We all start somewhere & my first pair of motorcycle boots are what quite a few call hardcore motorcycle boots. The hunt for that one pair of motorcycle boots that fit perfectly & meet requirements can be quite a tedious task. There are plenty of motorcycle boot manufacturers in India who are churning out extremely affordable road & track specific models.
Adventure/MX boots are another story all together, there are one or two motorcycle gear e-tail companies in India who have a limited range of international brands available, but one wouldn't know what size to order due to the sizing variations between these brands.
My first pair of motorcycle boots happen to be what quite a few around have called 'hardcore' - the Alpinestars Toucan Gore-Tex Boots. These are an all-in-one touring boot that combines durability, comfort, 100% weatherproofing & protection into one neat package. Pick them up & the first thing that you will notice, is how light these boots are compared to quite a few other boots in the same category. Pulling them on was as easy as wearing a regular pair of slip-on shoes, but with an adjustable & replaceable closure system. Adjusting them takes a little experimenting before you lock them at the right notch. The aluminium buckles with self aligning guides make for easy locking.
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| Alpinestars Toucan Gore-Tex Boots |
The boots not only seem rugged from the outside, but also have a great snug & secure feeling on the inside. They are a little rigid and yet flexible enough for the dual-purpose motorcyclist who wants the comfort of a shoe & the rigidity of a boot. The more you wear them & ride, the better they feel. The ankle support is great, but can hamper walking around on uneven terrain, when you wear a pair of motorcycle boots, one does need to change their style of walking.
The 100% weatherproofing with the Gore-Tex lining is a boon, the boots have already faced rain, some slush (feet dry on the inside), heat (both weather & motorcycle) & none of them has been an irritant. The suede leather finish makes its easy to clean, these boots are not going to require cleaning anytime soon. They look great with the random spray of muck on them. Get them a lot messier & they will still be just as easy to pull on, lock & ride away with.
If you have never worn a pair of riding boots before, then you are in for a great experience. The first time I pulled them on, it felt strange when I walked and rode the first few kilometers. A couple of days later, wearing a regular pair of shoes while riding feel strange.
The trails are calling & the experience with them look extremely promising. A non technical complete review will follow soon.
My boots are from the Alpinestars Triumph range of products, as a result are priced significantly lower & only have a slightly different styling.
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