Sidi ST Air Boots

[JonKerr]

So for the last 2 years I've been using some very cheap Vega boots. They're decent but I've got pretty good high quality gear from head to ankle and I've been putting off buying good boots until I could get a good deal. So a couple of weeks ago a guy who's a mutual friend with some other riders I know posts up on Facebook that he's selling off "some of his gear." So I bought a brand new pair of Sidi ST Air boots from him for $260. They're $400 pretty much everywhere you go so the deal was great. This guy has more gear than most retail stores - no joke. I'm talking 75 to 100 jackets, Suits, 40 or more helmets, boots, gloves, etc... He said it was his addiction lol. I think he's pretty well to do since he said he had 9 bikes in his garage at one time too. lol

Anyways, I got these boots from him and had a chance to ride with them last weekend. These boots need to be broken in that's for sure. They're very stiff right out the box. This is good and bad. Good because they're EXTREMELY well built. The quality of everything from the metal and plastic clamps to the zippers, ankle hinge, etc... is remarkable. The leather is thick and will do a great job protecting. Just needs some time to loosen up and allow some more flex. The grip on the bottom is but very different from the boots I was using before. They grip the pegs very well fore and aft as well as side to side. (I don't have the stock pegs with the rubber anymore, I use MFW Vario pegs that are heavily knurled and provide more grip than the rubber) The one thing that's different is they allow your feet to actually pivot (moving your heel side to side but still gripping) if you have the ball of your foot on the peg. Not a bad thing, just a little different and took a minute to figure out what I was feeling that was different. I love the look of the boots. The only thing I'm a little disappointed in was that if I was buying them from a shop I probably would have bought the Black and white or possibly even the black and red. These are the all black version which still look great, but I really like the other two as well. Here's the all black that I got.

Here's the black and white

And these are the black and red

So far I'm very satisfied with them but I'll need a lot more miles in these than I have to be able to give you guys a full review of them. I'll add to this in a when I get more time in them. I can't imagine I'm going to be disappointed since Sidi are pretty much the Ferrari of motorcycle boots and I've never heard of anyone not liking them.

 

[leprecaun jon]

i dno if i would be down with boots being that high up on my leg.... thats one of those things i hated about riding dirt... i felt like i had to walk like i had monkey but or a stick between my ass with boots like that on...

 

[roadrat]

Those are sweet boots and the braces on the sides look like they have great torsion control... Gotta protect our ankles at any cost, they're complicated to repair. My kid broke his ankle on a skim board and he had all these pins and screws in his ankle and he's never really recovered fully.

 

[bmw675]

great looking boots.

one question, how well does that cam lock work at the top of the boot?
does it feel like it could pop loose on heavy impact, how adjustable is it?

STG's review just says its the same as what some offroad gear uses, but that doesn't help me.

 

[FZ6R_Blue]

idk about them.. when i ride i like to be able to walk around in public and not look like a tard... they are not very fashionable

 

[FZ6R_Blue]

these ones are a little better
Sidi Streetburner Boots - Street Bike - Motorcycle Superstore

 

[iSpoolin]

SMH at people worried about fashion over safety when riding.

Boots look good Jon!

Also, full length boots aren't that bad to walk in. I walk in mine all the time.

 

[JonKerr]

They're not the most comfortable things to walk in a lot but when I'm going out for a ride on the weekend, I'm not going out to look good or walk for hours. I'm going out to ride and they're perfectly comfortable for that. Same with my suit. It's not really comfortable to walk around in because of how it's cut. But there's nothing more comfortable to be in when in riding position on the bike. If I'm going anywhere that I'm out with friends, going to diner, work, etc... I wear my AStars One to One boots. I were those to work even. Usually when I'm going out for a weekend ride, it's a "spirited ride" and I'm in my full gear - one piece suit, race gloves, boots, etc... I'd rather do that and be protected if something happens than be comfortable walking around.

As for the clamps, they work great. I don't think there's much of a chance of them coming undone in a crash.

 

[Spunky99]

My experience with Sidi is that they are great riding boots but terrible for walking.
This is typical considering they are racing boots and not a walking/riding hybrid.
I have the Alpinestar S-MX-5 boots that I bought when I purchased my FZ6R.
I had a friend that has major ankle problems from wrecking on a motorcycle. They are more comfortable to wear and a lot easier to walk in but don't have nearly the side ankle protection of my Sidi Vortice Air boots. I've raced with both boots and the Sidi are far superior on the track. Also just about every piece of the Sidi boots come off and is replaceable if you need.
I put the magnesium toe sliders on the S-MX-5 boots. I think you can upgrade to the Vortice tor sliders pretty cheap and have magnesium toe sliders too. Those boots you bought are very nice.....

 

[applejax]

I have the sidi cobra boot, (yes, I know this topic is about the st air) and I absolutely love these boots. Considering they are on the lower spectrum for sidi boots, they rock.

Just a bit hard to walk in.

 

[leprecaun jon]

SMH at people worried about fashion over safety when riding.

Boots look good Jon!

Also, full length boots aren't that bad to walk in. I walk in mine all the time.

i like my boots like the ones in the picture.... just over the ankle... and flexible enough to move around in yet sturdy enough to protect you ankle... the texas steer boots are what i use for hiking... i have had mine for 10 years.

i like the icon boots i attached to... they seem to have the same gortex flexible areas like my texas steer boots, they are high enough over the ankle... and are water proof.

none the less nice boots john...i had sidi's for my dirt riding... they are great boots... but not my cup of tea for street application

 

[roadrat]

I have the Alpinestar S-MX-5 boots that I bought when I purchased my FZ6R.

I have the Alpinestar S-MX-5 boots too, not bad to walk in. If I'm going to be in a crowd or something I wear my Red Route kevlar jeans and just put them over the boots.

Seriously, though, here in Cali people wear all kinds of weird crap. Compared to a dude like this I feel pretty cool in my motorcycle boots.

 

[Spunky99]

I have the Alpinestar S-MX-5 boots too, not bad to walk in. If I'm going to be in a crowd or something I wear my Red Route kevlar jeans and just put them over the boots.

Seriously, though, here in Cali people wear all kinds of weird crap. Compared to a dude like this I feel pretty cool in my motorcycle boots.

C'mon now.....you are from Vista...don't be hatin on Venice....

 

[JonKerr]

The funny thing is that if I were in anything less than full leathers and race boots when out with my usual riding buddies I'd feel like the oddball.

 

[Detrich]

i picked up a pair of Sidi ST's a couple months back too and have been riding in them in the canyons.

and, i think they're GREAT, -but- NOT PERFECT.

i would still recommend them, but there are a few issues with them that you have to either be able to live with or adjust to. some of these things might drive some ppl crazy. some not...

PRO's:
- rugged & great protection for the foot, ankle, and shin.
- very good toe & heel sensitivity/ response while riding.
- breathe very well.
- comfortable fit while riding.
- look great.


CON's:
- slightly on the heavy side, weight-wise.
- sizing is a bit wide at the ankles.
(i'm a perfect size USA8 foot, but the smallest size the ST's come in is EU42, which is USA8.5. oddly, the ST's fit me perfectly- except they are slightly roomier than i would like around the heel. none of my other shoes or boots have this issue..)
- strictly for riding and not really a boot comfortable enough that you could wear around all day at work.
- squeak like a mother f'cker when you walk around.
(i've already had to wd-40 the ankle joints on both boots twice!)
- overly complex strapping system.
(think getting in & out of old-school style ski boots.)
(also, the inside buckle of the inside strap creates a small hump. when leaning/ cornering, it took me a while to get used to my outside leg hitting that little hump against the bike. i've had to adjust to where it is and shift my leg just a tad to clear it. i have to admit that initially this was very annoying to me.)
- expensive at $400...

i haven't ridden in these in summer time yet. but, my previous boots were non-perforated too. and, i don't have sweaty feet. so, for me the non-perforated model works fine for both summer & winter. probably even better for winter.

Hope this helps...

 

[Spunky99]

- squeak like a mother f'cker when you walk around.

My Vortice boots do the same thing....I don't care and just let them squeak....
For $500.00 bucks I want people to notice what I'm wearing......

 

[Detrich]

john> again, wd-40 the rotating joint cups and they instantly stop squeaking.

it's not a deal-breaker for me either. but i just think for such a pricey pair of boots the least SIDI could've done is to have lubed them from the factory... You know?

 

[Spunky99]

john> again, wd-40 the rotating joint cups and they instantly stop squeaking.

it's not a deal-breaker for me either. but i just think for such a pricey pair of boots the least SIDI could've done is to have lubed them from the factory... You know?

WD40 is Mostly Kerosene 51% and mineral oil 15% with 25% LPG.
Maybe a squirt of chain wax will be better.....it won't harm the expensive plastic....

 

[Detrich]

I see... I never thought of that part. But, then again, I didn't spray a lot of it- just a tiny squirt thru the red straw into the snall opening I could get after rotating the ankle a bit.

I used the rotation motion of the joint to then spread it around inside. The rotating joint on the boot has a near flush mount point. So, I covered up the spray area with a rag to prevent bleeding.

But, taking a step back. Boots & gloves have a life span. So, as long as it doesn't corrode the plastic for the lifespan of the boot it should be ok I think.

Is there even such a thing as plastic lubricant? Maybe some KY? Hahahaha. Ok. I won't go there...

xP

 

[JonKerr]

WD40 is Mostly Kerosene 51% and mineral oil 15% with 25% LPG.
Maybe a squirt of chain wax will be better.....it won't harm the expensive plastic....

WD40 is nasty stuff on plastic and rubber. They's why it's not the best idea on an oring chain