Alpinestars Web Goretex... Review Anyone?

[X1Glider]

My dad has a bike trip to Alaska coming up and needs appropriate boots that will keep him dry and warm. He's a typical Harley guy so he's not big on REAL gear. He'll be Borrowing my Rukka 2 piece but he has worthless work boots that soak in minutes. I told him I'd buy him real boots for Father's Day. Of course he said they bettr not look like my SMX Plus or SMX-5 boots. I said no, the Web Gores should be fine image wise for a guy of his bike mentality. I want this to be a successful trip for him.

Anyone here with these boots that can give a good review? Also, how true do the sizes run? He wears a 10 US and according to the Aplinestars site, the equivalent is a 43...which sounds wierd since I wear an 8 which is a 42.

[erda]

I've been using them for 2 years now. Usually wear 7.5 or 8 and find the 41 fits fine. Waterproof, but haven't ridden in real down pour yet. I noticed that they are starting to get a bit scuffed-polish maybe?
If you have any specific questions let me know.

[On-Off]

My size 10 alpinestar ridgewater say 10=43 and by the way are for sale and will keep him warm and dry , they are like new I paid 169 for them 8 mos ago will take 100 you pay shipping

[X1Glider]

Originally Posted by On-Off

My size 10 alpinestar ridgewater say 10=43 and by the way are for sale and will keep him warm and dry , they are like new I paid 169 for them 8 mos ago will take 100 you pay shipping

You got ripped off! They're $130 MSRP! If I was looking at the same thing on the web. My dad would prefer a shorter boot, but I have a hard time trusting anything other than Gore-Tex. Any of the other -Tex stuff out there has let me down when I needed it.

[kurt]

I gotta say, I'm finding more choices and similar protection in work boots. More and more, I wear my Danner side-zip, composite toe, Gore-Tex lined boots in place of the motorcycle specific touring boots. They fit better, come in more choices and provide better walking footwear IMHO. I can stand in shin-deep water and with wool socks, my feet stay toasty warm.

[ItchyBob]

I have these. I rode for 2 hours on a highway in a torrential downpour. My feet remained dry. They are also comfortable to walk around in.

[NitroRoo]

Gore-Tex is definitely great stuff, and I think it does best out of the others as far as waterproof AND breathable. But in my experience, you are also paying a premium for that name and the non branded waterproof liners do a great job also. Case in point: I have a $100 pair of Joe Rocket Meteors that are 2 or 3 years old and have at least 30k miles on them - they don't leak 1 drop. If you have any specific questions about a particular boot feel free to ask and I'll check it out for you - one of the perks of working with this stuff everyday is I do get a good understanding about the differences between them all.

[X1Glider]

Originally Posted by ItchyBob

I have these. I rode for 2 hours on a highway in a torrential downpour. My feet remained dry. They are also comfortable to walk around in.

How close to street sizes do they run. Is a 10 really a 10 for instance.

[X1Glider]

Originally Posted by NitroRoo

Gore-Tex is definitely great stuff, and I think it does best out of the others as far as waterproof AND breathable. But in my experience, you are also paying a premium for that name and the non branded waterproof liners do a great job also. Case in point: I have a $100 pair of Joe Rocket Meteors that are 2 or 3 years old and have at least 30k miles on them - they don't leak 1 drop. If you have any specific questions about a particular boot feel free to ask and I'll check it out for you - one of the perks of working with this stuff everyday is I do get a good understanding about the differences between them all.

One of the things about products made with Goretex is that the company licensed to build with it has to meet Gore's very specific criteria of construction methods. Their reputation is at stake and they don't want fly-by-night companies churing out less than desirable products. The same can't be said of other membrane manufacturers who may cut corners instead of being detail oriented. Buying their name brand is worth the extra cost and I'll never stray again. I've tried a 1/2 dozen or so other "Tex" products and have suffered from seep through under pressure to unsealed seams.

[ItchyBob]

Originally Posted by X1Glider

How close to street sizes do they run. Is a 10 really a 10 for instance.

Red Wing work boots = 11.5 (45)
Mizuno running shoes = 12 (46)
Vibram FiveFingers = M44
Alpinestars Web Gore-Tex = 10.5 (45).

[X1Glider]

Originally Posted by ItchyBob

Red Wing work boots = 11.5 (45)
Mizuno running shoes = 12 (46)
Vibram FiveFingers = M44
Alpinestars Web Gore-Tex = 10.5 (45).

Uh, ok. I'm not sure how to interpret that for my needs.

Are you saying you consider yourself to wear a size 11.5 and the Alpinestars run a size bigger?

[ItchyBob]

Originally Posted by X1Glider

Uh, ok. I'm not sure how to interpret that for my needs.

Are you saying you consider yourself to wear a size 11.5 and the Alpinestars run a size bigger?

It's a comparison of different footwear and their relative sizes. I thought it might help in case you buy a pair from the internet, and are not able to try them on in a store.

[NathanH]

The Alpinestars Web is an outstanding boot. Using an oil tanned leather and the true brand name Gortex yields a great, fully functioning waterproof/breathable product as opposed to some others that claim waterproof/breathable but are actually mildly water resistant and don't breathe for crap. And they break in like butter. It's one of those boots on which I routinely get very positive feedback. When someone makes a point of coming in just to say, "you remember those Alpinestars Web boots you sold me - FANTASTIC.", you know they are doing their job well. And X1, you are 100% correct about Gore-Tex's tight control on quality/design. That's one of the really strong benefits of a true Gore-Tex boot. Doesn't mean others can't achieve similar results, but it does guarantee that the Gore-Tex ones have.

For sizing, I'd really recommend starting with a 44 if he's a true 10. 43 in that boot is more like a 9 2/3. 44 might be slightly over a 10, but it's not all the way to a 10.5, so that would be my starting point. FYI, the Web also runs slightly wide. Or perhaps not so much wide, as just wider than some of the other more Italian cut options in that general product category. I've had good luck fitting people who find Sidi's to be narrow in the footbed and/or wide at the heel in the Alpinestars.

Bottom line, I'd put the Web on the short list to try on, for sure. Definitely a worthwhile recommendation.

[roadwarrior]

I have a pair of the Web Goretex that are several years old. They hold up, and they work - waterproof and comfortable. Also with the real leather, they are maintainable. For the price, a real bargain.