I've been wearing the excellent Forma 'Adventure' boot for my commuting AND weekend fun and games. However as the terrain becomes more technical, I'm asking are they up to the job and should I be upping my foot/ankle protection if I'm upping the risk? I've researched the options and come up with what I think is probably the 'absolute go to' footwear for motorcycle adventure riding or hard enduro riding. The benefits of moving from my Forma boots to Alpinestars Tech7 Drystar. How they feel, are they easy to use, and most importantly are they actually, as claimed, waterproof!? I give the Drystar a thorough soaking with two days adventure riding in the South Australian Riverland on my Tenere 700. This leads to my experience with the not so great Alpinestar Drystar gloves which were so poor I nearly boycotted Alpinestar altogether. #alpinestars #alpinestarstech7 #formaboots #tech7 #adventureriding #adventureride #yamahatenere700 #adventuremotorcycle #tech7s #theriderguider #riderguider #enduro
Tech 7 a great boot for adventurous trail riding but the Dry Star leaks like a tea bag - deep puddles, wading, riding in the rain, equally useless for all. Surprising as my other Alpinestars Dry Stars boots have been great. Better off with standard Tech 7 and sealskinz socks. I have found the rigidity of the Tech 7 not great for using the T7 'cheese' break pedal when standing. Is that T7 pedal arm made of cheese or rubber not sure, way too much play and travel.
Nice video! Bought a pair of Drystar Tech 7’s for the same reasons as you - protection and 100% waterproof (according to Alpinestars). First shower I rode through - wet. Next day (boots dried out with hairdryer overnight) - rode through a ford - wet feet again! Hmmm… boots dried out overnight again, rode through rain - soaked feet again! Took them back to dealer and exchanged for another pair (Drystar Tech 7). Gave them the bath test (stand in 15 cm of water for 20 minutes). Water was seeping in through the bridge and the heels (both boots). Left them overnight in the laundry (in the dry) and the water had permeated the membrane - instant wet feet! I hate to say it, they look awesome but THESE BOOTS ARE NOT WATERPROOF AT ALL! Got my NZ$620 back and bought a pair of Revit Expedition GTX’s instead. Expensive but at least they seem actually waterproof!
Amazes me how they advertise as waterproof when they're actually nothing like! I've had mixed results with mine, this first one where I had some seeping but a full on creek crossing not long after and I was still dry after that. I find they're crap for burgling houses though, had to hit them with some lube to stop the squeaking 😄
Good and honest video. I'seen your Tech7 are in size 9US - 43EUR - 27,5JPN how is your Forma adventure ? And how you feel the fitting difference between both ? Thanks from Belgium
I didn’t realise my Alpinestar Corozal boots were also DryStar lined. They are more adventure style than the Tech range, but still have pretty good protection. My feet did reasonably well to stay dry, but alas my toes on both feet were damp. No idea how it got through - but considering what we rode in they didn’t do too bad. I’ll add, they are a couple of years old and don’t show much signs of wear.
Hi. Thanks for the video. I have to disagree with you on the highrachy of gear importance. I'd suggest that footware is easily just as important as a lid, if not more so. Given, a foot injury is significantly less likely to kill you, but it's significantly more likely to get damaged and could easily be a lifelong injury, not to mention something that could leave you stranded somewhere. Just a thought. Thanks again.
YEH fair points all round. I do feel though breaking my head and or my ankle I'd choose my ankle, maybe, although I already have very little feeling from the neck up haha. And I've heard ankle breaks are worse than ribs 😆 ... think I'll stick with always wearing everything all the time 😉
I very much expect you can yes. ADV pants with a zip for sure. The Tech7 aren’t any wider than most other ADV boots at the top. Mostly would depend in the pants.
@@TheRiderGuider Tried some today, the RST pants go over with the zip open but cannot close the zip, liners dont fit over at all. They went over a few different types of adv boots with zip closed, liners included. Lining them up the MX were considerably higher and wider than the adv boots. Decisions 👍
Alpine Star are not the only brand of glove who make outrageous claims of their gloves being water proof. I bought a pair of FIVE gloves, clearly labelled as waterproof but proved, in their very first exposure to the elements they supposedly are proofed against, to be far from it. Like yours, once wet, as soon as I pulled my wet hands out the lining came with them. Had to use a spoon handle to work the lining back in as I was still a long way from home (Sydney to Perth !). Over priced and over-rated, not even FIVE out of ten ! I also had FORMA boots for that trip but never experienced any water ingress, but I had my trouser over the boot. What I did experience from the boots though, on long standing sections, was the sole of the boot tending to take the shape of a curve over the foot pegs, which did nothing for comfort. Have you noticed the Alpine Star boots being more supportive in the sole/instep region ? Can't exect too much quality in stuff coming out of Pakistan I am sorry to say.
Hi John, sounds like the exact same problem I had with the AS gloves. I’ve been riding for decades, back in the late 80’s to early 90’s was my time for sporty road boots and back then the go to were the Alpinestar, everyone wore them, they looked ace, there was an annoying toe slider that was velcro attached and got knocked off first decent bend though, fashion over form springs to mind. Same with the gloves. However so far the Tech7 Drystar boots are great! I rode through a creek yesterday and submersed my feet with no ingress. Impressive. The sole is proving durable, I’m only a touch over 70kgs but they’re standing up well to my standing, very supportive, when they do eventually wear out the section where we place our feet is replaceable 👍🏼 … I’ve not done a review yet but I also wear Merlin wax jacket and trousers for certain rides, some of the best made kit I’ve had, I’ll do a review on it I think. Gives the impression it’s out of a factory in Scotland and hand made by a genius seamstress. Upon very close inspection, surprised me … made in Pakistan 😮
Waterproof would not be the scientifically correct term to use for anything like drystar or Gore-Tex and the like. They are not really waterproof per say. In the same way that reverse osmosis will push water backwards through a membrane similar to that, you can put enough pressure on them to reverse process water molecules if the pressure is high enough. However, I don't think you are getting 80 psi in your boots and if if you did, you would have far bigger issues than whether or not they are waterproof. The most likely place to get rain into any of these type of boots is up the boot and over the top. The pressure from the wind pushes the water up the boot until it reaches the top under your pant leg. To stop that you need a lip just beneath the bottom of you pant leg, out of the rain and attached all the way around the boot, so that when the water comes up, it has to drop back down. This would be a design oddity for motorcycle boots and most likely people would not buy a boot that looked like that. Of course if the suit is tight fitting enough around the outside of the bottom of the boot, you can for sure minimize how much water does this to a few drops at most, depending on how fast you are going and how much rain is coming down (and up off the road). Anyone using these with a decent fairing and floorboards (me lol) would likely never have this issue)
Those boots are water proof you just might have had sweaty feet! 🤣🤣Anyway apart from the informative review points I thought runners calves are what farmers have.
I've been wearing the excellent Forma 'Adventure' boot for my commuting AND weekend fun and games. However as the terrain becomes more technical, I'm asking are they up to the job and should I be upping my foot/ankle protection if I'm upping the risk? I've researched the options and come up with what I think is probably the 'absolute go to' footwear for motorcycle adventure riding or hard enduro riding. The benefits of moving from my Forma boots to Alpinestars Tech7 Drystar. How they feel, are they easy to use, and most importantly are they actually, as claimed, waterproof!? I give the Drystar a thorough soaking with two days adventure riding in the South Australian Riverland on my Tenere 700. This leads to my experience with the not so great Alpinestar Drystar gloves which were so poor I nearly boycotted Alpinestar altogether.
#alpinestars #alpinestarstech7 #formaboots #tech7 #adventureriding #adventureride #yamahatenere700 #adventuremotorcycle #tech7s #theriderguider #riderguider #enduro
Tech 7 a great boot for adventurous trail riding but the Dry Star leaks like a tea bag - deep puddles, wading, riding in the rain, equally useless for all. Surprising as my other Alpinestars Dry Stars boots have been great. Better off with standard Tech 7 and sealskinz socks. I have found the rigidity of the Tech 7 not great for using the T7 'cheese' break pedal when standing. Is that T7 pedal arm made of cheese or rubber not sure, way too much play and travel.
@@andywelsh9911 get the “The Fix” from Camel ADV. 😉
@@davehartsock9106 Done. Revelation. 👍
Haha yeh definitely thinking of getting that Camel Fix mate.
Nice video! Bought a pair of Drystar Tech 7’s for the same reasons as you - protection and 100% waterproof (according to Alpinestars). First shower I rode through - wet. Next day (boots dried out with hairdryer overnight) - rode through a ford - wet feet again! Hmmm… boots dried out overnight again, rode through rain - soaked feet again! Took them back to dealer and exchanged for another pair (Drystar Tech 7). Gave them the bath test (stand in 15 cm of water for 20 minutes). Water was seeping in through the bridge and the heels (both boots). Left them overnight in the laundry (in the dry) and the water had permeated the membrane - instant wet feet! I hate to say it, they look awesome but THESE BOOTS ARE NOT WATERPROOF AT ALL! Got my NZ$620 back and bought a pair of Revit Expedition GTX’s instead. Expensive but at least they seem actually waterproof!
Amazes me how they advertise as waterproof when they're actually nothing like! I've had mixed results with mine, this first one where I had some seeping but a full on creek crossing not long after and I was still dry after that. I find they're crap for burgling houses though, had to hit them with some lube to stop the squeaking 😄
Good and honest video. I'seen your Tech7 are in size 9US - 43EUR - 27,5JPN how is your Forma adventure ? And how you feel the fitting difference between both ? Thanks from Belgium
I can't see the sizing on the actual Forma boots, I expect they are the same size, fit well, VERY comfortable.
Thanks for your respons. I actualy have my new Tech7 and effectively the same size dan my Forma Adenture (43) but the tech 7 fit narrower !
I didn’t realise my Alpinestar Corozal boots were also DryStar lined. They are more adventure style than the Tech range, but still have pretty good protection. My feet did reasonably well to stay dry, but alas my toes on both feet were damp. No idea how it got through - but considering what we rode in they didn’t do too bad. I’ll add, they are a couple of years old and don’t show much signs of wear.
I was impressed yesterday through that creek. The return crossing had both feet underwater. No damp patches to socks.
Hi. Thanks for the video. I have to disagree with you on the highrachy of gear importance. I'd suggest that footware is easily just as important as a lid, if not more so. Given, a foot injury is significantly less likely to kill you, but it's significantly more likely to get damaged and could easily be a lifelong injury, not to mention something that could leave you stranded somewhere.
Just a thought.
Thanks again.
YEH fair points all round. I do feel though breaking my head and or my ankle I'd choose my ankle, maybe, although I already have very little feeling from the neck up haha. And I've heard ankle breaks are worse than ribs 😆 ... think I'll stick with always wearing everything all the time 😉
Have crash tested the tech 7 and tech 10 several times.Even got my foot jammed in back wheel and zero injurys to my foot,ankle or shins.
Great stuff. I’m glad I went with the Tech7 👍🏼 surprisingly comfy too despite the protection.
One that fits your foot. I have yet to find a riding boot that fits me and yes I tried many.
Fit is the first consideration mate. Yes.
Hey, good video. U shahing your legs lol?
How is the waterproofness hoing after months?
haha yeh I'm not a hairy person! They've not leaked once since the first wet ride.
Can you get adv pants over the top and close the zip ? I would like them but can't fit my adv pants over the boot.
I very much expect you can yes. ADV pants with a zip for sure. The Tech7 aren’t any wider than most other ADV boots at the top. Mostly would depend in the pants.
@@TheRiderGuider Tried some today, the RST pants go over with the zip open but cannot close the zip, liners dont fit over at all. They went over a few different types of adv boots with zip closed, liners included. Lining them up the MX were considerably higher and wider than the adv boots. Decisions 👍
Alpine Star are not the only brand of glove who make outrageous claims of their gloves being water proof. I bought a pair of FIVE gloves, clearly labelled as waterproof but proved, in their very first exposure to the elements they supposedly are proofed against, to be far from it. Like yours, once wet, as soon as I pulled my wet hands out the lining came with them. Had to use a spoon handle to work the lining back in as I was still a long way from home (Sydney to Perth !). Over priced and over-rated, not even FIVE out of ten ! I also had FORMA boots for that trip but never experienced any water ingress, but I had my trouser over the boot. What I did experience from the boots though, on long standing sections, was the sole of the boot tending to take the shape of a curve over the foot pegs, which did nothing for comfort. Have you noticed the Alpine Star boots being more supportive in the sole/instep region ? Can't exect too much quality in stuff coming out of Pakistan I am sorry to say.
Hi John, sounds like the exact same problem I had with the AS gloves. I’ve been riding for decades, back in the late 80’s to early 90’s was my time for sporty road boots and back then the go to were the Alpinestar, everyone wore them, they looked ace, there was an annoying toe slider that was velcro attached and got knocked off first decent bend though, fashion over form springs to mind. Same with the gloves. However so far the Tech7 Drystar boots are great! I rode through a creek yesterday and submersed my feet with no ingress. Impressive. The sole is proving durable, I’m only a touch over 70kgs but they’re standing up well to my standing, very supportive, when they do eventually wear out the section where we place our feet is replaceable 👍🏼 … I’ve not done a review yet but I also wear Merlin wax jacket and trousers for certain rides, some of the best made kit I’ve had, I’ll do a review on it I think. Gives the impression it’s out of a factory in Scotland and hand made by a genius seamstress. Upon very close inspection, surprised me … made in Pakistan 😮
Waterproof would not be the scientifically correct term to use for anything like drystar or Gore-Tex and the like. They are not really waterproof per say. In the same way that reverse osmosis will push water backwards through a membrane similar to that, you can put enough pressure on them to reverse process water molecules if the pressure is high enough. However, I don't think you are getting 80 psi in your boots and if if you did, you would have far bigger issues than whether or not they are waterproof.
The most likely place to get rain into any of these type of boots is up the boot and over the top. The pressure from the wind pushes the water up the boot until it reaches the top under your pant leg. To stop that you need a lip just beneath the bottom of you pant leg, out of the rain and attached all the way around the boot, so that when the water comes up, it has to drop back down. This would be a design oddity for motorcycle boots and most likely people would not buy a boot that looked like that. Of course if the suit is tight fitting enough around the outside of the bottom of the boot, you can for sure minimize how much water does this to a few drops at most, depending on how fast you are going and how much rain is coming down (and up off the road). Anyone using these with a decent fairing and floorboards (me lol) would likely never have this issue)
Those boots are water proof you just might have had sweaty feet! 🤣🤣Anyway apart from the informative review points I thought runners calves are what farmers have.
Hahahaha. I did smell them mate but couldn’t tell. As for the 🐮 mmmmoooooo 😄
Thumbs down for the ridiculous long ads.
Ha - yeh unfortunately that's down to YT not the creators who make the content. Thanks for watching anyway. Hope it was useful.