The Fox F3 Boot

Test Rider: Jason Moore

The Product: Fox F3 Boot

Online: www.foxracing.ca

Canadian Distributor: Fox Racing Canada

Cost: MSRP $389.00

Test Locations: AX Des Monts - Gatineau, QC, Sand Del Lee MX Park - Munster, ON, MotoMasters – Maple View, NY

Features:

This new addition to the Fox boot line up has been in the works for well over a year, being rigorously tested by none other then The G.O.A.T himself, Ricky Carmichael, and James Stewart, before reaching a dealership near you. The new F3 boot, which is a spin off of the late Forma Pro line, features several new and improved changes to meet the consumers demands, such as the Biomorphic 3D Chassis which precisely matches foot curvatures and provides a sleek and smooth design; the dual compound Duratrak sole design combines an inner stiffer rubber with a herringbone tread pattern for added durability and better grip on the pegs, along with an outer softer rubber that increases flexibility in the front portion of the foot.  Another exclusive design by Fox is the “Fold Over” burn-guard that keeps the stitching of the materials out of harm’s way.

First Impression:

Having worn Fox Forma boots in the past as well as the recent line of Tracker boots, I was very anxious to slide my manicured toes into the new and improved F3 boot to see what all the hype was about.  From a visual standpoint, the color combos are appealing and the materials used are second to none, making this boot “the next level in boot performance.” Not to mention having such acclaimed riders as Carmichael and Stewart endorsing and winning races with the F3.

 

Moore found the new F3 boots to break in much quicker than previous Fox boots.

photo: Paolo D'Arsie

Hits:

Break in: Unlike the previous Fox boot, The Forma Pro, the new F3 is constructed with new “top-grain” leather for 2007.  This allows for minimal break-in time, which was an issue in the past. Fearing the dreaded stiff boot syndrome, I poured hot water into my F3’s, let them soak, poured it out, then buckled them onto my feet as tight as possible while performing a series of squats to allow for more flexibly in the ankle area.  I did this three times before I wore them on a track and, after two rides, the boots felt very comfortable in every aspect.

Biomorphic Chassis: Unlike many other boot manufacturers who simply manipulate flat pieces of materials into the construction of the boot, Fox has precisely matched the curves and dimensions of your foot by engineering a multi-density plastic mold (aka The biomorphic Chassis) to give you better comfort and protection.  This feature is also very accommodating in the lower leg region for riders who wear knee braces.  The slim profile makes gripping the frame of the bike and the general feel comfortable right out of the box.
Boot gasket: Having rocks, mud and other debris fall inside your boot is annoying, to say the least.  The F3 has a gasket that is created and molded out of very flexible rubber that contours and provides a tight seal around any pant, knee braces or not.

Misses:

Sizing: This isn’t a major concern for most consumers unless you are internet savvy and order your products online, rather than going to a dealer and trying before buying.  Just be aware that they fit a half size smaller than your usual boot brand.

Speed: I thought since these are the boots Stewart and RC wear on the podium, I too would be spraying champagne and kissing trophies girls in no time!  This wasn’t the case, however. I was able to experience the comfort and safety these riders have on the track thanks to the F3, if not their speed.  The only conclusion I could come up with for this disappointment was that I didn’t have the matching Fox gear and helmet … yeah, that’s it.

 

Can you guess which national track Moore lives just two kilometres from? Here's a guess: its initials are S-D-L ...

photo: Paolo D'Arsie

Summary:

There is nothing that makes me cringe more than showing up at a local track, trail or pit and seeing someone going WFO in running shoes or even work boots.  For me, just the thought of a compound tib/fib fracture makes me throw up in my mouth; I can’t imagine why anyone would willingly put themselves at such risk. You wouldn’t ride without a helmet, would you?
The Fox F3 boots are a great addition to any riders MX wardrobe.  They provide a rider with safety, comfort and style.  Fox even went beyond that and provided the consumer with numerous exclusive patented design features to separate their product from the rest of the pack.  The best part of all, they were able to put all these features into one package with a moderate price tag.

Other Notes:

For those who take riding a little more casually and are not aggressive enough to require such features provided by the F3 boot, Fox accommodates you with the Tracker boot line.  This boot includes some of the basic comfort and style features that the Forma and F3 boot have, but with a price tag of $199.00.

 

Fox F3 Rating:
9/10

Special thanks to Dave Hind and Shawn McDougall at Fox Racing Canada

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