Viaterra Bronson Retro Boots Review: 3-month update

What I like

Versatility.

These might be made for riding, but you can also walk in them. And as we found out, spend a day in the office attending meetings. They will attract glances, but more for their style than them looking out of place. The only caveat is that these need to be broken-in properly to appreciate their versatility.

On the bike, we used them for our daily commutes with a couple of intercity rides. And on both counts, these never got in the way. Gear shifts are easy and there is enough feel in the sole to modulate the rear brake. The soles also have enough padding to keep fatigue at bay.

We did some light scrambling in them as well. Now, these cannot be substituted for long off-road boots. But, on an odd outing, you won’t be completely at sea when it comes to standing up and riding or gripping the bike with your lower legs.

Comfort.

Again, once the break-in is complete, these feel well-built and expensive. You can easily spend a day in them. Take my day for instance. I commute 40km to work, spend the whole day in the office or head out to test a new car or bike, then ride back home, and once I am there, I take my dog for a walk. All in the Bronsons. And I have no complaints. In fact, I have started using them regularly even when I am not around a motorcycle.

Easy to wear.

Most non-motorcycling boots I use have both lace and zipper closures. And I mostly use the zipper to put them on or remove them. The Bronson also comes with lace and zipper closures. Additionally, you can break open the mouth - which is held together with velcro - to make the opening wider still.

This makes it quite easy to slip in and out of the boots. But, even after months, I feel there is still some breaking-in needed because I still cannot solely use the zippers to put on or remove the boots. And I would love that convenience.

Promised protection.

Motorcycling boots that mimic work or retro boots, in general, don't offer great protection. They also lack the rigidity one associates with dedicated riding boots. The Bronson doesn’t have these drawbacks.

I might not like the long break-in period or the fact that I need to use the lace and zippers to put them on. But the upside is that these score high on protection. As we have said before, these feel well-built. Not only from the luxury or leisure point of view but it seems these will take the brunt of a fall, slide or mild twisting, lessening the chance of a serious injury to the rider’s foot.

What I didn’t like

Break-in period.

The break-in period for these boots is unprecedented. I can only think of dirt boots that have taken longer. And, I don’t think I am there yet even after all the riding and walking. For something that looks like an everyday work boot, this extended break-in period might be a rude surprise for many.

Ventilation.

Now, for the most part, the Bronsons have been comfortable companions both on and off the bike. However, there is no ventilation in the boots to talk about. Add to it the thick leather, and if you find yourself battling stop-and-go traffic in the afternoon in muggy Mumbai, not only will your feet feel warm, but there will be some sweating to deal with as well. Maybe broguing with actual holes instead of just decoration might be a solution worth looking into.

Final thoughts

As we said at the start, the Bronsons make a lot of sense. Their versatility means these are riding and casual boots rolled into one for around Rs 7,000. That is good value no matter how you cut it. Plus they are comfortable and supportive, and though we have not tested them in a crash, given the specs, we believe these should hold well on that count too. Now, one will need some patience to break them in. And poor ventilation might leave you with damp socks. But, these are inconveniences we believe are worth enduring.

Product Details

Make: ViaTerra

Model: Bronson Retro

Style: Short motorcycle riding boots

Price: Rs 6,999

Availability: On ViaTerra’s website and its official distributors

Photography: Kaustubh Gandhi