I have always been an Alpinestars fan, but my Tech 6's may change that. I have ridden and raced with them for about three years. Two years ago, I clipped a fallen tree branch while on the gas, hard. A stick, about 1 3/4" (I saved it) in diameter, puntured my left boot between the two middle buckles. It broke off from the branch, but not before ripping up my riding sock and my left foot. It created a 3 1/2" tear in the leather, which I had fixed by a Red Wing/ Carolina boot dealer. It leaked profusely after that. The footpeg inserts tore, then ripped out about two months later. Four months after that the bar of the top fastener broke off on my right boot. Also, I have had to routinely remove, re-bend, and re-staple the toe caps on both boots. I take care of my boots routinely, cleaning after each ride, and mink oiling twice a year. I had thought about buying tech 8's, but now I find myself leaning toward SIDI's or Fox Forma's. Just my experience, any comments or advice would be well recived.
Never stop riding!!!
-Nick