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The Alpinestars Tech 7 boots are renowned the world over for their value and performance, but are they a good fit for your average adventure rider?
Most ADV riders don't wear motocross boots for one honest reason: they don't enjoy walking around in squeaky cinderblocks all day. We totally get it, and we're not here to judge.
With that being said, after logging a few thousand miles in the Alpinestars Tech 7 boots, we think just about any off-road-loving adventure rider should give these bad boys a hard look. To summarize in five words: Big protection meets big comfort.
"Riding through one of our recent Baja tours in the Alpinestars Tech 7."
Below we'll break down the ins and outs of why we've been loving the Alpinestars Tech 7 for the last few years, and what makes these boots such a uniquely strong candidate for adventure motorcycle footwear.
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty though, let's go over a quick summary of what the Tech 7 is and how the specific models differ.
Why Choose the Alpinestars Tech 7: Model Comparisons
The Tech 7's popularity led Alpinestars to expand their lineup in recent years, and riders now have three distinct versions of the Tech 7 to choose from. Here are the main talking points around each before we get into our personal impressions of the boot.
Alpinestars Tech 7 Boots
The standard Tech 7 is Alpinestars' motocross-specific model, designed to provide maximum safety while also benefitting from a more approachable price point than the flagship Tech 10. That includes an integrated biomechanical TPU ankle hinge, a full-surround TPU lower shell, and full-sized TPU shin plates, all for at least $200 less than a Tech 10.
"You'll be conquering heaps of rocks in no time"
In addition to their lower price, the Alpinestars Tech 7 boots are a favorite among motocrossers, trail riders, and enduro racers alike because they offer a slightly more flexible and comfortable fit than most motocross boots including the Tech 10.
With the exception of a few specific bells and whistles, all the best aspects of a premium dirt boot are here including completely replaceable buckles, soles, and footpeg inserts for maximum longevity. The defining feature of the standard model is its traditional flat-bottom, MX-style outsole.
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Alpinestars Tech 7
Alpinestars Tech 7 Enduro Boots
Take everything that makes the standard Tech 7 great, and then add an upgraded outsole (and about $20 to the asking price) and you've got the Tech 7 Enduro. This semi-lugged sole replaces the traditional flat MX-style bottom to give trail riders and enduro racers better grip on the ground below, which comes in handy when you're off the bike or having it push it out of a hairy situation.
"Enduro sole on the left vs MX on the right"
In addition to the added off-bike grip, the Tech 7 Enduro is also designed to give better feel at the pegs and controls through the boot. Most riders will argue that the difference is minor in this regard, but the stickier compound and upgraded sole (which is still replaceable, btw) are well worth the slight bump in price on their own.
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Alpinestars Tech 7 Enduro Boots
Alpinestars Tech 7 Enduro Drystar Boots
As the name suggests, Alpinestars' latest version of the Tech 7 builds on the Enduro platform above by adding their proprietary weatherproof Drystar membrane to the mix. In our opinion, this fills a much-needed gap in the motorcycle boot market: A serious, safety-first motocross boot that pulls double duty as a weatherproof adventure boot.
Naturally the Alpinestars Tech 7 Enduro Drystar comes at a premium, and typically retails for about $100 more than the standard Tech 7. Despite their bump in price, the Tech 7 Enduro Drystar remains one of the most attractive options for all-terrain riders as they're still about $100-$200 less expensive than flagship (and non-waterproof) MX alternatives like the Sidi Crossfire 3, Gaerne SG-22, or Alpinestars Tech 10.
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Alpinestars Tech 7 Enduro Drystar Boots
Alpinestars Tech 7S Boots
Simply put, the Tech 7S is the same boot as the standard Tech 7, but designed for smaller feet. The 7S is traditionally marketed as a "youth" model for younger riders, but can be a better fit for some female riders with smaller feet as well. Note that these boots utilize a three-buckle system rather than the standard four, which can make them slightly more prone to twisting and hyperflexion injuries.
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Alpinestars Tech 7S
Alpinestars Tech 7 Boots Review: The Good and the Bad
Now that we're all up to speed on the latest Tech 7 offerings, let's talk about what makes these boots special. Here's our take after living with the Tech 7 on our tours alongside all the most popular adventure and motocross boots on the market.
Alpinestars Tech 7 Review: The Good
- Arguably the most comfortable MX boot out there
- Streamlined toe box makes for easy shifting
- Great feel at the pegs/controls
- Still offers pro-level protection
- Waterproof version available
If you're considering a motocross boot like the Tech 7, chances are safety is your top priority. While the Tech 7 is marketed as a "mid-level" boot by the folks at Alpinestars, there's a reason you'll still see plenty of them out on the track in professional racing: they're absolutely rock solid when it comes to protection.
"Getting rowdy in the Tech 7 down in Baja."
Between their acres of protective TPU and a proper ankle hinge to prevent hyperextension, there's no denying the Tech 7 earns its CE certification, but there's one reason in particular we continue to wear them ourselves: this is simply the most comfortable motocross boot we've ever slid our feet into.
We chalk this up to a few things, namely being Alpinestars' combination of an easy-articulating ankle hinge and a more forgiving flex point at the toe box. We'll also note that the Tech 7 uses Alpinestars' tough microfiber material throughout the upper rather than full-grain leather, which seems to make for a slightly more forgiving boot with a shorter break-in time.
"Comfortable enough to walk in, stiff enough to stand on the pegs all day."
Another major pro we've noticed over the years is that because the Tech 7 doesn't employ an additional interior bootie, the boot is a bit more streamlined in the toebox while still leaving enough room for wider/higher volume feet. That translates to an MX boot that's surprisingly easy to slip up under a shifter while still providing above-average feedback at the footpegs and controls.
We also appreciate that Alpinestars designed the Tech 7 boots to be rebuildable. They aren't quite as modular as something like the Sidi Crossfire, but all of the buckles on the Tech 7 can be replaced should they break, and the soles and footpeg inserts of the boot can be replaced independently.
We also had one of our guides with smaller volume calves note that because the buckles all use the same mounting hardware, the top buckle can be replaced with one of the shorter lower buckles for a tighter fit around the calf if needed.
Last but not least, Alpinestars deserves some props for bringing a Drystar version of the Tech 7 to market. This combination of certified race-level protection and all-weather touring capability is a rare one to say the least, and there's nothing quite like riding through a river crossing without worrying about absolutely drowning your MX boots.
Alpinestars Tech 7: The Bad
- Feels like a MX boot
- Squeaks like a MX boot
- Drystar version costs a premium
All things considered, the Tech 7 is an outstanding boot for any sort of riding that involves dirt. It's incredibly protective, more comfortable/flexible than other MX options, and is built to last for years of abuse. Clearly we've got love for the Tech 7, but we wouldn't call it the perfect riding boot either.
Most of our complaints stem from the fact that at the end of the day, this is still a serious motocross boot, and as such it makes the typical MX boot compromises. You can watch our full review of the Alpinestars Tech 10 for the finer points of that argument, but to summarize, they're heavier, clunkier, and less comfortable (read: flexible) off the bike than the majority of ADV or touring boot alternatives.
Credit where credit is due: Much like the flagship Tech 10, Alpinestars has put a lot of work into making the Tech 7 as light as possible, and the microfiber material in particular does wonders for cutting weight. Still, your steps in these bad boys are going to feel a bit clunky and awkward, and yes, they're going to squeak like a two-star motel mattress.
We'll also note that while the Tech 7 represents a major upgrade in terms of safety, its added walking flexibility does come with a small compromise in performance. We've noticed the Tech 7 flexes more easily toward the outside ankle than the Tech 10 (the inside ankle feels identical), and the more flexible toe box could potentially allow for unwelcome hyperflexion of the toes when impacting hard objects at higher speeds.
Our only other complaint here is that like most MX boots, the Tech 7 doesn't offer anything in the way of weather protection unless you shell out for the latest Enduro Drystar version, which costs about $100 more than the standard model. And while the Drystar Tech 7 is cheaper than most top-shelf motocross boots, it's still more expensive than some flagship ADV-specific boots like Sidi's Adventure 2 GoreTex or Klim's Adventure GTX.
Verdict: Are the Alpinestars Tech 7 Boots for You?
Serious protection, outstanding versatility, and an affordable price point. There aren't many boots out there that can do what the Tech 7 does, which is why it remains one of the most popular boots out there from the trails to the track.
With the introduction of the Enduro and Drystar models, we believe the Tech 7 is arguably the most attractive option out there for dirt-focused dual sport and adventure riding, especially for riders who refuse to compromise on safety.
Yes, any sky-high motocross boot is going to sacrifice a degree of comfort and walkability compared to more flexible ADV and touring boot options, but the Tech 7 remains the most comfortable MX boot we've used to date, and you'll find no shortage of current owners who agree on that point.
So is the Tech 7 a good fit for you? Truth be told just about anyone who spends any amount of time in the dirt should consider these for their next motorcycle boot. There's something to be said for the confidence a serious MX boot provides when the terrain gets gnarly, and if they keep your feet dry through creek crossings while they're at it, well, that sounds like a pretty sweet deal to us.
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Alpinestars Tech 7
→Read More: 9 Best Adventure Motorcycle Boots for Every Riding Style and 7 Best Casual Motorcycle Shoes for Your Next Ride Around the Block.
