I Want A Pair Of Boots, That Do It All !!!

I have the Oxtar/TCX Infinity and really like them, but the new SIDI Adventure boot look like better crush protection from the sides and might limit ankle flex more. They are leather/Gore-Tex, do well standing in streams, and my feet are dry and comfortable walking around and riding all day in cold and in 85+ degree F weather (think Moab and eastern WA). At teh end of the day I am amazed how dry my socks are. I also wear tall wicking design socks and over the boot pants which probably help.

The TCX has a round ankle bone protection plate on the outside, but not real solid bike-on-leg-bone type protection from the side. There is stout front shin protection.

The SIDI Discovery was missing the side plates - a little thing, but enough to cross it off my list. My Sidi street boots had the ankle bone plate, not sure why the Discovery does not.

The SIDI Adventure seems to address most of the issues without being an all out MX boot.

- Mike

So I went ahead an pulled the trigger on some SIDI Adventure Goretex boots. Bought them from the UK becuase I figure if i am going to spend good money on a pair of boots, I want 'the good pair'. The US version of this boot 'Rain', is not made from Gore-tex and only claims to be water resistant. The UK version on the other hand is made from Goretex and Leather, I was able to obtain it for $494 CAD shipped to my door from the UK. I saw the US 'Rain' version for $375USD so ~$400CAD maybe. I figure the extra $$ was worth it, but I will post a review here once I recieve them, and again once I get some miles on them.

The reason I went with this boot over the other 2?

Well for starters, I don't know much about gear. What I learned I have read here on the forums and around the internet. While reading reviews and experiences of other riders I am moving further from the look and closer to the function. The TCX and the Vendramini were really pretty much the road boot I was looking for. The Sidi just appears to offer me more protection, one of my concerns was ankle support. And really - this boot looks a little like overkill to me for what I think I will be using it for. I am sure I will be happy to crash in them!

I am interested in hearing your review of the Sidi. A guy I rode with last weekend had the TCX boots and I got a chance to look at them up close. While it does offer some shin and ankle protection, it seem to be a glorified leather boot. I'm with you, protection is my highest concern.

Best "do it all" boots I've come across are those made by the UK bootmaker Altberg. I chose the Hogg High Weather model (for additional shin protection and height of waterproofing), but I know people with other models and they all appear to be much of a muchness in terms of quality. Some of the reasons I like them so much:

They are as comfy as hiking boots as riding (in fact some of their models are sold as both motorcycle and hiking boots). If you have to walk out of wherever you break down, you couldn't ask for a better boot.

Although they are still a bit chunky, when polished and tucked under suit trousers they'll pass as shoes at work. I spent two days with one client in them when I forgot my work shoes. It was only on the second day when the subject of boots came up (he hiked) that I showed him them and he claimed not to of clocked them.

Wearing them all day every day on and off the bike, for several days on the trot is fine.

They're what I call 'properly waterproof' as in, they contend with river crossings, 6 hours of driving rain, etc. rather than the 'stays dry long enough for a weekend warrior to get back home once it starts to drizzle' that a lot lot of motorcycle gear manufacturers seems to take to mean, "Waterproof".

They are very reasonably priced, especially when you consider they're hand made and made to measure ones don't cost any extra.

The company are great to deal with, good aftersales service too.

If you look after them properly, they have extreme longevity. Some police riders have topped 200,000 miles in one pair.

There is a very extensive and cheaply priced repair service available for them. Resoling, rewaterproofing, new fasteners, etc.

They're warm in winter, but reasonably breathable in summer.

I've skated down the tarmac in them at 60mph and they look like new bar one fastener being worn down. I've had a big Mercedes drive over my foot wearing them. No pain, never mind injury. I've not done hard off roading in them, but short of possible higher up spiral/torsional injuries that no boot can fully guard against, don't think there would be any 'weak point' in their protection short of very high speed, very sharp impact on rocks/similar.

It's true that I wouldn't choose them to road race in them and some forms of motorsport/tracks prohibit lace up boots, but for everything else, they would be my first choice.

Turns out Canada's cooler than I thought. We are importing the Gortex Boot. Retail at $650 CAD. My UK order should was $494 CAD shipped to my door and I expect to pay 20% Duty + Taxes.... I think I will be comparable $$$ on my order, but probably eaiser to just drive to the store and pick one up. If I knew a store that was carrying them.
Linky

EDIT: PERHAPS/PERHAPS NOT - Recent posts on the advrider have cast doubts. Check your dealer for details!

How are these for ankle protection? I have not been able to find any specifics on them and I really like the pricepoint for what appears to be a decent boot.

Thanks,
Chief

So I just ordered the new Sidi Adventure (Gore) version from Two Wheel Centre in Mansfield, England. Piece of cake online. Total with shipping is 311 pounds or right at 500 USD. About a 100 USD premium over the available non goretex US spec boots after you figure $375 for the boot plus California tax if I bought locally or shipping cost if I bought out of state.

I'll report back once received. 2-5 business days per their website.

Frank Thomas Aquas from Cycle Gear. $129. I love mine. Totally waterproof and comfortable too.

SIDI On Road Boots are the best all round do-it-all boot for me. Plain black with protection for toes, ankles and shins. And on top of that they're comfortable. Took maybe six rides to break them in. I might add a pair SIDI Adventure Touring boots to the closet for Dual Sport stuff.

Tell you what, those are some fine looking boots.


A pair of those will be on my shopping list when go to the UK.

Yeah, these look like a great street/commuting boot but I would hesitate to take these on a solid dual sport ride.

I picked up my boots today. If your interested in how/where I got them and how much $$$, there is quite a bit of info in this thread. Linky

But since this is the 'Boots, That Do It All !!!' thread. I will post my review here, since I just got them the first post will be mainly pictures of the boot

I wear a size 10.5 Nike shoe, I ordered a EU size 45 boot and this boot fits me fine. I had tried on a SIDI -something-<something> in a 44 and 46 at the store and knew the 44 was too small and the 46 to large prior to ordering the boot online.

Contents Out of the Box:


Boots Sole:


Inner Liner:



...More to come, my camera card was full...</something>

Made In Italy


Rear of Boot with hard protection for the Achilles


Adjustable strap mechanism.


Strap from the other side.


Velcro Patch for securing the top of the boot.


Latching Mechanism.

So I now have them on to start breaking them in... from the looks outside today it will be a while!

The boot is surprisingly flexible right where I hoped it would be, no doubt a result of the pivot point on the ankle. Here are some shots with the boot on. The wife is going to think I am nuts walking around the apartment in boots!

Right Inside


Right Outside


Full Frontal :eek1


Now Flex for the camera!


That's it for now unless some one wants specific info.

Nice pics!! Thanks for the update!!

They are a stout boot and I would say they offer significant ankle support, likely mote than the Gaerne Balanced oiled but not as much as a plastic encased MX boot. I think they are very close to my Sidi Vortex MX boots in protection with better comfort and build quality.

Zacharia_11 - great pictures. One question you may or may not be able to answer.

Do you see any problems with someone who has a high instep getting into these boots?

Cheers

Well since I have them on now I can tell you that I don't feel much in the way of arch support, there is a little, but nothing like a running shoe. I was just reading over Fredo's Disco review to see if there was anything more i could add to what I already said, it looks like he put some Insoles in his boot.

I am going out for dinner and am planning on wearing them out with me. I'll let you know if anything jumps out at me, but I typically don't have problems with my arches. I probably won't be able to give a good review of the boots walkablility for a few days.

When I was talking about instep, this is what I was referring to
http://www.med.nyu.edu/rehabengineering/images/footnlhinstep.jpg

Oh, I don't think I could satisfactorily answer that question. I will tell you that there is an adjustable strap over the part of the foot that makes for a high instep and it appear to have room to give.

I took a couple of picture that I hope might help:






Picture of your link: