Falco Union boots in black

We like the way the Falco Union boot looks, but that's partly I suspect because it's been designed to look a bit like our favourite, ankle boot: the Rokker Urban Racer.

 

It's got the same profile. It uses a similar-looking, oiled leather, it's got what appears to be a Goodyear welt, (although it's not), and the same kind of Vibram sole. But the real giveaway that the Urban Racer is the inspiration for this boot is the lookalike, padded collar.

 

Now there's nothing wrong with the spec. of the Union. It has all the features you would expect to find on a boot like this, at this kind of price point. So the aforementioned oiled leather. A Sympatex, waterproof liner, that Vibram sole. And so on.

 

You get a reassuringly tough counter in the toe. A counter in the heel. D3O pucks in the ankles, a gearchange protector, and a pull-loop at the top of the shaft.

 

What's different about the Union, though, is that the laces are almost decorative. Now laces kind of define a rugged, work boot like this, but the truth is that laces can be a bit of a pain, especially in a boot that has a taller shaft like the Union's.

 

Zips are easier to use, and live with, but zips often don't look right on a boot like this. On a touring boot, then yes they're fine, but zips just don't convey the right message on a more classic, Timberland-style boot. Zips say function over form. Boots like this say something different.

 

With this boot, most onlookers will only see the laces, but you don't ever tie or untie them. When you want to tighten or loosen the laces, you can do so by means of a drawstring-like arrangement at the top. And that works fine. It's intuitive, quick and easy to use. But you don't use the laces to get in and out of the boots. As we said, they are really just decorative. To get in and out of the boot you use the zip that runs all the way down the front of the boot to the bottom edge of the quarters.

 

Now this is a clever idea. It allows the boot to be easily and quickly opened up for faster ingress and egress. It also means that the front of the boot can be opened wide enough to accommodate those who find their ankles sometimes lack the flexibility to get into a taller, ankle boot.

 

And so, on one level, one might suggest that this boot offers the best of both worlds. The traditional look of laces, with the added convenience of zips. And clearly that's what the design team was hoping for when they created this boot.

 

Of course, what we don't know is how motorcyclists will react to this new-fangled mechanism. Will they greet it as a welcome innovation that is going to make their lives on two-wheels so much easier. Or will they, as motorcyclists are prone to do, shun it because they don’t like anything new!

 

Only time will tell. In truth, we’re not quite sure where we stand, but we applaud Falco for trying something different.

 

The novel fastening apparatus aside, the boot looks the part, and is equipped with all the things you would hope to find on a boot at this kind of price. That price is around £260.