Johnny Cash knew what he was doing. There is just something about an all black outfit that kicks serious ass. The new Sidi Black Rain Boots get it, and bring the concept to the ADV/Sport Touring world for us all to enjoy.
Built with a waterproof barrier encapsulated within the Technomicro base material, these boots are set to offer a relatively light, moderately priced, all-weather boot to riders who want to ride through the elements. From the internal/external ankle protector caps, to the DuPont polymer toe shift pad, Sidi has paid exceptional attention to detail throughout in their attempt to produce an accessible, durable, and highly functional boot for almost any road condition.
Styled to be subtle, non-flashy, and all business, the Sidi Black Rain Boots are a solid option for motorcyclists who want to log many hours in the saddle and miles on the road.
Sometimes in life ya’ just gotta be loud. Keeping it in all the time can be dangerous. You’re liable to just explode. Sidi gets it, and, for those of us who like to get our release via two wheels, open roads, and a little bit of speed, the new Sidi Roarr Boots are here to help.
Blended for use both on the track and the street, these boots combine comfort, protection, and style in the uniquely Sidi way. From the Technomicro base material from which they are constructed, to the Teflon mesh interior that works wonders in the evaporation of sweat, all of the great features of the Roarr boot have been expertly designed for the riders who just need to let it out and go! Additional features include a shock absorbing TPU heel cup, double stitched reinforcements in high-stress areas, and the patented vertebra system that works to protect the achilles from unpleasant situations.
So, as Spring 2015 rolls around and the new riding season comes upon us, release some of that built up winter frustration, and let yourself Roarrrrrrrr!
The Sidi Trial Zero boot was specifically developed for trials riding. They're similar to the Sidi Discovery Rain with a decrease in tech and price, yet with many of the desirable features. These boots are made with Lorica and split grain leather that will protect legs from heat. There is reinforcement at the toe box and soft rubber soles for maximum grip.
Exclusive to Sidi is the replaceable cam-lock buckle system and replaceable strap system. This boot has Cambrelle lining, a superior non-woven with wicking properties that adds comfort to the boot. Additional features include a removable arch support and rigid, shock resistant heel for maximum protection.
For late 2011 and early 2012, Sidi is releasing a handful of new boots across a range of applications. In total, there are eight new models coming out and we're excited to see Sidi continuing to innovate and iterate on technologies that have worked in the past.
Essentially a short version of the Sidi Vertigo Boots, the brand new Sidi Apex Boots provide solid protection and performance for a low-cut riding boot.
Also available as the Sidi Tour Rain Boots (using a proprietary waterproof breathable membrane), the Sidi Tour Gore-Tex Boots are another waterproof sport touring boot option in the Sidi lineup. Offering excellent bang for the buck and solid functionality, the Tours will be another favorite in this realm of boots.
An all new waterproof breathable sport touring and touring option from Sidi, the Sidi Livia Rain Boots are designed specifically for the ladies and packed with features and functionality.
The SIDI Boots line-up has something for every rider and riding style. Any hardcore MX dirt junky will have a hard time resisting a pair of SIDI Crossfire SRS Boots. The SIDI Adventure Gore-Tex Boot is arguably the best boot for the rider trekking across North America on their BMW GS or Triumph Tiger XC. If you are hammering your bike off the rev limiter, laying down the laps, and burning rubber at your favorite track, make sure you check out the SIDI ST Boot. Well, who's left? The street rider, commuter and sport tourer looking for a comfortable boot that offers a good amount of protection versatility. In comes the SIDI Fusion Boot series.
The SIDI Fusion boot line-up is designed to be SIDI's entry model full-length boot. What's really special about the SIDI Fusion is the amount of versatility you get out of a 200 dollar boot. You could be on a CBR600RR carving the canyons or the FZ1R rider commuting to work in style and one of the SIDI Fusion boots will be a great choice. Bottom line, this is a full length boot designed to tackle all different types of riding scenarios at a reasonable price.
The SIDI Fusion is essentially your basic full length boot from SIDI. The Fusion is made to be able to handle the spirited sport riding, with a sport stance and cut thanks to its slimmer heel and foot-bed. You'll also notice a removable toe slider which means a track day isn't completely out of the question, though there are boots more qualified in the SIDI line up for track duty. The Fusion is made of synthetic Lorica leather, which has no imperfections and is thereby more durable and protective than traditional cowhide. On the front of the boot and rear near the Achilles tendon you'll notice stretch panels. This makes ankle movement easier and makes the boot feel a little less stiff. A shifter pad on the toe is standard throughout the SIDI boot line-up and the Fusion is no different. The malleolus (ankle bone) is protected using hard plastic protectors stitched into the boot. A big plastic deflector on the top of the boot protects the shin and a plastic heel piece protects the back of the foot. The perforated teflon-treated nylon bubble lining keeps your feet feeling comfortable in the most active of rides.
The SIDI Air Fusion is the perforated brother to the standard Fusion. The Air version is almost identical in every way with the only difference being that the air is very heavily perforated for the summer rider. If it's a 110º day in Arizona or 95º and humid in PA, this is probably a better choice over
the standard Fusion or waterproof version. When the rain starts to fall though or when the temperature drops below 50 this boot may not be the weapon of choice.
The SIDI Fusion Rain is obviously waterproof but has a few differences over the Fusion Air and Fusion standard. First off, you're loosing the toe slider so any chance the Fusion had at going to the track is gone with the Waterproof version. There's also a different liner in the waterproof, which is wicking, slightly insulated, and breathable. The waterproof breathable membrane is bonded to the outer shell, keeping precipitation out but allowing the foot to breathe.
Behind the zipper of the Fusion Rain is a full gaiter so any water penetrating the zipper will will not get to your foot. Also the small amount of ventilation the standard Fusion had is gone. Basically what you have is a boot that is more on the touring side of the spectrum and a little less on the sport side of things. The Fusion Rain is also designed more to withstand colder and more harsh weather conditions.
SIDI has given riders three very good entry model boot options from which to choose. Sizes on all three go from 4.5 to 14.5 so there's a high chance that SIDI has a size for you. All three versions are available in black only.
Brand new to the Sidi boot lineup for 2011 and occupying what was previously a huge hole, the Sidi Street Boots provide a casual-looking yet protective boot choice that truly has crossover appeal within the motorcycling community. Under a pair of jeans, passersby would have a hard time having any idea that you're wearing a motorcycle boot, but you'll be confident that the protective elements in the Sidi Streets will far exceed that of any basic work boot. Combine the protection with the Italian style native to any Sidi boot, and you've got a home run across the board.
The upper of the Sidi Street Boots are a full Lorica synthetic leather, a material entirely free of imperfections and generally stronger and more resilient than cowhide. There are also textile panels near the entryway to the boot for added flex and comfort. Protection exists in the form of internal ankle ball pads at both the medial and lateral malleolus areas, a reinforced toe box and heel cup. The lug sole is extremely durable, providing high levels of both traction and stability. As with almost all Sidi boots, the Street is double stitched in all high wear areas to ensure that this boot will never burst at the seams. The closure here is a zipper and velcro system.
Since you will be wearing this on a motorcycle, possibly over the course of long distance rides, comfort is a key element. Internally, you'll find a Teflon-treated perforated nylon lining which is essentially a bubble liner for airflow and comfort. The Teflon treatment also helps ensure that the Streets won't get funky, as its non-stick nature keeps soiling at bay. Lastly, a heavy duty pull tab found at the upper rear of the boot is a big help in ease of entry into these boots. There aren't many boots we see that feature such a minimalist and non-motorcycle look to them. For this reason, we can see how this boots will become very popular.
Don't miss other choices by visiting our Motorcycle Boots page at RevZilla.com.
Brand new for Spring 2011, the Sidi Clever Air Boots fill a need in the Sidi Boot lineup for a full height touring boot that will be protective and comfortable in hot weather long-distance riding scenarios. Essentially a high version of the Sidi Slash Riding Shoe, the Clever Air Boots combine premium Italian design and construction from a stylish standpoint with motorcycle riding functionality, protection and comfort. Sure to be popular for the heat of summer in 2011 amongst the long-distance sport touring community, the Sidi Clever Airs are one of our top picks within this segment.
Starting out, the Sidi Clever Air Boots are a full Lorica synthetic leather upper construction for exceptional abrasion resistance and durability. Within this Lorica chassis, strategically-placed woven vented nylon panels can be found which offer a high degree of airflow but also maintain a solid level of abrasion resistance. Hard protective elements can be found in multiple zones of the boot: there are internal protective ankle pads at the medial and lateral malleolous, a protective toe box, a fully encased heel cup, and a hard shin protector. There is a composite inner sole with removable arch support for comfort in addition to a DuPont polymer shifter panel for durability and longevity.
Another big feature of the Sidi Clever Air Boots is the brand new Sidi rubber sole that is being introduced in this boot. This sole improves upon previous Sidi rubber soles, with a new grip pattern and variable density construction that offers maximum comfort and non-slip properties. While this boot probably wouldn't get it done walking around at work for eight hours, it will be pretty comfortable walking around town when you get off the bike. Accordion leather panels at the instep allow a solid degree of mobility while the Cambrelle bubble liner wicks moisture away from the foot for all day dry and cool comfort. There is also double stitching in all high use areas for durability and the zipper and velcro closure system is very secure.
We think the Sidi Clever Air Boots as a reasonably-priced summer touring boot that is going to be extremely popular in 2011 and moving forward. To see more, visit our Vented Motorcycle Boots and Summer Motorcycle Gear pages.
Italian style from Sidi Boots, touring fitment and sleek design, and the most breathable of all waterproof membranes, Gore-Tex; these are the cornerstones of the brand new for 2011 Sidi Laguna Gore-Tex Boots. The Lagunas provide yet another boot to complement the other Sidi Gore-Tex options, the On Roads and Canyons (and soon to be Adventure Gore-Tex), and in my opinion have the slickest, most streamlined design.
The big deal here is that these boots are Gore-Tex. What does that mean? With the Gore-Tex waterproof breathable membrane, you are guaranteed the highest level of breathability of any waterproof membrane. Why? Gore-Tex membranes have 9 billion pores per square inch and every one of these pores are 20,000 times smaller than a droplet of water. This means they keep all water out, but allow moisture vapors from the body to escape through. Gore pioneered this technology and they are still the best in the game at keeping you dry and comfortable at the same time. Gore-Tex also guarantees their waterproofing for the life of the product. As long as these boots are reasonably cared for, if they ever start leaking water, Gore will repair or replace them for free. Gore-Tex sets these boots apart from the pack.
Let's get into the details of how these boots are constructed. The upper construction is a combination of top grain leather and Cordura inserts, which provides a mix of abrasion resistance and comfort. There are multiple elements that offer protection from impact. Plastic hard parts can be found in the heel, ankle, and toe in addition to a padded nylon shin plate. There is a leather shift/brake pad atop the toe box for durability and the boots are double-stitched in high-stress areas. The sole on the Laguna Gore-Tex boots is Sidi's non-slip high-grip touring outsole with a firm nylon inner sole. There is also removable arch support for comfort and reflective paneling above the heels for visibility. The velcro and zipper closure system is backed by a full length gaiter that ensures no water can penetrate the boots.
In the range of 3/4 sport touring motorcycle boots at this price point, you won't find many that offer a higher degree of features and waterproof functionality. Check out our entire range of Waterproof Motorcycle Boots at RevZilla.com for more choices. We think these are one of the best in the class.
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.