I have been using some very old Triumph branded touring boots for maybe 7 years. The waterproofing finally gave up the ghost big time in the recent Australian rain and drowned my feet during a 4 hour ride. I don't mind being wet but I hate being wet and cold.
I read reviews and went shopping.
I have an MTS1200 S and I tend to ride on long tours but also do some dirt road riding and light off-roading.
I chose the new Sidi Adventure Gore-tex boot. The Sidi Adventure Rain has been around a while but they released this additional model that includes a Gore-tex waterproof liner - an a large price increase. I paid just over AUD$600 for a pair of size 45s and have put them through about 1,000km of riding including an 8 hour day with lots of bend swinging and some dirt road work on the Reefton Spur - Woods Point - Black Spur run out of Melbourne.
Specs:
- They have a fairly soft non-slip sole like a hiking boot that works very well. It is quite sticky and make putting your foot down when stopping on the bike very secure and have good grip when walking. Hard to tell how well they will wear.
- They have a slightly flexible footplate (Sidi say composite inner sole) that is very comfortable to sit or stand on while riding but also great to walk on. It is not totally rigid like a motocross boot.
- Ankle hinge that allows a lot of easy fore and aft flex but is designed to limit sideways movement from an impact of an "off". Looks like a good system.
- Protection pads on the inner top of both boots for gear change - even if you ride an old British bike.
- Replaceable locking strap system with 2 Cam-lock buckles. This is adjusted once and it is set.
- Top grain leather construction. The guy from the shop told me the boot has both quality leather and Lorica parts.
- Split grain leather inner anti-wear/heat panel. I think the leather/Lorica is in the protection pads and the "anti-wear/heat panel" that is the top outer calf surface that is suede textured where it would rub on the bike.
- Removable footbed arch support so you can clean it and replace it with orthotic inserts if you need.
- Cambrelle lining.
- Rigid plastic, shock resistant, anatomically shaped heel for maximum impact protection.
- Large loop on the rear of the boot to help get them on.
Comfort while walking
This is a high calf-length boot and unlike most Italian boots seems to be quite a wide fitting. I have wider than average feet and while I am not flat footed, I don't have a high arch. I found the boots to fit perfectly and easily. They open wide and are very easy to get on and off.
The most surprising thing about these boots is the comfort while walking. Given that they look almost like a motocross boot, you would expect them to be like walking in snowskiing boots. Not so. I had to perform a lecture the other night and I wore them under jeans and wandered around town for an hour or 2 before standing for about an hour while speaking. Total comfort while walking and standing and I sort of forgot about them until I went to take them off. Excellent!
Reviews of the previous model Sidi Adventure
rain boot (non-Goretex) almost always mention the squeaking from the hinge when walking off the bike. I have had these boots for maybe 3 weeks now and walked a few km off the bike but they are totally silent. Not even a squeak from the leather.
Comfort while riding
I mostly ride with Draggin' kevlar jeans and put them over the boot. The boots themselves have space in the upper area to ride with pants leg inside if you like.
I found them very comfortable to wear while riding. They are so flexible that changing gear and braking are sort of normal and you don't notice that you have a "serious" boot on. I did many hours in warmish temperatures (high 20s to low 30 oC) and found they seemd not to steam up badly. While it was not very hot I am confident they will be OK in very hot weather. I also think they will be great in the cold with maybe an extra sock layer if really icy.
I would also recommend purchasing of some longer than normal motocross style socks so the upper rim doesn't rub on your leg too much. I have used them for many hours with normal long socks with no problems, but a longer sock may be better,
Rain
I rode in a few showers and they were totally dry. I have not ridden in serious rain yet but the boots come with the "Gore-Tex Guaranteed to Keep You Dry promise". As long as you have waterproofs over the boot top they should be totally dry and stay that way for many years to come. I am a Gore-tex believer!
The boots come with stickers (yawn), cleaning instructions and a few spare hinge circlips should you lose one.
All in all an
expensive but
great boot. I don't mind spending serious money on good quality protective gear. It will easily pay for itself in the event of an off.
I am looking forward to my next long ride in the rain. That is really weird!
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