REV’IT! Discovery OutDry: The Ultimate All-Around ADV Boot?
Light, comfortable & tough - sights targeted on Adventure Boot sweet spot.
It’s not easy designing an Adventure Boot. Functional requirements are seemingly at odds with each other when riders demand both comfort and convenience for long-distance travel, along with sufficient protection to venture off-road.
Off-road-focused boots are typically heavy, bulky and inflexible. Getting in and out of them is difficult, they’re hard to walk in let alone hike in, and all that plastic squeaks like a dog’s chew toy. Despite their drawbacks, some Adventure Riders are willing to put up with them for the protection they offer. Others put more value on all-around comfort, preferring something breathable that also keeps the elements out and slips on with ease.
How much off-road protection you require is a personal choice based on a number of factors like the frequency you ride off-road, difficulty of terrain, skill level and budget. A range of Adventure Boots fill the spectrum from light to significant off-road protection, but one rule seems to consistently apply: the more off-road protection a boot has, the less comfort and convenience you get.
Every once in a while though, a product comes along that defies the norm. The latest Adventure Boot from REV’IT!, with its advanced technology and innovations, promises to do just that. REV’IT! claims the Discovery OutDry Boot is ready to tackle the toughest environments, yet without the sacrifices we’ve come to expect from an off-road boot. Those are bold claims from the Dutch manufacturer, but the potential for a revolutionary Adventure Boot got our interests piqued. Let’s take a look at some of the distinctive features of the new Discovery OutDry boots.
Features and Technology
OUTER CONSTRUCTION: The REV’IT! Discovery OutDry boots are strategically constructed with a combination of suede leather and full-grain leather, reinforced with 500D Cordura and rubber in areas that need additional protection. This results in a boot with high breathability and toughness. A reflective panel on the heel also improves nighttime visibility.
OFF-ROAD PROTECTION: It may look like a light touring boot but the Discovery OutDry is certified to meet Level 2 CE Protection Ratings. Protection starts under the foot with a rigid polypropylene insole and integrated shank. It utilizes SEESOFT™ protectors — an advanced, impact-resistant material — in both the shin and tongue. Rubber around the foot and toes, combined with injected ankle cups, a thermoformed toecap, shinguard and heel cup with TPU stabilizer further enhance protection on the trail.
CLOSURE SYSTEM: This is the first Adventure Boot to utilize the Boa® Closure System, and like the snake its named after, the device tightens the boot around your foot and lower leg. The amount of pressure applied is easily controlled by turning a simple knob until you get the perfect fit. Then simply pull up on the knob for an immediate tension release. The system is incredibly robust using aircraft-grade stainless steel lacing routed through plastic channels for smooth, consistent operation. It’s both faster and easier to use than traditional buckles, while also providing a significant weight savings.
PROTECTION FROM THE ELEMENTS: Another innovative technology used in the boots is the OutDry® breathable, waterproof barrier. This membrane is heat-bonded directly to the inside of the outer suede/leather shell, leaving no seams or gaps for water to get in. It lets sweat moisture escape but keeps the elements out and its bonded construction improves comfort while minimizing weight and bulk.
INNER COMFORT: A shock-absorbing multi-density EVA midsole with an anatomically shaped footbed is designed to provide all-day comfort when standing on the pegs or when exploring off the bike. A 3D mesh silver-ion antibacterial lining ensures good breathability and helps reduce odor during long, active rides as well.
BOOT SOLE: REV’IT! used the same Vibram® brand sole found on many high-end hiking boots, ensuring excellent grip for off-the-bike exploration. The Vibram Apex Sole has been specifically developed for adventure motorcycling with dedicated surface areas for traction, braking and stability on the pegs. The sole is also a bit larger than normal to provide more comfort while walking and it’s made of highly durable material that resists wear. The soles are also replaceable if they ever do wear out.
First Impressions
The REV’IT! Discovery OutDry boots have the appearance of a tall touring boot with a few ADV add-ons like the rugged hiking sole and rubberized coverings. The suede, leather, rubber and plastic elements all tie in seamlessly together for a clean, streamlined appearance. The boots do a good job of hiding their off-road protection and their styling is a stark contrast from the rugged-looking adventure boots that are common in the marketplace.
A convenient pull tab on the back of the boot makes it easy to slide your foot through the tall upper and they are not much harder to slip on than a pair of hiking boots. No laces to tie and no buckles to snap, just 5-to-6 quick twists of the Boa dial and you are locked in. The Boa cable system precisely applies pressure to both your foot and leg evenly for a glove-like fit and the Velcro upper closure seals off the top of the boot. A flex panel on the upper closure and padded comfort collar at the top, ensure a tight seal without any sharp pressure points.
Once on, you immediately notice their lightness and a lack of bulk. I made a point to wear them to the grocery store, the doctor’s office and out to a nice restaurant — no squeaks and no strange looks. Even wearing them while driving a stick-shift car wasn’t a problem. There is a decent amount of flex in the ankle that makes them easy to walk in. Comfort is immediate without any break-in period and they feel great on your feet throughout the day.
Discovery OutDry Out on the Trail
Standing up on the pegs, you notice how stiff the soles of the Discovery OutDry Boots are. The stiff sole provides a stable platform to stand on and ensures your arch doesn’t get sore after riding on the pegs much of the day. Yet, the feel transmitted through the sole and flex in the ankle make it easy to perform shifting and braking movements.
The tread of the Vibram sole is also very grippy. In fact, unsticking my foot from the peg took some getting used to whenever I needed to dab a foot or put a leg out. But in wet slippery terrain, I was thankful to have the extra grip.
I was initially a little tentative riding in rough terrain, but with every whack of a branch or kicked up rock, my confidence in their protection grew. Eventually, I was dabbing in the rocks and squeezing through tight gaps between boulders. After hundreds of off-road miles that included some fairly technical terrain, I never encountered a sore ankle or banged up toe. And after all the abuse, the boots still look great too.
The mostly suede outer shell with OutDry membrane also does a good job of dissipating heat and moisture during rigorous rides. And when on short hikes, the Vibram sole provides steady footing on smooth rocks. Walking a mile or two in the boots isn’t a problem and after a long day I was never in a hurry to strip them off my feet.
Torture Tests
In an effort to discover any weak points in their protection, we probed the entire surface area of the Discovery OutDry boots with solid hammer blows. The SEESOFT pads in the shin and tongue provide a surprising amount of protection for their size, and the impact resistance around the sides of the foot, ankle, toe and heal are also very good.
They won’t match a hard-shell motocross boot, but they do offer a high level of protection for the ‘Waterproof Adventure Boot’ category. For the terrain most people will take a big adventure bike, they simply get the job done. The only thing I might ask for is an extra inch of height on top for added coverage. Also, some might prefer a stiffer ankle but that would sacrifice the all-around versatility and walkability of the boot.
Putting the Discovery Outdry on the scale, a size EURO 47 (US Mens 12.5) weighed in at 2 pounds 9 ounces (1162 grams). That’s almost a pound lighter than the Alpinestars Toucan and more than 2 pounds lighter than the Sidi Crossfire Boots in the same size. A pound or two per foot can make a difference if you plan on doing any exploring off the bike.
As far as waterproofing, splashing through water crossings, a few downpours and even standing in puddles never caused wet feet. We also tried submerging the boots in six inches of water for a total of three minutes and no water penetrated the OutDry membrane. Just more proof that you don’t need to have Gore-Tex stamped on the side of your boots to get good waterproofing. We also like the fact that the OutDry membrane is bonded to the outer shell, so there are no crevices between layers for water to seep into.
Final Thoughts
REV’IT! has managed to pull off something special with the Discovery OutDry boots, which is a testament to the company’s strong engineering and product design. They packed a surprising amount of toughness into a streamlined, lightweight, multi-purpose boot design. Not quite motocross-level, but they do bring a new level of protection (CE Level 2) to those long-distance adventure riders looking for comfort and convenience in a boot.
With an MSRP of $459 they are priced near the top of the Adventure Boot category, but with cutting-edge technology and innovative features that push the versatility envelope for this segment, a top-shelf price tag is to be expected.
The REV’IT! Discovery OutDry boots are available in sizes EURO 38-47 (US Mens 6 – 13). They also come in a shorty version, the Pioneer OutDry Boots. For more details, visit the REV’IT! website.
Shopping Options
Revzilla | Rocky Mountain ATV/MC | MotoSport |
Notify me of new posts via email
Rob
How are these sized compared to a Sidi Adventure? Does a 43 in the Rev’It equal a 43 in the Sidi Adventure? Thanks!
Hi Mark. It’s hard to say on the 43 but my 47 Sidi Crossfires fit the same as the REV’IT! 47s, so they seem to fit true to size.
I,ve tried both but bought Revit’s. Both tried were 43 which is my usual boot size. Sidi are bit bigger 43 than Revit. I would really reccomend those.
Very informative and helpful review. +1 on the hammer blows!!! 😉
How are these for people with really, really large calves? I’m rocking 20″ gams.
Hey Luke. I’m a size 12.5 (47) with a 17″ calf. The boot still had plenty of room for bigger calves with around 6 twists of the Boa dial to tighten up. Check our video in the story that shows us getting them on and off. They might just work!
I’ll admit I’m impressed. Finally something from Rev’It that isn’t vastly overpriced. These are inline with other boots in the category. I have a set of Sidi Adventures (Gore Tex) and Sidi Crossfire 2’s. I don’t wear the Crossfires anymore because they’re so heavy and very hard to get into and out of. If these Rev’Its are as comfortable as my Adventures, I’d be up for trying a set.
How is the protection of these compared to the Sidi adventure goretex?
The revzilla review and yours makes these seem very protective for a lightweight boot
I’m after something for commuting, touring and adventure riding when the MX boots are a bit too much
Cheers
Great, got all excited about an awesome pair of boots. Next time I’ll skip to the bottom where it shows they don’t have my size and they cost $459.
I would see these as more street oriented as the installation seems easy, but without real ankle protection I would not buy them for off road adventuring, I have already had my first little ‘adventure’ ended when I dropped my 690 on a rocky trail and did tendon damage- i was lucky- no bones were fractured, but the plans were scrapped.