Alpinestars SMX-3 Boots (SOLD OUT)

Alpinestars boots are very consistent from one model to the next and in trying on this style, we find it to be consistent with their published sizing chart and most previous Alpinestars boots.

If you know your best size from previous Alpinestars boots, then I’d advise you to choose the same size, or just use the chart to select a size based on a US street shoe size. I’d consider the width of the men’s sizes to be normal to slightly wide (D or E).

The concept of a short race boot like this has been around for a LONG time… the S-MX 2 boots are similar and have been around for a LONG time. What’s different? The height of this SMX-3 boot is just a bit taller and it is now CE certified. I’m wearing a pair as we speak and I do like this slightly taller version of boot. Shorter boots which are relatively stiff (as a race boot should be), dig into my leg just above the ankle, but a bit taller boot like this has some neck on it and that neck provides a bit more flex and is well padded so it cuts down on that potential discomfort around the top edge.

Like a full height race boot, this boot has the usual profile and protective features…. you get a set of replaceable toe sliders, reinforced toe box and heel box. The heel box has an external armor piece as well to provide further impact protection. There is also protection built in for the inside and outside of the ankle. The outside is covered by the molded buckle housing and the inside ankle has some internal protection built into the boot. The short neck of the boot has extra stiffness built into the boot in front of the shin.

These boots fit me very well and it feels like the boot really molds to the foot. Entry is done using the inside zipper which is quick and easy. On the outside of each foot is a buckle assembly. The strap is functional to snug up the boot over the instep some if necessary, but largely it will be a “set it and forget it” feature. I found the ratchet mechanism to be a bit disappointing though. It is built so that you can tighten the strap by lifting on the buckle repeatedly, but when there is just a light amount of tension, the ratchet will skip over the tog and stop tightening. You have to give it a little help with your other hand. It holds OK though after you get it where you want it. Just a minor annoyance probably once or twice in your life.

This style comes in three colors and the white/black one is perforated so that it is, in effect, the “vented” version. Overall I like the style and the fit is improved from the previous version. The boot feels very secure and should be very protective in case you fall. The boots look sharp too. :: Paul, 09-04-14

About CE Ratings for Boots: CE ratings on boots are a relatively new thing, so I asked our Alpinestars rep to give me some information about the CE certification and what it means to a boot buyer. Here is his best shot at a concise answer: The biggest piece of info for a CE rated boot is based around how well that boot can disperse energy from the vehicle while riding or an impact. Standard features in footwear to meet CE certification requires a structural shank in the foot bed to break down energy transferring up from the foot pegs or an impact to the bottom of the foot in a get off. It also requires the boot to have structure in the heel and toe of the boot, at minimum you need to have a hard supportive counter in the heel that can again help break down energy being pushed up through the foot bed. Though not required most Alpinestars boots contain a hard counter in the toe as well; this is more designed for wear from shifting and impact to the front/side of the foot during an accident. The last major feature required is impact protection on the ankle and every boot/riding shoe in the Alpinestars line features some sort of hard impact protection on the medial and lateral sides of the ankle. Overall in simple terms a CE rating in a piece of footwear works as a minimum standard to decrease the chance of catastrophic damage to the heel/arch/ankle in an accident. My thanks to JP in Dealer Development at Alpinestars. :: Paul, 09-05-14