I have written about the Alpinestars S-MX5 boots before and I do so again with a real sense of trepidation. The problem is that the S-MX5s are not supposed to be the sort of boot I would want to use.
Alpinestars are very kind and a couple of years ago they sent me a pair of the ultra-high tech Supertech R boots which are worn by Alpinestars’ sponsored World Championship riders. The Supertech Rs are almost twice the price of the budget S-MX5s and offer more technology than you can find at NASA. The Rs really are brilliant boots – but I still preferred their lowly brother.
So, to begin at the beginning. The S-MX5s are a modern leather and plastic composite with the synthetic material providing protection that pure leather boots can never achieve. They are very, very well made and there is no hint of being a budget item.
I am in my second season of racing with the same pair and they have been ruthlessly treated. I like them so much that I also use them for road tests and recreational riding too.
They have been slung in the back of our race trailer and buried in wine when we came back from Luxembourg but remain battered yet still in perfect condition. In short, you will need an industrial sized chainsaw to damage them.
The boots are being retired now but this is mainly because of race wear below the bottom of the slider. Used on the road, you will probably change bikes more often than these boots.
Someone at Alpinestars really does know how to design motorcycle boots which work because the S-MX5 is very clever. The rear of the boot is an extremely stiff plastic construction which locates the rider’s heel very securely. There is absolutely no room for twisting or rearward movement.
There is an external plastic support where the boot is most likely to make contact with the bike and this reduces wear on the leather part of the boot.
Another generously large plastic support, but this time internal, fits over the ankle bone.
The whole of the front of the toe is heavily reinforced internally and there are external strips over the gearshift area. Importantly for me because I race right-hand side shift motorcycles, the protector strips on are both boots.
None of these plastic reinforcements are discernible by the rider because the padding inside is firm and generous so that the only thing which can be felt is the foot being held very firmly and in complete comfort.
The front of the boot is made from very soft, and heavily pleated, leather. This is really important when I am racing one of our classic bikes where space is restricted over both the gear lever and rear brake. I have to bend my foot well back to change gear and the S-MX5s permit this without any discomfort.
I have a particular personal problem with all boots because I have both a fairly wide foot and a very high instep. The throat of the S-MX has a particularly large entry aperture so it’s easy to get them on. Once on, there is plenty of room internally. The sizing is accurate too.
The obverse side of having ample space is that the foot has to be firmly located in the boot to be safe. Alpinestars achieve this by having a long, curved zip which pulls the boot round the rider’s foot and calf. The zip is large and, in my experience, unbreakable – and racers do break clothing!
The final tightening is via a thick, plastic serrated strap which means that the throat of the boot can be locked really tightly on to leathers for racing or kept a couple of notches out more relaxed for touring.
Bike journos have a habit of raving about bike gear and then forgetting the real world. Not only are these boots very comfortable and practical on the bike they are good off it too. Okay, you wouldn’t want to go on a long hike through the mountains in a pair of S-MX5s but they are fine for a walk round a tourist site during a ride out or a really busy day in the paddock where there isn’t time to get in and out of your gear between races and practice.
I have had both the vented and the Gore-Tex lined versions of these boots. Clearly, the Gore-Tex is very water resistant but it’s still not up to the level of a dedicated touring boot. My preference for the sort of riding I mainly do is the vented option and this provides a decent degree of comfort even when racing in very hot weather.
For serious touring in adverse weather, you really do need a dedicated touring boot.
The only criticism is that the boots come with a purely decorative toe slider. If you intend using these boots at the track the plastic toe slider will need replacing after three corners and then you will have to buy a pair of Alpinestars’ magnesium sliders. For road use, unless you ride like you should be on a track, the plastic will be fine.
In summary, I really can’t think why anyone would want to spend more money on a more sophisticated boot when the S-MX5s work so well. For $239, why would you want anything else?
