I’m not sure why, but I love to hate motorcycle boots. I tend to alternate between too much, or too little, seldom landing on the elusive level of just right. Positioned somewhere between full blown adventure and lightweight touring, the Discovery represents a multi-year development project aimed at the modern adventure rider. Comfort was clearly the driving design mission behind the Discovery.
From top to bottom everything about the Discovery was created for optimal comfort. The foundation is a durable Vibram Apex outsole paired to a soft EVA midsole for maximum walking comfort and to deaden vibrations transmitted through the foot pegs. Additional standing support is provided by a stiff internal shank. The uppers are made of rough-out suede with reinforced protective elements at the toe, ankle, and shin.
The best feature of the Discovery is the single-point closure system centered around a BOA retention dial. I’ve used BOA closures on everything from cycling shoes to ski boots and love the convenience of one-handed adjustments with just a few clicks of the dial. Sliding the Discovery boots on and off is a snap since the oversized cuff opens nice and wide. The padded shin guard also protects the BOA knob from impact or dirt. It’s a clever design and extremely convenient.
Waterproofing is provided by an OutDry laminated layer, a technology I have used in a variety of products from footwear to down jackets. As a weather thwarting layer, OutDry works exceptionally well, and while the breathability is less than an unlined boot, I have yet to feel like my feet were excessively hot or stuffy.
A testament to the comfort of the Discovery boots, the first time I used them I pulled them from the box, slipped them on, and wore them to the airport for a flight to Utah and a week of riding. After wearing them for 5 days straight, they didn’t produce a single hot spot or blister. If there is a bunny slipper equivalent to motorcycle boots, this would be it.
If the bulk of your riding has you traversing gnarly trails with a high probability of crashing or other insults, the Discovery might be a bit on the light side. If however, like the bulk of the adventure touring world, you primarily ply pavement and gravel for days on end, the Discovery will be perfect. As they were intended to be, they are the most comfortable motorcycle boots I have ever worn.
