Dainese Overyond XT GTX boots in grey

Dainese has designed the Overyond for the guy who wants the comfort and wearability of a road boot, but with the protection offered by an off-road one. 

 

The outer chassis is made from what is known as Perwanger leather. Now Perwanger is an Italian tannery that sources its leather from cows that inhabit the higher reaches of the Alps. The company is renowned for its waterproof leathers. Perwanger leather is used for some of the most premium, mountaineering boots. And it's impressive that Dainese should go to such lengths to source such a leather for a motorcycle boot.

 

The boot itself is rock solid. It has been built with protection to the fore. You get a super-tough counter in the toe, something equally robust in the heel and pucks to protect the ankles. The Overyond is as protective as any mid-height boot we have ever come across, yet it has another little trick up its sleeve.

 

At the front of the boot there's a hard plastic, shin protector built into the fastening, Velcro flap. And there's nothing particularly new in that, but what you get with the Overyond is an extending shin protector, that increases the height of the protector by a good two and a half inches (7cms.). Indeed, when the protector is raised you get the same kind of protection on the shin that you would get from a full-height, adventure boot. But a full-height, adventure boot is never going to be as easy to wear, or as comfortable to walk around in, as the Overyond. 

 

We think what Dainese has done here represents a minor act of genius. With the shin bar lowered, you've got what passes for a pretty standard, mid-height, adventure boot, albeit in our view one that is more than averagely robust. It's the kind of boot you could ride in every day. You'd have no problem commuting in it. Yet if you wanted at the weekend to do a bit of green-laning or trail riding, all you'd do is raise the shin guard to give you that bit of extra protection we all seek when riding off road.

 

And it is with this in mind that Dainese has given the boot a sole is probably more suited to the road than the mud and the crud. Again fine for the trails and the lanes, but not right perhaps for crossing the Sahara.

 

Motorcyclists have a propensity to over-spec. their equipment. To prepare for the worst, most extreme possibility rather than the conditions they are likely to face for 99% of their riding. Well, if that's you, you might feel you want something bigger, spunkier, more aggressive and less comfortable. But for most adventure bike riders the Overyond is more boot than they're ever likely to need. Yet it is more comfortable than an adventure boot has a right to be.

 

In terms of the spec., you get a 4-layer Gore-Tex membrane. This is one of Gore's most sophisticated membranes, comprising a protective layer, the membrane itself, an insulating layer and a comfort one. It is, one would have to acknowledge, one that is more suited to colder rather than hotter conditions.

 

Of course, the fact that the membrane comes from Gore means that waterproofing is guaranteed for life. If you ever think the boot leaks, you send it off for testing at an independent, Gore-approved, test house. If they agree, they will tell Gore; and Gore will send you a replacement pair. No arguments. This is the most robust warranty in the motorcycle world.

 

The boot fastens by means of two magnesium, ski-buckle straps. The use of magnesium, once again, tells us that Dainese has taken this boot seriously. There's a gearchange protector although, in truth, we cannot tell whether it's been heat sealed or sewn onto the toe box.

 

In the heel there's a large concertina stretch panel to give the boot a bit of added flexibility for walking. You get similar, soft padding running all the way down the front of the boot to the same end. Finally, again with comfort in mind, you get Neoprene lining the shaft, with a deeper insert of it in the calf.