Alpinestars Tech 7 Supermoto Boot

Alpinestars Tech 7 Supermoto Boot

Replaceable pavement protection

ISN'T IT ALWAYS THE CASE? You BREAKin a pair of boots and just about the time they're completely comfortable, your socks make a surprise appearance. In Supermoto more than any other toedangling discipline, boot soles suffer.

So Alpinestars introduced the purpose-built Tech 7 Supermoto. This motocross-derived, full-grain-leather boot comes with replaceable toe and heel sections—areas of the sole most prone to wear during foot-down cornering.

Gearing up to get down for the first time requires adjusting four aluminum buckles to personalize fit; after that, Alpinestars' "synch" system makes re entry quick and easy. The sole pieces are held in place with "grip tabs" and steel Allen screws.

The very tight confines of Adams Kart Track in Riverside, California, require delicate footwork; shifter and rear brake feel are paramount. The Supermoto is stiffer and somewhat clunkier in this respect than Alpinestars' own Vectorlong a favorite among CW's supermo to-loving staffers (though the Vector doesn't have a replaceable sole). The Supermoto's non-replaceable inner sole provided great grip on footpegs, and smoothly skimmed the track surface.

Because of the enhanced protection, however, when cornering at deep lean angles with the boot on the peg, the wide toe would sometimes get pinched between the engine cases and track-on one occasion levering both wheels off the ground. At least they're tough: After four hours of riding, the recessed screw heads were still intact. The Tech 7 Supermotos are a bit clunk ier than the Vector, but they are doing an excellent job keeping our socks on the inside.

Alpinestars 2780 W. 237th St. Torrance, CA 90505 310/891-0222 www.alpinestars.com Price.. .$380