I haven’t worn a pair of Alpinestars Tech 10 boots in over 20 years. I wore a pair on a test ride and couldn’t get them off without using a tire iron as a shoehorn. After that experience, I have stuck with Tech 7 Enduro, as I haven’t raced motocross in a long time. I love the Tech 7 Enduro boots and had no interest in a change—that is, until I saw the new Alpinestars Tech 10 Enduro boots. I couldn’t resist.
It’s worth noting that the Alpinestars Tech 10 boots have evolved since that early pair I wore. Given that they are focused on protecting the feet of supercross and motocross racers, and I’m not giving them that sort of pounding, the Tech 10s were something I admired more than desired. We’ve had riders such as Will Embree and now Dirt Rider Associate Editor Andrew Oldar available as Tech 10 testers—they know their way around a motocross track. I’m a trail rider who likes everything from technical trails to fast and flowy, so it took the addition of Enduro to the Tech 10 name to get my full attention again.
Before I put my feet in the booties and into the Alpinestars Tech 10 Enduro boots, let’s quickly compare the Tech 10 for motocrossers and the Tech 10 Enduro boots.
Sole Design
- Tech 10: It features a dimpled dual-compound sole optimized for motocross, focusing on grip and control on footpegs with a balance of flexibility and durability. The grip is prioritized for motocross-specific conditions such as jumps and sliding the boot.
- Tech 10 Enduro: It has a dedicated dual-compound sole, engineered for enhanced grip on varied terrain compared to the standard Tech 10. It emphasizes superior grip and feel on and off the bike, as trail riders sometimes push the bike or walk trails. However, it’s not the same cleated-style sole used on the Tech 7 Enduro.
Durability and Versatility
- Tech 10: It’s built for the high-impact, high-speed demands of motocross, balancing lightweight performance and protection. They aren’t specifically designed to seal out excessive water or dirt.
- Tech 10 Enduro: Enhances durability in the sole and foot base structure to withstand the rugged, unpredictable conditions of off-road riding that include rocks, roots, and water crossings. The Tech 10 Enduro has a soft microfiber gaiter with a dedicated rear design to better seal out water and dirt, exactly what we see out on the trail.
Flex and Control
- While both 10s share the same flex tech, the Enduro version tweaks it for trail precision over motocross stability. The Tech 10 Enduro fine-tunes these structures to balance the additional foot movement and control needed for the slower, technical pace of trails compared to the faster, more aggressive riding on a motocross track.
Okay, you’ve got the idea of the Alpinestars Tech 10 Enduro boots. It’s time to hit the trails.
Setting up the Alpinestars Tech 10 Enduro boots for the first time isn’t difficult. The booties slip on your feet and are held on with hook-and-loop. If you’re unfamiliar with the bootie, it is a slipper-style boot within the main boot that provides additional ankle support, impact protection, and comfort.
With the bootie on, my feet slid into the Alpinestars Tech 10 Enduro boots without drama. I wear a 9, and they fit as expected.
Buckling up the first time means tweaking the conventional sawtooth straps to fit my feet, ankles, and calves. There’s plenty of adjustment range available, and my Alpinestars Bionic-10 Carbon knee braces were easily accommodated. After the initial adjustment, you should be good unless you lose or gain some weight or muscle. The buckles are Alpinestars’ best, clicking in confidently and holding firm.
Simply walking to the bike alerts you that the Tech 10 Enduro boots aren’t the same as the motocross version. With the extra flexibility built into the chassis, the Tech 10 Enduro boots have much less of a moon boot feel. They aren’t as flexible as the Tech 7 Enduro boots, which are a step up in comfort as they are a step down in protection—a compromise that’s always there.
Riding is always the real test—they’re called motorcycle boots.
I expected to have to break the Alpinestars Tech 10 Enduro boots in. However, after less than a minute on our Yamaha YZ450FX test bike, I was fully focused on riding rather than thinking about the boots. The Tech 10 Enduro boots feel great, literally right out of the box.
Shifting is entirely natural, without any technique adjustments needed. While shifting clicked instantly, the rear brake took some getting used to. There’s less feel for the rear brake with the Tech 10 Enduro boots than Tech 7s, as evidenced by a couple of brake-induced stalls. I will have to work on that in exchange for the added protection.
While nothing like casing a triple, huge g-outs off-road gave me opportunities to test how robust the sole is. When I was expecting a lot of force on my arches through the pegs, the Tech 10 Enduro boots reminded me why I was wearing them.
A long day’s ride emphasizes the comfort and support the Alpinestars Tech 10 Enduro boots offer. Afterward, my feet don’t feel beat up, and there is no rubbing or hot spots, even with lightweight socks. The bootie ups the comfort as it adds ankle stability and protection.
I haven’t experienced the new sole in ugly conditions. My initial feeling is that I would prefer the lugs of the Tech 7 Enduro soles—it’s like ADV tires compared to knobbies. However, the final word on that will have to wait for the right conditions, though it’s hard to imagine that the 7s won’t have the edge. In the dry, the Tech 10 Enduro soles have plenty of traction. Pushing the YZ450FX up the last part of a hill and a bulldog downhill leaves me speaking well of the Tech 10 Enduro’s soles.
I never thought I’d ditch my Tech 7 Enduro boots. Having happily relied on them for so long, and recommended them to so many other riders, there’s almost a touch of sadness in cutting them loose. However, the new Alpinestars Tech 10 Enduro boots are that good. While I will still wear the Tech 7 Enduro boots on casual dual sport rides, when I’m going to be pushing at all off-road, Alpinestars Tech 10 Enduro boots will be on my feet.
Photography by Kelly Callan
Alpinestars Tech 10 Enduro Boots Fast Facts
- Sizes: 7 – 14 US
- Safety certification: CE EN 13634:2017
- Colors: Bright Red/Black/White; Orange Fluo/Black/White; Black
Alpinestars Tech 10 Enduro Boots Price: $700/pair MSRP
