Rennie Scaysbrook | August 24, 2021
It’s been six years, but Alpinestars has just debuted an all-new Supertech R road-racing boot. The Supertech R has been the staple of AStar’s lineup since it debuted way back in 2001, and although it may look similar to the model from 2015, there are some significant changes.
The new Alpinestars Supertech R road-racing boot is lighter and slimmer than the previous model.
Effectively, every little piece of the Supertech has come under the microscope. From the new shin slider to the redesigned TPU shifter, much larger vent system at the front near the ankle and lower shin, new inner boot, rubber sole, top gaiter, TPU shifter and shin plate, the Supertech R is now slimmer, lighter and snugger than before.
Much of the attention has gone into the new inner boot system. Developed in MotoGP by Quartararo, Marquez et al, the inner boot gets soft TPU reinforcement and helps dissipate heat more effectively than before. Its snugger fit means more comfort over longer races, and there’s additional ankle padding and protection within the inner boot itself in case things go awry.
Another area of improvement is the stretch panel on the outside of the boot that allows for a smoother entry of the inner boot without it getting hung up on anything.
The boots are available in vented and non-vented, and unlike pretty much everything else these days, Alpinestars has not increased the price of the boot from what the older-generation Supertech R boots retailed for!
Alpinestars insists these are exactly the same boots the world’s fastest riders wear in MotoGP (aside from personalized rider colors), and to have that tech available to the public is very cool indeed.
Alpinestars Supertech R Road Racing Boot Lowdown
List Price: $499.95
Standout Feature: The best fitting boot I’ve ever tried, which reduces fatigue and makes the ride more enjoyable.
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Slimmer design gives a tighter fit |
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Much easier to get the inner boot in and out |
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More airflow means more comfort |
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Inner boot design may not be for everyone if you’re used to a traditional boot. |
The slimmer fit makes getting your feet set on the pegs easier, and the new sole prevents your feet from sliding on the pegs as much as before.
Alpinestars Supertech R Road Racing Boot | Rider Analysis
If I think really hard, there’s probably about seven or eight times in the last seven years of working at Cycle News where I haven’t been wearing a pair of Supertech Rs.
These boots have always been my go-to, and I’ve become so accustomed to them that any change could almost be met with trepidation from my end.
I’ve spent one full track day in the new Supertechs and have thus only just broken them in but already there are three standout features. The first is how well the new inner boot system snugly fits into the outer boot. Previously I always had trouble trying to get the inner boot to sit perfectly, and if it wasn’t, it was near impossible to zip up. This is now a very welcome thing of the past with the new boots (I even know a couple of top racers who left the inner boot and never took it out because the old system was too much of a pain to set right).
Once the boot is set, the comfort is a much higher level. Like when you get a helmet that fits absolutely perfectly, the boots are a bit tight at first but you soon forget about it.
The second point is the airflow is increased. I’m not sure if it’s actually more, but the new boot does a better job of dissipating what heat is there. Normally I’d take my boots off once I come in after a session, but these I left on all day and didn’t think twice about it.
The third point is the overall fit, from the new inner boot to the outer shell, it is slimmer, which for me is massive as this is the first AStars boot where I didn’t touch the toe slider down, even on three different bikes. The slimmer fit makes getting your feet set on the pegs easier, and the new sole stops my feet from sliding on the pegs as much as before.
Each boot weighs (on my scale) 1.1 pounds lighter than my 2020 Supertech Rs, and although it doesn’t sound like much it does make a difference over the course of a track day. That little bit less weight means everything moves a little freer, a little easier, all of which adds up at the end of the day.
The new Supertechs don’t feel radically different to the old ones, but they are improved in little areas everywhere. The slimness now has them in line with brands that don’t have inner boots like Sidi, which is no mean feat considering the extra parts in there.
For more information, visit www.alpinestars.com
