through good and prosperous times and through countless recessions; not to mention, surviving the Great Depression which befell the country a mere 26 years after the company first rolled out their first production motorcycle. They've managed to keep a consistent customer base over the decades, have seen years of profits and years of losses, but yet they remain. The guys and gals that stand behind the Motor Company are, no doubt, a big part of the reason that the Milwaukee based company is still churning out new bikes after all these years. With that said, they can be a bit ridiculous. I've heard people say things like "I'd rather push my Harley than ride a Honda." Really? I'll call bullshit on that one. "Harley's don't leak oil, they mark their territory." Yep- bullshit. If I buy a brand new motorcycle (or any vehicle for that matter) and it leaks oil- somebody's gonna hear about it. I think that one of the reasons Harleys catch such a bad rap from other brand enthusiasts is because of those die-hard loyalists who defend the company even when it's failed or failing it's customers. 

Warning- this next part might offend you.

We may not all agree on this- but defending a company when it produces a crappy product is akin to giving out participation trophies. You're doing them a disservice. You're telling them that putting in a half-assed effort is good enough and that losing is still winning. By blindly defending Harley-Davidson, you are basically telling the MoCo that it's okay that they made a crappy product. In my long term review of my 2017 Road King Special, I beat the MoCo up a little. I wouldn't say that I picked the bike apart, but I did point out some deficiencies in the quality. Maybe, if we are all lucky enough, somebody over at H-D HQ will watch that video and say "damn, we need to correct those issues." If you go to a restaurant and the food is awful, are you going to tell your friends how great it was? I would certainly hope not.

Let's help them survive

Look, I don't know about you, but I want ALL of these companies to improve and survive and the best way to do that, is to hold them each accountable when they screw something up and not be so blindly loyal that we refuse to offer them any sort of criticism, or even recognize what their deficiencies are. I'm not saying let's boycott Harley-Davidson because they put a shitty finish on a few parts and I'm not suggesting that we force Polaris to kill off Indian because they have had some electrical issues. I am, however, suggesting that we, the customers, give them good, honest and constructive criticism so that they can improve their products for us. After all, we will all benefit from those improvements- we (the customers) will get a better product and the companies will make more money in return sales and be able to stay afloat going into the future. 

I truly love the diversity in the motorcycle market. I don't just love Harley-Davidson motorcycles- I love ALL motorcycles. I want Polaris-Indian to put pressure on Harley-Davidson and I want Harley-Davidson to continue making motorcycles that set the standard for overall style, comfort and performance (some people will roll their eyes at this, but history proves this statement to be true). I really hated to see Polaris shut the doors on Victory and it was such a disappointment to see Yamaha dump the Star line of cruisers. Honda is still going strong, introducing an all new Rebel 1100 for 2021 and Suzuki's Boulevard line and Kawasaki's Vulcan line both seem strong. BMW's new R-18 is an exciting addition to the cruiser world and Triumph's line of "Modern Classics" offer even more styles for us to choose from. To be completely honest, I'd love to see the resurrection and success of some of the old motorcycle companies that have fallen to the wayside. Can you imagine if BSA, Brough Superior, Vincent, Victory, Excelsior-Henderson, Pierce-Arrow, Ace, Crocker or Acme were still pushing out new products? Think of the innovation and the options that we might have! I get giddy just thinking about it! 

Competition is a good thing 

Competition drives advancement and each one of these companies should be in a head to head competition with each other, not to destroy the other guys, but to earn our money instead. If we do our part as the end-user and tell them what we want, what we don't want, what we like and yes, even what we don't like, we can give them a clear path to the future to build products for us that we can enjoy for years to come. They might even earn the business of our kids and grandkids and if things work out- maybe every motorcycle company can eventually brag about being in business for over a hundred years.

As for me- I'll just be down here in South Mississippi riding my Harley-Davidson along our beautiful coastline, and writing a few things to entertain you good folks, while I'm waiting patiently for one of these companies to reach out to me to do a long-term review of their products. 

Stay tuned for more reviews coming up, and in the meantime, ride safe and make good choices!

TCX X-Blend Boots- 6 month MotoReview

TCX X-Blend Waterproof riding boot. MSRP $199.99 US

I like good gear and, like a lot of other riders, I only have a few criteria that need to be met- it should be comfortable, durable, stylish, water resistant, warm in the winter, cool in the summer, it should look good enough to wear to the office on "casual Friday", but still be tough enough to survive the abuse of a 500 mile day through thunderstorms or a day of wrenching on the scooter, it has to hold up well and last several years, be made of the highest quality materials and, along with all that, it also needs to be affordable on a working man's budget. All of that seems pretty reasonable, right?

Now, let me preface with this- these boots are not a "new" product, nor am I the first person to review them, however, I am the only person that I know who wears them, and I haven't had any of my riding buddies say that they have ever even heard of them, much less owned a pair. That could be because they are not sold in Harley-Davidson shops, the local shoe stores or any of the specialty boot shops near me. I did a little online research on the X-Blends and, after reading some pretty good things about them and figuring out what my European shoe size was (they're made in Romania), I started looking. No local places had them and all of the "big box" online stores were out of stock. I took that as a good sign and after some diligent searching, I found a pair in my size at Union Garage in Brooklyn, NY (https://uniongaragenyc.com). Get in touch with the folks at Union Garage if you need some gear. Their customer service is out of this world and their prices are fair and competitive with all of the big box "discount" places. Besides, you'll be helping to keep an independent business in business by supporting them.

So, my first impressions were good. The X-Blend is a sturdy boot and it has a nice semi-finished leather outer shell. I went with the brown, but they also have them in black. Initial break-in wasn't bad and the boot really felt well made. I'm probably going to echo the word "sturdy" a lot, because that's how they feel- not cheap and flimsy like other boots, but solid and sturdy. They have some weight to them, but it's not like wearing concrete blocks, either. The insoles were comfortable and the soles were tough. They have a lug-like sole, but they're more linear and grooved to avoid trapping gravel and mud. I liked them, right out of the box.

So, six months and a few days later, I'm still wearing the hell out of them. I could probably ditch most of my other shoes because I wear these boots 90 percent of the time. They are holding up great, as I would expect a boot that cost me two hundred bucks should. You can treat them with leather treatment to add a bit more water resistance- I didn't. I would rather spend time wearing my boots and riding my bike than cleaning either of them. That's not to say that I don't keep them both clean, I just don't obsess over it. For maintenance, all I've done to my X-Blends is, every couple of weeks or so, I'll hit them with a boot brush to knock the grime off.

The soles are showing hardly any wear at all and the leather shell is getting worn-in nicely with a good patina on the leather. I think they look better now than the day I unboxed them. As other's have said, the leather toe-pad on the right boot (brake side) is losing some of the stitching, but the leather pad is still firmly in place- I'll keep an eye on this and update as needed. The left boot (shifter side) is all good. I ride two bikes- a Road King Special and a Dyna Street Bob. The Road King has a heel-toe shifter, so there's not much use of the toe pad while riding it, but on my Dyna, I use the hell out of it. The toe pad is in the exact right place and lines up perfectly with the shift peg. 

When I was doing my research, I read a few comments about the eyelets wearing through, or even cutting, the laces. I haven't seen anything like that happening with mine. The laces are still intact and as strong as they were six months ago. The boots are water resistant, meaning your feet will stay dry if you're washing your bike, step in a puddle or spill your beer on it, but if you get caught in a deluge on a road trip, you're probably going to wish you had put on those rubber boot gaiters that came with your rain suit... the ones you never wear because they look like goofy foot condoms.

The insoles are still really comfortable with just the right amount of support and cushion. These are motorcycle boots, without a doubt. When someone looks down at them on my feet, they immediately recognize them as riding boots. But they aren't your typical riding boots. Most motorcycle boots I've had were built well- solid, thick, high quality leather with oil-resistant soles and a good heel. They offered all the right protection on the bike. ON. THE. BIKE. Off the bike it's another story, though. Almost every slip-on boot I've had sucks after walking more than a couple of hundred feet in them and any of the lace-up boots I had picked up more rocks than a three year old. Neither styles were good to walk in. These TCX X-Blends are comfortable to wear all day long. Seriously, ALL DAY. Mrs. MotoWriter and I took a trip to Gatlinburg, TN last year and my TCX X-Blends were the only footwear I brought with me. We did some hiking, took in some tourist attractions, went out to dinner and even did a rope obstacle course and these boots never missed a beat. They looked nice enough to wear to a semi-casual dinner and kept up in every terrain I put them through.

 Like I said, these boots are sturdy and well made. The only complaints that I have after 6 months of wearing these things, almost daily, is the stitching on the right toe pad and, if I really have to find something, they can be a little warm on the foot. They don't have any vents or mesh panels, which I like because mesh panels are like screen doors on a submarine and vents are usually points of failure on a boot, especially after a few months of heavy wear or during a slide. The price is on par with every good motorcycle boot I've ever bought, with the main difference being I'm sure I'll get, at least, a couple of good years of riding, walking and hiking out of these, while the other boots are collecting dust in the back of the closet. 

 Check 'em out here TCX X-Blend Waterproof Motorcycle Boots