Klim Blak Jak boots in brown

There was a Blak Jak boot from Klim before this one, but it wasn't CE approved, so we didn't buy in to it, but this one is. And that means that we can now offer it, legally and without guilt, to our customers.

 

It's not a waterproof boot, and that's going to reduce its appeal to some people, but by the same token that means that it's going to be perfect for others. This is a boot for the better weather; for the summer. It won't be up to much in heavy and prolonged rain, but the fact that it doesn't have a membrane means that it's going to be super comfortable in even the hottest of conditions.

 

It may not have a waterproof membrane, but that doesn't mean that it's going to melt as soon as it comes into contact with a bit of the wet stuff. You will have loads of boots at home that don't have a membrane, yet you can still wear those when it rains. Well, same here. In two or three hours in rain on the bike, you'll get wet feet in the Blak Jaks, but if you're popping down to the pub or taking a trip into town these boots will be fine even if it's raining. And if it's not raining few boots will be more comfortable.

 

In design terms, there's a touch of the Red Wing 8881 about the Blak Jaks; and that of course is really down to the moc-toe. The boot's chassis is a full-grain leather. From a protection standpoint, you get reinforcement at the front of the toe and in the heel. You don't technically require ankle pads for a boot to be CE approved, but in the Blak Jaks you get 3mm, XRD impact protection foam on the ankles, but also on the tongue.

 

We're not saying that this is the most protective boot in the shoe cupboard, but it is a proper, bike boot in every way.

 

In the sole you get what the Americans call a 'lasting board' and what we call a shank. This gives the boot added strength beneath the arch, but the lasting board is short enough to allow the boot to flex sufficiently for walking.

 

Now Klim talks about the boot having a welted construction. Well technically perhaps, but this is not a proper, Goodyear-welted boot. There is a welt that runs around the lower edge of the boot's upper, but this welt is not sewn through the midsole and outsole. That is to say that the stitching is for show. When it comes time to replace the outsole you won't have to sew it through the midsole and the upper; rather you'll just have someone stick it on. There's no problem with that, of course; that's how soles are replaced on 99% of boots.

 

Throughout the boot the leather is perforated for added breathability. On the left foot you get a reinforced, gearchange pad; presumably because Klim doesn't know that some bikes have right hand gearchanges. Or because they assume that nobody will ride a bike that old with a Klim boot. And they might just have a point!

 

The rest is merely detail. Five metal, lace eyelets. And two speed hooks.

 

Klim tells us that the boot's liner is breathable, moisture-wicking and antimicrobial.

 

interestingly, the boots come with 'half sizers' in the box. These are really clever; we've never seen anything like them in European footwear. Basically, if a boot is a little too big, the insert will size it down by half a size. It doesn't seem plausible, but it works.

 

So what is the Blak Jak? Well, as we've said; it's a properly-certified, motorcycle boot, but I guess it's for those who want stay under the radar a little, and not look too much like a biker. They are going to work well with a pair of jeans or chinos. And obviously you could wear them all day long, whether that be at home or at work.

 

In some ways the Blak Jak is slightly unusual for a Klim boot, where functionality tends to rule. These really are very cool boots. They're just happen to be very cool boots that you can ride in too.