Cycle News Staff | September 6, 2019
Since 1960 Sidi has specialized in footwear and footwear only. In the 1970s Sidi, which originally focused on hiking boots, introduced its first line of cycling and motorcycle boots. The company’s founder, Dino Signori, loved motorcycles and bicycles, and his passion for these two sports pushed the brand forward for more than 50 years. The Sidi Canyon Gore-Tex boot is representative of the company’s design and craftsmanship.
The company markets this boot as a crossover between cruiser, touring, and adventure. It features full-grain microfiber uppers with contrasting top-grain leather panels, a full-length gaiter and breathable Gore-Tex inners for superior protection against water intrusion, and a micro adjustable strap system below the ankle. Their unique styling also incorporates Teflon mesh and Cambrelle materials that, together, prevent the complete absorption of water and sweat, keeping feet dry and comfortable, according to their marketing materials.
The Lowdown of the Sidi Canyon Gore-Tex Boots:
Stand-Out Feature: Super comfortable all-season waterproof boot
List Price: $350
Rider Analysis of the Sidi Canyon Gore-Tex Boots:
These boots are not new to the market, and there are a fair number of people that we ride with who own a pair. Everyone we spoke to raves about the quality and comfort of their Sidi Canyon Gore-Tex boots, so we were glad to have the opportunity to try them out for ourselves.
There’s no doubt about where these boots come from—they’re Italian through and through. The smell of top-grain leather is apparent from the moment you open the box, and Sidi has always been known for building a quality product. Placed in the market somewhere between cruiser and touring, they offer features to suit lots of riding environments. Nylon shin guards and the rugged non-slip lug-type soles speak to adventure riders, while the placement of the lower ankle buckle and three-quarter-height uppers appeal to cruisers folks.
We took a ride across the Cherohala Skyway, which spans the gap between Tellico Plains, Tennessee, and Robbinsville, North Carolina, to test their waterproof and breathability features. With the heat, humidity, and elevation changes on this ride, you’re likely to get wet and you’re certain to sweat, so it’s the perfect place to test Sidi’s marketing claims.
As advertised, our feet stayed dry and—somewhat cool during the entire ride. We stopped for lunch and sightseeing along the way, and the Sidi Canyon Gore-Tex are great walking boots as well. Though they were a bit stiff at first, after a few long strolls we forgot that we had new boots on our feet. The buckle works awesome, and as the boots break in, you can adjust them to a perfect fit using the ratcheting system built into the buckle.
They also look stylish under the pant legs of a pair of jeans. When you’re ready to take them off, a wide opening allows easy egress thanks to the hook-and-loop fasteners on the topside of the boots and the quick-release feature on the buckle.
All in all, we found the Sidi Gore-Tex Canyon boot to be functional, comfortable, and waterproof, and since the styling appeals to such a large variety of riders, we understand why so many people love these boots.CN
Website: https://sidi.com/en/products/motorcycle/boots/turismo