Clan Scout D3O WP Shoes: Long Term Review : Riding Boots, Not Safety Shoes

Riding Boots come in all shapes and sizes, and have different riding purposes too. Clan Scout D3O waterproof boots are only meant for your everyday, casual rides or commutes. Waterproofing is standard on these motorcycle boots but you have the choice of getting a pair with or without D3O protection. The price difference between the two is Rs 700, with the latter costing Rs 5,499, and are the ones we are reviewing today. 

TL;DR: You can go ahead with these boots if you want rather inexpensive, comfy riding boots to wear everyday, and ones that are not safety boots disguised as riding boots. 

Protection

First things first, full disclosure. The D3O version has the armour padding only on the ankles, not at all impact points. Which is fine considering these are just street boots. The non-D3O variant has a TPU disc instead. That said, if you need full protection at all times, you need to get full-sized riding boots that also cover your shins. But that’s a commitment that not everyone might make. Simply put, you get what you pay for. 

The heel and toe areas have stiffened plastic (TPU) protectors , which should absorb and deflect the impact forces in a crash. These will ensure your toes have some protection should the bike fall on them or if they get caught between something. Though, having a rather short ankle protection means the ankle doesn’t have twist protection. The vamp has a thick padding which wont wear from the gear shifter. 

Construction

The shell of the boots has 3 layers. The top layer on the front and the sides is made from faux leather, commonly known as vegan leather. This should provide basic abrasion protection in slow-moderate speed slides. There’s a breathable mesh material on the ankle for some ventilation. The middle layer is a reinforced liner for added protection. A waterproof inner membrane prevents water from seeping into the shoes. 

Comfort

The shoes are decently comfortable for short rides. Though being stuck in traffic in one place can be uncomfortable since there’s almost no ventilation because of the waterproofing. Though you can work around this by using good quality, moisture-wicking socks. 

The sizing for these boots is a bit non-standard. I usually wear UK size 10 or EU size 44 footwear, but the size 10 Clans had my toes compressed which was quite uncomfortable. I had to switch to size 11, since Clan doesn’t do half-sizing. This results in a spacious toe box - large enough to let me wiggle my toes. This also delays discomfort from creeping in. I have used these boots almost everyday, for about 3 months now. Spending an entire day in the office wearing these is easy. The shoe tongue has softened over time and doesn’t feel as stiff as when it was new. But for that, I did have to spend a few days in discomfort while the shoes were broken in naturally. 

While riding, the shoes have decent flex to help you move the foot around on the pegs for braking or shifting gears. Grip on metal foot pegs isn’t a concern; but on rubber pegs, it gets a bit slippery if the pegs are wet or worn. But having such a grippy sole means the shoes squeak while walking around on marble or other shiny surfaces. 

What We Don’t Like

I would have preferred if the boots had buckles or zippers instead of laces. The only reason I say this is because laces can get caught in something in a crash. Though, these boots have an elastic band to keep the knotted lace from flying about. Secondly, these boots look a bit like work boots, not like casual sneakers. Now, I don’t have a problem with form following function, but that can be a deterrent for some. I would suggest you check them out in the flesh before you buy to decide on the looks. 

Verdict

These are easy-to-recommend boots based on the price and what they do. Clan offers 1 year warranty on these boots for manufacturing defects. They also offer free replacement for accidental damage in the first year of purchase. These have become my go-to riding shoes for all short rides and office commutes. But I still stick to my full-sized riding boots for weekend rides and tours. 

While the monsoon is far away, I am apprehensive about water seeping in from the shoe collar. This is something I don’t have to worry about on full-sized boots since my waterproof pants go over them, even if the pants ride up while being seated on the bike. That said, if you are just going to be riding in and around the city wearing these, it shouldn’t be hard to find a shade till the shower passes by. That said, extended city rides on a super hot day might leave you wanting for more ventilation till you get used to them. Again, good socks are a key here. If you plan to get these boots, I would recommend you go for the D3O variant for the extra protection for not a lot of extra money.

These boots can be bought from Clan's official website.