Racing boots these days are filled with all kinds of techno-wizardry to make sure your feet and the appendages attached to them don't go too far out of whack in the unfortunate chance that you should fall at triple-digit speeds. The downside to these catchy boots is that they cost a bundle. Four-hundred bones is not unheard of, and some even border on the four-digit mark. For the average rider just looking to take a jaunt to the local coffee shop, going through the motions of buckling this and strapping that could be a bit of a chore.
The answer? Alpinestars S-MX2 riding shoe. This low-cut street riding boot is similar to the S-MX4 racing boot without the upper. Designed to be used together with Alpinestars' knee and shin protectors, it features a full-grain leather upper with a low-cut front and low Achilles cutaway. This lets the ankle retain its full range of movement. Getting into and out of the boots is much easier than full road-race boots thanks to the inner side zipper with a Velcro over flap. A side benefit of this closure system is that there's nothing to get caught or tangled in your foot controls, a common problem for some racing boots.
The S-MX2 feels like a sturdy basketball shoe, complete with thick ankle padding. Only buckles replace laces, the heels are reinforced and toe sliders complete the look. They feel as comfortable as your everyday athletic shoe also, making them great for wearing all day. The leather is a little stiff at first, but breaks in nicely. The S-MX2, like other Alpinestars boots, favor those with wider feet. On the bike, feel to the controls is superb.
The only complaint we had was that ventilation to the shoe is lacking. It goes without saying that a riding shoe won't provide all the protection benefits of a full road-race boot, but for all those times when spirited rides aren't the main objective, we don't see anything wrong with riding shoes like these.
Best of all, the S-MX2 retails for a fraction of racing boots, setting your wallet back $169.95. A fully waterproof version is also available for $199.95.