If you haven't spent any serious winter time in the Chicago area, then you might not know how cold it can get here. And honestly, this winter was off to a pretty mild start, but we finally got some serious, hibernation-level cold a few weeks ago.
Take that along with the fact that the sun practically goes down around noon now (not really; it just feels that way), and you'll begin to understand why most of us who live here will instantly go outside when it gets above freezing for a lucky day or two.
Those Chicago urban legends you've probably seen about That One Guy who wears shorts even when it's sub-zero? I'm here to tell you that they're totally true. But at the same time, I'm also here to tell you that's not most of us. Mostly.
Last weekend, it was in the 50s, so you'd better believe my partner and I were outside. During the course of a nice tromp through some forest preserves, I realized with a jolt that less than a year ago, I would've been having a tough time just taking a nice walk through the woods. We weren't even doing anything particularly strenuous, as far as terrain goes; just hiking some mild trails.
And yet, this time last year, it would've been a challenge. Why? Because I'd badly torn my meniscus, and I was waiting for a surgery that was scheduled to take place at the beginning of 2024. And while I was able to ride a couple of bikes after my injury, ones that didn't require serious knee bends (because I literally couldn't bend my knee very far), doing anything that required a whole lot of walking was a pretty tough ask.
I've had conversations with other riders about how our injuries have shaped us, and maybe changed the way we do things. For me, my injuries over time have helped me re-evaluate my gear, and make improvements when and where necessary.
Years ago, I got frostbite (and later also a different knee injury) by stupidly commuting while wearing inappropriate pants. So, after that, I learned to layer up when it's cold, and also to wear proper moto pants. No more frostbite, and there have definitely been times when I could've banged up a knee and didn't.
An ankle injury earlier in 2023 led me to look into upping my boot game, looking for something with solid ankle and toe protection. A Vibram sole would be nice, too, I thought; I had another pair of boots with Vibram soles that I liked very much for their reassuring ability to grip the road, even in slippery conditions. Only problem was, those boots didn't have great ankle support. They're nice boots, but they're not perfect.
Enter the REV'IT! Discovery GTX. They're so good, I literally haven't ridden any bikes (or anything else requiring boots and ankle protection) in any other boots since I've had them.
Sure, they're nominally adventure boots. But if you stuff them under a good pair of moto jeans or other moto pants, I think they work well on just about any bike. OK, maybe not at the track, but you get the idea.
They're so good, I've now written two reviews about them, in addition to naming them now as my Editor's Choice Award winner for 2024. The first was your standard "I've been wearing these for a bit and here's what I think" review, and the second was long-term review, after living with (and in) them for a year.
But here's what I didn't tell you. While I've mentioned previously that a sprained ankle kept me laid up for a bit in 2023, and that it's what made me seek out moto boots with better ankle protection, I'm also pretty sure that these Discovery GTX boots have saved me from ankle and/or foot injuries more than once.
They're made for adventure, after all; not just adventure riding. Over the past year and a half with them, I've ridden bikes. I've tromped around new places, climbed rocky embankments, and even done a bit of hiking while wearing them.
And all the while, they've held my ankles and feet securely, not letting them twist or get out of shape in any way that came close to causing injury. When it's rained, they've also kept my feet dry. They've stayed breathable, and if I wear warm socks when it's cold, my feet are perfectly happy. True, they're not perforated, but since they're meant to be waterproof (or at least water-resistant), would you really want them to be?
Since having my meniscus surgically repaired earlier in the year and recovering, I have so far spent the remainder of 2024 free from serious injuries. I've ridden a bunch of new things, had a bunch of new experiences, and overall had a great time enjoying the kind of fun that only being outside can bring. A lot of that is thanks to this one pair of boots.
If I'm just planning to put something on my feet and I'm not planning to ride, I might choose something else.
But if I'm planning to ride anything at all, it's a no-brainer. Those REV'IT! Discovery GTX boots are it for me. I don't even have to think about it; I just grab them out of the closet, slide my feet into them, adjust the BOA dial to snug them into place on my feet, ankles, and lower legs, and then slap the Velcro closure into place. Simple.
They also clean up pretty nicely when they get dirty. The photos here were taken when they were dirty, as most boots you have adventures in should probably be most of the time. But if you want to make them look a little nicer, and take good care of them, just make sure you get some nice boot cleaning stuff to take care of them. I've been using a little saddle soap on the smooth leather, and a gentle brush on the suede parts, and it works a treat.
Thanks for keeping my feet and ankles well protected, REV'IT! Without you, who knows what I'd be riding, or even if I'd be riding right now? That's definitely worthy of a ringing endorsement from me.
