REVIEW: ALPINESTARS TECH-7 ENDURO BOOT
Alpinestars are synonymous with quality - in particular, boots. Having originally specialized in riding boots makes Alpinestars\ the top choice in all of motocross. There off-road specific boot range is very small but packs a good punch. These Tech-7 Enduro boots match comfort with quality. Let’s take a look.
Alpinestars Blurb
Product Information
The Tech 7 Enduro boot features a specifically engineered, compound sole to provide Enduro, Trail and ATV riders superior durability, grip, feel and levels of structural rigidity. This CE certified boot promotes core stability and flex via a biomechanical pivot while offering excellent ankle protection. The boot chassis has been designed to give complete feel and optimized interaction with bike controls, while the innovative buckle system allows easy, precise closure.
Ain’t nothing like a fresh pair of feet warmers.
Construction
Upper constructed from innovative microfibre material that is flexible and abrasion-resistant. Upper material is reinforced with PU for high levels of water-resistance and durability and improved weight-saving performance.
Specifically designed compound sole provides ATV, Enduro and Trail riders superior durability, grip, feel and a high level of structural rigidity. The sole and footpeg insert are replaceable.
Alpinestars developed TPU shin plate and medial protection are constructed from one single part for greater structural integrity and stability. The anatomically profiled shin plate features a dual closure system with an internal microfibre flap attached with Velcro® for a precise fit closure while the rugged and durable shin plate attached securely with a precision adjustable buckle.
Wide entry aperture for convenience and allows broad ranging calf fit adjustment and support.
Key Features
The TPU medial side panel incorporates an advanced honeycomb rubber insert and is designed for excellent grip against the bike while guarding against impact.
Innovative buckle closure system includes high-impact aluminium bridge closures, with memory settings and a quick release/locking system with self-aligning design for easy, precise closure and improved riding performance. All buckles are replaceable.
Contoured calf protector plate is injected with high modulus polymer for impact resistance and incorporates Alpinestars' developed blade flex system for greater precision control and movement, added protection for heel and Achilles tendon and helps prevent hyperflexion.
New TPU ankle protection system incorporating a biomechanical link between the middle and bottom sections of the boot helping prevent damage to the leg by providing progressive force relief for torsional forces.
Redesigned instep and Achilles accordion flex zones construction for superior comfort, control and support.
Incorporating an innovative one-piece injected dual compound foot shell with co-injected hard toe protector and integrated steel shank. The shell is highly resistant to abrasion and impact, adds to the boots overall durability and improves boot's streamlining.
Extended microfibre gaiter helps prevent excessive water and dirt entry.
Internal 3D lining includes anti-slide microfibre suede on the heel to help keep foot in position.
Soft foam reinforcement on ankles and collar for long lasting comfort and shock absorption.
New, dual compound, removable anatomic footbed includes EVA and Lycra top for comfort and support ensures even weight distribution and reinforced heel.
The Tech 7 boot is CE certified.
They go good on the moto track too.
The Dirt
Now instead of jumping into a story that’s crafted to read beautifully, I’m just going to bust out the cold hard facts about what I like about these boots and what I don’t. No reading between the lines here, just how the Alpinestars Tech-7 Enduro performs and when it doesn’t. Let’s crack on…
Comfort
To put it lightly - the comfort of the Tech-7 Enduro is bloody lovely. Unlike some of the other Tech range from A-stars, the Tech-7 Enduro doesn’t have a bootie to worry about. I don’t mind the bootie in general, but if offered a selection I will take the non-bootie for sure. The inside of the boot is near seamless and there is nothing to annoy your foot or put pressure on any unlikely areas. The lining is super soft and doesn’t feel like it gets too hot when you’re on your feet a lot.
Inside of the boot feels like a well tailored glove.
The use of the anti-slide microfibre suede on the heel to help keep my foot in position is a nice touch too. I don’t really notice my foot being extra snug in place though, but I guess that’s the result of the design actually working, right? The whole encapsulating of the foot and ankle area feels very protected and safe, which I like. The back of the ankle is soft leather which allows the boot to flex more when walking, which again is a great touch for enduro riders. We are often walking (or pushing) a lot more than our MX cousins and that area on the top of the heel can get irritated after a few thousand steps if it’s all hard plastic.
The flex in the rear of the ankle is nice for those long pushing sessions.
Usability
Firstly - the buckles are great. compared to the last pair of Alpinestar boots I had owned, the buckles have had a major upgrade and have yet never come off during riding, crashing or brushing up against trees. I really like how the clip goes all the way inside the buckle, for two reasons. It is very obvious when it is snapped up correctly or not, and secondly, if the clip were to come undone, the fact that it’s inside the buckle means it’s likely to stay in there and not flap around and get caught on anything.
the interlocking buckles make them near impossible to come lose.
On the sole, you have chunky grip on the toe and heel sections, while the mid-section, where you connect to the footpeg, is smooth. This allows for good traction when walking or pushing, while not allowing your boots to get caught on the footpegs in any way. You want to be able to move your foot around on the pegs with ease and the Tech-7 Enduro boots allow for that, without that walking grip compromise.
The sole is grippy in all the right areas.
One the bike side of the boot, the rubber grip pads actually help a lot with gripping the bike. The ankle piece is hard to allow the small movements of the ankle and rider/weight adjustments, while the top pad is a lot softer and helps with gripping the frame when you want to get some stability. You can see the thinking in the way the different materials used and why. Little things like this make for a good boot. The grip where the gear lever hits the boot when changing up is another nice touch.
A mixture of hard and soft plastic for specific needs.
Another cool point on the clips is that there is a swivel point at where the straps come out of the boot, which helps a lot towards comfort and proper fitment as everyone’s feet, calves and legs are widely different.
Swivel straps for perfect fitment.
What I Didn't Like
There wasn’t a lot not to like about the Tech-7 Enduro boots however, we did find a few things that need improving to make this a real stand out choice in the Enduro world. Let’s start with the sole. Yes, it’s got great grip and yes there is an insert that can be replaced when it wears down so you are not replacing the whole sole every time. And like most boots, it’s a pain in the ass to fix. But on top of that Alpinestars recommends sending them away to an authorized Alpinestars repairer. Because of the process, there are a few cobblers out there not getting it right. You need to seal the area before gluing the new sole back on -it’s not recommended doing it yourself - oh what a debacle. It could become quite annoying if you are in a hurry to get back on the bike.
The small ramp that helps assist debris going over, not through your buckle. Could do with a little more though.
Sidi boots have the only do-it-yourself sole replacement with their Corssfire SRS boots. you can read all bout them HERE.
My only other real gripe with the Tech-7 Enduro boot was the vulnerability to debris and whacking of the two bottom buckles. Their position is OK but they leave quite an abrupt edge that is prone to catching on bark, sticks, Toi Toi and other bush bashing material that won’t be found on a motocross track. I have had a couple of occasions when I have had to stop and get the bush out of the buckles. The ankle buckle has a small ramp that leads up to it but it’s not quite prominent enough. The buckle on the top of the foot has nothing, which isn’t ideal. Another angled piece of plastic would be handly here in my opinion.
The side profile of the foot buckle shows its vulnerability to catching on things deep in the bush.
All in all - since getting my hands on these Tech-7 Enduro boots, I haven’t stopped wearing them. They are comfortable, easy to use, protective, not too heavy (though not that light either) and allow me to walk around in the pits a lot without discomfort. Don’t be fooled by the ‘enduro’ tag line on them - they will do just as good a job on the Moto track. However, the small refinements made to make themselves ‘bush-friendly’ means they should be an option for any trail rider or enduro lover out there looking for their next pair of boots.
If i’m not racing and just having fun - comfort is my number one priority (closely followed by protection) and these boots are comfort squared.
When it all goes right.