Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Review: SIDI Vertigo Boots

It's winter here and there's not a lot happening on the riding front so I thought I'd review the SIDI boots that I bought last year. It been about 12 months now so I thought I'd give a quick rundown on how they have performed over the last 12 months. Of course these things are highly subjective and these are just my thoughts on the boots.

When I first tried the boots on in the shop I was wearing jeans which are not as thick as my leathers which I normally wear inside my boots so that's exactly how I tried them on. When I zipped them up I thought geez these things seem a bit tight I wonder if I'll get my leathers into them. I ummed and rr'd about weather to purchase them or not. I liked the look of them and they felt ok just a little on the tight side when zipping them up. So I  though she'll be right and go with them anyway.

I took them out for a short ride only about 30 minutes. First thing I noticed was that they didn't squeak when I walked in them like my alpinestars did. I had trouble changing up gears for the whole of the trip. The boots seemed pretty stiff and didn't flex very much. I guess they have to be like this for safety reasons. Stops your foot from going into angles it's not supposed to. They actually fit my leathers inside the boot better than my jeans.

The next ride I went out for the entire day which you can read about here. After a little walking in them and a bit of riding I got accustomed to them and they seemed to flex a little better. I really noticed the ventilation system in these things on the very first ride, they worked great. It was pretty cool out in the morning but it warmed up by mid morning to the point where standing around in black leathers in the sun started to get uncomfortable. I had started to sweet a bit in the warm sun. When I hoped back on and got underway I could feel air flowing in over the bridge of my foot and around the back of the heal cooling down my foot. It felt strange at first. My last set of boots never had ventilation as I thought of it as just another place for water to seep in. That's not much of a problem these days as I tend to not ride much anymore in the rain if I can help it. The vent is also very easy to open or close when on the move which is a bonus.
Side foot vent
It was a bit strange at first feeling the air flowing around the heal of my foot as it felt a bit like the boot was too big and my foot was right at the front and I had spare space at the back of the boot, so I kept trying to move my foot back to the back of the boot which was quite impossible because my foot couldn't move inside there as they were a snug tight fit. The air flow was making me think that they were loose. It took me a little while to realise and adjust to it, but now is no problem.

After several rides now these boots feel like they have worn in and fit perfectly. They feel very comfortable to walk in and I reckon I could walk in them most of the day they are that comfy. Even though they are not made for that purpose. There also very comfy when riding as well and it didn't take long to break them in and get used to them. The only thing I have noticed is lately the left boot has started to squeak whilst walking in them. Damn, I'd thought I'd gotten rid of that when I got these new boots.

The calf has a little wheel that you twist to tighten the top of the boot up around your calf to get that perfect fit. After working out how this fang dangled technology works its now a cinch to have them done up snug.


The sixty four million dollar question is would I purchase them again if I was looking for another pair of boots. These types of boots are not exactly cheap to buy but that is not the deciding factor. First and fore most is safety and comfort in my opinion.

Well, would I by again? Hell yes is the simple answer. They are comfortable, fit well and look good all in the one package. The simple fact is that I'll have these boots for the next 5-10 years so they are relatively cheap really over that time and I know that they are comfortable and will give good protection if the unthinkable happens.

17 comments:

  1. My old Sidi's lasted around 8 years before they started to look a bit tatty. I have a new pair of Alpine Stars which are great but still wear the Sidi's adv riding. A few weeks ago they let water in for the first time - adv riding and hitting puddles etc. They've been great boots!

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    1. 8 years is pretty good and your still using them. I hate that feeling of water seeping into your boots when your out on a long ride.

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  2. Thanks for your review I've looked at Sidi's for a while and hadnt made up my mind. I don't need new boots atm, but as the ones I have are cheap ones I do want to replace them with better quality one day. My only issue is the same I have with every peice of riding gear I ever get, do they come in my size. But you've definately convinced me to look harder for them in my size.

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    1. You cant really good wrong with either alpinestars or sidi's in my opinion. I hear that alot from girls saying they find it hard to find gear that will fit. You may have to make a trip to sydney or melbourne one day to try on some sizes.

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    2. Oh you just reminded me I'm taking hubby to a footy game in Melbourne in a couple of weeks .. wonder if I'll have time to find some bike shops? :D

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    3. I am sure you could dump him at the footy and go shopping.....
      Isn't that every womens calling?

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  3. Good to know you love your Sidis.

    I've had mine for a few months now and love them. They are a little toasty/steamy when temps are in the 90's though.

    I ordered mine through Revzilla.com here in the states as they have a one exchange at no charge policy. Luckily the size fits, unless I wear thin socks - they are a little loose then.

    One of these days I'll have to get off me butt and do a review too.

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    1. I'm very happy with them and yes they can be a bit toasty in high temps, the vent is very handy once stopped and then you start out again, it cools you down well.

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  4. I have the exact same pair mate, clearly we both have excellent taste. Your thoughts echo mine.

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    1. Obviously your a man of outstanding character and wit.

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  5. Steve,
    Are they a waterproof boot? I've never thought about foot ventilation before but what a great idea, especially as they work! I like SIDI boots. Like Andrew, my old waterproof SIDI's lasted years before leaking. I now have a pair of Triumph-branded Alpinestar waterproof touring boots. Totally waterproof but I hope they soften up like yours did as currently, they're a bit uncomfortable to walk very far in them.

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    1. I'm pretty sure the vertigo's I bought are not the water proof one's. They do make them in water proof versions though but not sure on the price difference. How old are your current boots? I found that these were worn in after about 3 trips/rides.

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    2. Probably around half a dozen rides by now but only one in decent rain to soften them

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    3. That sounds like they had a bit of a work out by now. I wonder if the water proof ones take longer to break in then the non water proof boots.

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  6. Classy looking boots! From what I've heard they are very well regarded in terms of crash protection. I wear Alpinestars 'web gortex'. Conservative looking and waterproof, but I wear my leathers over the top of them.

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  7. Hey
    i am thinking about buying these boots and i thought your review was great. I am a size 11us in my nike trainers. What size would you recommend i buy these boots in?
    i.e Are the size us11 in boots the same as size 11 in normal shoes..
    Thanks

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    1. Thanks for dropping by. I just had a look and my nike joggers are US size 11.5 and my sidi boots are US size 11. For boots of this price you might want to visit an accessories store and try them on for fit. Then you can shop around either locally or on the net for prices.

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