Street Examined: The TCX Road 3 Air bike driving sneaker

I’ve a confession to make. Though I’ve a closet full of bike driving gear, I do generally skimp. And the one merchandise I skimp on most frequently is sneakers.

The significance of correct motorcycle boots can’t be overstated, but I’m typically responsible of throwing on a pair of Vans high-top sneakers and leaping on my bike, particularly when it’s sizzling out. My solely excuse is that I choose the fashion and luxury of sneakers over boots. I blame it on my 90s skate-brat youth.

It’s a lame excuse when you think about how the marketplace for bike driving sneakers has exploded over the previous few years. The choices are too limitless to disregard—so I lately snagged a pair of TCX Road 3 Air driving sneakers, to see if they will tempt me away from my trustworthy high-tops.

TCX is an Italian firm that’s owned by Dainese, placing it in the identical group of manufacturers as AGV and Momo Design. However in contrast to their mum or dad firm, TCX solely produces footwear. Their vary consists of all the things from touring and off-road boots to vintage-style leather-based boots, however their sneakers caught my eye.

The TCX Road 3 is a part of the model’s city vary and is available in ‘WP’ and ‘Air’ variations in a number of colorways. WP stands for waterproof—however since I’m primarily based in Cape City, South Africa, and summer time is on the horizon, I picked the breezier Air mannequin in camo inexperienced.

There’s most likely a joke in there a couple of forty-something reformed skate punk carrying camo sneakers in an try and be cool (and failing), however I can take it. This explicit model of the TCX Road 3 has olive inexperienced suede on the entrance, again, and edges, with a breathable mesh camo material on the sides, and all-black soles. There are black and gray choices too, plus a few women-specific designs.

The general vibe is easy and timeless. The silhouette mimics traditional high-top skate sneakers, with stitched padding across the ankle that’s paying homage to the enduring Vans Sk8-Hello. That padding hides slim D30 inserts, and there’s further reinforcement within the heel and toe areas.

Flip the TCX Road 3 Air over, and also you’ll uncover a rubber outsole lined in geometric lugs. The lugs are chunky sufficient to supply grip, however not so chunky that the shoe appears like a piece boot.

Hidden contained in the outsole is a molded polymer reinforcement plate. TCX calls it ‘Zplate’ in reference to its Z-shaped curve, which is designed to observe the pure contour of your foot. The thought is that it’s compliant sufficient to stroll in comfortably, however inflexible sufficient to guard you.

These options added up assist the TCX Road 3 Air obtain a CE score, placing it streets forward of my Vans (or perhaps a pair of Purple Wings) by way of security. However do they make the Road 3 Air as snug as TCX claims it’s? That’s a “sure” from me.

A inflexible sole isn’t simply essential in a crash—it additionally presents important stability whereas driving. (The subsequent time you see somebody driving in tennis sneakers, be aware of how the soles droop over the foot pegs.) TCX has nailed the stability between on-the-bike stiffness and off-the-bike compliance so effectively, that I can spend a few hours driving and never really feel the necessity to kick the Road 3 Air off the second I get residence.

It helps that TCX has sized the driving shoe generously. I usually put on a US13, however I took a US12.5 this time and it match with slightly wiggle room to spare. It additionally helps that there’s a comfortable Ortholite insole inside; as driving boots go, this is likely one of the most snug pairs I’ve ever worn.

The Road 3 Air closure is a straightforward lace-up affair; no zips or straps. And it’s versatile sufficient to slide into with out having to unlace the highest couple of eyelets, which isn’t one thing that each pair of high-tops can boast. There’s a tidy leather-based pull tab on the again, and a intelligent elastic loop on the entrance that you should use to stash the ends of the laces.

As soon as it’s on, the Road 3 Air has a stealthy look that blends effectively with the remainder of my semi-casual driving wardrobe. It sports activities minimal branding, with a tiny TCX tag on the aspect and the Italian colours on a strip of cloth that hides beneath the pull tab. There are not any cumbersome shifter pads both—just a few embossing on every shoe the place a shifter pad can be.

It’s price noting that whereas the material that flanks the sneaker is breathable, it’s not as perforated because it appears in photographs. It’s extra akin to the mesh knit material you’ll discover on a pair of trainers, albeit slightly thicker. To be honest, TCX does market this as a ‘delicate’ reasonably than ‘sizzling’ climate shoe, and it does run noticeably cooler than different driving sneakers I’ve examined.

Is the TCX Road 3 Air as snug as a skate sneaker once you’re off the bike? Not fairly. However it is rattling snug, extra secure whereas driving, and a heck of quite a bit safer. That makes it a simple selection over my Vans after I head out on two wheels—and at a really cheap RRP of €169.99 [or $143.99 at Revzilla], it’s straightforward to advocate to pals too.

TCX Street 3 Air | Pictures by Devin Paisley