Kore Adventure Motorcycle Boots Review

[MotoNews]

Published in: Gear

In today’s adventure riding market you could easily spend more than a thousand dollars on riding gear and, frankly, it’s sometimes difficult to find high-value riding apparel. For budget-conscious riders, it’s easy to “call it good” with just a pair of hiking boots, sacrificing proper protection.

Kore Adventure Boots provide adventure riders with one of the highest value boot options for those seeking maximum protection, both on and off road. Out of the box their construction quality is immediately apparent. They feature a bonded non-slip, lug-type sole and split-grain leather on the upper half and in the high-stress areas, and they’re double stitched. The inner lining is made of anti-abrasion, breathable mesh nylon to combat water absorption. Speaking of water, in the mud and rain, the boots are surprisingly dry, even though most motocross boots aren’t known for their water resistance. Anti-abrasion material reduces friction between the boot and the rider’s foot and leg, reducing the possibility of blisters forming on the user’s foot, ankle, and calf.

As Benjamin Franklin once said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Being prepared is something adventure riders value. We embrace opportunities to see new and exciting locations and cultures, and to do so, we need to be prepared to leave in the dust the familiarity of asphalt. Recently, a ride to the North Shore region of Minnesota unexpectedly turned into a weekend of dirt on unmarked National Forest “roads.” Although anticipating only pavement riding, wearing the Kore Boots turned out to be an excellent decision, as I unexpectedly ended up navigating unmarked dirt trails for the majority of the time, at one point finding myself in the Boundary Waters.

With increased protection comes increased confidence. While in the saddle, the boots feel beefy, despite their slim styling and heavy-duty plastic shin guard. Just knowing that you’re wearing these boots creates peace of mind while crunching miles on the asphalt and navigating off-road single-track trails, even in bad riding conditions, as the Kore Boots have a well-designed closure system at the top of the boot.

Off the bike, the Kore Boots require a short break-in period but they’re ready to ride straight out of the box. The top cam lock buckle is, however, a bit too short for riders wearing heavy wool socks or knee guards. This can be remedied by swapping the top and bottom buckles, as the bottom ones are slightly longer than the top.

As a woman getting into adventure riding, I’ve had to start from scratch in acquiring the proper gear without breaking the bank. While generally the options are growing for women’s motorcycle apparel, finding boots can be more difficult. There simply are not many female options, so I decided to try the men’s Kore Boots. One thing to keep in mind when shopping men’s boots is that, for women, the boots can generally be looser in the ankles and instep. If you need a slimmer fit, you may want to use insoles and inserts to compensate.

Bottom line, Kore’s Adventure Motorcycle Boots are worth every penny. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a higher value boot. Kore offers its Adventure Boots in black or brown leather.

ActionAthleteSupply.com

MSRP: $149

PROS:

• High-value motorcycle boot.
• Full height protection.
• Enough flexibility for off-the-bike use.

CONS:

• The top strap may be too short for some riders.
• There is a break-in period, although this applies to all footwear.

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