LS2 Acrux boots review | I’ve walked almost as far as I’ve ridden in these boots

1

I was surprised to learn that LS2 were making riding gear as well as the excellent-value helmets they’ve previously been known for, and thought I’d bag a pair of these Acrux boots to see what the deal was. Like the firm’s lids, they’re on the cheaper end of the market, but they don’t lack features either, so I was curious to see how they’d stack up in the real world against other urban boots. It’s safe to say I’ve been impressed… read on to find out why.

If you’re unsure whether casual boots are the best choice for you, MCN’s motorcycle boots buying guide can help you to decide which style of boots is best for you.

Are the LS2 Acrux boots comfortable?

I feel like I’ve walked almost as far as I’ve ridden in these boots, because I often wear them for work days, commuting on the bike and then spending 8-9 hours treading around the office, out on photo shoots, lunchtime walks, and I’ve also used them as my sole (pun intended) footwear on a bike launch, navigating airport, launch, hotel and evening out.

Suffice to say they’ve really impressed me as far as comfort goes, because I simply wouldn’t have done that otherwise.

I think it’s a ringing endorsement of boot if you’re happy to wear it regardless of whether you’re riding or not. They’re very light, which definitely helps, and I like the comfortable mesh liner, but they’re nicely supported too, with a reinforced heel and ankle.

One feature I’m a big fan of when riding is the lace strap, which keeps my laces away from footpegs, gear and brake levers. The laces themselves are easy to tighten and strong, with no fraying evident during my test.

There’s also a gear change protector patch on the left boot.

Do the LS2 Acrux boots look good?

These urban-style boots aren’t going to win any fashion contests, but they’re not a bad-looking item and I’ve been happy enough to wear them day to day. They’re definitely on the casual side of the spectrum, but worn with a pair of jeans, few people will recognise they’re riding boots at all. I’ve had comments to that effect.

Are the LS2 Acrux boots good quality?

These boots haven’t put a foot wrong (pun also intended) in many senses. They look like they’ll do another 2.5k miles easily enough, with minimal wear on the sole considering how much I’ve walked in them, and all the fastenings are showing zero signs of fatigue.

The only negative here is that I can emphatically say they’re not waterproof, despite the ‘spring, summer and autumn’ classification that LS2 give them. I’ve ridden in rainstorms in them and had to dry them out afterwards.

Do the LS2 Acrux boots offer good protection?

At this price point something’s got to give, and indeed while they’re well supported in the ankle, heel and toe box, these boots carry a CE rating of 1 for height and transverse rigidity, meaning they could be better in both respects. However, they do have a rating of 2 for abrasion resistance and impact cut, so I can’t mark them down too heavily in this regard, particularly given their casual, everyday nature.

Are the LS2 Acrux boots good value for your money?

The pricing of these boots seems pretty fair to me. While you can certainly get superior boots discounted to roughly the same price, they slightly undercut their direct rivals, including the £129.99 Falco Airforce and the £124.99 Forma Milano. The other competition comes in the form of the £129.99 Eleveit Town (although they do claim to be a waterproof boot, putting them a step ahead).

These are the first of this particular style of boots that we have reviewed so far but we have considered the comparable products for you.

So what’s the overall verdict?

If you are after some great-value, modern-looking lightweight casual summer riding boots that you can wear all day long, on and off the bike, then these are definitely worth a shot.