Alpinestars Toucan boots | My go-to boots for all-day adventure rides on and off-road

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Take it from me: finding the right adventure boot isn’t easy. First of all there are lots to choose from and secondly for it to be any good it needs to deliver on a multitude of levels. Ultimately, I’d say it’s a compromise as they need to be comfortable enough to wear all day long, offer good protection to save you from injury, while ideally being waterproof so that you don’t spend the day with soaking wet feet as soon as you hit the first water crossing.

The Alpinestars Toucan do a good job of filling the criteria and have nice touches like a conventional stitched, stepped sole for extra longevity. Price-wise they sit at the higher end of the market, but they do tick a lot of the boxes that an all-year adventure rider will be looking for.

How comfortable are the Alpinestars Toucan?

For a substantial boot like the Toucan the comfort is good. Sizing is accurate and they are reasonably wide meaning you’ll be able to put on an extra pair of socks if needed for warmth. They are not as high as a full on enduro or motocross boot which in turn makes that that little bit lighter.

For an off-road boot they are reasonably plush with a nice padded insole and lots of padding at the top of the boot which makes them comfortable around the calf. Each boot still weighs 1.5KG (Size UK 10) each so they are not light, but not prohibitively heavy.

The sole is stiff, which is necessary for protection meaning they are not super comfortable when walking, but definitely not as stiff and unforgiving as a dedicated enduro boot. Putting them on is easy with two fully adjustable buckles while the top is secured with strong Velcro and I’ve had no issues with this coming loose or undone and it’s an easy way to be able to adjust the fit.

On the bike you get enough feel through the sole to know what you’re doing and how you’re loading the footrests as well as having a decent level of control on the rear brake and gear lever. That level of feel does come at a small cost as I’ve found my feet ache come the end of a long day from standing up.
Being Gore-Tex they are both waterproof and breathable. There are also small vents on the outside of the foot for extra ventilation.

Do the Alpinestars Toucan look good?

Being predominantly black and given the fact that I generally wear over the boot adventure trousers you don’t really see much of the boot. The overall looks are quite traditional especially with the stitched, stepped soul rather than the more aesthetic moulded sole used on a lot of other adventure boots in the market.

They look how you want them to perform – sturdy and fit for purpose.

Are the Alpinestars Toucan high quality?

So far so good. They’ve been soaked when I’ve had to wade or ride through rivers and the water has come over the top, been dried and got wet again. The buckles are a proven design and used on many other boots in the range. I have used plenty of Alpinestars MX, Enduro and Adventure boots over the last 20 years of being at MCN and I don’t think I’ve ever actually worn a set out.

Unlike Enduro boots that have three or even four buckles, the Toucan only has two, with the top part being secured around your calf done by Velcro. The worry is that over the years the performance of the Velcro could deteriorate, making them less secure, but there are absolutely no signs of that happening 1700 miles in. They have also kept my feet dry and relatively warm despite riding throughout what has been a pretty cold winter.

Protection and CE ratings on the Alpinestars Toucan

It’s a substantial boot that offers a reassuring level of protection the moment you put it on. With comprehensive shin protection as well as excellent support and strength on the heel, toe and side of the foot along with lateral ankle protection you feel well protected. I’ve had a few minor crashes wearing the boot with no ill effects.

Ultimately if you suffered a bigger crash you’d ideally be wearing a top end MX boot which are sturdier, higher and are heavily armoured. But adventure riding is about compromise and the balance between protection and comfort is key. The boots are fully CE certified.

Are the Alpinestars Toucan good value?

Priced at £409.99 they are not cheap, but they are good and feel like they are built to last. Being Gore-Tex and waterproof is a major plus for UK riding. Given the quality and Alpinestars know-how it’s a fair price for a boot that should last you for years.

The adventure boot market is a busy place and there are some good alternatives from other manufacturers including the Sidi Adventure 2 CE Gore-Tex at £349.99 or the Klim Adventure GTX at £480. There is also the Alpinestars Tech 7 Drystar which is a dedicated Enduro boot complete with Alpinestars’ own Drystar waterproofing priced at £439.99.

Alpinestars Toucan — the final verdict

The Toucan’s have become my go-to boot whenever I jump on either an adventure bike or my own KTM 690 Enduro and I know I’m going to be doing a full day of road and off-road riding. They provide a decent level of protection whilst being comfortable on and off the bike. I get good feel through the foot pegs and the fact that they are genuinely waterproof is a major plus for the type of riding I do, as like most people I hate having wet feet!

While you’re here: How MCN tests boots

At MCN, our team of expert journalists have decades of experience gained over hundreds of thousands of miles. We don’t test our boots to destruction; we use them exactly how you do, in the real world and in all conditions. That means we can deliver impartial buying advice you can rely on.

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