Oxtar
TCX Pro Boot
For riders who don't have a big motorcycle dealer nearby, buying boots can be an exercise in frustration. Most folks scrounge up every bit of information they can find related to fit, quality, durability and style, then swallow hard and apprehensively reach for the credit card. In this situation high-end boots from a "new" manufacturer, such as the TCX Pro boot from Oxtar, can seem like a risky proposition. After all, what do you get for $330?
The first time I wore the Oxtars someone said, "Sounds like plastic Robocop." I'll admit that the Torsion Control System (TCS) in the ankle, which allows good flexibility through the normal range of travel but does a great job of limiting hyperextension, can be pretty squeaky. Fortunately, a little silicone spray practically eliminates the racket. The TCX Pro has a removable bootie and fits true to size. It was snug around the front half of my fat feet, but riders with normal feet should find them to fit about right. At the top buckle I still had half an inch of strap left with my knee guards on; only members of the mammoth-calf club will have a tight squeeze. Once adjusted, the straps stayed put, and the aluminum buckles latched easily and securely. But often on unbuckling, the straps got caught underneath the buckle and were difficult to remove.
In the comfort department the TCX Pro is first-rate; it's flexible enough for freedom of movement but still stiff enough to protect against injuries. Brake-pedal and shifter feedback was very good and seemed to improve over time. Inside, the lining was smooth and snag-free, and the only wear has been some peeling on the gaiter.
After a couple of months of riding, the boots still look great. Both the uppers and soles show only minimal wear. Although the TCX Pro is not waterproof, I experienced very little seepage when slogging through mud holes. Apart from the TCS, the look is relatively conventional and earned thumbs-up for style from all my buddies.
Oxtar is a relatively new brand in the United States, but its parent company has been making private-label boots for street riders (ever heard of Dainese?) since 1989. To judge by the TCX Pro-which works and wears well-in the high-end boot market Oxtar is definitely a player. -Kevin Stoddard
| Gear | Max. | Rated |
| Style | 20 | 19 |
| Comfort | 10 | 8 |
| Function | 50 | 44 |
| Wash/care | 10 | 8 |
| Price | 10 | 8 |
| Total | 100 | 87 |
www.oxtar-usa.com
Moose Racing
M1 Jersey And Pant
Moose M1 gear started as a lower-priced alternative to the XCR line, but it sure doesn't look or feel like it. I actually prefer the M1 jersey to the fancier XCR line. It has fewer seams, and I like that. The M1 jersey is bright and colorful, comfortable, cool and roomy-some of my favorite jersey traits. My jersey wears some stains that haven't washed out, and some strings have pulled out courtesy of branch snags, but I've used it hard for the toughest off-road riding I do. At 30 bucks it is a great deal.