I picked out the Eleveit Tonale Waterproof boots ahead of a European trip where I knew I’d face long days in the saddle, mixed weather, and the usual need to walk about off the bike. I wanted boots that were waterproof, supportive and comfortable — something with a bit of height to prevent rain sneaking in over the top, and a safety spec that would give me peace of mind. The Tonale boots looked like a solid all-rounder, and after 1200 miles I can say they mostly lived up to that expectation.
Fit & comfort
The fit was spot on straight away. I’m a standard UK 7 (EU 41) in most boots, and these were true to size — snug enough to be secure, roomy enough to let me wiggle my toes. The interior has a cushioned feel that made them comfy from the get-go, with a soft lining that gave a little extra underfoot padding.
The top edge of the boots is flexible enough that it didn’t dig into my shin when I bent my legs, and although they looked quite bulky, I was surprised by how light they felt. That’s probably down to the eLite sole and EVA midsole construction — both of which do a good job of keeping the weight down.
Adjustability
The boots use a double buckle system and a wide velcro closure at the top. I tend to wear boots and shoes fairly snug, and these gave me that option. However, I did run into a small issue: when the boots were tight, a crease formed near the ankle armour that pressed into my outer ankle bone. This was especially noticeable when stopping and putting my foot down at an angle.
Loosening the boot a little helped, and it’s worth noting that the buckles are adjustable. I found them a little fiddly — easy to overtighten unintentionally, and slightly awkward to release cleanly. As this was my first experience with buckles like this, it might just be something I need to get used to. Personally, I’d think twice before choosing buckle-closure boots again.
Riding experience
Riding in these boots took a little adjustment. Compared to my previous footwear, they’re a lot deeper through the sole and toe area, which meant I initially had to adapt my gear-changing technique. After 45 minutes or so on my Honda CB750 Hornet, it felt normal. Now when I wear shorter boots, they feel odd!
Grip on the pegs was excellent. My Hornet’s pegs are fairly sporty — knurled but not adventure-style — and I never felt my feet slip or slide around, even when shifting position.
Off-bike experience
The boots are flexible enough to walk in comfortably. The accordion panels front and rear help with that, though the ankle and foot section is quite rigid, as you’d expect from protective boots. I could even jog a little in them without much bother when required. The only niggle was a squeak from the right boot when walking — hopefully something that eases with more use.
Off the bike, the sole gave me loads of confidence. I walked across tarmac, wet grass and gravel without slipping. The tread is far more aggressive than that on my sportier boots and makes these feel much more sure-footed in varied conditions.
Weather protection
These boots use Eleveit’s own eDry waterproof and breathable membrane. I experienced several rain showers and my feet stayed dry throughout. I chose these boots partly for their height, to avoid water ingress at the top, and that worked well too.
In cooler weather (down to about 12°C), they kept my feet warm. I’ve not yet worn them in autumn or winter, but based on what I’ve seen so far, I’d expect decent cold-weather performance for a non-insulated boot.
In warmer conditions — up to around 25°C during my trip — the boots did get hot, though not uncomfortably so. They’re not vented, so the hot feet were no surprise, and wearing laminated textile trousers didn’t help with airflow either. My socks weren’t wringing wet, which I put down to the membrane breathing as it should.
Protection
The boots carry a CE safety rating of 2-1-2-2 WR, which is reassuring. It means they meet the superior standard in height, resistance to cuts and in transverse rigidity, and the basic Level 1 for abrasion-resistance. They feel solidly built and the structure around the foot and ankle gives me confidence that they’d offer good protection if needed. The WR marking shows they have passed the water-resistance test that is available to all boot manufacturers who want to prove their boots keep out rain rather than just claiming they do.
Durability
After 1200 miles, the boots still look great and a light clean would bring them back to near-new. The only visible sign of wear is a slight dulling of the finish on the inner heel area — but it’s purely cosmetic.
Eleveit have clearly thought about wear over the long term, especially against the bike’s frame, and have added a soft-touch panel on the inner upper area where the boot would typically rub. It’s a thoughtful detail that should help extend the life of both the boots and your bike's paintwork.
Conclusion
These boots have delivered on comfort, protection and waterproofing — and for a long ride, I appreciated the all-round quality. I had a few issues with the buckles, particularly around achieving the right tightness without discomfort at the ankle, and that’s something I’d factor in if I were buying again. That said, I’m happy to carry on using the boots, and I trust them enough to take them on my next trip.
