Which Alpinestars motocross boot is right for you mainly depends on how much protection you need and where you ride. If you ride for fun or are just starting out, the Tech 3 is a logical first boot; if you ride often and hard, look at the Tech 7 or Tech 10. For enduro there are Enduro versions with a different sole, and for adventure riding there is the lower, waterproof Belize v2 Drystar.
Which Alpinestars motocross boots are there?
The higher the number, the more technology goes into the flex system and the ankle and heel protection. In the Alpinestars off-road boots collection you will find these lines:
- Tech 3: one-piece TPU foot shell with a metal shank, TPU protectors on the shin, calf, ankle and heel, a biomechanical medial blade system and three replaceable buckles. Also available as All Terrain and Enduro.
- Tech 5: sits between the Tech 3 and Tech 7, with a water-repellent microfibre upper, a polymer core structure around the shin and a biomechanical hinge on the inside.
- Tech 7: dual hinge system on the inside and outside, a TPU lower shell with a left/right-specific gear shift area and a sole with a wear indicator. Also available as Enduro and Enduro Drystar.
- Tech 10: the flagship, with the Frontal Flexion Control Frame, an asymmetric dual hinge and the Dynamic Heel Compression Protector (DHCP) in the heel. Also available as Enduro and Supervented.
- Belize v2 Drystar: adventure and dual-sport boot that ends just below the calf, with a Drystar membrane and a vulcanised off-road sole.
- Stella Tech 3: women's version with a lower shaft and a calf and ankle fit designed for women.
- Youth: Tech 3S Kids, Tech 3S Youth and Tech 7S Youth.
For trials there is also the Tech T, with full-grain leather, accordion flex zones and a trials sole.
Protection or comfort: which Tech model should you choose?
More construction means more support and impact protection; a simpler boot feels more supple and is easier to walk in.
| Model | Key features | Suitable for | Sizes (EU, in our shop) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tech 3 | TPU foot shell, medial blade system, replaceable sole | Beginners and recreational riders | 38 to 49.5 |
| Tech 5 | Polymer core structure, inner hinge | Riders who train regularly | 39 to 48 |
| Tech 7 | Dual hinge, wear indicator, Achilles bridge | Keen motocross and enduro riders | 38 to 52 |
| Tech 10 | Frontal Flexion Control Frame, DHCP heel, five-compound foot shell | Racers and serious amateur riders | 40.5 to 49.5 |
| Belize v2 Drystar | Waterproof, lower shaft, walking comfort | Adventure and dual-sport | 40.5 to 48 |
Rule of thumb: if you ride a few times a year, the basic protection of the Tech 3 is enough. If you ride every week or race, the dual hinge of the Tech 7 or the flex frame of the Tech 10 gives more control over hyperextension and compression of the ankle. In the product information, an inner bootie is only mentioned for the Tech 10 family; on the Supervented it is made of mesh for extra cooling. The Tech 3, 5 and 7 have a lining with foam around the ankle and collar.
Motocross, enduro or adventure: which sole and version?
The biggest difference between the variants is the sole and whether the boot is waterproof.
- Motocross: the standard Tech 3, 5, 7 and 10 have a motocross sole that gives a direct feel on the footpeg. The Tech 10 Supervented has air intakes, a perforated upper and a sole with air channels for riding in high temperatures.
- Enduro and trail: the Tech 3 All Terrain, Tech 7 Enduro and Tech 10 Enduro have a sole with more grip on rocks, roots and mud.
- Wet terrain: the Tech 7 Enduro Drystar has a Drystar membrane that keeps water out.
- Adventure: the Belize v2 Drystar has a lower shaft, a PU midsole and a tread pattern that, according to Alpinestars, works with and without a rubber insert on the footpeg.
Women's and youth boots
The Stella Tech 3 has been developed specifically for women: a lower overall height, a calf circumference that suits the female lower leg and ankle padding for a narrower ankle. For children, the range starts with the Tech 3S Kids (EU 28 to 33), which is deliberately light, flexible and easy to put on and take off. Next up are the Tech 3S Youth and the Tech 7S Youth (EU 34 to 42), which also fit adults with small feet.
Choosing your size and maintenance
Alpinestars supplies its boots in US sizes; in our shop they have been converted to EU sizes using the official Alpinestars size chart, so you simply choose your usual EU shoe size. Try them on with your normal riding socks and all buckles closed: your heel should stay in place and your toes should not hit the toe box.
- Buckles: according to the product information, the buckles on all Tech models are replaceable.
- Soles: on most models the sole is replaceable. The Tech 7 shows a red layer when the sole is worn.
- Tech T: spare soles, buckles and strap sets are available for the trials boot.
- Leather: Alpinestars Beewax, based on beeswax, nourishes leather boots and helps maintain their water resistance without darkening the colour.
Add a helmet and goggles
Alpinestars also makes off-road helmets, such as the SM3 (also as a youth helmet), SM5, SM7 and S-M10 (Alpinestars helmets). For goggles there is the Vision line (Vision 3, 5 and 8, Youth Vision and MX Vision OTG for glasses wearers) and the top-of-the-range Supertech series, part of which is roll-off ready. Take a look at the Alpinestars goggles collection.
How to choose in 3 steps
- Decide on your discipline: motocross (standard sole), enduro or trail (Enduro or All Terrain sole), adventure (Belize v2) or trials (Tech T).
- Choose your protection level: Tech 3 for the basics, Tech 5 as the middle ground, Tech 7 if you ride a lot, Tech 10 for the highest level.
- Check size and version: choose your EU shoe size, check whether your model is available in your size and whether you need a waterproof Drystar version.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the Alpinestars Tech 3, Tech 5, Tech 7 and Tech 10?
The numbers go up in protection and technology. The Tech 3 has a TPU foot shell with a metal shank and a medial blade system, the Tech 5 adds a polymer core structure and a biomechanical hinge, and the Tech 7 has a dual hinge and a wear indicator in the sole. The Tech 10 is the flagship, with the Frontal Flexion Control Frame and the Dynamic Heel Compression Protector.
Which Alpinestars boot is waterproof?
In our range, the Tech 7 Enduro Drystar and the Belize v2 Drystar have a waterproof Drystar membrane. The other motocross boots have a gaiter or cuff that keeps out water and dirt, but they are not waterproof.
What size Alpinestars motocross boot should I get?
Alpinestars supplies its boots in US sizes; in our shop these have been converted to EU sizes using the official Alpinestars size chart. Choose your usual EU shoe size and ideally try the boot on with the socks you wear under your MX pants. Not every model is available in every size.
Can you replace the sole and buckles on an Alpinestars boot?
Yes. According to the product information, the buckles are replaceable on all Tech motocross boots, and on most models the sole is too. Spare soles, buckles and straps are available for the Tech T trials boot. The Tech 7 has a wear indicator: once you see the red layer in the footpeg area, the sole is due for replacement.
Which Alpinestars boot is right for a child?
The Tech 3S Kids is made for the youngest riders (EU 28 to 33), and the Tech 3S Youth and Tech 7S Youth are for youth riders from EU 34 to 42. In some sizes, the Tech 3S Youth has a footbed that leaves room to grow.
Can I ride enduro in a motocross boot?
You can: the protection is the same, but the sole is different. A motocross sole gives a direct feel on the footpeg, while an enduro or all-terrain sole gives more grip when you have to walk or push on rocks, roots and mud. That is what the All Terrain and Enduro versions are for.
View all models and colours in the Alpinestars off-road boots collection, shipped from the Netherlands. Not sure which boot is right for you? Send us a message with the make, model and year of your bike, plus where and how often you ride, and we will help you choose.