Alpinestars Supertech R Vented Boot

LONGTERMERS BIKEWEAR REVIEW


Words: Gordon Compton

Pictures: Becci Russell

Alpinestars Supertech R Vented Boots

SRP: £259.99

Mileage so far: 5000


How many times have we all been out on a hot day and enjoyed ourselves so much that we have ended up spending all day out, instead of the “promised” couple of hours, getting home and prising off hot boots. Thats not so bad, it's whats lurking underneath that is the problem. After fumigating the house several times, and having the rest of the family treated at A & E for fume inhalation, it can be deducted pretty quickly that those boots aren't doing anybody any favours. Time for a change maybe?

Well Alpinestars may have the answer to this in the shape of the vented Supertech R boot, which is closely based on the actual boots developed for and worn by racers the world over.

This revolutionary boot design has been in circulation for a few years now, but it has evolved every year alongside the development of the racers boots, adding new features when they are proven on the track.

Even from the first glimpse over these boots it is apparent that there really isn't anything quite like them, and quite frankly, I don't think there actually is in all fairness.

One of the first striking features that you'll notice is the fact that the Supertech design actually is comprised of two boots, an inner and an outer. this unusual feature came about from track side research, as it became apparent that the ankle and lower leg is an incredibly weak part of the body and will hyperextend through excessive ankle twisting, causing in some cases, irreparable damage.

Alpinestars looked at this problem extensively, and found that the structure of a standard boot could not be reinforced to the extent required without losing freedom of movement, and creating unnecessary bulk.

The result of this research was found in the Supertech design.

The Supertech inner boot (or bootie), is the part of the boot that actually has the task when called upon to resist this twisting tendency, via a patented four link system that effectively links the calf collar to the reinforced heel cup. The inner boot is made from a very lightweight mesh fabric which covers most of the inner boots surface, and allows the air that enters the outer boot to get through to the riders feet, helping them stay cool.

The supertech R shown in it's two main constituent parts, the inner bootie (foreground), and the outer boot (background). Note the articulated link connecting the armoured heel cup to the calf collar on the inner bootie. This is a very simple (and patented) design which allows natural degrees of movement for the ankle, but prevents and eliminates excessive twisting between the foot and ankle.

The protection continues onto the outside edges of the inner boot that are attached to the sole, but not at the sides to allow the sole to flex naturally with the foot, but at the same time providing side impact protection. Glued to the bottom of the boot is a thin fine rubber sole with variations in thickness along the soles length, to aid unidirectional flex.

The bootie is held to the foot by an internal lacing system, which draws around the front of the shin, leaving the foot free from any undue pressure, but is still secured to the lower leg safely. The lace is actually a Carbon/Kevlar mix to ensure a long service life and to avoid fraying, and displays the technological depths Alpinestars have gone to to perfect this design.

The inner bootie is held securely to the riders foot by this very thin looking but ultra strong Carbon/Kevlar lace designed to keep weight and bulk down, yet allow for a long service life.

To finish off the features of the inner boot, there is a small shoehorn shaped piece of polyurethane connected to the heel cup that protects the Achilles tendon from cuts or punctures.

The outer however is another story. As the inner boot effectively protects the Achilles tendon, ankle joint, and outside sole edges, the outer has other worries to deal with.

Firstly, the impact and slide protection factors, most of which are dealt with by the sturdy heel assembly, which is made from polyurethane, and is incredibly tough. However, this material can only stand a relatively low duration of friction before softening, which then creates grip on the surface it is sliding along on, which could cause the ankle to turn. To avoid this, Alpinestars have used a small Magnesium casting mounted on the outside edge at the base of the heel to keep the heel armour off the road, so it can slide freely.

The heel portion also features small meshed areas which effectively allow hot air out to aid ventilation for the sole of the foot, along with a replaceable plastic capping which is an additional piece of slide protection in this area of the boot.

The sole of the boot itself has had the same degree of thought put into it too. The pattern on the sole allows for a good level of grip, but at the same time is patterned to allow an exceptionally good degree of movement in all natural directions. The mid sole also features a rigid section buried in between the sole and the interior of the outer boot to provide torsional control, and limits any excessive flexing or bending, eliminating, or at least minimising possible twist induced injuries.

The sole of the outer boot is patterned to allow for natural flex but is substantially braced at the mid-sole to provide additional protection against dangerously excessive torsional movement. To the front of the sole there is a wrap around section covering the inside front edge, which protects the toe of the boot from scuffing, with the now common interchangeable Alpinestars toe slider mounted on the outside front edge.

Moving up to the Shin and Calf area of the boot, it can be seen that the Shin plate has a very exaggerated profile, which juts out from the top edge , tapering down its length to the point where it meets the rubber air intake at the base of the Shin area. This in turn creates a very unique shape overall, which is for good reason.

The boot was originally developed between the Honda GP factory team and Alpinestars as an exercise in rider aerodynamics, which eventually culminated in to the well regarded range topper we have here.

Looking at the overall shape does confirm this fact, as even the top of the boot leg itself has a silicon lined microfibre gaiter to effectively seal and grip the boot to the riders trousers, making the two parts one for air to flow more easily. At lower speeds this doesn't seem apparent, but at higher speed, the internals of the boot are only ventilated by the air intakes and exhausts on the boot, and not down the leg, as in traditional designs and is very effective.

The micro ratchet strap calf retention is well positioned, easy to use, and is replaceable in the event of an accident so the boot is not an expensive write off. The area covering the Calf is made from injection moulded polyurethane, and is shaped aerodynamically at the rear, partly concealing the ratchet mechanism to neatly integrate it to lessen the chances of damaging the binding in an off.

One thing that does strike you when you first wear them is that the boot is incredibly comfortable, and definitely on a par with a good quality touring boot, which is something quite unexpected from something like a race boot.

Because the boot is in fact two separate pieces of footwear together, the extra sole thickness inherited does help eliminate otherwise annoying high frequency buzzes from the riders pegs. This double layering makes the feedback from the sole very vague at first, but does subside fairly quickly with use, as the only real factor of breaking in is done through the foot bed in the inner boot.

The inside temperature of the boot, even at low speed whilst say filtering is not excessive, and even if the feet do sweat they are dried out rapidly once things speed up.

Only after spending some time with these boots do you realise what has been achieved; an incredibly easy to use and comfortable product, with class leading safety features wrapped in a stylish exterior. Quite something.


CONCLUSION


Expensive but impressively specced boot with clever details and care spent on creating an effective Ankle and Sole protection system, along with an astounding ventilation system that works very well.

The boot features outstanding comfort and isolation from annoying high frequency buzzes from the riders footpegs, which is a common problem amongst other boot designs due to the sole being so thin.

Alpinestars have created a truly unique package, ultra safe, ultra comfortable and ultra stylish boot, no wonder so many riders on the track wear them.

They are even easy to look after thanks to being made from synthetic Microfibre, which has the same properties as leather, but is easier to clean and more resilient in use.

Topped off with an array of available spare component parts for service or repair, owning a pair of these need'nt be just for a couple of summers, justifying more the original purchase price.

Alpinestars have made a product comparable to the race ready Daytona race boots, at a saving in comparison, and are a track day essential, and remember, that's where they were developed after all!!