DIRTBIKE

THE BACK END | PRODUCT EVALUATIONS

There is nothing like a good set of boots.

If you can find a pair that cover safety, fit,

comfort, durability and functionality, you’re

on to a winner. And trust us, that’s not

always easy.

Fortunately, the Fox Instinct boots which

I’ve been running for about six months cover

all those areas. Mostly.

The Instinct is Fox’s “top of the line”

model, and for good reason. The Instinct is a

high-end boot that is designed to go head-to-

head with the best boots in the business.

But no matter how good a boot is, you are

always going to find some aspects that don’t

quite satisfy you. Let’s talk positives first.

WE LIKED

SAFETYThere is no denying the protection

these boots provide. Holding them in your

hand, they feel sturdier than a Mack truck

and are quite solid around the outside. You’d

think this would restrict movement, but the

boots are still flexible enough for those riders

who like to throw the bike around a bit. On a

recent ride, I collected a tree stump with my

foot and while it did hurt, an average boot

would have left me with physical damage.

FUNCTIONALITY The Instinct is designed

with ease of use and adjustment in mind.

One of the cool features is the Duratac

rubber compound used, which is designed to

help you grip the bike. The rubber is used on

the side of the boot and on the sole. Another

unique feature is the hinge lockout system

which helps prevent hyper-extension.

BUCKLES I like the buckle system on the

Instinct better than those on previous boots

I’ve worn. The design makes clipping in nice

and easy and ensures that they don’t come

undone during a ride.

WE DIDN’T LIKE

DURABILITY While the buckles are

functional and easy to use, they are not

particularly durable. I’ve found the straps

to be a little flimsy and have damaged some

of the buckle bases (the bit attached to the

boot). In fact, when I was out at Park4MX in

Broadmeadows, Vic, recently, walking back

to the pits, I jumped over a tyre on the edge

of the track and one of the buckle bases

ripped clean out.

FIT This is probably more of a personal-

preference thing but I find the boots quite

tight around the toes. After a day in the

saddle, I start to feel my feet aching a bit. I

thought that they might need to wear in but,

after plenty of use, the problem remains. Or

maybe I've just got big toes...

VERDICT

Along with a helmet, neckbrace and

kneebraces, boots are the most important

piece of equipment in a rider’s gearbag. A

good set of boots is essential, not only to

protect your feet and ankles, but also to

help to stay stable and comfortable on the

bike. The Fox Instinct boots do both of these

things and they do them well.

No boot is perfect and there are small

aspects of the Instinct that I would change,

but I really am just clutching at straws. This

boot is well worth the price of admission.

Dylan Ruddy

FOX INSTINCT BOOTS

$649.95, Monza Imports, monzaimports.com.au, (03) 8327 8899

118 | APRIL 2016 http://www.adbmag.com.au

Main: How about a clean, Dyl?

1. Duratac sole is still good


2. Here's where the buckle base
   ripped out at Park4MX


3. The buckles are easy to use

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