We have all heard the adage, "If it costs more, it must be better!" It’s an axiom that has plagued us for years. Often true, but we are not always evaluating each side for what it is. As a tester, I put a lot of seat time in for EDM. Many things change, bikes, tires, helmets, etc. The one thing that remains a constant for me is my boots. When I was young, I wanted what all the pro riders had, Alpinestars boots, from M-4’s, to tech 6’s, then followed by Tech 8's, Tech 7's, and now the tech 10's. The last two on this list are sporting Alp's new sole. My current pair of T-10's are by far the most expensive set of boots I've personally owned, but are they the best?

I usually put in around 125-150 hours on each set of my boots. After reading all info and hearing great things of the new T-10, I was fortunate enough to get my hands on a set and after some lengthy ride time with them, I feel I can make a proper evaluation of them.

Initially they felt stiff when compared to my well worn, broken in T-7’s. But after a couple rides they felt as if I have been wearing them substantially longer. The new inner bootie that is featured in the T-10 and not in the T-7 is about as comfortable as a pillow. It's actually the first big difference I noticed between the two when I put them on the first time. Although, once on the track, 10 minutes into a moto, the thought of the comfy bootie is history. I’m thinking line selection, how long until my arms start pumping up, can I clear that gap? You get the idea...

There is a lot of technology that goes into MX boots and The T-10 is possibly the most technologically advanced boot on the market. The T-7 shares similar traits and styling but isn’t the same boot. That being said, I have to point this out. Neither boot made me a better rider than I was before wearing them nor made me faster or helped cut my lap times. Neither boot felt like they protected my feet better than the other.  Are you surprised? It’s funny how we think spending $ automatically makes us a better rider. Which brings me to my point, price. At $459.95, the T-10 is a pretty substantial investment for the weekend warrior or your average Joe.  While the T-10 is a great boot, the T-7 is a more obtainable to us mere mortals at $289.95.

 After weighing all aspects of each boot, durability, comfort, styling, and price, the T-7 comes up as my boot of choice. All of my past Alpinestars boots have done their job effectively and served me well. At almost 500 smackers, one has to take a step back and ask, "How bad do I need these specific boots?" Money spent on fresh tires and more practice time will help you get faster. Money spent on air filters and oil changes will keep your engine running longer between expensive rebuilds. An extra $170 for some added comfort and technology is worth it for some but for those on a budget, you might be better off laying up on the 'cool boots all the pro's wear' and getting Alpinestars mid level Tech 7's. They are great boots and have an excellent niche in the motor boot market. High quality boots are a necessity. If you are in the market for a new set and like Alpinestars products, I suggest you check out the T-7 before you immediately grab the T-10s. Maybe you’ll want to take that money you save and put it towards a set of knee braces or a neck brace.