I made a mistake early on with Alpinestars’ Tech 7 Enduro DryStar Adventure Boots. You ask, what went wrong? I didn’t break Kawasaki’s new KLE500 before its time. In fact, I didn’t even wear them before setting out on a six-hour ride through southern Utah that passed through public lands, national parks, fire roads, paved glory, and a bit of technical off-road.
I simply took them out of the box, put on my off-road gear, laced up my shoes, and headed out for the day. However, my feet and ankles almost immediately let me know my mistake. That’s as hard a mistake as you can make, especially for someone like me who has been riding off-road for as long as I can remember.
“What a rookie move,” I shouted to myself after the first hour’s stint in the saddle.
These shoes, out of the box, are extremely stiff. Luckily, they didn’t hinder the trip too much, and I could do my thing and review the motorcycle, while also enjoying the sights and sounds of the magnificent lands we were traveling through. And the Tech 7 Enduro DryStar was really loose all day.
They’ve also gotten better and better since that day, accompanying me on enduro trails, single track, open fire roads and more. And if you care about your heels, as I do after an even more foolish move I made in my backyard, which I describe below, on a day I won’t repeat, then these shoes should definitely be on your shortlist.
Photo by: Jonathan Klein
Let’s first introduce something I wasn’t sure I was going to talk about in public, but if it helps save some pain, I’ll happily present my stupidity.
I’ve been the Caretaker of the Stark Class EX for about a year now, and it has become my backyard weapon of choice. It’s fun, playful and silent. And while I don’t want to walk or jog my dog after a long day at work or running around with the kids, this is a perfect tool for tiring out our pup as he runs beside me on the path to our backyard. However, this has given rise to a feeling whatever In the context of ATGATT, since the pace is slow, the routes are not technical, and “it’s my backyard, what’s the worst that could happen?”
Like any other day, I hopped on the dirt bike, put on a helmet and gloves, and…that was it. It was sneakers, and in a flash about ten minutes in, I slid my rear wheel down a hill on one of the tracks, the bike lost traction, and sent me tumbling, the peg going straight through the arch of my foot and the edge of my heel, causing my body to twist. A trip to the ER revealed I didn’t break anything, but the ER doctor told me, and I quote, “Basically every joint in your leg was sprained.” Ouch.
That was two months ago, and I’m still paying the price for it. A price I wouldn’t have paid if I had just worn Alpinestars, as these boots are very heavy.
AlpineStar Tech 7 Enduro DryStar Adventure Motorcycle Boot
Photo by: Jonathan Klein
In my testing of the Tech 7 Enduro DryStars, I slammed my feet and ankles into brush, trees, and other debris on tight single-track trails. No one has left me bruised or injured. The shoes simply clean them off. Again, for the above to show me what an idiot I am. I promised myself never to repeat it, because woof, foot and ankle injuries suck.
Back to the boot, the construction is where it stands on pegs, puts its heels back, and continues into the air. The sole and heel absorb a ton of vibration, as the Class EX is electric, and the KLE500 has a small-displacement high-strung motor, yet if you’re wearing Altras, each can send surges and compression jolts to the rider. Not so with Alpinestars.
Their waterproofing also came in handy, as it started raining while riding the KLE500, but nothing touched my feet. I haven’t river paddled with them yet, although I suspect I might do so in Iceland in the near future. Stay tuned.
As far as the stiffness mentioned above is concerned, I have to reiterate that if you’re going to take them, you need to break them in before doing any kind of long riding or technical trails. Hang out with them around the house. Walk the dog with them. Do jumping jacks or something with them. With them strapped to my feet a lot, like when riding the KLE500 the first day, I really had to focus on how my ankle was moving and how much pressure I was applying to both the brakes and shifters on the smaller adventure bike.
Photo by: Jonathan Klein
And at every stop, I entertained my coworkers with my calisthenics regimen. Squats, stretches, quick little jumps and sprints. Friends, I did everything I could to loosen them up so it wouldn’t interfere with the day. They got better, but I would have been far better off if I had done the homework beforehand, because right now, as I sit writing this story, they are some of the best shoes I have ever owned.
And they may get a shock. Plus, see him in all his Master Chief glory. When you look good, you feel good, and it both looks good and feels good.
Let’s finally talk price, because Alpinestars wants $530 for the Tech 7 Enduro Drystars. For off-road adventure boots, it’s around the same price as most of its competitors, if not a little higher. But, unlike other ADV boots, Alpinestars has made these serviceable, such that you can swap out parts as you break them in, so you won’t be left with a complete set of boots if your footpeg rubber goes out or a buckle breaks. And in today’s economy, this is essential to attracting customers, when everything is designed to be replaced if even the smallest part breaks.
So what’s my decision? Well, if you’re looking for new adventure shoes and something that will stand the test of time and abuse, Alpinestars Tech 7 Enduro Drystars Absolutely should be on your list. Just remember to wear them whenever you’re riding, and break them in before heading into the great unknown.
