With so many options in the boot market these days it's difficult to make an informed decision about what to slide over your foot before you go to kickstart your bike. Protection, price and style are among the top reasons consumers pick out new duds, but the purchasing decision goes well beyond that; durability, comfort and past experience play a major role in where you spend your dinero, too.

There are few boots in the market though, in the sub $300 category that offer high-end protection, style and comfort. Which is specifically why I wanted to get my hands on a set of Alpinestar's Tech 7 motocross boots.

Priced at $299.95 the Tech 7 comes with many of the technical features that make the Tech 10 such a remarkable boot. Full grain leather runs the length of the shell closest to the bike, polyurethane molded construction provides strength and safety, while Alpinestars' exclusive high grip rubber double density compound outsole wraps your foot in one piece of molded plastic.



To this editor, the molded outsole may be the biggest selling point of the Tech 7. This double density sole serves as both highly protective and highly responsive to the things happening outside of the boot. Motocross and off-road riding requires an enormous amount of finesse, and if you can't feel the bike underneath your feet, you're in trouble. This is where the Tech 7 really shines. As the bike moves and works under your feet you get feedback through the boot that's convincing enough to tell you what's going on while being subtle enough to remind you that your foot is wrapped safely in polyurethane and leather.

The biggest point of contention to some is the lack of the inner bootie that comes stock in a Tech 10. This often bantered about bootie has received both cheer and jeer amongst the moto crowd; either you love it or hate it. This editor both loves the bootie and can safely live without it (I know, I'm leaving myself wide open for dirty jokes here.)

While the Tech 7 lacks the sock-like bootie of the Tech 10 the footbed is comfortable, with enough room to keep the feet happy yet tight enough to keep control and feel the bike underneath your feet. The buckles so loathed by many in years past are greatly improved now, they snap closed easily, adjust on the fly and more importantly, they stay closed for good. This is a huge improvement.

Overall, the Tech 7 is a remarkable buy at $299.95, a boot that should last you many seasons should you treat it correctly. Four color options promise to match most styles these day's and should you need to replace anything on the boot, Alpinestars has the parts available for sale individually.

Specifications
Price: $299.95
Sizes: 5-16 US (38-52 EUR)
Colors: Black, Black/Red, White/Grey, White/Blue
More: www.alpinestars.com

Dowload the Technical Data here (234kb PDF)