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Welcome to my Alpinestars SMX 6 V2 review. I’ve owned these riding boots since June 2022 and I’ve worn them on at least half a dozen rides so far. If you are considering these boots but want to know how they are like to ride in, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s dive into the review.
Key points
- Comfort: I’ve tried on almost every current motorcycle boot from all the top-tier manufacturers. From Dainese to TCX and Sidi — none of them came close to the comfort offered by the Alpinestars SMX 6 V2 boots.
- Protection: Certified to CE EN 13634 Level 2 standards, the boots offer excellent levels of protection for the price. Offering almost as much protection as the flagship Supertech R boots, the SMXs are of a simpler design that’s, in my opinion, far more comfortable on your feet.
- Value: These boots are surprisingly affordable when compared to what the other top-tier brands have to offer. They may not have the extra 5-10% of finishing quality as TCX, but for the money, you can’t beat the value.
- Style: I hate to admit it but you do feel like a MotoGP baller in these boots. Alpinestars is one of the most desirable boot manufacturers in the world and for a good reason. They function just as good as they look.
Protection
I decided to purchase these boots so that I could do a track day with my RC 390. Track rules stipulate that you must wear full motorcycle boots to ride on the track. That meant my Alpinestars Fasters 3s were not going to cut it.
In saying so, protection was at the top of my priorities when it came to purchasing a full racing boot. Let’s take a quick look at all the protective features that come with the Alpinestars SMX 6.
Shin Protection
The shin area is protected by extremely hardened TPU injected polymer. Although the protected surface area isn’t quite as large as the Supertech R, it still meets CE EN 13634 Level 2 standards.
Ankle Bracing
As with the shins, the ankle area is braced with high modulus TPU polymer. A feature that you don’t see on many boots is the TPU lateral ankle brace. This helps to reinforce and protect the area between the top calf/shin and ankle.
Alpinestars has set the ankle brace so it can move as you pivot your toes up and down while shifting. It’s a small detail however you can feel the difference when wearing these boots out on the road.
Reinforced Toe Box and Sole
For increased durability and improved feel, Alpinestars has layered the internal toe box production under the upper material. TPU has been added to where your toe meets the shifter which gives you a confident and firm shifting feel. The compound rubber sole offers excellent foot grip while the heel section is shaped perfectly for gripping motorcycle pegs.
Toe Slider
Made out of the same injection-moulded TPU polymer, the toe sliders are thick and durable. They are also removable with a single small hex bolt. The good thing about choosing a popular brand like Alpinestars is there are heaps of different replacement sliders available.
Comfort
I wasn’t thinking about comfort when I went to purchase a set of motorcycle boots. After all, the reason why I wanted these boots was so I could take my bike on the track. However, after trying on a number of different full motorcycle boots from Dianese, TCX and Sidi, I soon changed my mind.
The biggest problem I had with the other boots was that I couldn’t fit my calves into them. Now I don’t have huge calves by any means, however, I could not fully fasten up most of the boots that I tried on. So, if you have chunky calves, the SMX 6 might be your saviour.
Even without the calf problem, the SMXs simply felt more comfortable to wear and walk in compared to all the other brands I tried. This may be due to Alpinestar’s decision to use a velcro fastening system which is more akin to sports touring boots. Although it doesn’t look as fancy as a level and wire fastener, it’s more comfortable. It also makes it easier to get the boot on and off your foot.
Another feature that you don’t see too often on race boots is accordion flex panelling. Normally, this is something that you would find on sports touring boots as it aids comfort and mobility. However, Alpinestars has included it in the construction of the SMX which makes even walking long distances in the boot a breeze.
Ventilation
The standard model offers minimal ventilation. This is great if you ride in a cooler weather climate area. With that said, there are two small ventilation areas at the rear of the calf and one small vent at the outer lateral ankle.
If you ride in a hot climate region, the breathable vented version of the SMX 6 V2 would be a wiser choice.
Materials
Most of the boot upper is made out of microfiber for durability and abrasion resistance. Let’s take a closer look at some of the other materials and features found on the boot.
Waterproofing
The SMX 6 V2s are not considered to be waterproof and I’ve yet to wear them while in the rain. Could you wear these in the rain and get away with it? The answer is yes but only if you owned the model that is not vented.
Velcro
The boot makes use of a simple velcro and zipper fastening system for ease of use and comfort. Unlike other full-race boots that use level and wire fasteners, I found this system much easier to get my feet in and out of.
There’s also no inner bootie with the SMXs which some may consider a downside. I find inner booties get in the way when you want to quickly slip on the boots and get riding. However, it is something that come down to personal taste.
Colours and Sizing
The boot comes in three different colour options.
Alpinestars SMX 6 V2
Suprisingly comfortable for a track-ready motorcycle boot, the Alpinestars SMX 6 V2 offers loads of protection. Being CE EN 13634 Level 2 certified, you’ll be hard pressed to find a more protective, comfortable and quality boot for the money.
Product SKU: 2223017-1100-36
Product Brand: Alpinestars
Product Currency: AUD
Product Price: 369
Product In-Stock: InStock
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Alpinestars SMX 6 V2 Review Conclusion
So there you have it. That’s my Alpinestars SMX 6 V2 review. Overall, this boot is one of the best pieces of motorcycling gear that I’ve purchased to date.
It offers practically the same level of protection as flagship race boots while being comfortable enough that you could walk all day long in them.
If you want a race boot that doesn’t sacrifice comfort for protection, consider purchasing the SMX 6 V2.
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