Oxtar? What the heck is that? I never heard of those guys before... was about how my first reaction went when I noticed a set of Oxtar boots at the local motorcycle shop. And I consider myself to be relatively astute in the motorcycle world. However, while I'm reading through a British motorcycle magazine, I see a road racing boot review. A review where Oxtar rates better than the Sidi boots, that are so common here. Sentences that went to the effect of “ We've always loved the quality and fit of Oxtar” and “ the Oxtar's never fail to impress”.
Well, I was convinced enough to give them a try. I went back to the shop and looked at them with more attention to detail. They are a handmade leather boot, and have a great liner. The zipper/Velcro closure system looks to be quite robust and when walking around the store, they were significantly comfortable for a boot. Since the Oxtars are such slow sellers in the U.S. I was able to pick up a set at quite the discount. Great since I was planning on buying a track boot I thought it a good enough reason to give them a go.
At least one track day, and several canyon rides later, I too am a believer in Oxtar! These boots are great! Sidi is famous for their patented Vertebrae backbone that protects the ankle, but I think I like Oxtar's system a bit better. Not only does it have a similar backbone to the Sidi's but protection is also built into the ankle, combining the lateral malleolus protection with the ankle protection. Quite clever, actually.
Just like the Sidi's, when walking about, you really don't notice all the exoskeletal protection, and like the Sidi's you'll never be able to sneak up on anybody, as the Oxtars are prone to a bit of squeaking. But a smigden of lithium grease seems to have abated all unwanted squeaks.
Additional protection is also plentiful. Removable toe sliders and a removable plastic slider lives at the top of the boot. I like that both bits of protection can be replaced if need be.
All in all, these boots are, from as near as I can tell, every bit as protective as the Sidi's, and very well be better. They have the same heel plastic and the same triangular plastic on the outside of the foot. When on the bike, the boots do exactly what you'd want them to; disappear. By the time I leave my neighborhood, I don't even realize I have them on. Additionally, I seem to get a
very pleasant breeze around my ankle, which makes the boots fun to wear in warmer weather.
When it comes to fit, the Oxtars seem to run a smidge small. A traditional 42 fits my feet great, but these seem to be a skoch small. A 43 felt a bit big, however, but that could be my foot. After I get in a few more miles, I'm quite certain that they will stretch, like all leather boots, and the fact that they are a bit small leads me to think they will not stretch to where they become a little sloppy.
I didn't have much of a choice in color, but the black and silver that I ended up with look quite smart. Overall, I'm quite thrilled with the look, feel and performance of these Oxtars, and its pretty cool to have something different than every other kid on the block.
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