TMX Tested: Fox Motion boots MY23 – the next-generation motocross boot
By TMX Contributor on 15th Sep 22
Fox Racing is a company that should need no introduction to TMX readers but well give you a brief overview just in case youre in the dark.
Fox first opened for business in 1974 and from the off gained a reputation for creating cool performance products and even cooler clothing and therefore soon became one of the most recognized and best-selling motocross brands in the world.
In the years that followed, Fox really ramped things up and as well as being the brand in the off-road industry has grown to become an international leader in the youth lifestyle clothing market with its famous Fox Head logo.
Despite successfully invading the mainstream, motocross is still incredibly important to Fox and at the start of September, the company released its next generation of motocross boots with a very impressive line-up of three different-spec models.
Alongside the already established Instinct and Comp models, Fox has introduced an all-new Motion boot, priced a penny short of 400. Foxs vision for this boot is clear they wanted to offer up a reliable, rugged, durable and affordable product that helps advanced off-road athletes take their riding to the next level.
To achieve this Fox has constructed the boots from high-end materials such as Duratac thats found on the sole and burn guard area of the boots. The main reason for choosing that material is that it helps increase grip at two very important contact points between rider and machine while being very durable.
Fit and comfort are also important with half sizes available in the more common sizes (nine through 12) with the smaller sizes (five through seven) being slightly shorter in height for those with stumpy legs. The entire Fox range of boots is also true-to-size so if youre a nine in the streets, then youre a nine when it comes to moto too.
Protection is obviously a very important element in terms of the design and manufacture of motocross boots and Fox is using some top-notch materials to tick all the boxes. TPU a hard plastic material is used where needed most, while the patented hinge lockout system helps stop hyperextension of the ankle joint and therefore protects the user from injury.
To ensure that the hinge lockout system works as envisaged, boot closure is highly important and the Fox Motions utilise a four-buckle system with new patented forged metal buckles. Not only are these durable but they also float which allows the boots to flex and contract when in use which gives the user more comfort and protection not something that always goes hand in hand.
A surprising point that was made during the introduction to the Fox Motion boots was the fact that the hinge lockout system comes with a bonus it means the boots dont need breaking in and are, as KTM would say, Ready to Race. Well see about that!
I was fortunate enough to be invited to the launch of the all-new boot which coincided with Saint Jean d'Angely's MXGP of France. The idea was to see how the boots performed in the real world which involved doing some riding on somebody elses bike. Any time I can ride without having to prep an air filter is a real bonus so I was right up for it.
At first glance, its difficult to tell which model is which in the Fox boot range the budget boot looks pretty much the same as the high-end model which is a very nice touch. Obviously, there are differences but theyre in the fields of performance and durability the focus for the top-end boots is to protect, work in unison with the rider and be lightweight, while the cheaper ones are built to last longer while still offering solid protection. Thats the idea anyway.
Theres no denying that the Motion boots look trick and the good news is that now theyre available in half-sizes so they fit my abnormally-shaped Cumbrian stompers like a glove. Perhaps not the best analogy but you get the idea
I opted for the 10.5s where I would normally be an 11. Straight off the bat, I felt really comfy in them more like I was at home wearing my slippers rather than at a race track with big old motocross boots on. Around 80 per cent of the people who attended the launch also opted for half sizes which shows that either Fox is really onto something or test riders are a fickle bunch.
One unexpected bonus of the moulded Duratac sole other than the fact that the sole is replaceable if it wears out is the fact that there is no need for a steel toe-guard. This is great for the hard enduro riders out there. To those of you unfamiliar with the extreme enduro game, most lads tend to take the metal toe protectors off so they can get a better grip on the rocks when having a quick dab or five if you ride like me.
Theres actually an enduro-specific Motion X boot that has increased grip around the toe area of the sole.
We did a little testing out in France with my initial thoughts that the boots were super light and super comfy but I brought them home with me and used them to race the final round of the Acerbis Nationals at FatCat Motoparc so I could get a real feel for them under race conditions.
Ill be honest and tell you that many people have mentioned with concern from a safety point of view how supple Fox boots used to be in the past and wondered whether the new models were any more supportive. So I was definitely keen to find out for myself and make my own mind up.
After yanking some holeshots and finishing my motos for the weekend, I personally feel that these boots are rigid enough for the job and I dont have any concerns about safety. I went racing and felt right at home, bear in mind that Id only had these boots on for 30 or 40 minutes prior to the race weekend and there was no issue wearing the boots in or having that Ive got brand-new boots on feeling we all usually get. The upside of this is that theres no need to be dancing around the house in your shiny new boots trying to bed them in before race day.
Overall, I think the Fox Motions are extremely good, especially considering theyre Foxs mid-spec boot. You do get a lot for your money.
Something I forgot but is really quite important if youre like me and leave your boots in the garage all dirty is that the Fox Motions have an air-mesh Microban liner with an antimicrobial odour control system. Trust me Ive had these boots for a few weeks now and the liners are definitely doing their job they are as fresh as a daisy. I have been worried that previous boots Ive owned have got to the point where theyre so funky that they would sprout legs and run off so Im a huge fan of this technology.
So to sum things up, my three favourite points have to be how light they are and how comfy they are with the added bonus that the half-sizing is definitely a game changer.
Words: James Dent; Photos: Bavo Swijgers
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