Alpinestars Corozal Adventure Drystar Boots Review | Dirt and Road Ready

October 16, 2016

Alpinestars Corozal Adventure Drystar Boots Review

The adventure motorcycle market is on the rise, and increased ADV bike sales means that there are plenty of riders looking for appropriate gear. Alpinestars has no shortage of equipment for riders, and ADV enthusiasts aren’t left out in the cold, especially when considering the new Alpinestars Corozal Adventure Drystar boots.

Alpinestars Corozal Adventure boots come in below the $300 mark, but don’t skimp on protection or luxuries. Plenty of plastic takes care of hits from off-road obstacles, while a Lycra lining makes for comfort, along with soft foam in the ankle area. Sweat-wicking padding can be found near the lower portions of the boots, and a removable footbed allows some fine-tuning of the sizing, while keeping your feet cool and dry.

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Adventure riding can take someone through a lot of conditions, and that usually means water. The Corozal boots make use of Alpinestars’ Drystar membrane to protect your feet from river crossings and rain.

It should be noted that waterproofing can lead to a lack of breathability; for someone who does a good bit of perspiring, that’s a problem. Though the Corozal has adequate waterproofing, I was still comfortable while out and about, even in the hot Southern California weather.

Impact protection is another key point that all riders should be aware of. In that regard, the Corozal offers significant protection. On the front of the boots, a strong shin guard, plus an array of plastic surrounding the calf. As expected, each boot has a rugged toe-box, plus heel-strike protection.

Often, with increased protection, comes decreased range of motion. Despite the fact that the Corozal is a full-fledged MX-inspired Adventure boot—stopping about three-quarters of the way up the shin—your range of motion isn’t decreased substantially.

That positive range of motion is due to the flex zones found throughout the ankle areas. Whether you’re standing on the footpegs out on the trails, hitting the canyons, or walking around during a lunch break, the Corozal does not unduly inhibit movement.

There is a blade-link between the upper portion and lower portions of the boot that had two functions. First, it helps ankle movement during the use of foot controls, as well as walking.

Also, the design provides protection from lateral twisting, so the possibility of rolling or twisting your ankle is dramatically reduced.

The molded sole of the Alpinestars Corozal Adventure boot is something worth looking into, as well. The Corozal’s vulcanized rubber sole makes use of a steel shank, which is great for standing on the footpegs and keeping your foot from twisting in a fall.

On the downside, the midsole is not independently replaceable, so those of you who ride with aggressive footpegs could tear them up in a few years.

With highly protective boots, getting to terms with your foot controls can be difficult, but that isn’t the case here. Rounding out the protection is, of course, the toe-shift protectors and, again, I found the tactile response to be admirable.

Aside from having a fair amount of grip, the area of the Corozal that meets the bike is kept to a low profile. There is nothing to hang up on, and nothing to kick your stance out at a strange angle. On the highway, hugging the tank and leaning into a corner won’t be an issue with these boots.

Perhaps my favorite aspect of the Corozal is how easy they are to get on and off. The Corozal Adventure buckle material is a plastic/fiberglass/nylon formula—durable and, importantly, easy to use with a gloved hand.

Velcro closing at the top of the boots allows for a wide variety of calf sizes. Whether you skip leg day at the gym or not isn’t a concern—you’re covered at either end of the spectrum when it comes to adjustability.

Offering a wealth of protection, the Alpinestars Corozal Adventure Drystar boots will satisfy the needs of ADV riders, short of those who are hitting the Dakar Rally. Built to last, they offer a critical amount of protection and comfort, on- and off-road.