PRICE $529.90
COLOUR various options
SIZES 5-16
I
CONTACT: www.crownkiwi.co.nz
’ve been wearing A-Star, or Alpinestars boots in old money,
almost exclusively since 1983. Once or twice I’ve tried
some other trendy new brand only to be disappointed
with comfort or fit. I even tried plastic boots once which
were bloody disastrous... comfortable enough, but
absolutely zero feel, so in effect – dangerous. I couldn’t
re-gift them on to some lucky soul quickly enough!
For the last several years I’ve been using Alpinestars Tech 7 models
and am utterly sold on them. They’re the most comfortable boot
I’ve ever worn and offer excellent feel of the brake and gear levers,
while delivering outstanding protection at the same time.
The Tech7 boots combine all manner of materials including plastic,
leather, aluminium alloy and synthetic fabric etc, all of different
densities to deliver the comfort and protection to the necessary
places without sacrificing anything in either area. They really are
superbly comfortable and
require little, if any, break-in
time. As an example of the
detailed effort required to
achieve this, the ankle and collar
area has foam reinforcement
that is soft, shock resistant
and extremely durable. I can
wear these boots wet or dry
for multiple days of adventure/
offroad riding and still have
all the skin on my feet that I
started with. That’s impressive
in a boot... in my book.
They have four buckles, two
of which are opposing for an
improved fit and support –
and, therefore, safety. The
sole and footpeg insert is
fully replaceable so a decent life expectancy is a given. The first
Tech7s I got are now seven or eight years old (black/white pair in
the pics) and, while a little scruffy looking, are still in great condition
– nothing has broken or been replaced. I absolutely recommend
them to anyone riding offroad, be it trail, enduro, XC or MX.
~ JOCK MCLAUCHLAN
KIWI RIDER 39