I bought myself some Tech 7s after both my sons bought some and they really liked them and I looked them over really good. I had seen them mentioned in many videos but had not seen any up close until they bought them. They seem to be perfectly in the middle between straight up adventure and straight up motocross. I loved my old motocross boots and felt they were great. A few days with the 7s and I was wondering why I even wore the other ones I had previously lol The squeak is a running joke for us. We walk into a store and all of us walking around it sounds like an invasion of rubber ducks. Worth it for the protection and comfort
Hello, Dave, I agree, they really are the best all around boot. I just wore mine for 10 hours a day for three days at the Palmetto ADV Rally and they were still very comfortable. Thank you for stopping by and commenting. - Frank
Hello, AdvJ - It's amazing the protection you can get out of an inexpensive pair of MX boots. When a pair of adv boots for 4 times as much offer poor protection. Thank you for stopping by and commenting. - Frank
I went through the same progression of boots and wound up arriving at the same place as you. I love my Tech 7s and was astounded at how comfortable they were right out of the box. I'm a huge fan of Alpinestars gear in general and particularly their boots.
Hello, Michael. It seems to me that most riders I talk to find the Tech 7 to be that sweet spot between safety and cost. I have yet to meet anyone who bought the boots and didn't like them. Thank you for stopping by and commenting. - Frank
I recently ordered tech 7 enduro boots. I haven't gotten them yet, but coming from a guy who rides in work boots I hope I don't hate them. Drz400 typical adventure and trail riding.
From an off-road/MX racer you will almost Always find the better boot by its price. Make sure you get the Tech 7 Enduro because they are waterproof, as opposed to the Basic Tech 7.Boots are like helmets. You get what you pay for.
Good review Frank, we all have different opinions on what to wear. I have the Tec3, Tec6 and the road race/street style S-MX3 all Alpinestars. If I'm riding across town or no dirt cross country trip it's the S-MX3 hands down. I feel for what I'm doing the boot is above most biker boots in protection and comfort, due to health reasons I don't ride much dirt anymore, but the tech 3's are my choice when I do.
Frank, Frank, Frank ... you should know by now I'm an online Ninja. New tec 6's never worn $50, Like new Tec3's not a scratch $50 Alpinestars worn once the guy hated them $40. Bikes ... I know the art of flipping.@@OneOldManRiding
Couldn’t agree with you more, I ride a Honda CRF300L, and regardless if I’m on the street or the woods of ct. I’m in my Tech7’s. I do have to admit that if I’m just riding up to the store or a short ride I wear my Forma Adv. boots, super comfortable but not much protection.
I bought tech 7 due to a KLR forum recommendation. I shifted from KLR to390 adventure because my boots were too big to be able to shift a KLR. The 390 I could get to work on the test drive. Had to buy a size 16 to fit
Hi, Ron. That's gotta be the most expensive modification to get your boots to fit! I hope you are really enjoying your 390. It's a great all around bike. Thank you for stopping by and commenting. - Frank
I’m having issues trying to get used to feeling the shifter and brake. Hoping they start to break in soon. Definitely has more protection than my other adv boots though.
What I have figured out is that all the markets are at least one level off for what you might be doing in terms of safety. If you are touring and you want one level up from hiking boots, then you want touring boots. Adventure boots are just touring boots by another name. If you are touring and you actually want any form of protection if the bikes falls on your leg, then you are in the enduro section. If you are actually into enduro then you want full MX boots In all levels of motorcycle gear, the first two levels are all about abrasion resistance with not very much if any impact resistance which is why it usually takes a least one fall for people to end up having to replace all their touring and adventure gear with something better.
I have a pair myself but I got the enduro sole.. you also should mention with the hinge it makes it much easier to shift and use the rear brake than a standard mx boot
Hello Gille, glad to hear they are holding up. In my experience, I cannot imagine them wearing out. They seem built to last. I am wondering about how long they will remain waterproof. In my experience, my gear leaks before its close to ready to be replaced for wear. - Frank
These seem like the real ADV boots 🙂 I just bought sidi x-power enduro boots on black friday, but if I can find the tech-7 drystars on sale I will totally pick some up just for the waterproofing. seems like they never go on sale tho.
Don’t spend money you don’t have? What’s that supposed to mean?😂😂😂 I’ve been riding bikes a long time. It’s to late for me to start saving now. I have a pair of Gearne boots that I wore the soles out of. They take a lot of abuse from you feet pegs while your standing up. Depending on the type of feet pegs your running I guess. I don’t think they get much wear walking. Thanks for the Video Frank I love my Tech 7’s I have the waterproof ones. I also have been wearing a pair of vented street boots that are pretty solid I will look for the model number tonight. They have a real hard sole you can stand on them all day also.
Hello, AGC. I like my Tech 7s, but Doc650 almost had me convinced me to go Gearne, he really loves those boots. Thank you for stopping by and commenting. - Frank
I’ve had 5 pairs of this gen tech 7. They always fail in the same place. The stitching disintegrates next to the “tech 7” logo on the outside of the heals.
Can't recommend getting good MX boots for adventuring enough - after breaking multiple bones in my foot on an adv ride wearing cheap boots, I decided only using good ones going forward and feel much safer now!
Hello, AusMoto - Very sorry to hear about the crash and the breaks. Glad you're back on the bike with some protection. Thank you for stopping by and commenting. - Frank
Tech 7's are amazing and they saved me from breaking both of my legs. I'll never understand why anyone would ride an adv bike with anything less than motocross style boots. Adventure boots are worthless!
@@tracey38999 lol nah not too early. If my bad experience can help someone else be safer then that's a good thing. I already knew Tech 7s were good boots and now I really know.
Hello Marshall, I would go with the Tech 7. Its more money, but the hinge is a game changer, and IMHO, these boots will last for a very long time. - Frank Right now there are som on a serious sale at Amazon: amzn.to/3R5x7Cc
It seems the answer to your title question depends on where and what you ride. If you buy in to the theory that 98%+ of Adv bike riders predominantly ride on pavement, AND if they do ride unpaved surfaces; those are good quality gravel/dirt/forest roads. The truth is Adv bike riders are riding in the same places as sport tourers, Gold Wings, Harley style tourers are riding. Why would one of these people (me included) want to wear MX style boots? Consider how much cross country touring you have done on a Adv bike. How many riders doing what you were doing were wearing MX boots? I don’t recall a single one… (none of them were wearing MX style protective plastics either) It seems MX boots on Adv bikes would be for that 1-2% that want to ride their 500+ pound (227+ kg) Adv bikes on gnarly, unpaved surfaces. If those people were concerned about safety they would spend more time evaluating their choice of motorcycle for that terrain. Perhaps something 150-250 pounds (68-113 kg) lighter. I’m not sure what a big Adv bike rider with a large load of luggage should wear - maybe a straight jacket? 🤣 Good video. No doubt that MX style boots provide the most protection. Boots are always going to be a compromise between protection and comfort. For now I’ll stick with my Klim Outlander GTX or AlpineStars Toucans.
Crash or drop a heavy bike on your leg/foot and you'll probably have a different opinion on what type of boots are best. Adv style boots are not much more than work boots. They have very little protection. Just because you ride primarily on pavement doesn't mean bad things can't happen. Not saying most people ride the terrain I do/will but it's just good practice to be as protected as possible. Like the street riders say dress for the slide and not the ride.
@@TheBeardedGrump Did you read anything I wrote? Boots are a compromise item. Not sure if you have any friends or acquaintances that ride Gold Wings or Harley tourers; if so, have you ever seen one with MX boots? 🤣 The large majority (not all) of Adv Riders ride the same stuff as Harley riders. Adv riders may like the idea that they can ride gnarly stuff, but rarely if ever do (you are an exception). No doubt, if your bike lands on you on a crash or fall MX boots would be better. You can wear all sorts of protection that makes riding uncomfortable. Why ride if you are miserable??? How many riders wear neck braces? Knee braces? Full plastic upper body armor? MX riders wear it routinely because of the terrain, speed, and higher likelihood of a crash. All those items would be a benefit to any rider that crashed.
@@vtrack1963 If I was a street rider I wouldn't choose a ADV to ride I would be on the Goldwing. If 98% of adv riders ride mostly pavement which I don't think that's an accurate number then in my opinion they choose the wrong bike. Not arguing just stating that I'll be prepared for the worst because I know the worst can happen at any point. My crash was on pavement and if I wasn't wearing my mx boots I would most likely have 2 broken legs to go along with my broken back. 👊
@@TheBeardedGrump Some would say riding an Adv bike for real “off road” is not the best choice of bikes. When I bought mine I had grand delusions that I would ride it all over. Then reality came calling. My WR250R is a far better choice for me. In hindsight, I got lucky. The VStrom has been a sufficient road touring bike to the tune of 42,000 miles so far. I’m sure there are better choices; I just don’t own one.
@@TheBeardedGrumpI’m 60 years old and have total kidney failure and a heart condition that required me to have a defibrillator and pacemaker surgery surgically implanted one in my rib area and one in my chest, landing on either one in a crash without protection would be a major problem, so I do wear full upper body protection, hip protection, knee pads, ankle guards Alpine Stars Tech7’s, heavy leather riding gloves, and a dirtbike helmet. Overkill to some but wearing this armor makes me feel very safe.
Biggest tip I got to help with the squeaking on my Tech 7s is spraying chain wax in the joints at the pivot points. They're totally quiet now!
Hello Esodavr, thanknyou for that info. I have chain wax and will certainly give them a spray! - Frank
Agree. Just done it to mine and they are now lovely and quiet.
Silicone grease is great too. Or just silicon spray, but that won't last as long
I bought myself some Tech 7s after both my sons bought some and they really liked them and I looked them over really good. I had seen them mentioned in many videos but had not seen any up close until they bought them. They seem to be perfectly in the middle between straight up adventure and straight up motocross. I loved my old motocross boots and felt they were great. A few days with the 7s and I was wondering why I even wore the other ones I had previously lol The squeak is a running joke for us. We walk into a store and all of us walking around it sounds like an invasion of rubber ducks. Worth it for the protection and comfort
Hello, Dave, I agree, they really are the best all around boot. I just wore mine for 10 hours a day for three days at the Palmetto ADV Rally and they were still very comfortable. Thank you for stopping by and commenting. - Frank
Agree. A good pair of MX boots will cost you a bit, but a lot cheaper than ankle surgery.
Hello, AdvJ - It's amazing the protection you can get out of an inexpensive pair of MX boots. When a pair of adv boots for 4 times as much offer poor protection. Thank you for stopping by and commenting. - Frank
I went through the same progression of boots and wound up arriving at the same place as you. I love my Tech 7s and was astounded at how comfortable they were right out of the box. I'm a huge fan of Alpinestars gear in general and particularly their boots.
Hello, Michael. It seems to me that most riders I talk to find the Tech 7 to be that sweet spot between safety and cost. I have yet to meet anyone who bought the boots and didn't like them. Thank you for stopping by and commenting. - Frank
I recently ordered tech 7 enduro boots. I haven't gotten them yet, but coming from a guy who rides in work boots I hope I don't hate them. Drz400 typical adventure and trail riding.
Re: adventure vs motocross boots I think you hit the nail on the head. Thank you, very informative video.
Hello, Jim. Thank you for stopping by and commenting. - Frank
From an off-road/MX racer you will almost Always find the better boot by its price. Make sure you get the Tech 7 Enduro because they are waterproof, as opposed to the Basic Tech 7.Boots are like helmets. You get what you pay for.
Thank you for stopping by and commenting! - Frank
Totally agree. MX boots offer better protection and tend to cost less. Throw some waterproof socks on for rainy days and you are set.
Hello Matt, I think it's in part due to the theory more $$$ = better. In how many cases is $120 parts technically superior to a $350 product? - Frank
@@OneOldManRiding especially in the moto world.
Good review Frank, we all have different opinions on what to wear. I have the Tec3, Tec6 and the road race/street style S-MX3 all Alpinestars. If I'm riding across town or no dirt cross country trip it's the S-MX3 hands down. I feel for what I'm doing the boot is above most biker boots in protection and comfort, due to health reasons I don't ride much dirt anymore, but the tech 3's are my choice when I do.
Hello, Dave. How do you afford so many boots? You're always buying new bikes! - Frank
Frank, Frank, Frank ... you should know by now I'm an online Ninja. New tec 6's never worn $50, Like new Tec3's not a scratch $50 Alpinestars worn once the guy hated them $40. Bikes ... I know the art of flipping.@@OneOldManRiding
Couldn’t agree with you more, I ride a Honda CRF300L, and regardless if I’m on the street or the woods of ct. I’m in my Tech7’s. I do have to admit that if I’m just riding up to the store or a short ride I wear my Forma Adv. boots, super comfortable but not much protection.
Thank you for stopping by and commenting! - Frank
I bought tech 7 due to a KLR forum recommendation. I shifted from KLR to390 adventure because my boots were too big to be able to shift a KLR. The 390 I could get to work on the test drive. Had to buy a size 16 to fit
Hi, Ron. That's gotta be the most expensive modification to get your boots to fit! I hope you are really enjoying your 390. It's a great all around bike. Thank you for stopping by and commenting. - Frank
I’m having issues trying to get used to feeling the shifter and brake. Hoping they start to break in soon. Definitely has more protection than my other adv boots though.
It really can take a bit to get used to! Thank you for stopping by and commenting! - Frank
Good stuff!!!!💪
Thank you for watching Travey, I appreciate it! - Frank
What I have figured out is that all the markets are at least one level off for what you might be doing in terms of safety.
If you are touring and you want one level up from hiking boots, then you want touring boots. Adventure boots are just touring boots by another name.
If you are touring and you actually want any form of protection if the bikes falls on your leg, then you are in the enduro section.
If you are actually into enduro then you want full MX boots
In all levels of motorcycle gear, the first two levels are all about abrasion resistance with not very much if any impact resistance which is why it usually takes a least one fall for people to end up having to replace all their touring and adventure gear with something better.
Thank you for stopping by and commenting! - Frank
I have a pair myself but I got the enduro sole.. you also should mention with the hinge it makes it much easier to shift and use the rear brake than a standard mx boot
Hello Gabriel, oh man, you are correct, and I should have mentioned that! - Frank
@@OneOldManRiding and you are correct about "adventure boots" unfortunately I learned the hard way...thankfully it was just a bad sprain
My Tech 7 are 20.000km old, still comfortable, waterproof, highly protective, and not worn at all.
Hello Gille, glad to hear they are holding up. In my experience, I cannot imagine them wearing out. They seem built to last. I am wondering about how long they will remain waterproof. In my experience, my gear leaks before its close to ready to be replaced for wear. - Frank
I have the same tech 7s. I would disagree that they are waterproof. The lowest buckle strap which is 1 inch from the ground is alowing water in...
These seem like the real ADV boots 🙂
I just bought sidi x-power enduro boots on black friday, but if I can find the tech-7 drystars on sale I will totally pick some up just for the waterproofing. seems like they never go on sale tho.
Hello. I've noticed the same thing; it only appears that the sales are on the non-drystars versions. Thank you for stopping by and commenting. - Frank
Don’t spend money you don’t have? What’s that supposed to mean?😂😂😂 I’ve been riding bikes a long time. It’s to late for me to start saving now.
I have a pair of Gearne boots that I wore the soles out of. They take a lot of abuse from you feet pegs while your standing up. Depending on the type of feet pegs your running I guess. I don’t think they get much wear walking. Thanks for the Video Frank I love my Tech 7’s I have the waterproof ones. I also have been wearing a pair of vented street boots that are pretty solid I will look for the model number tonight. They have a real hard sole you can stand on them all day also.
Hello, AGC. I like my Tech 7s, but Doc650 almost had me convinced me to go Gearne, he really loves those boots. Thank you for stopping by and commenting. - Frank
I’ve had 5 pairs of this gen tech 7. They always fail in the same place. The stitching disintegrates next to the “tech 7” logo on the outside of the heals.
Hello Sprag, you made me go check mine. 😁
How old were they when this happened? Thank you for stopping by and commenting! - Frank
@@OneOldManRiding one year were the youngest.
Would you say that they fit true to size?
@@SuperMarto86 yeah until you get to US9 US10. If you look at the EU sizes it looks like they miss out a size.
Can't recommend getting good MX boots for adventuring enough - after breaking multiple bones in my foot on an adv ride wearing cheap boots, I decided only using good ones going forward and feel much safer now!
Hello, AusMoto - Very sorry to hear about the crash and the breaks. Glad you're back on the bike with some protection. Thank you for stopping by and commenting. - Frank
Tech 7's are amazing and they saved me from breaking both of my legs. I'll never understand why anyone would ride an adv bike with anything less than motocross style boots. Adventure boots are worthless!
You should know!!!!!😳 too early?😅
@@tracey38999 lol nah not too early. If my bad experience can help someone else be safer then that's a good thing. I already knew Tech 7s were good boots and now I really know.
Hey, Greg. Timmy knew best before any of us. He picked the Tech 7's first. However, yours do look the best. - Frank
Tech 5 or tech 7? If you had to new boots now to replace them?
Hello Marshall, I would go with the Tech 7. Its more money, but the hinge is a game changer, and IMHO, these boots will last for a very long time. - Frank
Right now there are som on a serious sale at Amazon: amzn.to/3R5x7Cc
It seems the answer to your title question depends on where and what you ride. If you buy in to the theory that 98%+ of Adv bike riders predominantly ride on pavement, AND if they do ride unpaved surfaces; those are good quality gravel/dirt/forest roads. The truth is Adv bike riders are riding in the same places as sport tourers, Gold Wings, Harley style tourers are riding. Why would one of these people (me included) want to wear MX style boots? Consider how much cross country touring you have done on a Adv bike. How many riders doing what you were doing were wearing MX boots? I don’t recall a single one… (none of them were wearing MX style protective plastics either)
It seems MX boots on Adv bikes would be for that 1-2% that want to ride their 500+ pound (227+ kg) Adv bikes on gnarly, unpaved surfaces. If those people were concerned about safety they would spend more time evaluating their choice of motorcycle for that terrain. Perhaps something 150-250 pounds (68-113 kg) lighter. I’m not sure what a big Adv bike rider with a large load of luggage should wear - maybe a straight jacket? 🤣
Good video. No doubt that MX style boots provide the most protection. Boots are always going to be a compromise between protection and comfort. For now I’ll stick with my Klim Outlander GTX or AlpineStars Toucans.
Crash or drop a heavy bike on your leg/foot and you'll probably have a different opinion on what type of boots are best. Adv style boots are not much more than work boots. They have very little protection. Just because you ride primarily on pavement doesn't mean bad things can't happen. Not saying most people ride the terrain I do/will but it's just good practice to be as protected as possible. Like the street riders say dress for the slide and not the ride.
@@TheBeardedGrump Did you read anything I wrote? Boots are a compromise item. Not sure if you have any friends or acquaintances that ride Gold Wings or Harley tourers; if so, have you ever seen one with MX boots? 🤣 The large majority (not all) of Adv Riders ride the same stuff as Harley riders. Adv riders may like the idea that they can ride gnarly stuff, but rarely if ever do (you are an exception). No doubt, if your bike lands on you on a crash or fall MX boots would be better. You can wear all sorts of protection that makes riding uncomfortable. Why ride if you are miserable??? How many riders wear neck braces? Knee braces? Full plastic upper body armor? MX riders wear it routinely because of the terrain, speed, and higher likelihood of a crash. All those items would be a benefit to any rider that crashed.
@@vtrack1963 If I was a street rider I wouldn't choose a ADV to ride I would be on the Goldwing. If 98% of adv riders ride mostly pavement which I don't think that's an accurate number then in my opinion they choose the wrong bike. Not arguing just stating that I'll be prepared for the worst because I know the worst can happen at any point. My crash was on pavement and if I wasn't wearing my mx boots I would most likely have 2 broken legs to go along with my broken back. 👊
@@TheBeardedGrump Some would say riding an Adv bike for real “off road” is not the best choice of bikes. When I bought mine I had grand delusions that I would ride it all over. Then reality came calling. My WR250R is a far better choice for me. In hindsight, I got lucky. The VStrom has been a sufficient road touring bike to the tune of 42,000 miles so far. I’m sure there are better choices; I just don’t own one.
@@TheBeardedGrumpI’m 60 years old and have total kidney failure and a heart condition that required me to have a defibrillator and pacemaker surgery surgically implanted one in my rib area and one in my chest, landing on either one in a crash without protection would be a major problem, so I do wear full upper body protection, hip protection, knee pads, ankle guards Alpine Stars Tech7’s, heavy leather riding gloves, and a dirtbike helmet. Overkill to some but wearing this armor makes me feel very safe.
💯🦶💪👍
Thank you for watching Pete, I appreciate it! - Frank