Fox Racing's F3 Boot

A while back (before the launch of VitalMX.com), the MX press corps were invited to check out the '07 Fox lineup at their Southern California offices. While the normal array of products in the Fox apparel line looks as good as ever, we were particularly intrigued with Fox's new boot, the F3.

This is the third iteration of the Fox Forma Pro boot, which is where the F3 name comes from, and as Fox's Chip Jones explained, "We wanted to take all the things that were successful and make them even better. Then take the things that didn't work well, and get rid of them, or change them to make them better."

Using feedback from their stable of pro and amateur riders (including James Stewart), along with focus groups and their own experience, they started development of the F3 using the old Forma Pro, and as Chip described it, "Cobbled together some early versions of the F3. We made modifications to the Forma Pro, and we tried some crazy foam plastics and rubbers, different densities and hardnesses, and we experimented a little bit with internal booties and stuff like that. We're still strong proponents that it's not essential to have a bootie if we do the interior construction correctly." To provide more protection against impacting the frame and other components of the bike, they've added a lot more foam to the inside of the ankle on the F3.

A major goal of the Fox crew was to eliminate spots where the boot could fail. Chip explained, "The more stitching you have, the more pieces of plastic that are actually sewn to a boot, the more chances you have of things ripping if you catch them on a bolt or subframe or footpeg. So the first thing you notice on this boot is that is has a 3D molded chassis. We've done a complete 3D wrap on this one. This is a very expensive molding process because in the mold you actually have to have moving parts. It's not just an open and closed cookie mold. You actually have to have things that slide in and out. That adds tons of cost and tons of complexity. But it makes for a better boot in the long run." Amazingly, where in the past, one size mold could accommodate three or four sizes of boots, this new technology requires a different mold for each different size in the line.

Chip continued, "With the old medial plastic, you could lay it out on a piece of paper. It was perfectly flat. When you stitched it around a last, that's what made it hold its shape.  If we took one of the new F3 boots apart, this chassis would stand up in the exact same shape that it is now. It just shows you that it's pre-curved, pre-molded, so you don't have to stretch and bend the actual plastic over the boot.  It makes for a much more comfortable fit, and we were able to eliminate a lot of critical seams."

The 3D chassis also opened up room for additional options, with multiple densities for the shin guard and calf guard that surround the boot. "Every time you see a different color it's a different density…softer or harder, depending on where it is and the needs of that section."

The strap receivers (where they attach to the shin plate) are also new on the F3, and Chip explained how they work like this, "On most boots in history, including our own, we always had a strap receiver that would pop into the overstrap, or into the shin plate. Through crashing, or use and abuse, they would tend to pop out. So what we did was design the actual strap receiver into the straps and into the shin plate." Extensive testing by Fox (pull strength, tear strength, and tensile strength) have shown that this setup is many times stronger than any strap receiver, and that the actual strap will break before the strap receiver will pull out of the overstrap or shin plate, all of which puts a smile on Chip's face. "We are guaranteed that this is the strongest part going forward, where before it was the weakest part."

Another innovative solution to an old problem (especially when riders use lots of grip tape on their bikes that would quickly eat away the stitching on their boots, was a fold over burn guard. Instead of trying to eliminate the stitching from the outside, "Now we fold the burn guard over the top and it's stitched on the inside of the boot. So we've eliminated another critical seam that tended to fail really early on all boots. Also, this was the part with the top gaitor, that tended to melt the quickest on a four-stroke. Any time you stick your leg out on your right boot, this was going to fry if it was the old technology with the corrugated stuff."

Chip was also happy to note that the 3D chassis, in-molded strap receivers and fold over burnguard were patented. "Any time the U.S. Patent office recognizes something as patentable, it means that you have a viable technology that they believe in, that hasn't been done before, and it is a benefit to the product. If it's a natural evolution of something, they won't let you patent it. If it's just the next thought process down the road, it's not patentable. It has to be demonstrably better than what was out there before."

The F3 also features a few additional details, like a molded top cuff that they feel seals better against dirt, debris, roost and sand. The old dual locking buckle has been replaced with a much simpler Pivotlock buckle system that doesn't require a hang tag with instructions so that riders can figure out how to operate them.

There are also Soft-Touch buckles  (nice for early mornings in cold weather), the herringbone sole design for excellent footpeg interface, and a new outsole compound that's much more durable, while also being softer than in the past.

The final touch is the EVA midsole, which has increased in thickness throughout the length of the boot, but particularly in the heel. The EVA is excellent at absorbing energy, and is frequently used in running shoes to reduce shock on feet, ankles, knees, and hips.

There are four color combos available, Suggested Retail is $329, and they should be in Fox dealers soon.

You can check out the full line of Fox F3 boots in the Product section.