SIDI Adventure Rain Boot Review
New to America for 2011, we tested the Sidi Adventure Rain boot in some of the most challenging conditions we could find. The Adventure Rain boot is categorized as a touring boot by Sidi, construction is sturdy, the upper is made from heavy leather combined with hard plastic shielding at the shin, ankles and heal. Ankles pivot at a single point similar to their top of the line Crossfire boots while the shift pad and straps are made of a durable material called Lorica. Boot retention uses two of Sidi’s excellent Cam-lock buckles on the lower portion of the boot with hook and loop securing the upper shin flap. I’m not a huge fan of hook and loop since it eventually wears out, I would have preferred a 3rd buckle like they use on the Discovery boot. The sole is flexible enough to be comfortable to walk in while the tread is heavy and work boot-like down to the tread pattern and oil resistant rubber. It looks like a stitched sole but is actually a molded unit. The local cobbler tells me that even though it is not a stitched sole he can still resole the boot as long as I don’t wear them too thin.
In the past, I have always found Sidi to fit narrow on my size 12 foot. The Euro 47 I picked up sizes as a 121/2 and was a very comfortable fit from the beginning similar in fit to my Alpinestars. My early concern about the lower strap binding against my foot when I walked disappeared after only a few rides. Now, I don’t notice it at all. The Adventure Rain took little time to break but remains noisy with a loud squeaking as you walk similar to my race boots.
Having just recently logged 2,000 miles in north Mexico, 2,500 miles of interstate and another 2,000 miles bouncing around the Pacific Northwest in the wet spring rain, the only time I have had water get inside is when the water flowed over the top of the boot as we pushed a bike out of a river-can’t blame Sidi for that one! The Adventure Rain boots can get warm in hot weather but remain surprisingly comfortable for a waterproof boot. Overall, I found these to be a great traveling companion, dry and comfortable to walk in, plus I really like the fact that the uppers are narrow enough to slip under my jeans and riding pants.
Is this the perfect adventure boot? The answer depends on your definition of what an adventure boot should do. If you are looking for a comfortable road companion that can handle light off-road duty the Sidi Adventure’s just may be the perfect boot for you. However, if you are looking for the ultimate in protection and spend a good amount of time standing on the pegs, the Sidi Discovery or a pure off-road boot may be the better choice. These are the first boots I reach for now when I go for a ride, but I won’t be tossing my Alpinestars Tech 7s anytime soon.
Is this the perfect adventure boot? The answer depends on your definition of what an adventure boot should do. If you are looking for a comfortable road companion that can handle light off-road duty the Sidi Adventure’s just may be the perfect boot for you. However, if you are looking for the ultimate in protection and spend a good amount of time standing on the pegs, the Sidi Discovery or a pure off-road boot may be the better choice. These are the first boots I reach for now when I go for a ride, but I won’t be tossing my Alpinestars Tech 7s anytime soon.