Alpinestars Tech 10 LXIII Boot

What it is

• The Tech 10 LXIII is Alpinestars' elite motocross/offroad boot.

Alpinestars is an Italian boot company that produces the Tech 10 LXIII for motocross and off road riding. The Tech 10 is Alpinestars' elite motocross/offroad boot and quite possibly the most popular brand as the company claims it is the winningest boot in motocross history. With its unique two part boot built with an inner ankle brace or booty the in combination with the outer shell controls ankle and leg flex and ankle rotation. The heel of the booty has padding that absorbs shock and the front of the boot has a thin flexible forefoot area that helps increase sensitivity. The buckles on the Tech 10 LXIII are an all new design for better adjustability and to stay in place. When putting the boot on they are designed to lock together easier and quickly. Alpinestars sells this boot in 7 different color combinations and from sizes 7-14 and often comes in limited edition colorways.

How it works

• The fit is very comfortable and is true to size.
• After initial break in the boot lets you feel the pegs and pedal/shifter for control. Much more than a typical motocross boot.
• The inner ankle brace system built into the bootie is one of the innovative features of this boot.

You can detect the quality feel of the Tech 10 LXIII by just slipping your feet in the boots. The fit is very comfortable and true to size. The toe box is more roomy than most boots but is narrow on the outside. For me the the boot does take a ride to break in, but it is no time compared some of the non-hinged boots. After initial break in the boot feels comfortable and has a high level of sensitivity for shifter and brake control.

In the beginning properly adjusting the buckle tension is important for maximum comfort and to compliment the fit. The straps are plastic and the buckle tip is aluminum. They hook in a very positive way and click into place with a positive snap. These boots adjust well with knee braces or knee pads and can be set up tight or loose depending on how you like your fit.

This boot has achilles protection on the shell of the boot that slides up and down and limits movement of the ankle. There is also another flex blade on the shin for sliding movement. These handle the forward and backward movements of the ankle and leg. The booty and its dual hinges allow this movement very freely then reduce the amount of side-to-side movement to almost nothing when the boot is closed up. All these flexible joints of the boot have a perfect stopping point for my feet. These allow maximum protection from hyperextension. This boot flexes where it needs to and doesn't restrict shifting. For some riders with big boned ankles the inside ankle brace plate on the bootie can rub them the wrong way and cause irritation. Additional padding can cure this and some riders even remove the inside brace.

Connecting to the bike, the soft and gummy dual compound sole is built for maximum grip and durability. I can get a whole year of riding out of a set and I ride a lot. The sole and parts are replaceable through Alpinestars service center if you wear it out and the rest of the boot is still in good condition.

Although the tech 10 is vented I can not feel the airflow but my feet do not get hot. The soft microfiber gaiter is comfortable to the foot on the inside and helps seal out most water and dirt. To wash these boots I first easily slip out the booty by the handle that is attached to the heel of it and throw it in the wash with my gear. An easy way to wash these boots is to pressure wash the heavy mud off. Then spray some simple green type cleaner and scrub them with scotch bright. This will give them some shine. It is always easier to clean darker boots because white shows everything. So if you get white boots your gonna have to put some elbow grease into them. White boots are difficult to keep clean in the mud hence my decision to go with a lot more color in my latest pair.

The buckles have been updated from previous versions and now its harder for them to become unlatched in the event of a hard impact and easier to close them with the build up of mud. These buckles install and pop apart with way less energy and time. An easy way to get them tight is too push on the front of your boot with one hand and clip it with your other to adjust the buckle if necessary.

The boots weight is on the lighter side compared to most boots. The bottom half of the boot is lighter feeling while the top half seems to caries most of the weight. You can swing this boot over your bike like you are wearing a normal shoe, throwing your feet around while riding is where they shine. The only time this boot gets heavy is when it gets wet.

On my older Tech 10's the inner ankle that lies against the chassis has worn through the stitching after about a year of hard riding. Yet the rest of the boot held up and looked perfect where they do not have contact with the motorcycle. When I start my bike the boot hits the foot peg and digs into plastic (as shown in a picture) but my foot is protected from the sharp peg.

The Tech 10's are a high performance boot with top shelf durability. The price of Alpinestars Tech 10 is $599. This is pricey but you get real boot engineering catering to a demanding rider who likes a light feel and solid protection.

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