Tcx x5 plus vs tcx s sportour

My Oxtar Matrix boots were awesome all day comfortable boots to ride or walk in.  Whatever replaces them has big shoes to fill.

The TCX X5 Plus is the great grandson of the original Matrix. (Matrix, Matrix II, X-5, X-5 Plus)  They've started using some fake leather down around the foot.
The TCX S-Sportour is targeted to the sport tourer similar to the Sidi Fusion.   I bought some Sidi Fusions and they arrived today.  They were too narrow and felt horrible in general.  They've been returned.

Anybody have any quality foot time in the above two TCX boots?  Will the fake leather in the X5 Plus negate the great comfort of the original leather Matrix?  Are the S-Sportours more comfortable than the Sidi Fusions?  I need to know because my Motorcyclegear.com store credit is burning a hole in my virtual pocket.
Edited by tbzep, 04 May 2012 - 12:07 AM.

I can't speak to this boot.  I have a wide foot (10 1/2 EE US), and found that the TCX S Zero worked for me, however, I bought the Cortech Latigo WP instead as it was easier to walk in off the bike.  TCX has a reputation for having wider width boots that Sidi.

I wish I could comment on the two models you are looking at but like Africord I have the TCX S-Zero (Waterproof). I also have a pair of the TCX Jupiter low cut boot (Also waterproof). I wear the latter pair almost every time I ride, particularly when I am commuting to a job. They look more like conventional shoes sticking out from under your trousers than full motorcycle boots. That being said, I also have a pair of SIDI Cobra boots and I will say that I like the TCX boots a lot better. For starters, the TCX are more true to my size. The size 41 TCX is a US 8 (My shoe size), but the 41 SIDI is a US 7.5, which meant that I had to go to the larger 42 (US 8.5) with the SIDI and therefore they fit a little less snug than the TCX. As far as walking around in the full size TCX boot, I only wore them a few times where I was doing any walking around and not enough to really give a good report. The Jupiter I can say are great for walking around an I have even worn them when I was not riding but when the weather was a little damp, very comfortable boot.

I hope this is useful information.

Cheers!

Thought I'd update this thread.  I received my TCX S-Sportour (waterproof) boots this week.  I've worn them around the house but haven't ridden in them yet.  I can compare them directly to my old Oxtar Matrix and the Sidi Fusion (waterproof).

Fit -  True to size, on par with my old Matrix and is wider than the Sidi.  I'm pleased with fit.

Comfort -  Much more comfortable than the Fusion.  Fusions were narrow, stiff, hard....felt like they were carved from wood.  My Matrix boots are completely broken in so the S-Sportour isn't as comfortable now, but has the potential to at least be in the same ball park.  There's no way they will ever be on par with the Matrix because there is more armor and the synthetic leather is likely to stay more stiff than the all natural leather Matrix.

Protection - The shin armor is more substantial than the Fusion and the Matrix.  The Fusion has more lower calf/achillis protection.  The accordian stretch panels on front and back are much thicker and more protective than the Fusion and about on par with the Matrix.  Heel cup is at least as substantial as the Fusion (Fusion is already returned and I'm going from memory).   The Matrix has no heel cup.   Ankle bone armor is internal on the Matrix and Fusion.  The Sportour's is internal on the inside and external on the outside, which allows it to act as a slider also.  It feels a little more substantial on the Sportour boot.  The toe slider isn't really a protection feature, but I'll mention that they are plastic on both the Fusion and Matrix and won't last a minute before you grind down to the screws that hold them.

Waterproof - The Oxtar Matrix wins hands down by using Gore-tex.  The Sidi Fusion and S-Sportour use a waterproof breathable membrane, but Gor-tex is in a class by itself. I'm not going to ride around with one old Matrix and one new S-Sportour to compare so we will just say the new boot will do the job, but Gor-tex would have been nice.

Looks - Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  I like the all black look and lack of toe sliders on the old Oxtar Matrix when walking around off the bike.  The Sidi has an Italian look all its own and the little red logo adds flair.  The TCX S-Sportour waterproof boots have the TCX logo in grey instead of white.  That fits in with the color of my bike and leathers.  They are no more or less flashy than the Sidi, but the Sidi does have a certain look about it that most people would probably prefer.  Oxtar/TCX is also an Italian company, btw. (They make James Stewart's Nike MX boots)

Overall, I'd rate the S-Sportour a home run for sport touring.   :fing02:    I'd stick with the Matrix if I were going to be off the bike considerably more than on it.  I'd leave the Fusion on the shelf to look at, but I wouldn't wear it even if it were wide enough for my foot.  

Note:  The Oxtar Matrix evolved to the Matrix 2, TCX X-5, and now is the TCX X-5 Plus.  I don't know if the X-5 Plus is as comfortable as the old Matrix, but going by the comfort level of the S-Sportour, I'd bet that it is pretty close.

If I feel any different after several hours of riding, I'll come back and add to the review.