REV'IT! Pioneer H2O Boots

Several of us in the office tried these boots on for comparison to REV’IT!’s size chart(s) and also to compare to the fit of other boots. We found the size chart conversion provided by REV’IT to be accurate, so use the chart to choose a European size based upon your US street shoe size.

As to overall fit, we find these boots are quite normal, I’d say D width, or “medium”.

I love to run across new products that are actually different from anything I’ve seen before. Well, these aren’t DRAMATICALLY different because after all, they are still a motorcycle boot, but they are something special. They are promoted as being an “adventure” boot, and they certainly have the key features I see in other adventure boots, such as a VERY stiff sole, sturdy reinforcements in the heel and toe and significant ankle armor, but they aren’t as tall as the traditional adventure boots and they aren’t nearly as heavy, and they are easy to put on and take off.

OK, a few key points, one at a time. The sole of these boots is kind of amazing. The tread is a very heavy duty feeling dense rubber Vibram sole with “moderate” tread pattern, but that is bonded to a lighter weight rubber and within the sole there has to be a very substantial stiffener. The result is a sole that appears to be highly durable, EXTREMELY STIFF but lightweight. This will touch a nerve for a lot of riders that find the traditional adventure boots to be too clunky and heavy, but want the durable and very stiff sole.

The closure is unique to this style of boot. I’ve seen similar from Sidi on some of their high end race boots, but frankly, this setup works much better than any I’ve seen before. The closure uses a fine stainless wire pre-routed through plastic guides and then spooled onto a ratchet thing. It took me a few tries to figure this thing out, but once you know the trick, it is super easy. First, pull out on the ratchet knob to release. You can then open the throat of the boot easily. After you slide your foot in, push the knob back down, give it a few cranks to snug it up and you are done! Works great. It is just as adjustable as laces, but without the loose ends that can tangle in things. AND you have the added bonus of impressing your friends with your 21st century boot laces.

I think you’ll agree when you try on these boots that the armor in the toe, heel and on the sides of the ankles is as robust as any boot you’ve owned (short of a full-on off road boot), but the armor system is “compact” without lots of protruding external pieces, so the overall look of the boot is quite “normal” and wouldn’t be out of place anywhere you might wear them when on a riding trip.

The boots are waterproof with an internal waterproof/breathable liner. The waterproof liner is the “bonded” type so that it is bonded on the back side of the boot’s upper. This type of liner will keep water out of the boot and also out of the back side of the upper which can occur on boots with the traditional waterproof liner that is sewn in place between the boot’s upper and inner liner. Granted, this is a subtle difference, but it is widely acknowledged that a bonded type waterproof liner is a superior setup as compared to the separate waterproof liner.

The pricing of this boot is a bit of an eye-popper, but its unique property of being a bit shorter and much lighter and less “clunky” as compared to other boots with similar functionality is something that sets it apart. And besides all that, the lacing system is a showstopper! :: Paul, 01-25-17