Thanks for sharing your experience MotoVibes. I’m tying to decide on a dual sport boot that will provide protection from off-road impacts and weather while on longer trips.
Brother, good evening, I see you respond to comments, even the recent ones, so I appreciate that. I have a question: since the waterproof material of the Alpinestars Tech 7 Drystar boots is said to be of poor quality, what boots would you recommend? I was thinking, for example, with the Toucan boots, I could wear soccer-style shin guards. How good of an idea does that seem to you? From what I’ve read from you and deduced, their weak point is that the 'padding' in the shin area isn’t that good. Or should I go for the Sidi Adventure 2 instead? By the way, how was the toe protection on the Toucans?
@@Wladimir1295 for better waterproofing I would recommend the Toucans or the Sidi Adventurer 2 - as a matter of fact I bought a new pair of Toucans in addition to the Tech7. I switch between the two. As you can see in the thumbnail photo the Toucans are lower than the Tech 7. For an “adventure boot” they provide good protection but not as much a Tech 7.
@@MotoVibes Ok, good idea about having two pairs, although my current budget doesn't allow it. What do you think about placing soccer-style shin guards inside the Toucans, shin guards that cover both the sides of the ankle and the front? I believe in your video you mentioned that after a fall with the Toucans, the pain remained for several weeks, unlike with the Tech 7. So, to partially address this issue, I'm thinking of placing a shin guard inside the Toucans Gore-Tex. Do you think it's a good idea? Would I have any problems with the space inside the boot? Please answer that for me, thanks.
@@Wladimir1295 it’s hard for me to answer this one. The chin guard was never the weak point for me. Overall ankle stability and Achilles heel protection are.
I will only use GoreTex boots. To me, there is no reason to ride with wet and cold feet. I put way too many miles back in the days before GoreTex and think it is the best thing that happened to the motorcycle world. If you have the proper equipment you can keep riding all day. There is no bad weather only bad clothing! Great review as always. Cheers
Thank you Patrick - I would have gladly paid the Goretex premium to get these with a Goretex membrane but I keep my fingers crossed for my first real rain ride with these.
@@MotoVibesThe enduro Tech 7 dry star is waterproof, not GoreTex. I know the protection isn't the same as full MC boots but it could be sufficient for your rides. Then Klim has GoreTex socks! Sorry. Cheers
love your site, I have the baby KTM of the family, 390 ADV and currently have ADV boots and want to move to an MX or enduro boot. How was the sizing moving from Toucan? Same in Tech 7? Also did the new boot thickness make you adjust your shift lever or was it the same? thanks!
Thank you very much! ;-) I went with the exact same sizing (I had to order them online because no local store had them in stock). I did not have to change the shift lever - if you currently have ADV boots chances are that you will not have to adjust anything either (but even if you do - it is very easy - single screw - takes only minutes). I was wearing them all day for my only tour this year - 12 days (6 offroad) - the boots are great! I still have not done an extended rain ride yet but I keep my fingers crossed that they will not dissapoint. hope this helps! cheers!
Yes they are ;-) - even more so than the Toucan were. There is an easy fix. A little bit of oil (weapons oil is better than WD40 - but both works) on the pivot joint and the squeaking completly dissapears. You will have to reapply after a while but it works.
Planning to buy these. How is the built & quality on these ? How is the waterproof layering holding up ? What life do ya expect for these in terms or touring & mild off-roading ? Considering the specs I guess these are one of the best in terms of Looks/Protection/Comfort/Waterproofing out there in the market. I had TCX Baja GTX, Forma Terra Adv & AS tech 7 enduro also on mind. Which ya think will be an all season touring boot with good protection as well as life. ? I’m more confused between the Tech 7 Enduro & Toucans.
it is tough to pick the "right" gear some times -especially if you are willing to spend good money you want to be sure. Maybe this approach helps you too - I approached this by means of elimination - there are plenty of great boots out there but this helps to cut it down to only a few. I was looking for an all season / all weather adventure touring boot - this means for me a boot with waterproof membrane. This alone cuts the field of contenders down quite a bit. Next is level of "comfort" vs "protection" - even though this is a bit misleading - it should say "soft" vs "hard" boot. Some people prefer "less boot" so they can move their feet better but you will sacrifice on the protection level but you get a waterproof boot with good protection (Gaerne G-Adventure Aquatech, BMW VentureGrip GTX, etc.) If you are looking for beefier protection you will come across Sidi's Adventure boot & Alpinestars Toucan -both with Goretex. A year ago this was the upper end of the waterproof - most protective adventure boot scale. As for the level of protection they would still give much less than even an entry level Enduro Boot. Then came Alpinestars Tech 7 Drystar. The Tech 7 has been around for many years - as a motorcross / enduro boot - the main difference is a different sole (harder & flat on the motorcross style / with more profile and softer on the Enduro style for more grip). With the added waterproof membrane this became the toughest waterproof adventure/enduro boot on the market. I have only had the Tech 7 DS for a season now - they are higher and beefier than the Toucan - and thefore a bit stiffer - I would expect them to last at least as long as my Toucan (which I loved). Also - you can replace the sole on the Tech 7 - this is usually the part the wears the quickest and this should give you more milage out this boot. As for waterproofing - I have had a few rain rides up to 2 hours in heavy rain with the Tech 7 DS - so far so good but I have not had a full day of 6-8 hours riding in the rain yet. So, final words (this has to be the longest answer to any comment yet). The Toucan are an excellent choice and the Goretex membrane worked flawlessly. However, I asked myself what gear I would like to wear in case of a crash - the Tech 7 offer a bit more protection in this case and they feel sturdier too. Even during mild offroad riding your bike can tip over and land on your leg/feet - or you boots can hit roots, rocks, etc. I have had my share of all of this happening so if I had to choose again it would be the Tech 7 Drystar. I hope this helps - ride safe!
@@MotoVibes Thnkxx for sparing time in writing the comparison. Tech 7 Enduro now comes with drystar, Which is better in terms of protection as well as length is more which means more waterproofing but goretex is the best in the industry when comes to waterproofing as well as breathability. So I was confused on spending a few extra on the tech 7 drystsr not knowing how will they hold up against time in keeping feet dry compared to the GTX, But while touring all day comfort is also equally important & tech 7’s won’t be comfy compared to the toucans. Plus better breathability on goretex. I guess I should go for the toucans only. Rest depends upon ma luck about how these hold on along with time. Toucan’s sole is not replaceable right ??
Thanks for the review. Let me ask a couple questions: Is the Tech 7 drystar boot as breathable as the Toucan boot? How is the boot in hot conditions? Does it work well with over the boot pants? Thanks a lot in advance. Cheers
It worked well for me at 33+ degrees C during an off-road training just as the Toucans. I wear the same wool socks at from 0-35 degrees C and I am comfortable but that does not mean it will be the same for you 😉 they work well with my Klim pants (as the pants are super wide) but I cannot fit my motorcycle jeans over the Tech 7 but they do fit over the Toucans. Make sure you check for waterproofness right after you buy - my first pair started leaking water during my October tour last year. I will have a video coming up on this soon. Great boots otherwise- super great protection 👍
Hi and thanks four your videos! The comparison between these two boots is very interesting. Now after a year, have you made some experience how waterproof the tech 7 realy is (riding a few hours in rain oder crossing a river Offroad)? I think everyone wants a tech 7 with gore tex for maximum protection with maximum waterresistans ;) Greetings
I did a video on the rain performance incl the Tech 7 ua-cam.com/video/918czvJFhmI/v-deo.html I am on my second pair and unfortunately they are not really waterproof after a longer rain ride.
Have you any updates on waterproofnes? Can it actually withstand a whole day ride in the rain? My current SiDi adv mk1 started to leak and fall apart after 8 years and about 200kkm so am in the market for new boots with somewhat more protection. Those Tech7 are high on the list.
I am on my second pair and they are also not the least bit water proof. I just bought a pair of Alpinestars Toucan Goretex boots for touring and will use the Tech 7 in the enduro park only.
I guess that really depends - but I am as happy with the Tech 7 as I was with the Toucan - I have used the m both for a very long time - basically had them on the whole day with temperature exceeding 35° C - hope that helps ;-)
Toucan for waterproofness and some protection. tech 7 for good protection and waterproofness if you are lucky. I am on my second pair and the tech 7 are not the least bit waterproof 😬
Thanks for information. I have Toucan boots . Everything is fine, but at temperatures below 5 degrees celsius it's cold in the boots!!! Tech 7 Drystar warmer? And the Toucan is also very slippery in underground parking in wet weather. it's problem for me. How about the outsole in Drystar?
I haven't tested in really cold weather - my last long ride was to the Harz with temperature ranging from 4-12°C - average was around 8°C - I was wearing heating gear but just regular socks with the Tech 7 and was fine for 10 hours of riding. The Tech 7 Drystar (or the Enduro) have a different sole from the motocross style Tech 7 - it offers more grip than a pure motocross boot which usually have a very little negative profile in the outer sole. The grip is similar to the Toucan even though the outer sole looks quite different.
I was looking specifically for a comparison between these 2 boots and BAM, your video review popped up in my searches. I'm a new ADV rider and looking for my first pair if boots. I had previously ordered, and subsequently returned the following boots because of one reason or another. Mostly fitment and lack of lateral ankle support and protection. Alpinestars Corozal, Forma Adventure HDry, Forma Terra EVO X, Gaerne Balance Oil, Sidi Adventure 2 Gore-Tex. The first 4 did not have enough ankle protection and lateral support and the Forma's would not fit my massive calves. The Sidi Adventure 2 had all the protection I wanted and waterproof as well but was just too narrow for my wide feet. Now I'm looking at getting the A* Tech 7 Enduro Drystars or the Daytona TransTourMan GTX. Would love to see a follow up review of your Tech 7's. Thanks for the video.
I am glad to read this was helpful to you. I hope you will find what you are looking for in the Tech7. I am still very happy with mine. The extra protection is excellent on these boots and they are now very comfortable to wear the whole day. I would buy them again in a heart beat.
Thanks for your post. Same here, getting into ADV riding and I was looking at many of the boots you mentioned. After I saw the A* Tech 7 Enduro Drystars I drifted away from the others and I think the extra $ is well justified. I appreciate the reinforcement.
Thanks Jimil Borillo for this feed back. I have narrowed my search down to the Sidi Adventure 2 and the Toucan. I am worried the Sidi doesn’t have enough protection above the ankle. From what you wrote it sounds like it does. I 100% want Gortex and I want something more comfortable than a full on motorcross boot. Really like that the Gortex on the Sidi goes all the way to the top. Thoughts? I have narrow feet so not worried about the Sidi not fitting.
@@davehartsock9106 If the Sidi's weren't so narrow, I would have chosen them. I really wanted to make them work but that would mean I might need to go 2 sizes up. Hope they work for you.
Well, it breathes but it is not like wearing flip flops 😂 If your feet are good in other goretex boots chances are you will be fine in these. The Toucan and the Tech 7 are the same with regards to temperature comfort in the boots. I have ridden both in 35°C weather and was fine.
Is the waterproof material breathable. And how are they for walking or short hikes. I am considering getting this for touring and occasional offroad. Thank you for thr video
I found them fine for short walks and hikes (if you get of the bike and need to walk a few hundred meters to see a sight). The Enduro sole of this Tech 7 model gives you better grip as compared to the standard Tech 7 motocross boot. The pivot joints on both side of the ankle allow for good movement (actually even better than on the Toucan). However, the Toucan is a bit more comfortable than the Tech 7 - the Toucan also has a wider foot bed (good if you have wide feet like me). They work just as good for me in warm weather (warmest was 35°C in the enduro park) as the Toucans. I found the breathability good -especially considering all the armor that this boot has. I now have 2 weeks of touring behind me with the boot and I am very happy with the comfort. I still have not ridden them for extended times in the rain yet like the Toucans. I hope this helps
@@MotoVibes thank you, I am going to try these boots on from a near by dealership. I have always used only short touring boots from Alpinestars , last week tried sidi adventure, felt super wired and uncomfortable. But definitely much more safety.
@@AshwinRajT That is just normal if you are just used to wearing much smaller boots. If you wear them a few days you will not even notice them. It is just like wearing a seat belt in the car - you do not even think about. Now it is weird if I do not wear my heavy boots on the bike (which is not often).
Cuáles son más cómodas en general y flexibles a nivel suela, tobillo y empeine para un uso más variado de aventura.... Las TCX comp EVO, las Sidi Atojo SRS ó éstas Alpinestar tech 7 enduro..... Ayer pude probar las Alpinestar Tech 7 ENDURO y me ha sorprendido gratamente pero me gustaría saber en comparación como van las otras dos.. GRACIAs...
Thanks for your comment. I have no experience with the other boots mentioned but the Tech 7 is the only one that has an option with a waterproof membrane which is great for adventure touring 😉
Well, that depends on your pants. My KLIM pants are relatively baggy and wide so they will fit over the boot no problem. However, I have riding jeans that will fit over the Toucans but not the Tech 7. The Tech 7 is a big boot - lots of protection!
Alpinestar drystar did not work for me.. Hope it will work for you. Had my feet completely wet after all day riding in the rain. Bought Toucan and I am a happy camper now.
Sorry to hear that - like I said in the video I have not had a day long ride in the rain with them. I did take the Toucans through lots of rain ride and they stayed bone dry. With the amount of plastic armor there is not really much for the membrane left to do but I hope I am not going through the same experience. Normally I only trust Goretex. If they had the Tech7 as Goretex version I would have been happy to pay the premium for it.
They are excellent touring boots with regard to comfort after they are broken in. They just do not quite hold up with their waterproof promise - I am in my second pair.
@@percusski 2 days when your ride off-road - a week of riding when you rode onroad. Not long in my book. The feels is typical for enduro boots but I like the feeling of protection not only for riding off-road. I still sometimes wear my old Toucan boots or even the Harley Davidson leather boots (with pretty much no protection) for short distances but 99% of the time is the Tech 7 now
I have the GoreTex Toucans myself and they're great like you said, can wear them all day long. I also own the Andes suit witch has the Drystar membrane and I'm not to impressed by that. It will keep you dry on short showers, but not in 6hours of rain. The Canadian UA-camr Fortnine did a comparison on the different membranes, that's an interesting watch. I'll be buying Goretex again myself next time.
Thank you for sharing your experience. Funny you mentioned Fortnine - I did actually watch his video on the comparison of the membranes. The Drystar did not get away so well - for pants and jacket I would not go for anything other than Goretex. For the boots I tought I give it a try but I wish they had made them with Goretex (which would have added 50-80 Euros I am sure). My Klim pants go over the boots which leaves only the lower parts of the boots that need protection. I am keeping my fingers crossed for my first long rain ride ;-)
@@MotoVibes Honestly, that's a good point. If the Gore-Tex pants go over the boots then maybe Drystar is good enough. Drystar tends to leak when pools of water form, that's not a likely scenario with boots anyway.
I like Fortnine but the comparison he did was an absolute BS. He basically measured structural strength of a fabric not waterproofness of a membrane over time.
Great boots mate the Toucan was high on my list but the Tech 7s were a better option so just bought a set from the local bike shop absolutely the most comfortable boots straight off the bat I love the arch support it's just amazing. they're about a half size bigger 11s I could've gone for the 10 but I'll probably put a comfy foot soul to take in the half size as KLIM do with their ADV boots cheers
Sorry to hear that - Best to contact the dealer you bought them from rather than Alpinestars directly- they may help you out if you make your case - boots can wear over time but should not start leaking after just one year of normal use.
@@MotoVibes Thanks for your reply. I bought shoes in the USA. But now I live in Russia, and it will not work to contact the dealer :(. I think the DRYstar membrane is inferior in quality to the gore tex membrane. The shoes are a little, but they still let water through. 2 moto seasons
@@ADVCRIMEA you could try contact Alpinestars directly- the most likely cause is that seams which are usually glued came leaky through wear. The membrane itself usually does not leak.
how does the boot work with the klim knee inserts? i imagine the large entry calf kind of flares out the pants so the knee insert is just kind of floating there?
@@dancingmaryjane I have 2 different ones: the first is mady my SafeMax - I think that is a store brand of one of our major motorcycle gear retailers - the protector is good but the sleeves does not hold the protector in place. Second one is from Ortema - good sleeve but the protector could provide more coverage. I use the Ortema one most of the time but I am looking for something better ;-)
Good Stuff. Yeah looks like the new boots did their job when the Bike landed on ya right Leg. I think after you give them the 6 Hour riding in the Rain test and they are still dry, then will definitely be a great bit of Kit. Cheers Paul
I also managed to jam the foot peg into my achilles heel with the Tech 7- this happen to me with my Toucan boots a few weeks before - at the exact same spot in the enduro park. Difference was that I was not in pain for weeks like the first time. Great boots! just need the rain test now .... ;-)
not as good - Breathability & waterproofness is better on the Toucan than on the Tech 7 Drystar. I could deal with the breathability not beeing top notch but the waterproofness was important to me. It's likely not the drystar membrane but the way it was stitch together - I think the seals start to break and then water leaks after a while.
@@JoeJ523 I did another video shortly after I received a replacement pair from Alpinestars - even though they survived the bucket test they did not hold up very long in real use ua-cam.com/video/918czvJFhmI/v-deo.htmlsi=CDpAHum5bKhQ9GU0 If waterproofness is the most important feature you will be better of with the Toucan or the Sidi Adventure GoreTex boots. I still like to use my Tech 7 as they provide a lot more protection than a typical adventure boot like the Toucan - I just wished they made this one with GoreTex
That is absolutely not the case! The Tech 7 offers more protection than the Toucan. It is built higher as a starter and offers more protection in the toe box, ankle protection, even in the heel section. The sole is sturdier too. The Toucan is more expensive because of the Goretex liner instead of the drystar (Alpine's membrane).
I just bought a pair of T7 drystar. After 3 days of offroad riding with rain, mud, etc… I can say the that the boots are not waterproof. Everyday my socks were soaking wet (not from moisture but from water leaking inside the boot). Very desapointed about this product
Hi, I share the answer from Alpinestars further to my complaint to the customer department. As you can see, they admit that the the drystar layer is not waterproof contrary to what is written on their website. Then, they say that if water entered my boots, it’s because I rode under the rain, and that I crossed some puddles while riding (just normal use when riding offroad) « We have confronted again with our product department: the colleagues clarified a bit the concept of waterproofness that apply to the boots you purchased: The DRYSTAR membrane is waterproof and breathable, designed to withstand water, keeping the wearer dry even in moderate rain or in high humidity. This do not mean that the customer can immerse the boot completely in the water and expect to stay dry. According to your description of the use of the boots, they were in any case used for a prolonged period in heavy rain and also in puddles so it is quite normal that the DRYSTAR layer did not hold water 100%. That said, we are still willing to take the product back for inspection by our product experts if you agree. However, we cannot guarantee that after the inspection we will be able to accept your return under warranty. »
@@jeanhuguesb unfortunately that is a lot BS talk by someone at ALPINESTARS - the membrane is absolutely waterproof- just like many other similar products. The reason these boots leak is that the seams of the membrane are poorly glued or welded (the membrane is not a single piece in the boot) - that is why mine were dry at first but with 2 weeks of wear leak water like crazy. Goretex products aren’t usually better because of a superior membrane but the mandatory final product testing by Goretex do they can assure“ guaranteed waterproof for life“ - that is what you pay premium for with Goretex- a manufacturer independent quality assurance ALPINESTARS make the Toucan Goretex and these boots perform usually really well ( I have new second pair now again)
@@MotoVibesyou are right, this is such BS and totally contrary from what is written on their website. It’s really a shame to promise a waterproof product when it’s not at all. The worst part is treating customers like fools by sayint that if the boot leaks, it’s because it wasn’t used correctly. This shows that they don’t want to admit that their product has a problem, and also a total lack of respect for the customers
@@jeanhuguesb I think they did not get this particular product right and it’s probably too much effort to fix the issue in design or production - however overall Alpinestars typically makes good quality products and the customer service was willing to send me a second pair of the Tech 7 Drystar so I have to give them that. I would be more than happy to pay the premium for a Tech 7 Goretex enduro boot as the boot itself is excellent- a good mix of enduro style protection and flexibility (most hardcore enduro boots are super stiff) which make them a good choice for adventure riding as compared to “adventure” boots which offer much less protection (like the Alpinestars Toucans).
Everything I hear about Astars customer service sucks, including their lack of response to my warranty inquiry. At these prices, ghosting customers with QC issues is unacceptable.
Thanks for sharing your experience MotoVibes. I’m tying to decide on a dual sport boot that will provide protection from off-road impacts and weather while on longer trips.
thank you for watching & commenting ;-) Let me know what you have picked
Brother, good evening, I see you respond to comments, even the recent ones, so I appreciate that. I have a question: since the waterproof material of the Alpinestars Tech 7 Drystar boots is said to be of poor quality, what boots would you recommend? I was thinking, for example, with the Toucan boots, I could wear soccer-style shin guards. How good of an idea does that seem to you? From what I’ve read from you and deduced, their weak point is that the 'padding' in the shin area isn’t that good. Or should I go for the Sidi Adventure 2 instead?
By the way, how was the toe protection on the Toucans?
@@Wladimir1295 for better waterproofing I would recommend the Toucans or the Sidi Adventurer 2 - as a matter of fact I bought a new pair of Toucans in addition to the Tech7. I switch between the two. As you can see in the thumbnail photo the Toucans are lower than the Tech 7. For an “adventure boot” they provide good protection but not as much a Tech 7.
@@MotoVibes Ok, good idea about having two pairs, although my current budget doesn't allow it. What do you think about placing soccer-style shin guards inside the Toucans, shin guards that cover both the sides of the ankle and the front? I believe in your video you mentioned that after a fall with the Toucans, the pain remained for several weeks, unlike with the Tech 7. So, to partially address this issue, I'm thinking of placing a shin guard inside the Toucans Gore-Tex. Do you think it's a good idea? Would I have any problems with the space inside the boot?
Please answer that for me, thanks.
@@Wladimir1295 it’s hard for me to answer this one. The chin guard was never the weak point for me. Overall ankle stability and Achilles heel protection are.
I will only use GoreTex boots. To me, there is no reason to ride with wet and cold feet. I put way too many miles back in the days before GoreTex and think it is the best thing that happened to the motorcycle world. If you have the proper equipment you can keep riding all day. There is no bad weather only bad clothing! Great review as always. Cheers
Thank you Patrick - I would have gladly paid the Goretex premium to get these with a Goretex membrane but I keep my fingers crossed for my first real rain ride with these.
@@MotoVibesThe enduro Tech 7 dry star is waterproof, not GoreTex. I know the protection isn't the same as full MC boots but it could be sufficient for your rides. Then Klim has GoreTex socks! Sorry. Cheers
love your site, I have the baby KTM of the family, 390 ADV and currently have ADV boots and want to move to an MX or enduro boot. How was the sizing moving from Toucan? Same in Tech 7? Also did the new boot thickness make you adjust your shift lever or was it the same?
thanks!
Thank you very much! ;-) I went with the exact same sizing (I had to order them online because no local store had them in stock). I did not have to change the shift lever - if you currently have ADV boots chances are that you will not have to adjust anything either (but even if you do - it is very easy - single screw - takes only minutes). I was wearing them all day for my only tour this year - 12 days (6 offroad) - the boots are great! I still have not done an extended rain ride yet but I keep my fingers crossed that they will not dissapoint. hope this helps! cheers!
I have Alpinestar boots but they are very squaky. Do you have any tips to stop this noise when walking?
Yes they are ;-) - even more so than the Toucan were. There is an easy fix. A little bit of oil (weapons oil is better than WD40 - but both works) on the pivot joint and the squeaking completly dissapears. You will have to reapply after a while but it works.
You should be glad you don't have Sidi boots! But weapon's oil and WD 40 will take care of the squeaking as MotoVibes says below. !
Planning to buy these. How is the built & quality on these ? How is the waterproof layering holding up ? What life do ya expect for these in terms or touring & mild off-roading ? Considering the specs I guess these are one of the best in terms of Looks/Protection/Comfort/Waterproofing out there in the market. I had TCX Baja GTX, Forma Terra Adv & AS tech 7 enduro also on mind. Which ya think will be an all season touring boot with good protection as well as life. ? I’m more confused between the Tech 7 Enduro & Toucans.
it is tough to pick the "right" gear some times -especially if you are willing to spend good money you want to be sure. Maybe this approach helps you too - I approached this by means of elimination - there are plenty of great boots out there but this helps to cut it down to only a few.
I was looking for an all season / all weather adventure touring boot - this means for me a boot with waterproof membrane. This alone cuts the field of contenders down quite a bit. Next is level of "comfort" vs "protection" - even though this is a bit misleading - it should say "soft" vs "hard" boot. Some people prefer "less boot" so they can move their feet better but you will sacrifice on the protection level but you get a waterproof boot with good protection (Gaerne G-Adventure Aquatech, BMW VentureGrip GTX, etc.) If you are looking for beefier protection you will come across Sidi's Adventure boot & Alpinestars Toucan -both with Goretex. A year ago this was the upper end of the waterproof - most protective adventure boot scale. As for the level of protection they would still give much less than even an entry level Enduro Boot.
Then came Alpinestars Tech 7 Drystar. The Tech 7 has been around for many years - as a motorcross / enduro boot - the main difference is a different sole (harder & flat on the motorcross style / with more profile and softer on the Enduro style for more grip). With the added waterproof membrane this became the toughest waterproof adventure/enduro boot on the market.
I have only had the Tech 7 DS for a season now - they are higher and beefier than the Toucan - and thefore a bit stiffer - I would expect them to last at least as long as my Toucan (which I loved). Also - you can replace the sole on the Tech 7 - this is usually the part the wears the quickest and this should give you more milage out this boot. As for waterproofing - I have had a few rain rides up to 2 hours in heavy rain with the Tech 7 DS - so far so good but I have not had a full day of 6-8 hours riding in the rain yet.
So, final words (this has to be the longest answer to any comment yet). The Toucan are an excellent choice and the Goretex membrane worked flawlessly. However, I asked myself what gear I would like to wear in case of a crash - the Tech 7 offer a bit more protection in this case and they feel sturdier too.
Even during mild offroad riding your bike can tip over and land on your leg/feet - or you boots can hit roots, rocks, etc. I have had my share of all of this happening so if I had to choose again it would be the Tech 7 Drystar.
I hope this helps - ride safe!
@@MotoVibes Thnkxx for sparing time in writing the comparison. Tech 7 Enduro now comes with drystar, Which is better in terms of protection as well as length is more which means more waterproofing but goretex is the best in the industry when comes to waterproofing as well as breathability. So I was confused on spending a few extra on the tech 7 drystsr not knowing how will they hold up against time in keeping feet dry compared to the GTX, But while touring all day comfort is also equally important & tech 7’s won’t be comfy compared to the toucans. Plus better breathability on goretex. I guess I should go for the toucans only. Rest depends upon ma luck about how these hold on along with time. Toucan’s sole is not replaceable right ??
Thanks for the review. Let me ask a couple questions: Is the Tech 7 drystar boot as breathable as the Toucan boot? How is the boot in hot conditions? Does it work well with over the boot pants? Thanks a lot in advance. Cheers
It worked well for me at 33+ degrees C during an off-road training just as the Toucans. I wear the same wool socks at from 0-35 degrees C and I am comfortable but that does not mean it will be the same for you 😉 they work well with my Klim pants (as the pants are super wide) but I cannot fit my motorcycle jeans over the Tech 7 but they do fit over the Toucans. Make sure you check for waterproofness right after you buy - my first pair started leaking water during my October tour last year. I will have a video coming up on this soon. Great boots otherwise- super great protection 👍
Hi and thanks four your videos!
The comparison between these two boots is very interesting. Now after a year, have you made some experience how waterproof the tech 7 realy is (riding a few hours in rain oder crossing a river Offroad)?
I think everyone wants a tech 7 with gore tex for maximum protection with maximum waterresistans ;)
Greetings
I did a video on the rain performance incl the Tech 7 ua-cam.com/video/918czvJFhmI/v-deo.html
I am on my second pair and unfortunately they are not really waterproof after a longer rain ride.
Worth adding Drystar membrane is also insanely hot in summer.
Have you any updates on waterproofnes? Can it actually withstand a whole day ride in the rain?
My current SiDi adv mk1 started to leak and fall apart after 8 years and about 200kkm so am in the market for new boots with somewhat more protection. Those Tech7 are high on the list.
I am on my second pair and they are also not the least bit water proof. I just bought a pair of Alpinestars Toucan Goretex boots for touring and will use the Tech 7 in the enduro park only.
Do these boots breath? My Toucans do. Clammy feet & stinky boots are bad.
I guess that really depends - but I am as happy with the Tech 7 as I was with the Toucan - I have used the m both for a very long time - basically had them on the whole day with temperature exceeding 35° C - hope that helps ;-)
Thanx, that is what I currently decide between 😀
Toucan for waterproofness and some protection. tech 7 for good protection and waterproofness if you are lucky. I am on my second pair and the tech 7 are not the least bit waterproof 😬
Thanks for information. I have Toucan boots . Everything is fine, but at temperatures below 5 degrees celsius
it's cold in the boots!!! Tech 7 Drystar warmer? And the Toucan is also very slippery in underground parking in wet weather. it's problem for me. How about the outsole in Drystar?
I haven't tested in really cold weather - my last long ride was to the Harz with temperature ranging from 4-12°C - average was around 8°C - I was wearing heating gear but just regular socks with the Tech 7 and was fine for 10 hours of riding. The Tech 7 Drystar (or the Enduro) have a different sole from the motocross style Tech 7 - it offers more grip than a pure motocross boot which usually have a very little negative profile in the outer sole. The grip is similar to the Toucan even though the outer sole looks quite different.
I was looking specifically for a comparison between these 2 boots and BAM, your video review popped up in my searches. I'm a new ADV rider and looking for my first pair if boots. I had previously ordered, and subsequently returned the following boots because of one reason or another. Mostly fitment and lack of lateral ankle support and protection. Alpinestars Corozal, Forma Adventure HDry, Forma Terra EVO X, Gaerne Balance Oil, Sidi Adventure 2 Gore-Tex. The first 4 did not have enough ankle protection and lateral support and the Forma's would not fit my massive calves. The Sidi Adventure 2 had all the protection I wanted and waterproof as well but was just too narrow for my wide feet. Now I'm looking at getting the A* Tech 7 Enduro Drystars or the Daytona TransTourMan GTX. Would love to see a follow up review of your Tech 7's. Thanks for the video.
I am glad to read this was helpful to you. I hope you will find what you are looking for in the Tech7. I am still very happy with mine. The extra protection is excellent on these boots and they are now very comfortable to wear the whole day. I would buy them again in a heart beat.
Thanks for your post. Same here, getting into ADV riding and I was looking at many of the boots you mentioned. After I saw the A* Tech 7 Enduro Drystars I drifted away from the others and I think the extra $ is well justified. I appreciate the reinforcement.
Thanks Jimil Borillo for this feed back. I have narrowed my search down to the Sidi Adventure 2 and the Toucan. I am worried the Sidi doesn’t have enough protection above the ankle. From what you wrote it sounds like it does. I 100% want Gortex and I want something more comfortable than a full on motorcross boot. Really like that the Gortex on the Sidi goes all the way to the top. Thoughts? I have narrow feet so not worried about the Sidi not fitting.
@@davehartsock9106 If the Sidi's weren't so narrow, I would have chosen them. I really wanted to make them work but that would mean I might need to go 2 sizes up. Hope they work for you.
@@jimilborillo thanks for your reply. I will let you know.
Great review, thanks!! Does the membrane breathe enough to stop the boots smelling?
Well, it breathes but it is not like wearing flip flops 😂 If your feet are good in other goretex boots chances are you will be fine in these. The Toucan and the Tech 7 are the same with regards to temperature comfort in the boots. I have ridden both in 35°C weather and was fine.
@@MotoVibes Thanks, man. Really appreciate it!
Is the waterproof material breathable. And how are they for walking or short hikes. I am considering getting this for touring and occasional offroad. Thank you for thr video
I found them fine for short walks and hikes (if you get of the bike and need to walk a few hundred meters to see a sight). The Enduro sole of this Tech 7 model gives you better grip as compared to the standard Tech 7 motocross boot. The pivot joints on both side of the ankle allow for good movement (actually even better than on the Toucan). However, the Toucan is a bit more comfortable than the Tech 7 - the Toucan also has a wider foot bed (good if you have wide feet like me). They work just as good for me in warm weather (warmest was 35°C in the enduro park) as the Toucans. I found the breathability good -especially considering all the armor that this boot has. I now have 2 weeks of touring behind me with the boot and I am very happy with the comfort. I still have not ridden them for extended times in the rain yet like the Toucans. I hope this helps
@@MotoVibes thank you, I am going to try these boots on from a near by dealership. I have always used only short touring boots from Alpinestars , last week tried sidi adventure, felt super wired and uncomfortable. But definitely much more safety.
@@AshwinRajT That is just normal if you are just used to wearing much smaller boots. If you wear them a few days you will not even notice them. It is just like wearing a seat belt in the car - you do not even think about. Now it is weird if I do not wear my heavy boots on the bike (which is not often).
Cuáles son más cómodas en general y flexibles a nivel suela, tobillo y empeine para un uso más variado de aventura.... Las TCX comp EVO, las Sidi Atojo SRS ó éstas Alpinestar tech 7 enduro..... Ayer pude probar las Alpinestar Tech 7 ENDURO y me ha sorprendido gratamente pero me gustaría saber en comparación como van las otras dos.. GRACIAs...
Thanks for your comment. I have no experience with the other boots mentioned but the Tech 7 is the only one that has an option with a waterproof membrane which is great for adventure touring 😉
Hi,
Can you wear the pants legs outside of the Tech7? Is it wide enough? Thank you
Well, that depends on your pants. My KLIM pants are relatively baggy and wide so they will fit over the boot no problem. However, I have riding jeans that will fit over the Toucans but not the Tech 7. The Tech 7 is a big boot - lots of protection!
how do you find them in terms of breathability and overheating compared to the GoreTex membrane in the Toucan?
ok, ignore, saw your reply to a question a few comments earlier. Thanks
Alpinestar drystar did not work for me.. Hope it will work for you. Had my feet completely wet after all day riding in the rain. Bought Toucan and I am a happy camper now.
Sorry to hear that - like I said in the video I have not had a day long ride in the rain with them. I did take the Toucans through lots of rain ride and they stayed bone dry. With the amount of plastic armor there is not really much for the membrane left to do but I hope I am not going through the same experience. Normally I only trust Goretex. If they had the Tech7 as Goretex version I would have been happy to pay the premium for it.
Where did the water enter from?
So do you think the Tech 7s are a viable touring boot or a little too extreme?
They are excellent touring boots with regard to comfort after they are broken in. They just do not quite hold up with their waterproof promise - I am in my second pair.
@@MotoVibesgreat stuff, how long was break in and what was feel of pedals like
@@percusski 2 days when your ride off-road - a week of riding when you rode onroad. Not long in my book. The feels is typical for enduro boots but I like the feeling of protection not only for riding off-road. I still sometimes wear my old Toucan boots or even the Harley Davidson leather boots (with pretty much no protection) for short distances but 99% of the time is the Tech 7 now
I have the GoreTex Toucans myself and they're great like you said, can wear them all day long. I also own the Andes suit witch has the Drystar membrane and I'm not to impressed by that. It will keep you dry on short showers, but not in 6hours of rain.
The Canadian UA-camr Fortnine did a comparison on the different membranes, that's an interesting watch.
I'll be buying Goretex again myself next time.
Thank you for sharing your experience. Funny you mentioned Fortnine - I did actually watch his video on the comparison of the membranes. The Drystar did not get away so well - for pants and jacket I would not go for anything other than Goretex. For the boots I tought I give it a try but I wish they had made them with Goretex (which would have added 50-80 Euros I am sure). My Klim pants go over the boots which leaves only the lower parts of the boots that need protection. I am keeping my fingers crossed for my first long rain ride ;-)
@@MotoVibes Honestly, that's a good point. If the Gore-Tex pants go over the boots then maybe Drystar is good enough. Drystar tends to leak when pools of water form, that's not a likely scenario with boots anyway.
@@Fluffy_Vizier let's hope so ;-)
@@MotoVibesyip, I've got a drystar jacket and it doesn't keep me dry in proper rain. Won't be buying any drystar clothing again.
I like Fortnine but the comparison he did was an absolute BS. He basically measured structural strength of a fabric not waterproofness of a membrane over time.
Do you play tennis? Your left arm has just a natural back swing.
the stuff you guys notice 😂
Great boots mate the Toucan was high on my list but the Tech 7s were a better option so just bought a set from the local bike shop absolutely the most comfortable boots straight off the bat I love the arch support it's just amazing. they're about a half size bigger 11s I could've gone for the 10 but I'll probably put a comfy foot soul to take in the half size as KLIM do with their ADV boots cheers
Glad to to hear your like yours too. Not sure why they did not use the Goretex membrane but so far drystar seems to work alright 😉
@@MotoVibes A lot of reviews say the dry star is hotter and doesn’t breathe as well as the Gore-Tex.
Can you confirm that?
@@davehartsock9106 yeah. I think they are a bit warmer. Not but that much but I think they are
I have been using Alpinestars Tech 7 Drystar for the second year. The drystar membrane started leaking for the second season.
Sorry to hear that - Best to contact the dealer you bought them from rather than Alpinestars directly- they may help you out if you make your case - boots can wear over time but should not start leaking after just one year of normal use.
@@MotoVibes Thanks for your reply. I bought shoes in the USA. But now I live in Russia, and it will not work to contact the dealer :(.
I think the DRYstar membrane is inferior in quality to the gore tex membrane. The shoes are a little, but they still let water through. 2 moto seasons
@@ADVCRIMEA you could try contact Alpinestars directly- the most likely cause is that seams which are usually glued came leaky through wear. The membrane itself usually does not leak.
how does the boot work with the klim knee inserts? i imagine the large entry calf kind of flares out the pants so the knee insert is just kind of floating there?
I do not use the knee inserts - I use separate knee guards as the pants are too loose to keep them in place.
@@MotoVibes love my klim baja but noticed the same thing. i ended up getting the icon street knee guard. what do you use?
@@dancingmaryjane I have 2 different ones: the first is mady my SafeMax - I think that is a store brand of one of our major motorcycle gear retailers - the protector is good but the sleeves does not hold the protector in place. Second one is from Ortema - good sleeve but the protector could provide more coverage. I use the Ortema one most of the time but I am looking for something better ;-)
Good Stuff. Yeah looks like the new boots did their job when the Bike landed on ya right Leg. I think after you give them the 6 Hour riding in the Rain test and they are still dry, then will definitely be a great bit of Kit. Cheers Paul
I also managed to jam the foot peg into my achilles heel with the Tech 7- this happen to me with my Toucan boots a few weeks before - at the exact same spot in the enduro park. Difference was that I was not in pain for weeks like the first time. Great boots! just need the rain test now .... ;-)
how do these boots breath over the goretech????????
not as good - Breathability & waterproofness is better on the Toucan than on the Tech 7 Drystar. I could deal with the breathability not beeing top notch but the waterproofness was important to me. It's likely not the drystar membrane but the way it was stitch together - I think the seals start to break and then water leaks after a while.
@@MotoVibes wait so these tech 7 drystar aren’t waterproof for you anymore ?
@@JoeJ523 I did another video shortly after I received a replacement pair from Alpinestars - even though they survived the bucket test they did not hold up very long in real use ua-cam.com/video/918czvJFhmI/v-deo.htmlsi=CDpAHum5bKhQ9GU0
If waterproofness is the most important feature you will be better of with the Toucan or the Sidi Adventure GoreTex boots.
I still like to use my Tech 7 as they provide a lot more protection than a typical adventure boot like the Toucan - I just wished they made this one with GoreTex
@@MotoVibes thanks for your help I’ll probably buy the regular tech 7 non drystar and then I’ll buy other water proof boots when it gets wet out.
I ended up getting the toucan boots
alpinestar official website describes toucan has more protection over tech 7 enduro dry fit,I could observe toucan being on slightly higher price.
That is absolutely not the case! The Tech 7 offers more protection than the Toucan. It is built higher as a starter and offers more protection in the toe box, ankle protection, even in the heel section. The sole is sturdier too. The Toucan is more expensive because of the Goretex liner instead of the drystar (Alpine's membrane).
I just bought a pair of T7 drystar. After 3 days of offroad riding with rain, mud, etc… I can say the that the boots are not waterproof. Everyday my socks were soaking wet (not from moisture but from water leaking inside the boot).
Very desapointed about this product
Same here. I am on my second pair and even though they passed the water bucket test initially they do leak like crazy now
Hi, I share the answer from Alpinestars further to my complaint to the customer department. As you can see, they admit that the the drystar layer is not waterproof contrary to what is written on their website. Then, they say that if water entered my boots, it’s because I rode under the rain, and that I crossed some puddles while riding (just normal use when riding offroad)
« We have confronted again with our product department:
the colleagues clarified a bit the concept of waterproofness that apply to the boots you purchased:
The DRYSTAR membrane is waterproof and breathable, designed to withstand water, keeping the wearer dry even in moderate rain or in high humidity. This do not mean that the customer can immerse the boot completely in the water and expect to stay dry.
According to your description of the use of the boots, they were in any case used for a prolonged period in heavy rain and also in puddles so it is quite normal that the DRYSTAR layer did not hold water 100%.
That said, we are still willing to take the product back for inspection by our product experts if you agree.
However, we cannot guarantee that after the inspection we will be able to accept your return under warranty. »
@@jeanhuguesb unfortunately that is a lot BS talk by someone at ALPINESTARS - the membrane is absolutely waterproof- just like many other similar products. The reason these boots leak is that the seams of the membrane are poorly glued or welded (the membrane is not a single piece in the boot) - that is why mine were dry at first but with 2 weeks of wear leak water like crazy.
Goretex products aren’t usually better because of a superior membrane but the mandatory final product testing by Goretex do they can assure“ guaranteed waterproof for life“ - that is what you pay premium for with Goretex- a manufacturer independent quality assurance
ALPINESTARS make the Toucan Goretex and these boots perform usually really well ( I have new second pair now again)
@@MotoVibesyou are right, this is such BS and totally contrary from what is written on their website. It’s really a shame to promise a waterproof product when it’s not at all. The worst part is treating customers like fools by sayint that if the boot leaks, it’s because it wasn’t used correctly. This shows that they don’t want to admit that their product has a problem, and also a total lack of respect for the customers
@@jeanhuguesb I think they did not get this particular product right and it’s probably too much effort to fix the issue in design or production - however overall Alpinestars typically makes good quality products and the customer service was willing to send me a second pair of the Tech 7 Drystar so I have to give them that. I would be more than happy to pay the premium for a Tech 7 Goretex enduro boot as the boot itself is excellent- a good mix of enduro style protection and flexibility (most hardcore enduro boots are super stiff) which make them a good choice for adventure riding as compared to “adventure” boots which offer much less protection (like the Alpinestars Toucans).
That was weird that the 2 boots weren't shown at all?
I guess you are right - would have been better to include more images than just the close up details 😉
Yeah I would have love to seen a side by side comparison and more than 2.5 seconds of seeing a tiny section of the boot
Don`forget 2 breathe my friend :-)
I just cut out the breathing in editing ;-)
Everything I hear about Astars customer service sucks, including their lack of response to my warranty inquiry. At these prices, ghosting customers with QC issues is unacceptable.
I have not had to deal with customer service yet- what was your experience with them?!
You hepled me to take Toucan. Its 80/20.
T7 is too much, 50/50 boot
I bought new Toucan boots as well. For the harder stuff I wear the T7 for everything else the Toucan
@@MotoVibes now u got me.... to buy both??
@@Vjekoslav-vf3hr you don’t have to. I just had the T7 already and needed waterproof boots too
✌✌🍻🍻 ! Was sonst !
hehe - cheers 🍻