Touratech DESTINO Ultimate GTX | Too Good To Be True?

I remember the first time I pulled a pair on. We were at the manufacturers Head office in Holland. Outside there was that damp kind of cold that sneaks through your socks before you’ve even swung a leg over the bike. Lisa laughed at me (not unusual), I think I was overthinking it already, turning the BOA dial, loosening it again, tightening it just to feel how it worked. New gear does that. You don’t trust it yet.

Back then, in early 2020, they were called the REV’IT! Expedition H2O boots. Fast forward six years and you’ll now find them wearing a different badge, reintroduced as the Touratech Destino Ultimate GTX. Same DNA, same intent, just… evolved, like they’ve grown into themselves a bit.

So the real question isn’t what they were like fresh out of the box.

It’s this: have they actually held up?

Because plenty of boots feel impressive on day one. Fewer still feel the same after years of mud, heat, rain, missed gear changes, long days, longer walks, and the kind of trips where you stop caring what your gear looks like as long as it still works.

And these? They’ve held up better than I expected. Maybe better than I wanted to admit. And, yes...we do have a new set.

First Impressions… That Stuck

Even now, I can’t shake that original thought: these boots shouldn’t work as well as they do.

They sit in that awkward middle ground between full motocross armour and touring comfort, which usually means compromise. Too stiff to walk. Too soft to trust. Too bulky to live with.

But somehow, they dodged most of that.

The protection is still proper. You’ve got that tall TPU shin plate, the kind that makes you feel like you could knock into a rock and walk it off. The ankle support, built around REV’IT!’s Dynamic Support Frame, still does its job quietly, no fuss, no drama, just there when you need it.

And yet… they never felt like a chore to wear. "In fact recently we flew from London to India to ride, and wore them the entire time on the plane and on the return trip home". They were great.

Six Years Later, The Comfort Story Matters More

This is where most boots fall apart, not physically, but in how they feel after time. Linings wear, soles go dead, flex points get weird.

These didn’t.

They’ve softened slightly, in a good way. Not sloppy, just broken-in. Familiar. Like a well-used jacket that fits better now than it did new. Walking in them still feels surprisingly natural, which, honestly, I didn’t expect from something with this level of protection.

And the silence. That still stands out.

If you’ve ever worn proper off-road boots, you’ll know the soundtrack, creaks, squeaks, that “old door hinge” chorus every time you move. These never did that. Even now, they’re quiet. It sounds like a small thing, but spend a full day off the bike and you’ll understand why it matters. And, no, covering boots in soap, WD40 or candle wax also doesn't stop them squaking. We tried it all!

Weather, Wear, and Real Use

We didn’t baby these boots. They’ve seen proper rain, not the kind you ride through for ten minutes, the kind that follows you all day and settles in.

They stayed waterproof.

That Hydratex membrane held up far longer than I expected, and even now, they’re still dependable. Maybe not “fresh out of the box perfect,” but close enough that I don’t think twice about pulling them on when the forecast looks grim.

Temperature-wise, they’ve always leaned toward the all-season side of things. Warm in winter, manageable in summer, especially with the ability to quickly release tension using the BOA system. That little detail, the one-click loosen at a stop, still feels like a luxury when your feet need a breather.

The BOA System… Still One of the Best Features

I’ll admit it, I was sceptical at first.

It felt too simple. Too… clean, for something that’s supposed to survive mud, grit, and years of abuse.

But six years on, it’s been rock solid.

No broken cables. No slipping tension. Just quick, consistent closure every time. Gloves on, gloves off, doesn’t matter. It works. And once you get used to it, going back to buckles feels like stepping backwards.

The Downsides Haven’t Disappeared

Let’s not pretend they’re perfect.

They’re still expensive. No way around that. Even now, boots in this category sit firmly at the premium end, and that alone will put people off.

And fit? That hasn’t changed either.

If you’re running slimmer, street-style riding pants, especially ones that taper at the ankle, you might struggle to get them over the top. These boots were never designed to disappear under tight cuffs. They’re unapologetically adventure-focused, and they wear that identity visibly.

Lisa in her Touratech Destino Ultimate GTX Boots in India in 2025

So… Do They Still Hold Up?

Yeah. They do.

More than that, they’ve earned their place.

What started as a “this could be interesting” purchase has quietly turned into one of the most reliable pieces of kit we own. Not flashy anymore, not new, (Well, actually are new boots, just received are exactly that...new :-)) but dependable in that way only well-used gear becomes.

Lisa still reaches for hers without hesitation. I do the same. And that probably says more than any spec sheet ever could.

Final Thoughts

Back in 2020, I called them a game changer. That felt bold at the time, maybe a bit premature.

Six years later, I’d phrase it differently.

They didn’t just change the game, they proved it wasn’t a gimmick.

The Touratech Destino Ultimate GTX boots, or if you remember them by their original name, the REV’IT! Expedition H2O, have done something rare. They delivered on the promise, and then kept delivering, year after year, ride after ride.

And honestly? That’s a lot harder than making a good first impression.

Would I still recommend them?

Yeah… I would. Without much hesitation.

Just don’t expect to take them off anytime soon.