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Review Of Hein Gericke Tuareg Motorcycle Boots - By Ren Withnell
Many items of motorcycle clothing that claim to be waterproof are not. These boots are.
A friend of mine whom I know expects nothing but the best purchased some. He had serious trouble with a pair of Frank Thomas boots letting in water and had finally got his money back. He purchased the Tuareg boots and was happy to declare them waterproof. After so many years with wet feet and feeling quite flush I purchased myself a pair.
They are not cheap. At £140 they are the most expensive boots I have bought. The first thing I noticed is how sturdy they are. They are almost a motorcross boot but flexible enough to walk reasonably well. The boot comes half way up my calf muscle and fastens with 2 motorcross style clips at the bottom and a large Velcro pad around the top. They have a plate covering the shinbone, small plastic caps covering the ankle joint and a sole which is re-enforced.
Riding with them on is no different to other heavy boots I have worn. They are not race boots, the do not have the ultimate feel and lightness, but are flexible and comfortable to wear. The height of these boots stops any wind around the ankle and any risk of rain creeping up to the top of the boot.
In the rain they are perfect. 300 miles of hard rain from Bolton to Brighton on motorways in the spray and the wind? Nothing, not even a spot of dampness on my socks, ankles or calves. Standing in puddles 1 foot deep whilst off-roading? Total dryness. Hosing my boots down to clean them whilst wearing them? Nothing. I don't know how they do it, but they do!
I have owned my boots for almost 2 years now. I have probably covered 30,000 miles in them. The plastic on the front of the boot to protect the leather from the gear change has lost a short bit of stitching, but is still secure. The leather has dulled but I never polish them so fair enough. Other than that they are just fine, even the Velcro is still sticky and string.
My friend? His boots spilt at the front so he took them back to Hein Gericke. Although they were out of stock and it took them a while to get more boots, they swapped them with no arguments or quibbles. He is still a very very happy customer.
Reader's Comments
Gordon Patrick said :-
Good review just what I need. I'll be getting boots for the festive season. Don't think I need to look any further.
ps no need to apologise for the request below
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Jake said :-
Thank you, very help full review just what I need I seem to have a habit of breaking boots :)
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Tom Rowlands said :-
I'm not sure if you are talking about the same hein Gericke Tuareg boots that i have or some new magic version. My feet get wet after 20 mins of rain and i certainly don't stand in puddles with them. I also find them uncomfortable and get sore ankles riding for any length of time (flexible they certainly are not).
As side note, I recently snapped a buckle and i'm finding it difficult to source another .
I'd rather wear my motorcross boots and know that my feet will stay dry. I think they will be going on ebay as soon as i can replace the broken bit
20/02/2019 14:35:36 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Sounds like you're not doing well with yours Tom! This review was from years back, at a guess I'd say at least 10 years.
20/02/2019 17:09:04 UTC
Howard Millichap said :-
AFAIK the Tuareg boot ceased production way back. So it's unlikely that Tom, in 2019, actually has the good "Goretex" version. I've had several "proper" Tuareg boots over the years and they were all perfectly waterproof over many years and miles.
07/07/2020 22:03:18 UTC
Gaffer said :-
Have had my Taureg boots since late 90's I have bought a second pair of them when I heard they were discontinued, they are still in the box as I have no need to retire my original pair at all. Just completed a charity toy run in Pembrokeshire, as normal feet warm and dry in far from ideal conditions. Such a shame you cannot get yhis equipment anymore, my Hein Gericke jacket is excellent as well, bone dry and warm in it.
11/12/2021 17:38:26 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Gaffer,
I'm glad you like your HG, I'm a fan too. But I haven't got their boots.
Just a cautionary tale about storing kit away for "best". Er'Indoors put some motorcycle boots in the cupboard years ago for "best", they weren't HG........maybe Oxford. When she finally thought I'll give them a ride out the sole fell off within minutes. The warranty had long expired and they were no longer "best". They were %/+=*!.
I think the glue had just failed due to age or they were defective from the get go.
Upt'North.
12/12/2021 14:15:24 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Whatever happened to Hein Gericke? We had a small shop in Preston then it became a J&S store. I seem to recall tales of the UK business closing but the German side continued. Google has a few tales of their impending return from 2012... otherwise nothing of note so I guess the show is over.
14/12/2021 18:30:34 UTC
Bogger said :-
About ten years ago I bought a HG two piece suit. Surprisingly it still fits me. It's still in good nick and pretty good quality.
Ref boots. I'm sure I'm like most bikers. I've bought 'waterproof' boots and paid a lot of money (for me that is) on them. Only to find that at the first sign of rain they leak like a sieve.
I did a bit of research and ended up buying a pair of Robusta 8" service/ police/army type boots. They are gortex lined and have never leaked a drop, in all day pouring rain.
Being a lace up boot they are a bit of a pfaff to get on and off. Ok if you are touring but not perfect for every day use.
So again, looking for a bike specific boot I did a bit of you tube research on gortex motorcycle boots and ended up buying a pair of TCX boots. Up to press they have been very good and not leaked. They have however not been let loose in a day long deluge yet.
Bogger
14/12/2021 22:12:56 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Bogger, I've got a pair of Gortex TCX Tour X (?), they're bostin boots.
Ridden in horrible weather and they've never let a drop in.
If they've got a fault then it's they don't soften up. Not a problem when riding but you wouldn't want to walk too long in them. The fact they're still like new after three years means the stiffness is a small price to pay.
I bought them half price in an end of season "Sportsbike Shop" sale.
Upt'North.
14/12/2021 23:00:13 UTC
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