The Spidi XP3-S Boots are designed to be the street version of the Spidi XP7 WRS Boot. The XP3-S doesn't have some of the race technical features of the XP7 but still offers a ton of protection and performance at the price point. The main focus and design Spidi had for this boot is to fit the needs of the sport rider, commuter, and casual track day rider. The Spidi XP3-S Sport Boot is a well rounded boot to fit a wide variety of applications.
Check out our Spidi XP3-S Sport Boots Review:
At first glance this boot can easy be mistaken for an all out race boot. This is mostly because of the plethora of metal and thermoplastic sliders, stretch panels, and high-tech styling. A large thermoplastic shin deflector protects the lower portion of the tibia from damage which is a very common area for injury. Ankle sliders are sometimes forgotten with boots at this price point so seeing them on the XP3-S is a great sign. In the event of a high speed slide or a full size motorcycle falling on the side of the boot, this is when you're going to want to have as much ankle protection as possible. The back of the boot has a plastic fin on it that adds to aerodynamics and to act as a slider in the event of a wreck. Not very many boot manufactures incorporate calf protection like the Spidi XP3-S does. A heel cup and plastic heel slider is shock absorbent and protects the back of the heel from impacts.
On the front of the boot is a reinforced toe slider that is held in place by an allen head bolt making removal a little more difficult then with a snap style slider, but it ensures that the slider won't accidentally fall off. The accordion flex panels on the front and back of the boot makes movement feel much more natural to walk around in. The chassis of the boot is not synthetic Lorica like the XP3-S and instead is made of a natural cowhide to keep costs down. Ventilation is minimum with a small amount of perforation behind the calf but not much anywhere else. The Spidi XP3-S Sport Boots is awell rounded boot with a ton of track inspired features. This boot incorporates everything a sport rider needs for spirited street rider to track days. Sizing goes from 41-47euro and the boot is available in black, white, and red color schemes.
The Spidi XP7 WRS Boot is Spidi's flagship boot and designed to go toe-to-toe (get it?) with many other high end motorcycle race boot makers in the market. This boot is designed and built for the rider who does a heavy amount of their riding at the track. The XP7 also has a high amount of venting and perforation making it good for those high temperature conditions. This boot is really for the rider hammering down laps, trying to dive in and get a perfect apex through the corner. This XP7 is the more race-oriented brother of the more street focused Spidi XP3-S Boots. This boot offers an outstanding amount of protection and ventilation.
The Spidi XP7 WRS boots have every piece of technology Spidi has to offer when it comes down to protection and safety. The toe box is fully reinforced and incorporates a toe shifter on the top of the boot. To the outside of the toe-box is a bolted-on and replaceable toe slider. The toe slider is made of full metal to help extend its life and it's bolted on which means that there are no snaps to fumble with and there's no chance of it popping off during a wreck. An exposed rubber shock plate is incorporated into the ankle of the boot to protect the malleolus from fracturing on impact with asphalt; if a 450lb motorcycle lands on it in a low-side crash, the ankle wont get as badly damaged.
A plastic fin on the back of the Achilles tendon makes this very vulnerable area a little safer, in addition to providing aerodynamic properties. A hard plastic heel cup provides extra support and protection for the back of the foot which is another very common injury area. A large shin deflector is what makes sure your lower leg doesn't get a direct impact and fracture to the tibia.
The entire construction of this boot is Lorica synthetic
leather. This makes the boot much more consistent, lighter and more durable then natural leather. Red double impact stitching makes sure the boot doesn't come apart while burning across macadam. A stiff Skywalk sole is also a great feature that adds to comfort and is high-grip and anti-slip.
The big feature you're going to notice with these boots is the incredible amount of ventilation they offer. The boot is absolutely covered with perforation, from the front of the toe to the top the the flex panel at the front of the boot. Perforation on the back of the boot gives the incoming air
somewhere to escape out of and gives the foot full coverage in terms of breathability. The breathable moisture-wicking liner of the XP7 is designed to be comfortable and flow air and be unhindered. This is known as Spidi's Wind Racing System and is directly taken from the MotoGP level of boots.
The Spidi XP7 is a great choice for the rider looking for a very good summer and warm weather track boot in the mid-300 dollar price range. This is simply a great boot for the track days where the the temps are reaching triple digits. Sizes range from 41-47 Euro or 8-13 US.
The much anticipated Cortech Latigo Waterproof Boots and Cortech Latigo Air Boots have finally arrived, and they deliver a tremendous value at a reasonable price point. The waterproof version is a great option for the sport tourer or foul-weather track enthusiast. The air option is a protective, high-airflow and high-performance track boot designed with the weekend warrior and entry-level trackday rider in mind. Each of these boots provides a great deal of protection and a ton of value right around the $150 price point. They are going to compete head-to-head with anything within their class as Cortech has made an excellent product for 2011.
Let's start with what differentiates these boots and then get into their commonalities. Very clearly, the Air boot features a ton of perforation while the Waterproof is a solid synthetic leather upper. The Waterproof version also has a HiPora waterproof breathable membrane that will keep all precipitation out but allows your foot to breathe and sweat to evaporate through this layer. The membrane works in conjunction with the moisture-wicking breathable comfort liner to keep your foot cool and dry all day long. The Air has an Air-Mesh moisture-wicking bubble liner that differs slightly but will also act to keep your foot and lower leg comfortable in the most active of riding scenarios. Also, a gaiter backs the entry of the WP version to maintain waterproofing.
Okay, let's get into the similarities of these boots. Each of them is loaded with hard part protection throughout, crucial for the safety of the spirited sport rider and trackday enthusiast. At the toe, there is a replaceable molded TPU slider that will help in the event of a lowside crash. Both medially and laterally at the ankle, you'll find TPU hard parts that serve two purposes. First, in the event of a get-off, these will allow you to slide, rather than having the synthetic leather grip, twist and pull, which could cause serious damage. Next, the tongue-and-groove design limits the range of motion to prevent ankle damage by stopping hyperextension and hyperflexion.
The toe box is reinforced and heel cup features a bulked-up vented and contoured TPU cup at the exterior which will prevent crushing. At the shin, a molded TPU hard part guards against a footpeg injury and it is backed by shock-absorbing foam. Elasticated stretch panels at the instep and achilles are backed by shock-absorbing foam, and a hard TPU protector can be found at the achilles and calf area. At the medial side of each boot, there is a high-grip panel to help interface with the fairings. Each boot has a TPU shifter pad, an orthopedic vibration-absorbing insole, and a high-grip anti-slip rubber sole. The entry is an adjustable velcro flap with an autolocking zipper.
Gaiter-Backed WP Boot Entry
Simply stated, there is a ton of value to be found in the brand new Cortech Latigo Boots. Stepping up a tier in price, you'd find some extremely high-tech features, but most of those aren't necessary for the spirited street rider and occasional trackday enthusiast. These boots provide a ton of bang-for-the-buck at the price point and the competition can not be happy.
One of the products we're most excited about for Spring 2011 for Alpinestars is the Alpinestars SMX-Plus Race Boots. A standard within the AStars lineup for the past eight years, the SMX-Plus have received a major redesign for this season that really raises the bar for what a race boot should be at this price point. Lighter, more streamlined, and more protective than the previous version, the new Alpinestars S-MX Plus Vented Boots are without a doubt going to be one of the stars of all the new gear in the industry this Spring.
By changing some of the protective elements and reducing bulk in some areas, the Alpinestars SMX-Plus Boots have dropped some weight this year, but don't think that means any sacrifice in protection. Utilizing the brand new Multi Link Control system, Alpinestars shaved off a significant amount of the hard part bulk of this boot. The Multi Link Control System is an innovative protection system for the ankle, limiting range of motion and offering significant protection from serious injury that could result from hypertorsion, hyperextension or hyperflexion. There are also TPU hard parts protecting from impact injury at the ankle and Achilles tendon. This next-level system is one of the finest we've seen to date.
High-modulus TPU hard parts provide the protection in all areas of this boot. The entire Multi Link System is TPU as is the contoured shin plate protector. High modulus TPU is a long molecular chain that allows for a more effective transference of impact and therefore higher levels of protection. The dual compound TPU toe slider is fully replaceable with a simple snap-in design and offers higher levels of coverage than the previous model. The TPU heel counter wraps up to the ankle and is backed by a shock absorbing padded insert with foam ankle armor. Finally, there is a replaceable heel slider and a side heel slider to assist in a crash. Did I mention that this entire boot is CE certified? In other words, it's extremely protective.
The newly designed asymmetrical accordion stretch panels at the front and rear promote a more ergonomic and natural range of motion for flexibility. Internally, the forefoot has a shock absorbing open cell foam insert laminated to it for protection and the entire interior is moisture-wicking and breathable for premium comfort in the most active riding scenarios. The anatomical countered footbed offers arch support and is completely replaceable. The Kevlar speed lacing system combined with the lateral zipper makes fitment as snug as possible. Lastly, this is Alpinestars' first foray with their brand new racing sole, a slimmer-profiled textured high-grip rubber sole that is completely replaceable by Alpinestars.
For the second-most technical race boot in the Alpinestars lineup, the SMX Plus features some new improvements that are sure to make it even more popular for this season. To see comparable options, visit our Motorcycle Race Boots and Alpinestars Boots pages.
A brand new redesign for the Teknic 2011 Collection, the Teknic Chicane Race Boots are another example of a Teknic product whose value greatly exceeds its price point. The Chicanes are loaded with track-level protection and provide a great value to the casual trackday rider who doesn't need all of the futuristic technological elements found in a pro-level boot.
Starting out, the Chicanes are a full synthetic leather and microfiber upper construction. Due to the fact that synthetic leather can be manufactured without any flaws, it is actually a more expensive material than cowhide. At the instep of each boot is a suede grip panel to interface and grip the bike without damaging or scratching the metal. There is a stretch microfiber at the entry of the boot to allow for a broad range of fit and overall comfort. Inside, a breathable and moisture-wicking bubble mesh liner is used to ensure maximum comfort in active track riding conditions. The boots also feature a 15º forward slant, ergonomically designed for comfort in the riding position. There is also strategic perforation in the Chicanes to flow air into the boots.
Moving in to the protective elements of the Chicanes, the first you'll notice is the replaceable aluminum/nylon toe slider. At this price point, it is extremely rare to see anything but a basic PU slider and you especially don't see replaceable aluminum parts. The ankle is protected medially and laterally by an injected PU ankle brace system, which wraps around and also provides achilles protection. This brace system limits side to side movement within the boot to prevent some of the more common racing injuries to the ankle. An anti-crush injected PU cup protects at the heel while a double injected rubber sole has an anti-crush shank to keep the bottom of the foot safe. The shins are kept safe by a double injected PU shin protector: an extremely common injury in motorcycling is the foot peg striking and breaking the tibia and this PU protector helps to stop that.
Within the Chicanes, you'll find double stitching in all high-use and high-wear areas for the highest level of resistance to tearing. A PU injected shifter panel at the top of the toe interfaces with the shifter. The anatomic foot-bed in the Chicanes can be removed if you so choose and the zipper-and-velcro closure provides another level of flexibility in fit and comfort. Again, for the price, you won't find many other boots that are ready to hit the tarmac and provide this high of a degree of features and functionality. They are a great match for the Teknic Xcelerator Race Suit or the Teknic Violator Race Suit.
One of the bestselling motorcycle race boots at RevZilla.com, the Dainese Torque Pro Out Boots feature all the classic Italian style that goes into Dainese products plus all the race-level protective elements necessary for aggressive trackday riding and racing. Also available as the Dainese Torque Pro Out Air Boots, a fully perforated version built for extreme hot weather days on the tarmac. These boots do a lot of things extremely well, including advanced protection and ergonomic comfort for the best interfacing with your bike.
The Torque Pro Outs are a full Lorica upper construction. They utilize D-Stone fabric in both the inner at outer leg near the opening of the boot. D-Stone, a fabric proprietary to Dainese, is a high-tensile strength nylon extremely resistant to abrasion and backed by elastic for protection and comfort. The jointed D-Axial anti-twist-back ankle protection system is a major element of the safety in these boots. Constructed of thermoplastic polyurethane, the D-Axial system allows a full range of front and back flexibility but extremely limits side-to-side movement to prevent any injury to the ankle. The same TPU that forms this system wraps up to provide shin protection and also forms a cockpit around the ankle. There is also reinforced protection in the boot behind the external plate.
Stainless steel sliders exist on the outer ankle and back of the heel in addition to a stainless steel toe slider that is fully replaceable. The toe box is internally reinforced with TPU and externally features a shifter interface panel that is textured and double stitched. The ankle cockpit is fully reinforced internally with a nylon ankle guard. At the inside of each of the ankles is a rubberized TPU panel that provides high grip for interfacing with the bike. The liner system of the Torque Pro Out Boots is double jersey mesh airgap material. This fabric is very similar to 3D mesh in that it creates a microclimate within the boot while allowing your foot to breathe and sweat and hot air to escape from the skin. Finally, the sole features differentiated densities for non-slip and high-grip with a strong nylon shank for impact protection.
These boots wouldn't be a bestseller if they weren't a highly technical piece of performance race apparel. Dainese's attention to detail and design cannot be overlooked and these boots represent an upper-echelon of what they've done. The only boots more technical than these in the Dainese Motorcycle Boots lineup are the Dainese Axial Pro In Boots worn by Valentino Rossi.
Constantly innovating, improving, and bringing new technologies to the Motorcycle Boots market, Sidi Boots remains a leader in the industry. For early 2011, Sidi is bringing two new boots into their racing lineup: the Sidi Cobra Boots, which we have previously reviewed, and the subject of today's write-up, the Sidi ST Boots and Sidi ST Air Boots. Landing between the Sidi Vertigo Boots and Sidi Vortice Boots in the Sidi food chain of race functionality, the STs are a great choice for the serious trackday enthusiast and racer who doesn't need the crazy pro-level feature set of the Vortice Boots.
To start, let me differentiate between the ST Boots and the ST Air Boots. Each of these styles has a three-position closable vent at the outer foot level. However, while the Sidi ST Boots are a fully non-perforated Lorica synthetic leather construction, the ST Air Boots take that construction and load it with perforation, designed with serious airflow in mind. Other than that difference, the ST and ST Air Boots are the exact same construction. The big innovation with these boots is the Cam-lock buckle system, a feature frequently seen in the off-road and dirt world thanks to the durability of the system that is gradually making its way into adventure and race motorcycle boots. The ST is the first race boot that we've seen with this feature, and with its double cam-lock setup,
Sidi ST Boots
it makes getting in and out of the boots extremely easy as demonstrated in the video above. The system is rounded out with a velcro-and-zip closure for a super simplified on/off process.
These are race boots, so of course they'll have to feature a high degree of protective elements, which the ST Boots deliver in spades. Sidi's patented Vertebra system provides complete protection around the Achilles tendon and back of calf, with further support added by a shock absorbing heel cup. This heel cup is a shock absorbing insert encased within a polyurethane shell for maximum protection from impact. Along the medial and lateral ankle through leg is the Sidi Ankle Support brace system.
Sidi ST Air Boots
Two fiberglass-reinforced nylon braces run down each side of the leg and tie into the ankle joint system, providing protection, allowing flexibility from front to back, but restricting side to side movement to prevent injury. The toe slider is aerodynamic and nylon in construction, but also swappable to one with either ceramic or aluminum inserts. Sitting atop the toe box is a DuPont polymer toe shift pad for grip and durability. There is a nylon shin plate inserted into a PU support base to fully protect the front of the leg. Lastly, the sole of the boot is a high-grip non-slip rubber outsole with a nylon inner sole and removable arch support.
ST Boots Fully Open
The best thing about all the external protective elements? All of them can be replaced, which is a huge deal for the racer / trackday rider who is going to put serious wear on these boots but wants them to last. Moving inside the boots, the liner is Air Teflon Mesh, which is treated with Teflon Fabric Protector, to guard from water, staining, and microbes/bacteria. The teflon surrounds every fiber of the mesh, keeping the boots highly breathable, and ultimately keeping the rider's foot more comfortable, cool and dry in all weather conditions. Lastly, elasticated material around the entrance/calf of the boot provides for a better fitment across a larger range of calf sizes.
DuPont Polymer Shift Pad on ST Air
Add all of these pieces together and you've got a serious race-level boot from Sidi, another one in a string of excellent products. It fits neatly between the Vortice and Vertigo in features and functionality, and should appeal to many a trackday rider.
Check out more choices by visiting our Motorcycle Race Boots section at RevZilla.com.
Brand new for Fall 2010, the Sidi Cobra Boots offer a mid-level price point boot with excellent Sidi Racing Boot functionality. The Cobras are not quite as bulked up as the Sidi Vortice Boots but they offer a load of features, including some that are borrowed from the Vortice and Sidi Vertigo Boot, at an affordable price point. At this point, everyone who has ever been on a motorcycle knows that the word Sidi is synonymous with the highest possible quality in motorcycle boots. No stray from that tradition, the Sidi Cobras are sure to be extremely popular as we head into 2011 and another racing season. Check our full video review of the Sidi Cobra Boots below.
The outer construction of the Cobras is Lorica, a synthetic leather that begins as a polyurethane and polyamide blend, is injected with special resins, and goes through a similar tanning process as cowhide, becoming just as strong and resilient (if not more) as real leather, even looking and feeling nearly identical to cowhide leather. Sidi was one of the first boot manufacturers to utilize Lorica, and the rest of the industry is slowly catching up after realizing the level of quality offered. One of the great features of the Cobra is the integration of Sidi's patented Vertebra System, an Achilles tendon protection system that stretches up the calf. The Cobras further the safety of the back of the foot and ankle with thermoplastic resin ankle protectors and a replaceable shock absorbing heel cup.
There is a nylon shin deflector plate to protect the shin which is non-replaceable. But every other hard part that is bolted on is fully adjustable and replaceable. This includes the nylon scuff pads on the toe and the aforementioned Vertebra system. The Sidi Cobra Boots are double-stitched in all high stress areas for durability and the entry to the boot is a convenient zipper pull and velcro closure. There is also an elasticated stretch paneling next to the entry of the boot for comfort and improved fit. Additional features on the Cobras include a DuPont polymer toe shift pad, a Teflon-treated perforated nylon lining for comfort and breathability, a dual compound sole which is protective but flexes, and removable arch support.
Sidi decided to come out with an entry-level priced race boot for this season, and honestly, the features of this boot blow anything else at this price point out of the water. It is also available as the Sidi Cobra Rain Boot, which features a proprietary waterproof breathable membrane, and the Sidi Cobra Air Boot, which features fully perf'd Lorica for maximum ventilation. This is another premier boot from Sidi which truly rounds out their lineup, providing an option for the racer or trackday rider not looking to spend 500 bones on a pair of boots.
In their current third iteration, the Puma 1000 v3 Motorcycle Boots continues to improve with every update. The main upgrades in the current model, the v3, are improved safety, protection, cushioning and overall comfort. Drawing inspiration and assistance from MotoGP riders, the developers at Puma have created a pro-level boot primed for the trackday rider or the serious racer.
Puma has always been known for their high-quality and extremely stylish footwear. In recent years they've forayed into the motorcycle boot world, creating stylish boots and riding shoes. With the Puma 1000v3 boot, they've cemented themselves as a serious player in the race boot market.
The most impressive feature of this boot is the Ghost Doctor ankle protection system. There are medically defined angles that the ankle can bend to before suffering serious injury. The Ghost Doctor is an intelligent protection system that utilizes those "angles of no return" to limit the range of motion in all four directions. When the ankle reaches a potentially threatening angle, the Ghost Doctor goes to work preventing serious injury.
You've also got the Exo Low 360º cockpit that wraps around and under the heel, shoring up stability and adding lateral impact protection. A Bifit footbed is constructed to increase flexibility in the foot while the liner is upgraded in flexibility making it easier to step in and out. Those are just some of the upgrades over the previous model of the Puma 1000 v3 boot. It's clear just by looking at a photo that the styling is there with the smartly placed logos and the full leather construction with elasticated paneling. This boot is very impressive for the trackday rider. Also available in a vented version as the Puma 1000 v3 Vented Boots.
You can see the rest of our selection in the motorcycle race boots section of RevZilla.com.
The Spidi XP3-S Boots are designed to be the street version of the Spidi XP7 WRS Boot. The XP3-S doesn't have some of the race technical features of the XP7 but still offers a ton of protection and performance at the price point. The main focus and design Spidi had for this boot is to fit the needs of the sport rider, commuter, and casual track day rider. The Spidi XP3-S Sport Boot is a well rounded boot to fit a wide variety of applications.
On the front of the boot is a reinforced toe slider that is held in place by an allen head bolt making removal a little more difficult then with a snap style slider, but it ensures that the slider won't accidentally fall off. The accordion flex panels on the front and back of the boot makes movement feel much more natural to walk around in. The chassis of the boot is not synthetic Lorica like the XP3-S and instead is made of a natural cowhide to keep costs down. Ventilation is minimum with a small amount of perforation behind the calf but not much anywhere else.
