My adventure boots need to handle a lot — rain, river crossings, extreme temperatures, dust, rocks and also protect my legs during long days in the saddle. I took the Eleveit X Privilege Waterproof Enduro boots on a 6700-mile ride across 10 countries, including Turkey and Georgia. As if that wasn’t a big enough test, I then took the boots on a further two-week trip to the mountainous region of Ladakh in Northern India to find out if they could live up to that brief. Over my time with these boots they were pushed to their limits over mountain trails, in deserts, flooded roads, river crossings and sweltering summer tarmac.
Fit & comfort
The Eleveit X Privilege boots rise high on the leg — finishing around 75-100mm below the knee — and provide a secure, wraparound fit thanks to four buckle adjusters and a Velcro strap at the top. There’s plenty of adjustment to suit bulkier socks or tucked-in trousers, and once dialled in, they feel snug and supportive without pressure points.
As with many Italian-made boots, I needed to go up a size from my usual fit and after that comfort was excellent on the bike. These boots strike a great balance between protection and wearability, limiting lower leg movement just enough to feel secure without becoming restrictive. They feel stiff enough to do their job in a fall on the dirt, yet comfy enough to forget I was wearing them on a long ride.
Off the bike, it’s a different story. These are not walking boots, and they’re not pretending to be. Short strolls are fine, long-distance sightseeing is off the cards. And then there's the squeak. It’s loud — enough to announce your arrival in hotel receptions or fuel stations. I opted to leave it untreated for the duration of the Turkey and Georgia trip, to see if it reduced as the boots wore in. It didn’t. Once I got home a squirt of silicone spray sorted it so they were nice and quiet for the Ladakh trip.
Weather protection
Waterproofing is provided by Eleveit’s E-Dry membrane, and it's been impressively effective.
The boots shrugged off light to moderate rain early in the Turkey trip, however the real test came later — riding out of Hungary into Austria through a torrential downpour lasting more than two hours. Despite roads turning to rivers, the boots didn’t leak a drop. River crossings in Ladakh were also easily dealt with and my feet remained dry
Photography: Jose Mas
They also handled a temperature range from 10°C to 39°C with ease. In the heat, my feet stayed comfortable rather than sweltering, particularly when I opened my trousers’ lower-leg vents. And in cooler weather, paired with a thicker sock, they stayed reassuringly warm.
Grip & stability
Adventure riders demand grip — both on the pegs and on the ground — and the Eleveit X Privilege boots deliver. On my Aprilia Tuareg 660’s metal pegs (with rubber inserts that depress when standing), the soles bit well and supported my weight without flexing uncomfortably. On the metal pegs of a Royal Enfield Himalayan the boots were equally impressive when standing for long periods while riding unpaved roads rough enough to shake my dental fillings loose.
Off the bike, traction remained reliable across various surfaces — from tarmac to loose gravel, rocks, and indoor flooring. With this stiffness comes a trade-off. These are tall, firm boots with limited ground feel, so care is needed on uneven ground or stairs. A slight misstep can lead to a stumble, though the same stiffness helps protect against injury if you do take a tumble.
Protection
Protection is where these boots shine. The CE label shows Level 2 ratings across the board, and the WR marking confirms their waterproof credentials. I felt genuinely confident in their ability to fend off injury, thanks to solid construction, effective twist control, and reinforced zones at the shin, heel, and ankle.
A section of deep soft sand caught me out in Ladakh, after fighting hard to keep the bike upright the sand eventually won, and a fall followed. The only damage was to my pride.
There’s also plenty of structure through the lower leg, so even a jab at the ground in a slide is met with resistance. It’s clear these boots are designed for riders who need serious off-road performance and high levels of lower leg protection.
Durability
These boots faced a tough test, however they came out the other side with nothing worse than a few travel scars. After both trips I gave them a hose-down and a coat of Nikwax Waterproofing Wax for Leather, which left them looking much like they did when they came out of the box.
Nothing broke. No fastenings failed. No stitching came loose. Eleveit also score points for offering spare buckles and even replacement soles on their website, making the boots easier to maintain long-term.
If I have minor quibbles it's that the gusset behind the catches could be taller to better resist deep water splashes, and the gearshift pad’s position isn’t ideal for my boot size — the rest of the toebox is sturdy enough to cope with that, though.
Conclusion
The Eleveit X Privilege boots are a serious option for adventure and off-road riders. They're not built for strolling around tourist spots or popping to the shops — it's when your journey involves gravel, mud, ruts, or river crossings that they’ve got your back (and your ankles, shins, and feet).
At a competitive price, they offer excellent value, all-season performance, and impressive long-distance comfort — on the bike, at least. For riders who prioritise protection and durability over walking comfort, they’re a dependable and confidence-inspiring choice. My verdict? Tough as old boots — and built to last just as long.
