Product Review: Alpinestars S-MX 5 Boots
The Alpinestars S-MX 5 Boot is a performance road and track boot. The over-the-calf fit provides great ankle and twist protection. Alpinestars has a video overview of the boot available, if you’re curious about all of the protective bells and whistles. From the first glance, this looks like a great protective boot for road riding in this price range.
While Alpinestars advertises the S-MX 5 boot as track- and street-friendly, most racers agree that it doesn’t quite fit the bill for on-track protection. For the occasional track day, the S-MX 5 is a fine choice, but if you’re a serious track rider or racer, you’ll want to step up to a race boot. The S-MX 5 boots offer superior protection for road riding, and are a good compromise between boots that are comfortable and boots that offer great protection.
With double-injected PU shields around the shin, ankle, calf and toe, the boot offers good abrasion protection. The over-the-calf fit and structured shank reinforcement protect the leg, ankle and foot in a crash.
Like many tall motorcycle boots, the Alpinestars S-MX5 inflexibility makes it a great protective choice but a poor choice for people who want to walk around in it. If you’re wearing this boot for the ride only, and can change into other shoes at your destination, it’s a great choice. But if you want boots that you can use on the bike and when you arrive, you might want to consider a shorter boot that’s slightly more flexible. That being said, many riders report that they do wear these boots at destinations, and they’re more comfortable than most tall boots. If you don’t want to compromise, these S-MX 5 boots seem to be a good choice.
The S-MX 5 offers more flexibility than the S-MX Plus boot, which makes it a better choice for every-day use. Commuters who want solid protection on the bike and can leave a pair of shoes at their destination may find these boots a great choice. The S-MX 5 boots do become more flexible when broken in, but the break-in period can range from days to months, depending on how frequently you wear them.
Riders report that the Alpinestars S-MX 5 motorcycle boot’s mesh liner is surprisingly warm. As a result, it’s not a great hot-weather boot, but it will keep your feet warm during mild, cool and cold weather. You might want to consider a ventilated boot for summer riding if you ride in hot climates. The S-MX 5 boots do offer ventilation, but aren’t particularly effective at low speeds or stoplights.
Sizing on these boots seems to run a bit large. Riders report regularly buying a half size small for good fit, or more in some cases. Be sure to check the measurements and measure it against your foot size; not your shoe size. The Velcro closure enables you to adjust the fit based on your needs, and riders report wearing pants inside and outside the boots, depending on their fit preferences.
