Motorcyclist USA — September-October 2017

SHIFT

JOHN DOUKAS

• motorcycling is a small world sometimes, and
  innovation often doesn’t come easily. The Dutch
  apparel specialists over at Rev’It! searched outside
  the two-wheel industry for inspiration in creating
  these Pioneer riding boots.
  A quick look and you’ll notice there are no stan-
  dard laces, buckles, or zippers. Instead, a dial-and-
  cord cinch from outdoor company Boa—twist the
  knob clockwise to tighten and pull out to release.
  It’s a system that was invented in the early 2000s
  and has sold more than 83 million units.
  For the sole, Rev’It! enlisted the rubber company
  Vibram, which has been making shoe bottoms since
  1937 and is headquartered adjacent to so many foot-
  wear makers in northern Italy. Vibram is probably

most famous for the wild-looking Five Finger shoes

with the individual toes, but the company has soles on

everything from dress shoes to hiking boots.

More traditional technology is used to keep feet

safe and dry, namely rigid heel and toe cups and the

patented OutDry waterproofing—a one-piece coating

heat-bonded to the outer layer of the boot that makes

water bead up and roll off. For abrasion resistance, the

Pioneers use good ol’ fashioned cowhide, as well as

500-denier Cordura textile panels.

It’s a decidedly different piece of moto-footwear—

part outdoor-industry DNA and part motorcycle

expertise—from the looks to the technology. These

Pioneers sell for $400, with a taller, shin-plated

sibling, the Discovery, retailing for $460. —Zack Courts

GEAR

FRONTIER FOOTWEAR

Rev’It! Pioneer Outdry Boots

40 | september | october 2017

Vibram sole

Italian Vitale Bramani built his

first vulcanized-rubber sole

in the 1930s using Charles

Goodyear’s patent then

started his own company with

backing from Pirelli.

Waterproof coating

The idea behind OutDry

waterproofing is to have the

layer on the outside so no part

of the garment can hold water.

Boa clasp

The Boa clasp was originally

invented for snowboard

boots. Now it’s used in cycling,

construction, and even in

medical equipment.

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