Alpinestars Ageless Shoes Item # 919142
Description
Features:
- Lightweight, street-styled upper combining full grain leather and elastic synthetic material on collar for enhanced comfort and durability
- Traditional lace closure system for easy, secure and comfortable fit
- Drystar membrane layer between upper and lining for unsurpassed all weather performance
- Tongue in full grain leather for enhanced comfort, durability and a luxurious feel
- Dual density ankles protectors are applied between the upper and padded lining to provide the strategic protection and flexibility in key areas
- Heat-press logos give an exclusive and sober look
- Thin and smooth tongue provides high levels of comfort and fit around the instep
- Embossed areas highlight the protective parts giving a balanced dynamic style at the riding shoe
- Internal toe box and heel counter reinforcement is layered under the upper for more ergonomic design
- Replaceable anatomical EVA footbed with Lycra lining on top
- Elastic collar provides improved levels of personalization for a comfortable fit
- Rubber compound cup sole molded to the upper to offer stability, grip, and support and to provide a good walking comfort
Part Numbers for Alpinestars Ageless Shoes
Reviews
Rated 4 out of
5
by
Archon from
Look Very Stylish. Well-made. Safe?
I like Alpinestars gear (style and fit), so I went for a pair of these - I needed some commuter-class motorcycle shoes that would (theoretically) be safe in urban-street speed impacts and that I wouldn't feel I have to take off the moment I get to work and could wear all day instead (if I chose). To a moderate degree, I wanted something stylish that didn't scream 'I ride a bike!' - there isn't a stiff dress code at work, but staying dressed looking like I was about to bolt any second wasn't the impression I wanted co-workers to have. These look like modern 'distressed' sneakers that you can style up or down as you see fit (within reason). Any workplace that doesn't mind well-cut jeans and a button-down wouldn't look twice at these (I checked).
The boots themselves seem safe enough; the shoes are more or less impossible to 'crush' horizontally - if you go down and the bike lands on the side of your foot (or the side of your foot hits hard), you're well-protected; there are lateral steel bars in the sole that make that kind of crushing extremely difficult, arguably avoiding some of the worst possible damage your foot could sustain in an accident. Front-to-back is noticeably more flexible, but still stiffer than a typical walking shoe and also reinforced. The overall 'sole' (the white or brown part depending on what colour variant you get) extends beyond the periphery on all sides of the shoe - enough that it will take the brunt of any abrasion or crushing forces that you'd reasonably expect to encounter with these. The toe box is reinforced - nowhere near alike a steel-toed work boot or sportbike boot, but certainly enough for commuter-speed safety concerns (at least to my standard). There is reinforcement in the ankle area as well - not akin to a D30 puck, but certainly far more than you'd even find in good construction boots. These boots are CE Level 1 rated; that's entry-level certification, but still miles better than workboots or any shoe out there. These boots are also (allegedly) waterproof; I cannot say if they'd survive an hour in the rain without bleed-through, but I do believe that for a thirty minute (or less) ride, you'd likely stay completely dry. I've not had the opportunity to check the water-proofness yet. As to fit, I have fairly small feet and my feet are a bit small even for the smallest size, though not to the point of ill-fitment - tightening the laces in the right spots was sufficient to achieve a moulded fit (a plus for having laces rather than buckles for those of us with small or oddly-shaped feet). I'd say these are more or less true-to-size - perhaps just a tad large (by a few millimeters).
Who are these shoes for? The style-conscious urban commuter who wants to wear these shoes most (or all) of the day without being constantly reminded that they are wearing motorcycle boots/shoes. These are for the person who puts style and comfort first, with safety in second (though not a distant second as they're better than many cheaper motorcycle shoes from my first impression). The materials and stitching look excellent, and it's clear that someone with a good sense of urban style designed these - they'd look right at home on someone riding a modern classic or sport bike.
One star taken off because I do believe that they could offer slightly more protection without impacting looks or cost (an actual steel toe would have been nice) but chose not to. I would nonetheless recommend these to the person who wants a stylish pair of shoes that are all-day wearable. These are not meant for high-speed long-distance highway runs nor track work (I feel like this needs to be said because I saw one review that slammed the shoes because they weren't a dedicated track boot - as if they were even trying to be!).
Date published: 2023-05-09