2018 tech 10, sg12, instinct

On Alpinestars vs Gaerne, I came to prefer the sg12 over the tech 10. I found the sg12 more comfortable and the way it molds to my ankle makes me feel more protected (no wide feet here either). Having worn Alpinstars for nearly 30 years, it was quite a surprise that I would prefer the sg12. Why did I try another brand, well I was getting tired of sending my boots in for a re-sole every 3 months (or 25 hours of riding).

No contest, Sg12's all the way. Never met a person who didn't love their SG12's and they wear like iron.

Ive had both tech 10 and SG12. There is no comparison between the two. The SG12 is amazing. I will never ride in another boot and that's a guarantee. The support is unmatched. You feel locked to the bike when you're wearing them. Some might feel they are a little on the heavy side, but I like that stable feeling. They are insanely comfortable and the buckle system is flawless. SG12 all the way.

I personally can't stand the tech 10s. The sg12s are comfortable but really really stiff at first and they offer good protection. The instincts are my favorite, that's what I'm running now. They offer the least protection probably and wont last as long but the comfort is crazy. Best to try them on first because it's really all personal preference.

Yup on the sg12. I have several and each when new I adjust the buckles to my settings on the other pairs and it fits identically

if you'll ever try sg12's, you will never change them for anything else. superlative boots, extremely protective.

IMO the new Tech 10s beat current SG12s. Just got a set and they are lighter, smaller/slimmer feeling, and so far more durable (soles and inside boots) then the previous 10s. I've had SG12's and they are very well made and durable, but the new 10s fit better, provide more protection, and provide a more positive feel of brake/shift than the 12s. I would bet the new 10s will wear faster than 12s (mine lasted forever). I started with IMO because both boots are top of the line, and it comes down to rider preference. I would hit a dealer and try both on before you buy.

I found the Instincts to be a great boot and good compromise. I’d say they’re actually more comfortable than the sg12’s, have a ton of ankle protection, feel lighter while riding (sg12’s will tire you out on turn tracks) and have more articulation than the Gaerne’s. But the Gaerne’s are tanks, last forever, are comfortable themselves and have better feel on the pegs.

For me the comfort, lighter feel and ability to point my toes more while retaining a ton of protection meant I moved to Fox boots after 4-5 years in SG12’s.

You will get through Instincts more quickly if you run super sharp pegs or are tough on boots.

Also, I’d go a size larger in Fox vs Gaerne, but it depends on your foot.

Can’t go wrong with any of these boots if they fit you though.

I never found the Tech 10’s to be comfortable so have never owned them.

I have a pair of SG-12 with 3 rides on, size 9 if your interested. I love them just got the wrong size.

Fox has a lifetime warranty on the soles on Instincts. A lot of people don’t know this.

Lol, well, if you have an extra $ 500 then why not. If I had such Lengyas I would not have regretted

Instincts won’t last you a season

Looking for some people who have the new 2019 revised Alpinestars Tech 10's to chime in on this post rather than making a new one please.

Really do need to order a new pair of boots asap and still thinking on the new A*'s... over my good old faithful SG12's.

Reason i am thinking of leaving the Gaerne's is they are bloody heavy and i do miss shift because they are very stiff, did try a pair of 2018 Tech 10's for a day and was really amazed on how light and easy to shift in they were.

Worried on the soles tho as been there and done all that hence the SG12 switch!. They are built awesome and just do not wear out at all, but would like to hear from people who have the new 2019 T10 boot for some updates on the stiff issue and general wear and tear of them please.

As you were.....

I have two pairs of the newer Tech 10's and I also used a pair of SG12's for 15 hours a couple of weeks back (my Tech 10's broke). I think it's a lot easier to shift in the Tech 10's but they are stiffer than the SG12's. Can't comment on the soles just yet.

Had all three boots and am Currently running SG12's now, they feel so much tighter and snug around the ankle over the tech 10's but I haven't tried the new Tech 10's yet. I did shatter my ankle in the SG12's but i doubt any boot would have saved me from that.

I have owned sg12's old gen, tech 7's tech 10's, fox instincts, and am now in a set of sg10's, the 12'a are nice, but heavy, amazing wear characteristics, same as the 10's. But the sg10's fit like the old gen 12's, wider in the foot than the new sg12's, and Iv tried them in and ridden in a set my buddy had when I left my set at home. If I had my way, I'd be in instincts, but the foot is far too narrow for me, but bar non, the instincts felt the best when riding, light weight, flexible, and felt like wearing shoes, just wish they wouldn't be so damn narrow in the front, I'd still be in them, but, the sg10's now that I have them broken in, and straps set right, are pretty close, but just nowhere near as flexy, and I find it harder to peg shifts with them over the instincts. If you like spending a bunch of money on boots just to have a hole wear through the sole of the boot, then alpinestars are your boots, they make instincts look like they are the most durable boot ever, and I know how quickly a set of instincts can wear out, but never have I ever seen a peg shaped hole in the bottom of a boot like I have seen alpinestars do, like right through, poke your foot with your finger kinda hole. That's crap, if you want good boots, there is really No other brand than gaerne, nothing compares to their durability, and between the sg10's and sg12's Iv seen more than a few pairs of the new gen sg12's have that inner plastic piece popping off of due to the stitching coming loose, sg10's don't have that issue, and lighter than sg12's too, had a lot of boots, sidi's as well, not bad, but never again, sg10's are cheaper than 12's by a little, but for the extra bit of money the 10's will cost over the tech10's you get a hell of a lot more boot for the price, plus I hate bootie boots, hence why I didn't like sidi's or tech10's tech 7s are nice, cheap, and fit like globe skate shoes, super comfy slipper status with those boots, liked them, but sold them due to they didn't have a hinged ankle, what a 1st world problem, no hinged ankles, and they didn't come with wifi either, soooooooo disappointed lol

Hope this helps!

I've actually had the opposite experience. I went from SG12s to Tech 10s (2018s) and the tech 10s were considerably heavier. Not a fan of the inner bootie because for some reason, they dig into my right ankle and it hurts a lot. This has happened to me with the previous two generations. I prefer the SG12s. As mentioned above, they mold really good to your ankles and offer great protection. I have narrow feet so I had to drop down a full size from 11 in alpinestars to size 10 in SG12s...so no problem there. I also get better feel shifting with the Sg12s. The booties in the tech 10s puts more material between my foot and the shifter, so I feel it less. Can't go wrong with Italian made boots!

I vote for the SG-12's. Love them!

Hunt around on Ebay and the Classified section on this forum. If you have a couple of weeks to look you can find a great pair for far less than 500.

SG12 is the best boot I have tried so far. Much longer lasting, and better comfort than the tech 10

I’ve had nothing but troubles with the quality of alpinestars in the tech10 series.I even purchased another set hoping I got unlucky with the first pair but I was proven wrong yet again
I believe they are made in a cheaper manufacturing plant as opposed to years back and now they take the fox idea that fancy colors sell better than actual quality of your product
Just my experience with both these products any way

I have had all 3. SG12 is my favourite boot, so comfortable, and I find it easier to shift.

I sold the Tech10's as I found them too bulky and like mentioned above, didn't get on with the inner booties and couldnt find the shifter easily. I still have the instincts, they are very comfortable, but wear quickly, don't feel as protected and bulkier than the SG12

Love my Sidi Crossfire 3 and Gaerne SG-12 Boots. They were the best of enduro boots.
Read more here :
http://pickyourgear.com/best-motocross-enduro-boots-2020/

I absolutely love my SG-12s. I also liked my Alpinestars but decided to switch it up last season and have been extremely pleased with with the Gaernes. Both companies make a great boot when you are buying their top of the line product.

Never had sg12s but can honestly say after owning a few pairs of tech 10s they are the most comfy boot I’ve ever wore. Not stiff and don’t really have to break them in much. However I do believe the sg12 will last longer. So need to think what’s more important To you comfort or longevity.

Well, all of this SG-12 talk finally convinced me to try a 2020 pair. Dang - I am impressed. The deign just seems so much more "efficient" than Alpinestars.

I've heard SG-12s described as heavy and bulky. I haven't experienced anything of the sort.

I wanted sooooo bad to be able to live withthe Fox Instinct boot, but the fit was just never quite right for me. So I sold my brand new pair after wearing them around the house for a few days and not being able to come to terms with them.

My personal feeling is that Alpinestars has lost its way. I started with Tech 8s some 20 years ago (even have an old pair I still keep around for a pinch) and then tried the Tech 10s briefly. It just seems like their durability went to crap. Not sure what happened, but it's like Saucony shoes for me. For years they were great - then bam, no good. Can't specifically pinpoint what happened, but something did.

Update:
My SG-12s appear to have prevented a potentially devastating foot injury on a recent ride at Rampart Range where I got my left foot jammed between rocks and my footpeg nailed me from behind at speed. HURT LIKE HELL. Clown tears, big time.

Here's the next day ...


... and 18 days later. Still hard to walk, but I can walk, thankfully.



I am very satisfied with my 2020 SG-12s.