Alpinestars Tech 7, think I stick with Gearne

I'm an older guy and just getting back after many years away. High Points from years back is all I know for the most part. Anyway, few months back bought Gearne GX-1s which I like. Knowing what little I know now I would have bought SG10 or 12 because of hinged ankle.

So I decided to buy another pair of boots and leave my Gearnes at my lake house and ride when I'm there. So as a second pair, I bought a pair of Tech 7's. They fit really good but never seem to want to loosen up. I wore them around the house, on the carpet more times than I could remember. I bent flexed and worked by hand. They never loosed up to the point I could even come close shifting and I shift with foot off the peg, I grew up racing CZ's. Don't have any problems shifting with my Gearnes.

When I looked at the Tech 7's more cosely, they would not move one bit at the pivot, might as well not be hinged. I thought about working outside in them, let um get wet etc. After a while they may loosen up, but the lack of movement at the pivot concerns me. Since they still have the tags, may be better off to send them back and buy another pair of Gearne or Sidi.

I was really disapointed, they fit good.

Anybody else have this problem with Tech 7's.

Thanks Billy