Alpinestars' Tech 7 Enduro Drystar Motorcycle Boots Are Lovely. At Least Once You Break Them In
Damn, these things are stiff out the box.
I made a mistake right off the bat with Alpinestars' Tech 7 Enduro Drystar adventure boots. What mistake, you ask? I didn't break them in before my time behind the bars of Kawasaki's new KLE500. In fact, I hadn't even worn them before setting off on the six-hour ride through Southern Utah, which wound through public lands, national parks, fire roads, paved gloriousness, and a small section of technical off-road.
I just popped them out of the box, threw on my off-road gear, buckled up the boots, and set off for the day. My feet and ankles, however, almost immediately let me know of my error. An error that's about as bone-headed as you can make, especially for someone like myself who's been riding off-road for as long as I care to remember.
"What a rookie move," I shouted to myself after the first hour-long stint in the saddle.
These boots, out of the box, are hellaciously stiff. Luckily, they didn't hamper the ride too much, and I could both do my job and review the motorcycle, as well as take in the sights and sounds of the glorious lands we were riding through. And the Tech 7 Enduro Drystars did indeed loosen up throughout the day.
They've also only gotten better and better since that day, with me riding enduro trails, single track, open fire roads, and more. And if you care about your ankles, as I do after an even more idiotic move I made in my backyard that I recount below, a day I shall not be repeating, you should definitely have these boots on your shortlist.
Practice What You Preach, Even In Your Backyard
Let's first offer up something I wasn't sure I was going to talk about in public, but if it helps save some pain, I'll gladly offer my stupidity up.
I've been the caretaker of a Stark Varg EX for almost a year now, and it's become my backyard weapon of choice. It's fun, flickable, and silent. And when I don't want to walk or run my dog after a long day of work or running around with children, it's a perfect tool to get our pup tired as she runs next to me on our backyard course. That, however, has bred a sense of whatever in me in terms of ATGATT, as the speeds are slow, the trails aren't technical, and "It's my backyard, what's the worst that could happen?"
On a day like any other, I hopped onto the dirt bike, threw on a helmet and gloves, and...that was it. Sneakers it was, and about ten minutes into a rip, I dropped my back wheel down a hill on some single track, the bike caught traction, and flicked me over, the peg landing squarely into the side of my foot's arch and heel, twisting my body. A trip to the ER revealed I hadn't broken anything, but the ER doctor told me, and I quote, "You basically sprained every joint in your foot." Ouch.
That was two months ago, and I'm still paying the price. A price I wouldn't have paid had I just put the damn Alpinestars on, as these boots are beyond burly.
Alpinestars Tech 7 Enduro Drystar Adventure Motorcycle Boot
In my testing of the Tech 7 Enduro Drystars, I've since slammed my feet and ankles into brush, trees, and other debris on tight single-track trails. None has left me bruised or even injured. The boots just scrub them off. Again, showing me the idiot I am for the above. I've promised myself to never repeat it, as woof, feet and ankle injuries suck.
Back to the boot, the construction is one where it makes standing on the pegs, planting your heels rearward, and keeping going a breeze. The soles and heels soak up a ton of vibration, as while the Varg EX is electric, and the KLE500 a small-displacement high-strung motor, each can still transmit jounce and compression shocks to the rider if you're wearing, oh, say, Altras. Not so with the Alpinestars.
Their waterproofing has also come in handy, as during the KLE500 ride, it began to rain, but nothing ever touched my feet. I haven't forded a river with them yet, though I suspect I may be doing that in the near future in Iceland. Stay tuned.
As for the stiffness I mentioned above, I have to reiterate that if you're going to pick them up, you have to break them before doing any sort of long ride or technical trails. Walk around the house with them. Walk the dog with them. Do jumping jacks or something with them. Do a lot with them strapped to your feet, as while riding the KLE500 that first day, I kept having to really concentrate on how my ankle was moving and how much pressure I was applying to both the brake and the shifter on the diminutive adventure bike.
And at every stop, I entertained my colleagues with my calestenics regimen. Squats, stretches, quick little jumps and runs. Folks, I did everything to loosen them up so it wouldn't hamper the day. They did get better, but I would've been far better off had I just done the homework before, as right now, as I sit writing this story, they're some of the best boots I've ever had.
And they can take a hit. Plus, look at them in all their Master Chief glory. When you look good, you feel good, and these both look and feel good.
Let's finally talk price, as Alpinestars wants $530 for the Tech 7 Enduro Drystars. For off-road adventure boots, that's right around what most of its competitors cost, if not a little bit more. But, unlike other ADV boots, Alpinestars made these serviceable, as in you can swap parts as you break them, so you're not out a full set of boots if your footpeg rubber goes out or a buckle breaks. And in today's economy, that's imperative for attracting customers when everything else is designed to be replaced if even the smallest part breaks.
So what's my verdict? Well, if you're looking at new adventure boots and something that'll stand the test of time and abuse, Alpinestars' Tech 7 Enduro Drystars should absolutely be on your list. Just remember to both wear them whenever you're riding, and to break them in before you head out into the great unknown.
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