Invicta Moto
Registered user
After years wearing the same Frank Thomas “waterproof” boots I decided it was time to get something newer and better looking.
I had a look around Hein Gericke in Maidstone and fancied a pair of TRG Rally boots with Goretex liners. They didn’t have my size (10!) and so I went off to Alford Brothers in Folkestone. There on the shelf and priced at £99.99 were the Swift Turismo boots.
They looked the business with imitation carbon fibre on the toes and heels to cover the leather. A waterproof “Duratex” (never heard of it before) lining and they fitted a treat. The one piece inside wraps around the foot and there is plenty of toe room. There is a half zip and the front lifts forward off its Velcro holders to ease them on and off. I whisked them home
The following week was St Nicks and the zip tag broke off getting them on for their first outing. I had to wear them and I say once “fixed” with a bit off a key ring they were very comfortable to wear. Once home again and off I noticed that the silver reflective inset in the back of the ankle of each one has split as well. I took them back the next weekend and took another pair. These languished in their boxes until Le Touquet weekend. At least they seemed okay. They performed okay on the Snargate Street run with only a minor problem coming to light. The front of the shin is armoured and slightly oval in shape, this leaves a gap between leathers and boots and acts as a funnel for any precipitation. The final straw came on a ride into work on March 19th… a wet and blustery day. They leaked. So badly that my left foot was entirely soaked and the right only down the outside! Saturday 20th back in Alford Brothers for a refund.
So would I recommend them? NO WAY - In fairness they are a good-looking boot for dry summer use. The waterproof claim needs to be taken with a wheelbarrow of salt. They were comfortable to walk in even if the sole was a bit soft for my liking making hefting the bike onto its main stand a bit of a foot bruising experience.
I’m back in the hunt. I can press my old Alpines Star off-road boots out of retirement from the loft again for a while but need to get something decent for the fast approaching riding season and the run to Czech… back to HG?
I’ve since seen the Turismo boots in Buster’s Catalogue for £59.99 and for that they may be a summer bargain and priced about right.
I had a look around Hein Gericke in Maidstone and fancied a pair of TRG Rally boots with Goretex liners. They didn’t have my size (10!) and so I went off to Alford Brothers in Folkestone. There on the shelf and priced at £99.99 were the Swift Turismo boots.
They looked the business with imitation carbon fibre on the toes and heels to cover the leather. A waterproof “Duratex” (never heard of it before) lining and they fitted a treat. The one piece inside wraps around the foot and there is plenty of toe room. There is a half zip and the front lifts forward off its Velcro holders to ease them on and off. I whisked them home
The following week was St Nicks and the zip tag broke off getting them on for their first outing. I had to wear them and I say once “fixed” with a bit off a key ring they were very comfortable to wear. Once home again and off I noticed that the silver reflective inset in the back of the ankle of each one has split as well. I took them back the next weekend and took another pair. These languished in their boxes until Le Touquet weekend. At least they seemed okay. They performed okay on the Snargate Street run with only a minor problem coming to light. The front of the shin is armoured and slightly oval in shape, this leaves a gap between leathers and boots and acts as a funnel for any precipitation. The final straw came on a ride into work on March 19th… a wet and blustery day. They leaked. So badly that my left foot was entirely soaked and the right only down the outside! Saturday 20th back in Alford Brothers for a refund.
So would I recommend them? NO WAY - In fairness they are a good-looking boot for dry summer use. The waterproof claim needs to be taken with a wheelbarrow of salt. They were comfortable to walk in even if the sole was a bit soft for my liking making hefting the bike onto its main stand a bit of a foot bruising experience.
I’m back in the hunt. I can press my old Alpines Star off-road boots out of retirement from the loft again for a while but need to get something decent for the fast approaching riding season and the run to Czech… back to HG?
I’ve since seen the Turismo boots in Buster’s Catalogue for £59.99 and for that they may be a summer bargain and priced about right.
