By Chad de Alva
The Alpinestars Tech 10 Motocross (MX) boot is widely regarded as the most protective premium boot on the market, thanks to its advanced bracing systems, impact absorption, and outstanding build quality. So, when Alpinestars set out to create an Enduro-specific version of the Tech 10, they didn’t just change the colorways and slap on some Enduro badging. Instead, they optimized the Tech 10 chassis for the unique needs of Enduro riding. By reworking the toe box, changing the sole, and tweaking key structural elements, the Tech 10 Enduro is a unique boot that’s purpose-built for the demands of off-road and technical trail riding.
Looking at the Tech 10 Enduro for the first time, the most obvious change compared to a regular Tech 10 is the sole. On the regular (MX) version, the sole is mostly smooth and covered in small dimples that help the boot grip the teeth of a footpeg. The Sole on the Tech 10 Enduro, however, looks like some kind of futuristic hiking boot. Aggressive lugs and lots of siping provide additional grip on all sorts of obstacles like logs, rocks, and other surfaces encountered in enduro riding. More on how well this new sole works in a minute.
There are a number of other changes between the regular Tech 10 and the Enduro version, most of which address how quickly the boot feels broken in and how flexible it is. Without a regular Tech 10 next to a Tech 10 Enduro, these changes are hard to spot, so just know that that the takeaway here is that the Tech 10 Enduro feels broken in more quickly, is more flexible, has a smaller profile, and better feel at the foot controls than the OG Tech 10. Yet when it comes to protection, the Tech 10 Enduro isn’t leaving anything on the table.
Nerding out on all of the protective features of the Tech 10 Series of boots would take an entire article – so here’s the highlight reel: Just like the regular Tech 10, the Tech 10 Enduro uses booties with a revised lateral ankle stay (for more flex) that helps this boot protect your foot and ankle in every range of motion. The Frontal Flexion Control Frame, two-blade connectors, and other technology distribute impact loads and help prevent over-compression and hyperextension. Then There’s the Dynamic Heel Compression Protector (DCHP), which is essentially a crush zone in the boot for your heel that helps absorb impacts. Tech 10s are about as protective as motorcycling boots get, and when you put them on you’re keenly aware of that fact.
Tech 10’s are stiff boots, and even when they’re well worn in, they’re still stiff boots. That’s the price of protection. Yet that price isn’t hard to live with – Tech 10s are quite comfortable for the protection they provide, and once you’re used to (and have also broken in) a set, they’re objectively great boots. Tech 10 Enduros, however, are even better. The increased flexibility, smaller profile, and improved feel at the sole all translate into a boot that you feel comfortable in more quickly. This means that shifting and using the rear brake return to seamless parts of your riding that much more quickly.
The first ride on our set of Tech 10 Enduros was at the Grinding Stone Hard Enduro in Page, AZ. Even on the first day of riding in these boots, our test rider felt quite comfortable and confident in these boots. Page is very much a place that punishes mistakes like missing a shift or a club-footed brake application, and sliding, losing traction, or otherwise blowing a line generally results in your bike sliding (and occasionally tumbling) down a slick rock face, hence the name Grinding Stone. Thankfully, the Tech 10 Enduros worked well enough out of the box that no carnage was attributed to new stiff boots or not being used to the boots the rider was wearing.
On familiar technical trails and single track, the Tech 10 Enduros have proven to work quite well. Most of our test riders’ go-to boot is the Tech 7 Enduro, and stepping up to the Tech 10 Enduro has proven to be an easy change. Any time you buckle into the Tech 10 Enduro, you can certainly feel the protection it provides, but the boot is definitely not the limiting factor in any situation we’ve encountered.
The Tech 10 Enduro also works great as an Adventure Riding boot, especially if you adventure in the off-road. So many “adventure” boots on the market have surprisingly little in the way of protection, range of motion restriction, padding, or even a CE rating, which means that they’re really not able to do much for the wearer in the event of a crash. Given that adventure riding usually involves heavier bikes and higher speeds, the Tech 10 Enduro is a great choice for off-road adventure riding. I’ve seen firsthand how an “adventure” boot and a liter plus adventure bike taking an unscheduled nap lead to a broken tibia, which led to plenty of time sitting in the ditch on the side of a mountain pass contemplating if my buddy’s leg would have been okay in a more protective boot. Here’s your unsolicited advice to reevaluate your adventure boot choices.
The only asterisk to the Tech 10 Enduros being great boots, is that they’re not the best for hiking. The ankle bootie and my foot/ankle anatomy get angry with each other when there’s walking involved. I’m aware of the medial ankle stay in the bootie if I’m walking a section or an obstacle to help another rider out, and if I’m hiking all over the place for photos, I can get hotspots on the insides of my ankles. In all fairness, the Tech 10 Enduros are not hiking boots, and this is most likely a function of my anatomy, but I mention this only because I can walk all day in a pair of Tech 7 Enduros with no issues. Your mileage may vary.
The bottom line is that the Tech 10 Enduros are a unique variant of the most protective premium boot on the market that works very well for their intended purpose. Alpinestar’s revisions to the Tech 10 to create the Tech 10 Endruo, hit the mark. The revised sole works great on any surface I’ve dabbed or hiked around on, and even when I’ve intentionally made sub-optimal dabs or done other little tests just to see what the boot would let me get away with, I was never disappointed. The revised flex, smaller profile, and increased control feel mean that riders can get calibrated to riding with these boots faster, and enjoy the benefits of the additional protection sooner.
Do not let the word Enduro in the name Tech 10 Enduro pigeonhole this boot’s intended use. It works great for enduro, trail, and dual sport riding, but it’s also proven to be great for adventure riding. Even MX bros who want a more flexible Tech 10 would be wise to give the Tech 10 Enduro a try. There is a tradeoff for protection, and I’ve witnessed firsthand what can happen when there isn’t enough foot protection in a crash. Yet the Tech 10 Enduro does the best job yet of bringing all of the protection to the table, along with improved flex and control feel, comfort while riding, and top-shelf build quality that all add up to make a great premium riding boot.
Go to TMBRMOTO.com for Alpinestars Tech 10 Enduro Boots
