This review focuses on a purpose-built motorcycle boot I discovered this summer that combines two key features I want in a boot (that I’ve yet to find in my 25 years of riding until now): a decent-heeled boot — more than 2 inches — that’s waterproof!
“I love a heeled boot, on and off my motorcycle!”
Some background: Purpose-built women’s motorcycle boots (like TCXs Lady Aura boots reviewed here on WRN) are constructed with a low heel, or no heel — just a notch in the arch. Some are waterproof and some are not. In the 20 years I’ve been reviewing women’s motorcycling gear, I’ve yet to find a waterproof boot that has more than 1-inch heel, the kind of boot I like to wear when I ride my Harley-Davidson Street Glide.
The two waterproof ladies boots from Harley-Davidson in recent years are low combat style. I’ll wear my waterproof Hennies from Harley if I have to, but I don’t like how I look wearing flats.
I love a heeled boot, on and off my motorcycle. How high? At least 2 inches. This high of a heel can also help shorter women who ride the higher suspension sporty motorcycles reach their feet flat on the ground.
If you’re like me, then you can relate to this dilemma: When I’m riding on a multi-day trip where the weather may change, I’ll wear either my cute brown Red Wing lace-up boots or my aged brown Fry boots — neither of which are waterproof or purpose-built motorcycle boots — and stuff my saddlebags with one of the few no-heeled waterproof motorcycle boots I own, like the Harley-Davidson Hennies, to use if I find myself faced with a long day of wet riding. Yes, I have waterproof boot gaters that I cover my Red Wings or Fry boots with when it rains, but wouldn’t it be nice to have one stylish heeled boot that’s waterproof too, so you don’t have to think about stopping to cover them up or change boots when it starts to rain?
Well, I found the solution: the Lady Classic boot by TCX, made of full grain waterproof treated black leather.
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The only features missing from this boot that are present in most purpose-built motorcycle boots are a reinforced shifter area on the top of the left boot, and a bit more armor. An extra piece of leather on the shifter toe area would take away from the fashion factor that these boots are trying to attain. And while there’s no formal armor, the sturdy padding and reinforcements in the toe and heel offer much more than a cowboy boot or other fashion-type boot with a heel that a lot of women like to wear while riding their motorcycles.
In my opinion, there’s a fine line between a women’s motorcycle boot being functional and practical, while being somewhat stylish. Most womens motorcycle boots don’t achieve that balance — meaning style is sacrificed for function.
The TCX Ladies Classic finds that balance: The 2.5-inch heel provides the height and leg-lengthening look many women want in classic black leather. The boot will only look better as it breaks in and natural wear creases take hold — all while providing many of the functional features serious women riders like me demand: waterproofing, a reinforced toe and heel, sturdiness, and comfort.
U.S. sizes range from 5 to 9.5 but the boots are listed in European sizes. I normally wear a 9, and it was suggested I get a 41. I told the TCX rep that I wear a 40 in my Dansko shoes so send me a 40. A 40 ended up being too tight so the rep’s initial suggestion of the 41 was right on. They fit me perfectly with a medium thickness sock. Price is $199.99. Visit RideTCXboots.com to learn more and to order online.
Thanks to my friend Leigh Dicks for modeling these boots for me. Gotta love her rockstar nails!
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Waterproof Boots from Harley-Davidson
Could you please send me a catalog of women’s boots?
Hi Carla,WRN is an online publication, so all our stories are digital only. You can see all our boot articles here at this link.
I normally wear 6.5 for any athletic shoes, but wear 6 for other shoes. Which should I base it on?Thanks!
Base it on the 6.5 size. At least that’s what I did. Use the European sizing chart for size 6, then go up one size. You can always exchange if you have to.
I bought a pair of these boots a couple of months ago after my old BMW boots gave up the ghost. I had added extra soles to the BMW boots such that they looked like Herman Munster’s shoes. The TCX boots took about a day to break in and I love them. It’s great having the extra height with boots that look decent and are waterproof.
Size bummer… I wear a size 11 and the majority of women’s boots only go up to a size 10 so I am relegated to having to wear men’s boots. Wish there were more options in women’s styled boots for us ladies with bigger tootsies!
These are great however please note the site says only a 2-1/4-inch heel. I wonder how long that sole will last? We don’t have options like you around here, no shoemakers left anymore these days. Who knows anything about resoling. It’s sad. Love that they are waterproof, but like you, would like the patch added to the toe for shifting. I have been saying this for years trying to get someone to make a boot similar to this, but no one, not even Red Wing or HD’s vendor would listen. They think every woman is 5 feet 10 inches tall. Thanks for the review.
I did note in the first caption (perhaps you missed it) that the TCX website says the heel is 2.25 inches (same as 2-1/4 inches as you noted that here), but I measured it twice from bottom to where the heel meets the shoe, at the highest point, and it measured 2.5 inches (or 2 1/2 inches the way you wrote it). I wouldn’t let the sole deter anyone from buying these. These are a very sturdy riding boot that looks great. Thanks for your feedback.