The Fox Union BOA All Weather Clipless shoes are my new best friend when it comes to enduring and actually enjoying filthy, wet rides. They provide truly superlative levels of wet-weather protection, are very comfortable, and feature excellent insoles with D30 inserts and tunable arch support. But like most best friends, they aren’t perfect with a major foible being getting them on and off. You’ll need dexterity, strength and patience, and that’s just getting them on…
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Fox Union BOA All Weather Clipless Shoes – Technical details
Although they’re called shoes, let’s face it, with the high cuff, they resemble boots. But don’t go thinking these are a winterised thermal boot for tackling the worst of winter. No. Their MO is for wet-weather riding and not just for winter, which I think is going to be a game-changer for riding in UK conditions.
The moulded upper is constructed from TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane), a great material because of its flexible, abrasion-resistant, lightweight and durable properties, and of course, it’s highly waterproof. They do look very similar aesthetically to Fox’s Union BOA Shoes (apart from the high collar, of course), but these shoes only feature one BOA dial to tune in fit, which leaves a lot of cable to wind in and sacrifices the perforated panels that aid airflow in favour of waterproofing. But fear not. The shoes have a waterproof liner running from the toe to the top of the high collar with a massive 50K MVP (moisture vapour permeability), which is a lot to brag about. Externally, the collar is elasticated to provide a snug fit and to keep out dirt and debris, and two pull loops are designed to aid pulling on and off the boots. The toe and heel boxes are reinforced to provide a layer of protection from rock strikes, and there’s a small TPU panel on the inside of each cuff to help protect wear from crank rub.
The Ultratac rubber outsoles are the same as found on the Fox Union BOA shoes, and feel good and tacky, so they should provide a good level of grip on the pedals, but it looks like they could clog easily in claggy, muddy conditions off the bike. The cleat channels are long and provide a ton of adjustment, especially for those who like to set their cleats way back.
Finally, the insoles haven’t been forgotten about. They feature D30 panels under the ball of the feet to help aid with shock absorption and two sets of interchangeable high and low arch support inserts.
Sizing ranges from UK 6-12 with many half sizes available, and Black and Adobe – a light brown and black colourway. There is now also a limited edition ‘Lunar’ colourway, which will add another tenner to the price tag.
Fox Union BOA All Weather Clipless Shoes – Performance
Slipping into these shoes is by no means easy. In fact, it’s downright hard and took a lot of wiggling and slow pushing using the two pull loops to get into them, until my feet slowly sank into position. But once in, they felt very comfortable, and I couldn’t feel any hard edges where the cuffs meet the body of the shoes. Fortunatly I really like the BOA fit system, so it felt natural to cinch them up, getting a nice snug fit.
As Fox does half sizes, I took the opportunity to size up by a half size to UK 7.5 – there’s a bit of wiggle room up front, which is good as I have quite wide feet. I tried both arch support inserts and settled on the low option.
I didn’t go easy on these shoes, subjecting them to some horrible riding conditions, seeking out the deepest puddles and mud-filled ruts, mixing in technical trails and hard climbs to put them through the grinder. As they are a tight fit, I wore normal riding socks on mild days and a thin pair of merino socks on colder days. These were paired with either full-on waterproof or water-resistant trousers, depending on conditions.
I found them a very comfy pair of shoes to wear, and although they look a bit clumpy, they pretty much felt like a pair of normal trail riding shoes. The midsole is supportive enough on long, chattery descents that I didn’t experience any fatigue, and pedalling efficiency wasn’t lost on them either when climbing.
No matter how hard I tried – and we’re talking kid-levels of puddle splashing here, I didn’t get wet feet. They are phenomenal, a word I don’t use lightly. It of course helps that I was wearing decent long trousers to cover the cuff, although post-ride the cuffs – externally at least, did soak up a little moisture and once dry, now pong a bit. Off the bike over rocky, loose terrain, the outsole provides a surefooted level of grip, but the low-profile tread pattern did clog up pretty easily in claggy mud, making things a bit dicier.
To reiterate, these aren’t winter shoes, with the liner providing waterproofing rather than insulation. As they are hard to put on and remove, they kinda dictate the wearing of normal socks rather than a thick winter-weight sock, which meant my feet got cold pretty easily on the coldest days out – still, at least they were dry!
Post ride, when you’re wet, dirty and knackered, the last thing you need is a traumatic experience trying to remove your shoes, but that’s what it is. They are extremely hard to remove, with the pull loops serving no useful function here. Covered in mud sat outside (so I didn’t incur the wife’s wrath), trying to wrestle them off, drained my remaining reserves of energy. Not happy. And now even more muddy!
Fortunately, I worked out a system for removing them. I washed off all the mud and muck after each ride, whilst still wearing them, so I could sit down to remove them without getting all mucky, and so I could get good purchase around the heel to pull them off. It’s still a gargantuan effort, though, but at least getting a little easier after some practice.
I’m a massive fan of these shoes for their performance. It’s hard to find such weather-beating shoes that look this good and offer equal measures of support and comfort. I’ll just put any thoughts of taking them off way to the back of my mind until their next ride!
Fox Union BOA All Weather clipless shoes – Verdict
I’ll be honest and say I think you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more waterproof shoe to date. Especially one that looks as good as the Fox Union BOA All Weather Clipless Shoes
Endura do the MT500 Burner Clipless Waterproof Shoe, and although they are cheaper at £170, they are, well, let’s just say an acquired taste, aesthetically speaking. But if you’re after ‘Back To The Future’ vibes, they could be more within your budget, and you can squeeze into winter-weight socks in them to push their limits.
Fizik have always produced excellent winter and waterproof shoes, and the Fizik Terra NANUQ X2 GTX waterproof shoes are one to look at, but they come with a hefty price tag of £290. For that, you do get a Gore-Tex membrane for waterproofing, some cracking styling and a great aggressive treat pattern, but the lower cuff with zip will be hard pressed to beat off the Fox Union BOA All Weather’s.
Let’s just say at £229 the Fox Union BOA All Weather Clipless Shoes are a bit spendy, but if you truly want to keep your feet dry, I think they are worth it. Getting them on and, more importantly, off takes a lot of effort, however.
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road.cc test report
What does the manufacturer say about this product?:
Fox says, “Wet feet and soggy socks on a ride are a drag. The Fox Union BOA® All Weather Clipless Shoes boast a water-resistant upper to protect you from the elements, while the high collar of the shoes which ensures dirt, debris, and moisture stays out while you shred. The Ultratac™ outsole gives you elite grip, while the D3O® insole provides added protection and vibration reduction. The BOA® Fit System allows for easy micro-adjustability for on-the-fly adjustments, while the tuned midsole delivers additional performance, comfort, and power to every pedal stroke.”
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of this product:
Fox lists: Water-resistant upper, Clipless mountain bike shoes with BOA®, BOA® Fit System provides on-the-fly adjustability, Ultratac™ outsole for elite grip, D3O® insole for added protection and vibration reduction
Any further comments on quality?:
Fantastic build.
Any further comments on performance?:
They are exceptionally waterproof.
Any further comments on fit?:
It takes a while to ease your feet into them, but once on, they are an excellent fit and very comfy. However, getting them off is an ordeal.
Any comments on sizing? Did they size up too big or too small?:
I sized up a half size to accommodate my wide feet, apart from that, they feel true to size compared to other winter style boots.
Any further comments on comfort?:
Very comfortable. ( note-9 rating)
Any further comments on ventilation?:
Even with the 50k rating on breathability, sweat can build up inside on milder rides.
Any further comments on water resistance?:
Fantastic, and the best I’ve used.
What type of closure system does the shoe use?:
BOA Dial.
Any issues with durability?:
Not so far
How easy is the shoe to clean?:
You can wash them off in seconds leaving them looking almost new.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your overall score
One of the best you’ll find for all-out waterproofing, but removing them is an arduous undertaking, which is worth it in the end.
