TCX Infinity and X-Desert boots

[dcstrom]

Here's an early review of my new TCX X-Desert boots, and evaluation of my old TCX Infinity pieces of crap (there's the executive summary right there...).

I bought the Infinity in 2010 for $260. The main attraction was the Gore-tex liner... wet feet are the worst and carrying a pair of rubber wellies for wet rides is stupid, not to mention the poor crash protection. So Gore-tex it (almost always) has to be. They are adventure-style boots, meaning they are (supposed to be) fairly sturdy and protective, without the bulk and weight of a full-blown off-road boot.

3.5 years and 70,000 miles later, they are literally falling apart. First sign of problems was within the first few months, when they collapsed around the ankles. If a boot can't even support itself, how much protection is it likely go give you? Stitching has been coming out for months, and standing on hot sand for a few hours while watching the Dakar recently resulted in the soles peeling off!

On the plus side they were comfortable for walking...

They were well out of manufacturer warranty, but luckily, on top of everything else, they were leaking. Gore-tex lifetime "guaranteed to keep you dry" warranty to the rescue! I contacted Gore-tex who were pretty easy to deal with, and they sent replacements to a friend who brought them to Buenos Aires for me.

I wouldn't have another set of Infinity but Gore-tex allowed me to upgrade to the X-Desert free of charge ($399, current Infinity sells for $379).

So far the X-Desert seems like a big improvement - heavier, stiffer, stitched sole with grippier tread, more protection (including plastic heel element that is completely missing on the Infinity). There is an extra retaining strap (so 3) and once adjusted they stay that way. The Infinity had to be adjusted every time. Components are alloy and screwed on for easy replacement, and lock into position. The Infinity parts are plastic and riveted, and frequently came undone for no apparent reason.

I had to go one size bigger for the X-Desert to fit me (thanks to someone on ADVrider.com for pointing that out) but while they fit well are not as comfortable as the Infinity, and probably never will be. Extra protection is worth it to me. They are also hotter for some strange reason...

So far very happy with the X-Deserts. Have yet to try them in rain, but have no reason to think they'll be leaky... and if they are well... hello Mr Gore-tex!

 

[snakebitten]

You are a worthy test subject. That's for sure. Legit field testing.
Will be watching for further info.

 

[creggur]

I've had two pair of Infinity boots. Both have been great for me...by the pictures, however, you operate on a different plane of riding than I do...

 

[RED CAT]

Wow. You've had the exact opposite happen to your boots. My Oxtar Infinities are 8 years old and still in great shape. I ride a lot too but obviously not as hard as you. Just ordered a new pair through Amazon and not having a good experience. Should have been here a week ago, no luck. May just get my money back and buy Sidis locally.

 

[dcstrom]

I think the infinity would last better if you only used then weekends and the occasional long trip... And well cared for in between. But worn almost every day with just an infrequent cleanup from a shoeshine guy, they are disappointing.

 

[creggur]

I think the infinity would last better if you only used then weekends and the occasional long trip... And well cared for in between. But worn almost every day with just an infrequent cleanup from a shoeshine guy, they are disappointing.

Yeah, I didn't realize earlier who had made the original post... You ABSOLUTELY operate on a different riding plane from me....the one I wish I was on.

Glad you were able to get things sorted. Happy travels!

 

[dcstrom]

I think the infinity would last better if you only used then weekends and the occasional long trip... And well cared for in between. But worn almost every day with just an infrequent cleanup from a shoeshine guy, they are disappointing.

Excuse me for quoting myself...

That said, there is no excuse for the glued (rather than stitched) soles, except as as cost-saving measure. They had been re-glued twice before the sole peeled off almost completely in the hot sand incident.

 

[RED CAT]

OK. Ended up buying the TCX Desert Xs. Very nice, very solid and waterproof. Fits a little tighter but offers more protection. Anyone need a nice, well looked after, slightly worn Oxtar Infinitys, size 45?

 

[Checkswrecks]

fwiw, I just went through comparing what is available and bought the AlpineStar Toucans. The ankle is hinged to prevent bending the wrong way, they are gore-tex, have replaceable soles, and the hinge allows them to be harder & offer MUCH more protection than most others that I tried. Plus, they are extremely comfortable because they are cut for wider American feet and the toe box is thinner top to bottom to get under the shifter.


My feet are in love and my ankles aren't so sceered no more!

 

[Rasher]

TCX Infinity seem to get amazing press reviews, but then slated by owners - the complete opposite the S10

I actually want a bit more comfort and walking ability over ultimate protection as we often want to go somewhere at the weekend and stop and wander about a bit, and on a long tour there are often places we wish to look around and really protective boots just don't do it.

I am wondering if the infinity may actually be just the boot for me, especially as I will keep my old boots for commuting so the new ones would probably only cover 5-6k a year so would expect 4-5 years from them before they even start to fall apart.

 

[RED CAT]

t for walking






Yes the TCX/Oxtar Infinitys are a great walking boot. Very comfortable. The Desert Xs are definitely more protective and less comfortable but still plenty fine for riding and a little walking.

 

[Bombman]

I have a pair of X Deserts as well. I love them. I originally tried the SIDI Adventures and found them to be way too stiff and narrow, just short of MX boots. I moved to the Discovery and found them to be just right on the support, protection and stiffness, but ran too narrow for my feet and moved up in size to find they were then too long so I gave up on SIDI. I moved to the Deserts and they fit perfectly on length and width. I have probably 800 or so miles on them and they are barely broken in. I touch up the scuffs once in a while with some boot wax and keep on trucking. I took the rubbers off of my foot pegs and found the tread catches sometimes so I put them back on. They definite have an aggressive tread that I know will last a long time. Had to buy an extended brake pedal and adjustable gear shift because I was having trouble transitioning from ground to shift/brake with the boots being kind of bulky in mid out to the toe, which I suppose is giving up a little feel for protection. I couldn't feel anything with the SIDI boots. I really like the Desert X boots and think they will last a long time.

 

[dcstrom]

8,000 miles in the X-Deserts now, and doing well. They fit a little tighter than the Infinity so I got one size up. Didn't take too long to break in, and are now nearly as comfortable as the Infinitys were for walking around in. Much more protection on these and the stitched sole is a big difference (glued sole on the Infinities peeled off!). Probably not as protective as the Alpinestar Toucans mentioned by Checkswrecks, they might be worth a look too given they are only $50 more expensive.

 

[adventurebikerUK]

You are a worthy test subject. That's for sure. Legit field testing.
Will be watching for further info.

have you been using your tcx infinity boots for offroading? I have a pair never had any problems with them other than afew squeeks but then I haven't used them for offroad use
im wanting to get some of the tcx x desert boots for riding my yam xt but wondering if the thick sole may cause me to hit false neutrals gearne and sidi side both do some nice off road adventure boots but tcx fit me the best so which is the best boot?

 

[creggur]

have you been using your tcx infinity boots for offroading? I have a pair never had any problems with them other than afew squeeks but then I haven't used them for offroad use

DC is the ultimate test-rider for anything Adv-touring. He's a bit of a legend around here - if he gives gear a thumbs-up it'll likely last a normal rider two lifetimes. Lol...

 

[dcstrom]

Hey mate... I think the Infinties are fine for ocassional weekend use - they will last years - but for me, wearing them just about every day for over a year, they just started falling apart. Some off-road in that too of course, but not anything really gnarly.

Everything's a compromise... if you want waterproof, Infinities will do that - mine were good till right at the end when the stitching started coming apart. (and the fact that they leaked is what allowed me to get the new X-Deserts for free, so I didn't mind They were comfortable but not too protective, tricky and/or expensive to find both.

It took me a few miles to get used to the feel of the different boot, but after a day or so I never had any problems shifting or braking.

have you been using your tcx infinity boots for offroading? I have a pair never had any problems with them other than afew squeeks but then I haven't used them for offroad use
im wanting to get some of the tcx x desert boots for riding my yam xt but wondering if the thick sole may cause me to hit false neutrals gearne and sidi side both do some nice off road adventure boots but tcx fit me the best so which is the best boot?