Falco Zarah boots in black

The Falco Zarah is a boot for lady riders and pillions who want to get off the bike, and not look like a biker. And although we don't know the boot that Falco has copied, we can be pretty sure that there are shops on the high street that have boots that are virtual identical to these.

 

Yet in every respect these are still proper motorcycle boots. In fact, the spec. is pretty darned impressive.

 

The outer chassis is made from a material that is known as 'Micro Synth'. This, as it sounds, is a synthetic material somewhat similar to what many bikers know as Lorica. Now synthetics don't breathe as well as real leather, they don't patinate as nicely, they don't take as well to polish and they don't mould around the foot in the same way. But synthetics are harder wearing and longer lasting. And they don't require a lot of care. Falco suggests that the material has a Nubuck finish, but personally we think that's pushing it a little.

 

The boot is commendably protective. There's a really tough counter in the toe, whilst in the heel and ankles you get protectors fashioned from D3O.  Are there tougher boots out there? Yes of course there are. But there probably aren't many that look this good.

 

The boot has a waterproof membrane, so is going to be as waterproof as one might expect a short boot to be; a short boot never being quite as waterproof as a tall one.

 

A nice touch is the padded cuff at the top of the shaft; another concession to comfort. Fastening is by laces only. And you get a convenient pull strap to help you get the boots on.

 

There's a removable, and changeable, insole. The outsole is rutted for grip, but more importantly for a slightly aggressive look. The boot looks as though it has a heel, although that's a slight visual illusion. And that's largely down to a sculpted cut out designed to accommodate the bike's pegs.

 

All in all, the Zarah is a tad deceptive. It may look like the kind of boot you could pick up in 'Office', but actually it's more than up to the job on the bike.