Icon 1000 Elsinore Boots
My number one pick – and how could it not be – is the Icon 1000 Elsinore.
It doesn’t get any better than this for looking like a badass biker. I have the HP version here, which includes this metal plating on the shin and the heel, some embossed detailing down the heat shield and blacked-out stitching all around. Icon says this pays homage to the motocross world but to me, it’s more of a tribute to Mad Max.
The Elsinore is not the most technical boot, but it has everything I need. The sole is steel shanked and the chassis is top grain leather. Top grain is sanded and treated to be more uniform, but it’s slightly less durable and breathable than full grain leather. Personally, I would have preferred the raw full-grain look on this boot anyway, so getting top grain was a bit of a bummer for me.
There’s armouring here – around the toe, heel and ankle. The ankle plate is this stupid free-floating piece though, which is much less comfortable than if it were baked into the leather itself. To me, this reeks of cost-cutting and that’s hard to swallow when I’m forking over 330 dollars. But oh well – at least all the armouring combines to achieve a CE certification.
Fitment-wise, the Elsinore sizes just like a regular shoe. It is really stiff out of the box though, so expect to wrestle it on for the first few rides. These five straps do help to customize the fit, and I can wear my jeans under or over the boot depending on how tight I set them. For average, everyday use though, I much prefer the full-length zipper on the other side for taking the Elsinores on and off.
I found these boots comfy to walk in, and I love how slim they look. The toe box is too high though, so it’s a bit tricky to shift gears. I was also unimpressed with the lack of a waterproof liner. At this price point, Icon should probably throw it in.
Icon 1000 Prep Boots
Now, my second pick is a baby step up. This is Icon’s 1000 Prep Boot, it’s very similar to the Elsinore in a lot of ways and it retails just 10 dollars higher. I think this was a weird move for Icon, because they’ve basically created their own competition by cramming two products into the same bracket. Maybe that’s why the Prep boot doesn’t sell too well, but it still makes sense to me for three reasons.
One – it’s a more subdued style. Not totally cowboy like a typical riding boot, but it’s also not a Zombie-killer like the Elsinore.
Two – it’s lighter. Each of these size 12s is a full 125g lighter than the Elsinores, and I actually felt that difference walking around.
And three – we have a full waterproof lining in the Prep. That’s the major difference that sets it apart from its more-popular cousin and I hate to this but … I have a slight problem with the waterproofing. No gaiter at the top, so unless you have a calf that is precisely this size and shape, you’re going to need waterproof pants over the Prep to make it truly waterproof.
Fitment-wise, the Prep sizes like a regular shoe but its much tighter across the top of the foot. Riders with high arches should probably stay away. It’s also a bit of a chore to put this boot on. You need to completely un-thread the top buckle just to get the rear zipper open. Which is annoying, because the buckle doesn’t even do anything to terms of adjustment. Then stepping into the boot requires finesse, because your heel is going to want to bust through the rear gusset. It’s a question of getting the angle just right, then using my toes to walk my foot in.
I still think the Prep is a good boot. And so is the Elsinore. I just wish Icon gave us one great option rather than two good ones. If I could have the waterproof liner of the Prep, with the fitment scheme of the Elsinore, I’d be sold.
Icon Super Duty 4 and TCX X-Blend
Now, I personally think something a little more casual looks best on a cruiser. And for that, my top picks would be Icon’s Super Duty 4 and TCX’s X-Blend.
Let’s play top trumps.
Both have ankle, heel and toe armouring. They’re both leather constructions as well, but I’d have to give the edge to the TCX in terms of safety, because it comes up about 2.5 inches higher and there’s extra slide protection that comes with that territory. It’s also CE rated while the Super Duty is not.
The Icon comes back in terms of price though. 200 dollars on this side, which embarrasses the TCX’s 300.
The X-Blend retaliates in terms of waterproofing. Icon’s Super Duty is waterproof-ish if I spray some protector on top and stay away from the big puddles. But the X-blend has a full water proof liner built in.
Icon counters with its closure. Both shoes have laces, which could potentially catch on my footpegs and cause me to tumble over at the next stop light. But the Super Duty 4 endangers my pride a bit less, because it has this positive-lock buckle that I can tuck the bunny ears underneath.
Of course, I’d have to give the edge to the X-Blend in terms of comfort. Despite being the larger shoe, it manages to achieve the same 840g weight. So the X-Blend feels very nimble on my foot. The sole is more flexible, it’s easier to walk in, and the leather requires no break-in period out of the box. The Super Duty is no slouch in terms of comfort, but it’s a definitely a bit clunkier.
We’ve gone neck-and-neck so far. But I have to let the TCX pull ahead now, because it wins again in terms of shifting. The shifter panel on the TCX actually blends in with the shoe, and the profile is low so it’s easy to get under the lever. The Icon, on the other hand, has these ridiculous rubber nubs. They give away the fact that this is a motorcycle boot and – rather annoyingly – they do absolutely nothing to help me shift. Because the toe box is so high, I normally make contact with the lever here rather than here.
Style-wise, it’s totally subjective. I think the Icon looks stunning in brown or wheat colourways, especially under a pair of jeans. I ordered this black version to see if there was any magic to it, but there isn’t. If I were to do it again, I’d do one of the other colourways instead.
The X-Blend is obviously more classic in style. To me, this looks great on any motorcycle and any sidewalk. But I know that café racers – in particular – tend to drool over this kind of thing.
And that’s it for my favorite cruiser boots! Thank you guys very much for watching.