Top Spec, But Could Do With More or Less BOA: Fox Defend ADV Boot Review

I bought the Fox Defend ADV Boots ahead of a 12-day ADV trip through Nepal, hoping they’d be the elusive goldilocks solution for traveling. Protective enough for off-road riding, comfortable enough to hike around villages, compact enough to travel with, and easy to get on and off.

On paper, the Defend checks all the right boxes: GORE-TEX waterproofing, D30 impact protection, CE Level 2 certification, and a BOA closure instead of laces. After roughly 1,200 miles of off-road riding, including monsoon-soaked river crossings, axle-deep mud, and 104-degree F heat, were they the right boots for the job?

In short: I liked the Fox Defend ADV boots for their comfort, weather protection, and durability, but the single-BOA closure was a constant frustration during aggressive riding. They’re best for riders who want a walkable, waterproof ADV boot for mixed pavement, gravel, and dirt, without committing to a full motocross or enduro boot. Riders spending long days standing on the pegs or pushing hard off-road should look for something taller, stiffer, and with a more adjustable closure system.

Fox Defend ADV Boot Review

What Are the Fox Defend & Ranger ADV Boots?

ADV riding has taken the motorcycle world by storm. It stands for “adventure,” because it’s always an adventure when you drag a giant motorcycle off-road. Think of it as overlanding for motorcycles.

Fox offers a full ADV lineup with three tiers: Recon, Defend, and Ranger. These represent the brand’s good, better, and best offerings. It, however, does not offer a top-tier Recon boot.

The Defend and Ranger both share nearly identical construction and protection, including GORE-TEX waterproofing and D30 armor in the tongue and ankle. Inside, Fox has also added an antimicrobial liner to reduce odors.

The key difference between the two is the closure system. The Ranger ($235) uses traditional laces. The Defend costs an additional $110 ($345) and upgrades to a single BOA closure.

Fit & Sizing

These ADV boots are available in sizes 8 to 14, though sizes 8, 12, 13, and 14 are not offered in half sizes. I’m a true 8.5 and chose to size down due to my narrow feet. If you’re between sizes and have wider feet, I recommend sizing up.

Otherwise, Fox boots tend to fit relatively true to size and use the same last as Fox’s motocross boots, so expect a similar fit. The toe box is wider than SIDI, but not as roomy as Leatt’s.

BOA Closure

My biggest gripe with the Defend boots is also the main reason I spent an extra $110 on them: the BOA closure. BOA is a dial-based closure system that uses a fixed-length steel cable. Turn the dial to tighten, pull it up to release.

In practice, I could never quite get the tension right. Tight enough for solid ankle support, the boots became uncomfortably tight down low, and my feet would start to go numb.

During technical riding, I also found myself constantly retightening the BOA. As your feet flex and the internal padding compresses, the boot can feel like it’s loosening even though the dial hasn’t moved. Foot swelling from heat, vibration, and fatigue only add to the issue over the course of a long day.

The Defend would benefit from a dual-BOA closure system that allows independent adjustment at the top and bottom of the boot. This is a common approach in high-performance cycling and ski footwear, although it would likely increase the cost. A simple power strap around the ankle could also add support without over-tightening the entire boot.

I would also love to see Fox adopt BOA’s latest Li2 dial, which allows on-the-fly adjustments in both directions, making it easier to relieve pressure without fully opening the boot.

Living With the Fox Defend Boots

In Nepalese culture, wearing shoes inside is considered rude, since floors are often used for sitting and gathering. That was one reason I was excited about the BOA closure. I imagined popping the dial, kicking the boots off, and heading inside.

Joke’s on me. Taking these boots off is a pain. They are extremely stiff, which is great for protection, but makes them hard to slip out of. And the soft foam heel also scuffs easily, so kicking them off with your other boot is a no-go.

But more importantly, they need to be cinched so tightly that releasing the BOA does not create enough slack. You still have to pull the laces by hand to get your foot out, which is the same issue I have had with lace-up boots.

I found myself looking wistfully at friends in adventure boots who could undo a couple of latches and walk inside while I struggled with my laces. The BOA system is more convenient than traditional laces, but not as efficient as buckles or a side zip.

Another concern with the single BOA closure is redundancy. It’s rare, but if you damage the ratchet, you’re out of luck. You’re not going to easily find a replacement BOA dial in Nepal or Peru. I’ve broken latches on my enduro boots before, but with multiple straps, the boot is still usable. On a boot aimed for long-distance, hard travel, redundancy matters.

On the Bike

Out of the box, the boots were immediately comfortable both on and off the bike. There were no hot spots, and no break-in period during which I struggled to feel the shifter or brake pedal.

The soles strike a great balance between the stiffness you need to stand all day and the traction required to stay planted on the pegs or scramble up a hillside to check out a viewpoint. The outsole uses the same compound as Fox’s Comp motocross boot.

Protection is excellent. The boots meet CE Level 2 certification for transverse rigidity, upper height abrasion-resistance, and impact cut resistance. I tested the reinforced toe box more than once, and my feet came away unscathed.

The D3O padding around the tongue and ankle was also appreciated, especially when a rock kicked up and nailed me in the ankle. That said, while Fox rates these as “tall” boots, they are noticeably shorter than a traditional full-height riding boot. On days with 8-plus hours of riding and long stretches spent standing, I noticed increased leg fatigue.

Shorter boots simply do not offer the same level of support. For seated riding or shorter days, this was a non-issue, but during sustained technical riding, it adds up.

Late in the trip, tired and slogging through endless mud bogs, I slipped a peg and smacked my shin, something a taller boot would have prevented.

What impressed me most about the Defend boots was their balance of waterproofing and breathability. The first half of our trip was spent riding through relentless monsoon rain, axle-deep mud, and standing water, and my feet stayed impressively dry.

Even more surprising was how well they handled heat. During the second half of the trip, temperatures climbed to 104 degrees F (40 degrees C). Many waterproof boots turn into saunas, but despite the heat, my feet stayed far more comfortable than expected.

Fox Defend ADV Boot Review: Conclusions

The Fox Defend ADV boots do a lot well. They’re comfortable to walk around in, are well-built, and offer a high level of protection. I’ve yet to wear another “waterproof” boot that stays as comfortable across such a wide range of conditions.

Where they fall short is on long, aggressive off-road days. In Nepal, we were often riding for 8-plus hours across rugged terrain; the taller cuff and added support of a traditional enduro boot would have offered better protection and reduced fatigue.

Part of why I bought these boots is how they’re marketed. They’re positioned as a versatile off-road boot, but I think that focus is oversold. This is not the boot I would choose for a BDR, the CDT, or another trip that’s primarily off-road. For those rides, I’m wearing my Sidi Crossfires. 

The Fox Defend is the boot I reach for when I’m headed out on a 3- to 4-hour mixed pavement and gravel loop, and I even use them on regular road rides. If you’re looking for a lightweight ADV boot that balances protection, walkability, and weather performance, this is one of the category leaders. 

If I were to do it again, I’d buy the lace version. I don’t love tying shoes, but the single BOA proved finicky. Laces are simpler and eliminate a potential failure point off-road, so I’d save the $110 for gas and buy the Ranger with laces.