ADV riding by its nature requires gear that can accommodate a variety of uses and environments, often within a single ride. This dilemma is especially evident when selecting the footwear that will carry you through your next adventure.
While boots that focus on comfort and the ability to walk around during stops can be tempting, riding in those same boots for two or more hours straight while standing up on your bike’s foot pegs will likely leave you regretting that decision.
Enter the Sidi Adventure 2 Gore-Tex boots. Drawing upon over six decades of experience designing and constructing premium footwear for the motorcycle industry, the team at Sidi has delivered their flagship boots for the ADV world.
Out of the box, first impression can’t help but be drawn to the fact that this is a good-looking boot. Available in four different colours, our test pair arrived in basic black with the microfibre exterior combining with TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) components to provide an overall esthetic that clean and modern.
Sizing proved to be very true to fit with the size 42 Euro fitting my foot perfectly. The inclusion of elastic panels on the calf section ensures that the boot will be comfortable for legs of all diameters. Two cam lock buckles allow for further refinement in the fit of the boot.
As the name indicates, this boot includes a waterproof Gore-Tex liner, however unlike many other ADV boots on the market, the liner in the Sidi Adventure 2 boot comes all the way up to the top of the boot, providing maximum waterproof protection when riding through deep puddles and water crossings.
One of the drawbacks of waterproof gear can often be the lack of breathability. Having ridden extensively with these boots throughout the peak heat of the summer, I have been pleased to find that the combination of the Gore-Tex liner and the Microfibre exterior are very effective in keeping feet both dry and cool, even as temperatures head above 30 degrees Celsius.
When your adventure heads off road, the inclusion of TPU protection in the heel and ankle area as well as full shin protection will prove invaluable in the event of a fall or coming into contact with branches and other obstacles that may present themselves along the trail.
My very first time out with the Sidi Adventure 2 Gore-Tex boots involved a two-hour ride with all but a few minutes spent standing on the foot pegs. Add in the fact that I was riding a KLX300, which has the most uncomfortable pegs imaginable and it would be a safe expectation that my feet would be hurting long before the ride was over, but surprisingly the sole of the boots magically alleviated any discomfort.
Of course, sooner or later you are going to stop to check out the sights or grab a bite to eat, and this is where some adventure style boots can fall short. Given the CE-Certified Adventure 2 Gore-Tex boots focus on protection and meeting the off-road requirements of ADV riding, my expectations for comfort off the bike were low, however I am pleased to report that I was wrong. The strategic placement of flex zones accommodates walking around for prolonged stretches of time and despite the aforementioned sturdiness of the lug-style sole, overall comfort when not on the bike has in no way been compromised.
With an MSRP of $639.99, the Sidi Adventure 2 Gore-Tex boots are near the top end of pricing in the ADV boot marketplace, however, when taking in account the level of protection, breathable waterproof design and overall functionality, these boots also represent an investment that will keep you on the road to adventure for years to come.
For more information on the Sidi Adventure 2 Gore-Tex Boots as well as the complete lineup of Sidi products, visit www.kimpex.com.
Sidi Adventure 2 Gore-Tex Boots
MSRP: $639.99
Colours: Black, Brown, Military Green, Sand Ochre
Sizes: 39 to 48 (Euro)
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