Sidi On Road Sympatex Boots
SIDI ON ROAD SYMPATEX BOOTS
CW EVALUATION
Good boots-and waterproof
IT’S DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE THE MAIN selling point of Sidi’s On Road Sympatex boots. Is it that they’re rain boots you can wear anytime? Or is it that they’re all-around riding boots that just happen to be waterproof?
Either way, Sidi’s newest street boots (distributed by Acerbis USA, 13200 Gregg St., Poway, CA 92064; 800/659-1440) represent the latest development in all-weather motorcycling apparel. Made in Italy, the boots feature a layer of Sympatex (a breathable, waterproof synthetic fabric similar to Gore-Tex) sewn between their top-grain leather outers and synthetic wool liners. A full-sock design means there aren’t any gaps, zippers or vents to let water leak through.
We found the Sidis to be comfortable, and to work particularly well for commuting and touring-situations in which you might encounter unexpected precipitation. Worn in conjunction with a waterproof riding suit and gloves, the boots provide effective, all-day protection from the elements, meaning you no longer need to tote a set of Totes. Even submerged in water, only the leather outers got wet; our tester’s tootsies stayed dry.
Traditionally styled and stout in construction, the Sympatex boots feature internal plastic toe and heel cups and steel shanks in the soles. They don’t, however, have any of the whizbang features-such as toe and cuff skids, or foam-backed armor-found on Sidi’s racier boots. That being the case, hardcore sport riders should look elsewhere.
For general street riding, however, there’s very little to dislike. Our biggest beef concerns the tedious fastening system, which entails threading each of the eight straps back and forth through a plastic buckle before securing it with Velcro. To expedite the process, we threaded each strap through just one side of its buckle, and never had one come loose.
Other criticisms are minor: The tops are too fat to be worn under anything but boot-cut jeans; they’re a tad warm on hot summer days; and the Waffle stomper-pattern soles wear quickly.
Sidi’s Sympatex boots are available only in black, in men’s full sizes 6-13. At $224, they aren’t cheap. But considering that you’re effectively getting two pairs of boots in one, they’re a good deal. And you can take that to the bank-in any weather.
