First look – Alpinestars SMX-6 Drystar boots

Whether you think anthropogenic climate change is an Illuminati scam, or the (self-inflicted and probably justfified) end of humanity, we've certainly had some wacky weather of late here in the UK. And most of that seems to involve heavy rain on a very regular basis.

Now, I'm a believer in the maxim that there's no such thing as bad weather – only the wrong clothes. So with that in mind, I've picked up a pair of these Alpinestars SMX-6 Drystar boots to try out. They're a sporty road-riding boot, but with the added twist of a Drystar breathable waterproof membrane, as well as a gusset inside the opening flap for total rain-resistance.

So, you get nice replaceable toesliders, external hard protection sections, and tough impact absorption zones on shin, heel and ankle – and also a solid level of weather proofing. The ankle has a full biomechanical brace design, the sole uses a new rubber compound for better grip and the toebox is reinforced for extra protection. They look ideal for fast summer road blasts, when there's a chance of rain, or even a daily commuting boot where you want full-on protection too.

I've had previous versions of the SMX boot design, and they've always been comfy and protective (and they do last a long time too). I'm expecting much the same from these latest ones. I wore them for the first time on the Honda CB125R launch last week, and they were impervious to some of the heaviest rain I've ridden in for a long time, as well as pleasingly comfy and snug. I'll be keeping them handy for the rest of this riding season, and will report back on how they've done once I've notched up a load more miles.

They're not super-cheap, with current street price around £210. But the spec is good, and if they keep performing as they have so far, they'll be good value.

More info: www.alpinestars.com