Fox Ranger ADV review | Protective alternative to adventure boots

Date reviewed: May 2025 | Tested by: John Milbank | Price: £179.99 | foxracing.co.uk

When I think of adventure motorcycle boots, something like the Fox Ranger ADVs on review here don’t spring to mind – I think of something like the TCX Drifters, which are a softer, more flexible version of so-stiff-you-can’t-walk-in-them motocross boots. But the height that these have still makes them unpleasant to spend the day in, which for many adventure riders is exactly what they need.

The Fox Rangers give another option, and I’ve been using them on my R1250GS for the past month to find out if they’re the perfect all-round adventure bike boots…

Pros & Cons

Construction and features

Made with a leather upper, the Fox Ranger ADV boots are available in the sand-coloured ‘Dark Khaki Brown’ on review here, or black.

There’s tough fabric covering the outside of the ankles with suede on the inside, and the double-stitching and thick thread appears consistent, well-spaced and secure throughout.

The overall impression is of a pair of very tough, purposeful boots that feel far more solid than a Dr Marten-style designed for more urban environments.

Fastening

The Fox Ranger ADV boots have a traditional lace system with seven pairs of eyelets. There are no ‘speed hooks’ to make it quicker to lace them up to the top, and while the well-finished metal eyelets are smooth enough, the laces take some working to fully tighten the boot – you can’t just pull the laces and expect them to tighten all the way down.

This only takes a minute or so, but the boots do need to be opened up a fair bit before putting on taking off due to their heavy-duty, supportive design.

Fox also offers the £274.99 Defend ADV boots, which replace the laces with a BOA wire system that might be faster and easier to use, especially if it means the boots can be more easily pulled open to get into.

Protection and certification

The protection offered by the Fox Ranger ADV boots is excellent. Not only are they tall enough to be rated as ‘tall’ boots, they also reach the higher Level 2 in impact abrasion resistance, impact cut resistance and transverse rigidity.

The D3O inserts at the ankles are much larger than those fitted to most other boots, and the Rangers are also certified as offering impact protection at the ankles (the IPA acronym on the label).

There’s D3O protection in the tongue as well, which seems to run from the bottom up to just below the padded black top. It’s not that thick, but it should help protect against branches and stones that could whip across or hit them on what’s a fairly sensitive area.

While not reaching up the calf like enduro boots, the Rangers still offer a surprising level of support to the lower leg / ankle area. As boots that could be used on- and off-road, as well as for walking after the ride, they strike a good balance between protection and wearability.

From April 21 2018, all new motorcycle clothing is deemed to be Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). To meet this legislation, it must be tested to a recognised standard. For more information on the new laws, click here.

Comfort & Fit

Fox uses the same last to size the Rangers as it does to make its motocross boots, so if you’ve used them, you should find the sizing to be consistent here.

In trainers I’m a slightly wide size 43 (usually UK 9), but in motorcycle boots I tend to go up to a 44 in most cases. Yet in these Fox Rangers, after trying on the 44s and 45s, I ended up settling on 46, which is a UK 10.5.

I was able to get my feet into the 44s (UK 9.5), but with them being so supportive (stiff, but that makes them sound bad) it was really hard work to get them on, even with the good-size and tough pull loop on the back.

These 46s don’t feel too big to walk around it, and while the extra length is a little noticeable I’m not clumping around like I’m in clown shoes, and I find them comfortable to wear off the bike.

I wondered if the 44s would have softened up and been easier to live with, but the ones I have don’t seem to have very much, and the boots aren’t any easier to open up.

I wonder if the Fox Defend ADV boots would be more practical for day-to-day use and potentially be usable in my normal size.

Sole and Grip

The Fox Rangers have an ‘Ultratac’ sole that I’ve found gives very good grip. It’s a relatively soft material, though it’s wearing well so far with just some rounding off at the outside edges due to the way I tend to roll my feet outwards when walking.

I have found that the overall depth of the boots means the top is a little higher than I’m used to, leading to me occasionally not clearing a gear-change properly by letting the selector return fully down after an upshift. It’s something I’m getting used to, though if these were the only boots I rode in, I would consider adjusting the selector up a touch.

Hot and cold weather use

A Microban antibacterial-treated mesh liner helps keep the Rangers from smelling, but these are still quite thick boots that can get a little warm in hot weather, especially off the bike. But that’s compared to urban-style designs; when put against full-height enduro boots the Rangers are potentially the better bet.

Waterproofing

Surprisingly, the Fox Ranger ADV boots don’t claim to be waterproof, and don’t feature a membrane. While this should help to keep them a bit cooler, it seems a slightly odd choice in an adventure boot that could find itself getting splashed in river-crossings and trudged through puddles.

When immersed up to just below the bottom of the tongue I found the Rangers do actually keep my feet dry, but any water that finds its way above this point tends to get in where the tongue is fastened to the upper.

The height of the boots would mean full waterproofing should be quite effective when worn with waterproof textiles in bad weather, so if you want that rain protection consider the Fox Defends, which have a Gore-Tex waterproof membrane.

Three alternatives to the Fox Ranger boots

Adventure boots need to offer good support and protection for off-road riding, so your choice is usually limited to taller designs. Here are some others to consider…

• TCX Drifter, £329.99 | Offering a good balance of support and comfort, the Drifters reach Level 2222 and are also certified for water resistance and absorption and desorption of the lining materials, as well as slip resistance on tiles and steel. The photos in the review linked below are actually of my boots, as I had a pair on review at the same time as Simon. Read the full review of the TCX Drifters here.

• Sidi Adventure 2, £349.99 | Our tester described them as comfortable, grippy with lots of protection (Level 2222) and great waterproofing (they’re certified as waterproof too). While not cheap, he had no problem recommending them to riders who like to venture onto the loose stuff every now and again. Sportsbikeshop’s great video review suggests that buyers often tend to go up a size. Read our full review the Sidi Adventure 2s here.

• Fox Defend ADV, £274.99 | Like the Rangers, these are a mid-height boot but they have what could be a much easier-to-use Boa lacing system, and they’ve got a Gore-Tex waterproof membrane. We haven’t reviewed the Fox Defends.

These are just three of many alternatives – you can find all the boots we’ve tested here and be sure to regularly check for the discounts available through Bikesocial membership. To find the best motorcycle boots, click here.

Rox Ranger ADV review: Verdict

The Fox Ranger ADV boots are good boots when you consider the high levels of protection and support they offer in what’s a much easier to live with form than a typical adventure or enduro boot.

The lack of waterproofing beyond puddles of about 7cm in depth is surprising on a boot like this, but it’s the stiffness combined with the fairly slow and awkward lacing that’s my main gripe.

Once on, the Fox Ranger ADVs feel great, and while they are more bulky to walk in than some more casual-style bike boots, Fox has done an admirable job of balancing protection and all-day useability.

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