TCX Jupiter 5 Gore-Tex boots | Sporty short boots with touring practicality

The TCX Jupiter 5 Gore-Tex is a short, sports styled motorcycle boot designed for all-season use. Priced as a premium product, it has all the features expected of higher end urban or touring footwear, such as weatherproofing, CE certified protection and style. I’ve been putting them to the test over the past eight months, racking up 2,100 miles in the process.

How comfortable are the TCX Jupiter 5 boots?

The whole point of wearing short boots is for the comfort and versatility they offer, and in that respect the TCX Jupiter 5 leaves nothing to be desired.

Ortholite insoles make the footbed as comfy as a pair of slippers, providing cushioning both on the pegs and when walking about. I’ve worn them all day on commutes to the office, pounded around Brands Hatch as a spectator and ridden an eight hour stretch on a sports tourer, barely aware they’re on my feet.

Although the sole is quite stiff, there’s enough flexibility to easily bend your toes and the low rise at the back allows unrestricted longitudinal rotation at the ankle. I’ve ridden most types of bike in them, from sports to adventure, and have been comfortable in every riding position.

Without visible perforations I thought the Jupiter 5 might be a bit warm at the height of summer, but the Gore-Tex membrane keeps moisture moving the right way and with a pair of Oxford Coolmax Oxsocks my feet have remained sweat free – providing there’s airflow around the boot. On very hot days they weren’t ideal for walking in, but we’re talking flip-flop weather so that’s not something I’ll hold against them.

The Gore-Tex helps regulate temperature in cold weather too, and the overall construction is thick enough to act as an insulator. Outside of an urban environment, the low-cut design might prove a bit too breezy when the mercury approaches zero though.

How do the TCX Jupiter 5 boots look?

Being all black the Jupiter 5 are naturally understated, but they do have a cool technical look when you get up close and personal, thanks to the different materials used in the construction. The style is sports touring, rather than urban, and personally I like that. 

There’s no denying they are bike boots, so although you can wear them with jeans they aren’t as low profile as sneakers. That said, they’re certainly smart enough to wear around the office and have a certain Italian designed cool about them.

Are the TCX Jupiter 5 boots good quality?

Build quality is exceptional, with finely cut panels and neat double stitching. The upper is a mix of suede leather and fabric, with bonded PU reinforcements, all of which has a premium feel. Grippy ‘Groundtrax’ soles prevent any slippage on foot controls, even when wet, and make for a confident plant on tarmac when you roll to a stop. 

Waterproofing is good, keeping my feet perfectly dry in the rain, however the short style doesn’t stop damp creeping in over the back in downpours. The flatter your feet are on the pegs, as in on an adventure bike or scooter, the less of a problem this becomes.  

In terms of wear and tear, there’s very little to talk about. Some light scuffing on the inside of the heel protectors where they touch the frame on certain bikes, but that’s about it. There’s barely even any wear on the gear shift pad.

The only gripe I have about the Jupiter 5 is the laces. The metal reinforced loops to thread them through have a fabric covering, which proved to be abrasive against the original set of laces and wore through them in a matter of weeks. The importer, Nevis, supplied a replacement set of laces by return post – they’re a slightly different design and have survived since without issue.  

What protection level do the TCX Jupiter boots provide?

The CE certification on the label is 1-1-2-1 WR, denoting a short boot, with basic passes for abrasion resistance and transverse rigidity, a superior pass for impact cut and water resistance. External PU protectors enshroud the heel and malleolus, both of which are thickly padded on the inside, and there’s a reinforced internal toe box too.

The overall construction feels strong, and the laces and Velcro closure keeps them closely fitted to the foot, so I’m confident that the Jupiter 5 would offer significant protection if it came to it. 

Are the TCX Jupiter 5 boots good value for money?

At almost £200 the TCX Jupiter 5 is in a premium price range, however given the performance and build quality you do get what you pay for. Closest comparison on the market would be the sportier looking Alpinestars Faster-3 Drystar, with Stylmartin’s walking boot styled Vertigo and the Falco Ace in the mix too.   

So what’s the verdict?

As a short boot solution, the TCX Jupiter 5 Gore-Tex ticks a lot of boxes. Whilst protection may not be top drawer in every category, they are supremely comfortable and, laces aside, should last a long time. If you’re looking for a touring boot that gives the versatility for exploring on foot, or a commuter that you can wear all day long, the Jupiter 5 is a sound option.  

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