Harley-Davidson Flux Boots
Easy On, Easy Off
Like they say, "Change can be a good thing," so a few months ago I began looking for a pair of black "motorcycle" boots to replace the tan work boots I had been basically living in. While cruising through one of the Harley boot catalog, I came across the Flux (MSRP $125) boot which looked to be a combination of work-style and motorcycle boot, so I ordered a pair to give them a shot.
The Flux is a mid height (above the ankle, below the calf) boot that is constructed of both full-grain leather and Cordura. It features eight large riveted eyelets and thick braided laces that make it easy to lace and cinch securely around your feet. At the bottom is an oil-resistant rubber outsole with a heel height of 1 1/2 inches. Inside is a full-length cushion sock lining and padded support around the top collar and tongue. The addition of a YKK zipper running from sole to collar on the medial side of the boot makes slipping the boots off at the end of the day a breeze.
When I first put the boots on, my initial thought was that they were very stiff from about the ankle up, and I felt like they restricted full movement of my foot. But as I wore them throughout the day, it occurred to me that they weren't overly stiff, it was just that the work boots I was used to didn't provide adequate ankle and upper support-especially the kind of support that's needed when trying to keep a 700-plus-pound motorcycle upright at a stop. I've found that sometimes boots can take a month or longer to break in and mold to my feet. My feet get sore and start throbbing so easily that I often don't have the time or patience to make it through the break-in period. With the Flux however, I found that from day one they provided plenty of cushion and my feet were comfortable even after extended stretches of standing around. With rugged traction on the soles, the boots dig into floorboards and especially footpegs and stay put. While the Harley literature rates the outsoles as good for abrasion resistance, best for slip-resistance, and best for oil-resistance amongst its other boots, I will say on one rainy ride I pulled up to a freshly laid paint strip at a stop sign and I felt my foot slide a little, which made me a bit nervous.
One of the best things I've come to like about these boots is the fact that they are both lace-up and zip-up. I'll pull the laces taut around my feet, tie them up in a double knot, and not have to retie them for at least a week. At night when I get home, I just unzip the side, slide my foot out and that's it. In the morning I simply reverse the process and I'm off to the garage.
I do have one complaint, and that's in the look/shape of the toe. When I first put the boots on, I immediately looked at the toe sticking out from my pant leg and thought it looked rather large and bulbous. I've come to get used to it, as it has provided plenty of breathing room and movement for my little pigs.
Harley-Davidson
(888) 637-7001 | harley-davidsonfootwear.com
Ratings: *****
Quality of Product *****
Comfort ****
Fit ****
Overall ****