As noted in the earlier posts, I've recently purchased the Sidi Adventure Gore-Tex as a replacement for my old Oxtar Air-tech XCR boots. They are size 45 (fit my US size 11 foot well), and I paid $368.77 including shipping from Germany in October 2011. I purchased these boots from fc-moto www.fc-moto.de, and it took about 3 weeks for them to arrive on my doorstep. I did not have to pay German VAT because of the international order, and there were no broker fees assessed when I used DHL as my shipper to USA.
The boots were packaged well inside the factory box with more packing material and an even larger box. Opening the package up revealed that wonderful new boot smell. Initial impression when I held these in my hand: these were some fine boots of the best feeling build quality that I have ever owned. The upper flap opens wide and will allow for quite a large range of calf sizes with it's armored but flexible front shin protector. On foot insertion, I immediately noted the rather flat feeling of the foot bed related to my normal to high foot arch. In all my boots, hiking and riding alike, I've always found the need to use a supplemental insole. In went a pair of
Superfeet brand insoles. I prefer the green ones, which are reportedly Gore-Tex safe per the manufacturer and have been safe in practice, with several hundred miles of hiking in an old pair of boots with no thin wear spots nor leaking of my Asolo hiking boots. The width was pretty average to my average width foot.
Stick your foot in, close the upper collar with it's large velcro-type closure, and now it's time to adjust the ski boot type locking lower clasps. Without adjustment, I locked in and felt like I was wearing the boot orthosis devices I put on my patients after severe ankle injuries. Holy crap.... what did I get myself into. With a little inspection, I located the adjusting mechanism for these straps and soon had a perfect, secure fit.
Taking the first few steps around the house, I couldn't help but notice that these boots were more solid and stiff than a morning erection. It was scary how solid and stiff these boots felt. The ankle flexion/extension range was quite limiting and I wondered how I would safely shift or run my rear brake. I believe the earlier post that someone knocked out a moose with these boots.
First trip on the motorcycle - things went awry. With my old boots, I could feel the gear shift lever on my foot when shifting and relied on the sensation of pressure relief on my toe to ensure I had taken pressure off the gear lever before smoothly continuing the shifting process. With the new boots, I botched three shifts within two miles of my home. As I rode, I was re-learning how to ride. At one point, I noticed I was riding with slight pressure on the rear brake without feeling the pressure on my right foot telling me what I was doing. I normally ride with the ball of my foot on the pegs unless I'm doing the in-town commute where I'm doing a lot of start/stop maneuvers. Discouraging. I also developed a pinch point in the fold of the upper collar that caused a sore spot on the front of my shin on the right leg only. This problem was my own error and not a boot issue. I examined my folding technique of the gauntlet and found I was leaving a fold/seam directly over the developing sore spot. On my second ride this problem was nonexistent.
It took about a week of riding to get comfortable with the stiffness and re-learn how to shift and brake. I started wearing the boots around the house as well as with my regular work commute. After about a month of use, I have noticed an immense improvement in the needed flexion/extension range and my ability to safely, properly control my FJR :yahoo: . From a comfort standpoint, these boots are now amazingly comfortable and allow easy bike control after properly broken in.
Weather.... I have had the opportunity to ride with these boots during mid-30 degree downpours after getting off work at 0100. After a 1 hour rain ride, I found a length of road with approximately a 20ft. long puddle and ran repeated trips through the puddle with my toes in the water, sending an arch of water higher than my knees. My feet stayed dry. These boots are tighter than a frogs asshole and, in combination with my Motoport gear with rain pants over the boots, they will give me a nasty weather tolerance greater than what one should safely ride. This is exactly what I wanted. I typically wear a synthetic, moisture wicking running sock on shorter trips and ride with a tall sock liner style sock with or without an overlying merino wool sock on longer rides (temperature dependent).
Protection - these boots are awe inspiring when it comes to protection. They make my old Oxtar boots feel like lace up tennis shoes. The inversion, eversion, hyperflexion, and hyperextension protection as well as secure metatarsal wrapping and toe box armor creates a protection level that is on par with what I wanted. I've never worn professional race-level armored boots, but do feel that these boots offer a great personal level of protection for me without compromising comfort and function.
They are the most comfortable, secure feeling boots I have ever owned. I have no problem wearing them all day, feel well protected on the bike, and have no problems using them off the bike walking around on flat and uneven surfaces. If I were to do it again, I would not hesitate to purchase these again. For the price I paid, they are a phenomenal boot for me.
