The latest SMX-6 boots retain their sporty protection, but take a step towards being more road focused.
First, there are the changes made to the design. It’s still very identifiable as an Alpinestars sport boot, but a closer look will reveal that most of the surfaces have been refreshed compared to the previous model. The first thing that will catch your attention is the new honeycomb soft TPU material treatment all over the front. It looks good but tends to trap dust on our roads. I wonder if it will age as well as the previous material, which was just microfibre. On that topic, like most sporty boots, this is not made out of real leather but of an artificial material called microfibre.
Another notable change in the visuals is that all the Alpinestars branding is now grey instead of white. It’s a small thing but has created the effect of making this a more subtle, less racy looking boot. The external biomechanical armour has also been redesigned but serves to protect the ankle area in a similar way. As before, there is no toe slider on the Goretex version that we have here, probably due to challenges with keeping the boot waterproof.
Fit is similar, but with the notable difference being that the toe area feels more open and spacious. As with the V2, there’s a tall waterproof Gore-Tex liner that extends nearly to the top. This means that the boot can feel a bit tight to squeeze on or pull off. The difference in this area is that there’s a new elastic gaiter on top. I’m conflicted about this because it will provide a better seal, which is good in the cold and rain but may result in the boots feeling hotter in the summer months.
I managed to live with the previous V2 Goretexs year round without much discomfort, but if you’re someone with more sensitive feet, you may want a ventilated boot for riding through Indian summers. The trade-off for the heat is superb rain protection, and as long as the tops are kept properly covered, I’ve never had these boots leak on me.
The SMX-6 boots are not yet available in India, but the company is working on homologation for domestic sale. They’re expensive, but in my experience, Astars’ boots are some of the best out there, and they hold up very well in our challenging environment.
Where: www.eu.alpinestars.com
Price: Rs 37,000
Dinshaw Magol
