Komodo Pro Boot - Two Wheel Freaks Review

Words and Pictures by Dean Devito

Tuesday, 21 July 2009

++NOTE++ The boots shown in the pictures were photographed after 8 months and thousands of miles of use, so they are not the shiny examples that will show to your door if you choose Komodo. They have been soaked through a few times thanks to mother nature and her need to refill lakes and streams, but seem to be holding up well to the use.

Riding boots... no not the name of that cute cat down the street that accompanies his owner while they travel on their bike. I am talking about what you wear on your feet and over your ankles while you ride; that’s right, those boots. The reasons they are an important piece of equipment are well documented and proven time and again, yet most riders ignore their southern-most extremities when they gear up. The truth is that there are a lot of small bones, tendons, and ligaments down there that warrant special attention.

To address the needs of my feet, over the past few months I have been wearing Komodo Pro Boots for street and track duty. The Komodo Pro Boots are a value-priced pair of motorcycle specific footwear that are, hands down, better to ride in than a pair of hiking boots or steel-toes you picked up at the local Wal-Mart store.

Like most riding boots, the Pro Boots are designed to work with you while on your bike. The top of the toe box is reinforced with plastic for durability against the shifter and is narrow enough to allow easy use of foot controls. The soles, which are constructed of oil resistant non-slip material, are thin and narrow, but firm enough to give good feel. The boots do not get in the way while you move around on the pegs, and the soles offer good support to your feet and arches while doing so.

To beef up the boot, they are constructed of non-perforated 1.8 to 2.0 mm of cowhide, and reinforced with TPU on the shins, outer ankle, and around the entire heel. Reinforced heels and outer ankles is not a feature seen in many comparably priced street boots. Additionally, the heel is also accented with a “shock absorbing system,” which equates to a piece of rubber type material around the heel to assist with impact absorption should you, well, you know…

A removable toe slider is included on the outside of the foot and is well placed to touch down first in corners thus saving the actual boot itself. The Komodo Pro Boot closes easily with a long zipper on the inside of the ankle, and a velcro enclosure closes around the zipper. The Pro Boot has ample room inside to tuck the calf portion of your leathers in it, and the Velcro enclosure maximizes the chance that the Pro Boot stays put, and that it does its job properly should you, well, you know…

Komodo touts this boot as street proven, and it is priced well below their flagship “track proven” FX boot; and for good reason. Street riders, novice track riders, and commuters will be pleased with the level of comfort and protection offered by the Pro Boot, but track addicts and real fast guys should opt for the FX boot.

Over the past several months and several thousand miles the Pro Boot has been a willing companion while on the bike. They seem to be a bit roomier than race spec boots and have been comfortable for all day rides. Off of the bike, they won’t be confused for a set of New Balance in the comfort department, but for walking around downtown, or kicking tires at the local bike night they won’t give your feet any undue stress once broken in.

Komodo offers these boots in black, blue, and red in whole sizes from 6-13. Priced at around $125 they are a competitively priced and functional piece of apparel. For riders wanting a solid boot and a good price, the Komodo Pro Boot is a good choice. Its race influenced styling may not appeal to everyone, but its price, versatility and level of protection may get a few more people out of Timberlands, and into something built to do the job.

To order your own set of Pro Boots or to check out all of Komodo's fine gear go to www.Komodogear.com