Klim Ridgeline V2 Textile Boots - Castlerock / Black

I’m an absolute Klim fan/nerd and normally love their boots. For context - between us we’ve got three pairs of Outlander GTX boots, and I also have the full Adventure GTX boots. They all use the BOA and it’s one of my favourite things about them: getting boots on and off is super easy, they adjust perfectly regardless of sock choice and I’d choose BOA over conventional laces every time if I could.

Unfortunately, on the Ridgeline, Klim have got the positioning wrong. The BOA sits high up on the tongue and, once tightened, makes that whole area rigid. On the bike I can feel it pressing/rubbing into my shin every time I change gear. It’s tolerable initially, but after an hour or so it becomes uncomfortable and gets progressively worse. Walking in them is even worse - after about ten minutes the top of the tongue rubbing against my shin starts getting very annoying.

I’ve now done over 1,000 miles in them so I’ve given them more than a fair chance to break in. They haven’t. :(

It’s a shame because almost everything else about these boots is great. In our current bout of hot weather the ventilation is superb. Paired with Klim’s mesh socks you can actually feel air moving around your feet and between your toes as you’re riding! On hot days it’s lovely. They’re light, the sole feels chunky and there’s enough reinforcement around my foot that they still feel like a motorcycle boot rather than a glorified trainer.

Obviously they’re a compromise on protection compared with something like the Adventure GTX. There’s some ankle protection, but not much, and these wouldn’t be my choice for a fast or more committed ride. As a lightweight summer road boot though, the balance though is pretty much perfect.

That’s what makes my review particularly frustrating. The Klim quality is there, the ventilation is exceptional and I really wanted to love them. But footwear designed to be comfortable both on and off the bike needs to actually be comfortable, and after 1,000+ miles these still aren’t.

Moving the BOA away from the top of the tongue, or redesigning that part so it can flex properly, would transform them.

A swing and a miss from Klim this time unfortunately.

Comfy straight out of the box, like trainers comfy! They are also light but feel well made, enough to be comfortable wearing them on the bike. They are advertised as being shaped to your foot and wow, I normally wear size 10 as I have wide feet but the 9.5/44 fit perfectly due to the shaping. The BOA fastening system is great, quick and easy to fasten with no fuss. Whilst riding I could feel a direct breeze around my toes due to the mesh construction, fantastic in warm/hot weather. Comfy to walk in off the bike and look good too, so much so I didn’t bother taking additional footwear on our last trip as I just wore these with walking trousers. Just carry over boots for when it rains.

Very please with these boots. Really nice feel inside which is both soft and supportive from the first try on. I have worn these for whole days at work to test the general comfort and they are great, something like a trainer with stiffer sole. My trust in Klim makes me feel that should I be unlucky enough to need the protection side of these boot they will be up to the task. Also the Boa system is a very nice bonus, easist footwear to get in and out of, I have ever owned. Thanks to Sportsbike Shop for your usual top levels of service, always a first choice when buying bike gear.

Comfort while walking is good, well ventilated and well made.
The issue I have is whilst riding, I found the lace/wire cutting in and have not resolved this issue as yet. I ride a k1600 gtl so no unusual riding position.