Could the Sidi Adventure 2 be the perfect adventure and touring motorcycle boots?

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Sidi’s original incarnation of the Adventure was a fantastic piece of footwear, and one of the first adventure touring boots with proper off-road protection to hit the market. I bought a pair back in 2010 and still have them now, two resoles and a couple of tubs of dubbin later. Although my originals are still serviceable, I was keen to get my feet into the latest version to see how Sidi has managed to improve on a near perfect tool for the job.

On first inspection, the biggest difference is the upper construction, which has been switched from leather to microfibre. The external TPU protection has also been completely redesigned for greater coverage and is more substantial in certain areas – not that the older version was lacking. Weight has also been reduced by around 100g per boot, which may be a result of the use of microfibre.     

How comfortable are the Sidi Adventure 2 boots?

The Sidi Adventure 2 is a stiff, sturdy boot by design, so it’s important to get as close a fit as possible to prevent chafing or blisters. I’m a UK 10.5/EU 45 and found that size to be absolutely spot on. With the adjustable micrometric clips snapped in place, it binds itself snugly to your foot and is sufficiently cushioned on the inside of the armour and across the footbed for all day comfort.

I put that fully to the test last summer, wearing them every day on a 3,000 mile tour around Europe at the helm of my Harley Davidson CVO Pan America long termer. Temperatures ranged from mid-teens to well over 30°C and for 99% of the time the Sidis never felt less than a biomechanical extension of my body.

The Gore-Tex membrane hasn’t faltered in wicking moisture away from my (usually) sweaty trotters, working in tandem with Oxford’s Coolmax Oxsocks to stop my soles getting soggy. Long socks are a must, as these are tall boots and without them you’d be leaving your calves vulnerable to potential chafing.

Speaking of which, that 1% where I wasn’t happy was due to running out of fuel in rural France and having to make a 4 km mid-day yomp to a filling station and back. My right heel is skinnier than my left due to an old injury, so it doesn’t sit quite as well in any motorcycle boot, and I ended up with a blister right at the back. Not Sidi’s fault at all, and easily fixed with a trip to a pharmacy, but just to say that hiking is not really the Adv 2’s jam.   

Do the Sidi Adventure 2s look good?

No question here at all, thanks to the chunky off-road inspired protection the Sidi Adventure 2 look as cool as a Ducati Desert X on a proper set of knobblies. Mine are the black version (which go with anything), but they also come in brown, green or grey, so if you’re the flamboyant type you can always add a dash of colour to your adv outfit.

What’s the quality like?

After a year and half, and almost 10,000 miles, in all weathers, I have no cause for complaint at all. They’ve been subjected to wet mud and deep ruts off road, torrential rain and searing heat on road, been bashed about on rocks and marched around in for a good few miles, taking it all in their stride. A full height gaiter allows the Gore-Tex membrane to extend right to the brim, which has proved effective in keeping water out when fording the odd stream. 

The overall construction has the same high end feel as Sidi’s top road racing and off-road gear, which is about as good as it gets. Carried directly over from their MX boots, the micrometric buckles are strong, secure and easily adjustable. All the moving parts are replaceable if needs be, although you’d have to try very hard, or be extremely unfortunate, to actually break any of them.

If there’s any downside to the Adv 2s, it’s that they squeak when you walk, and that’s never more noticeable than when you stomp into a hotel lobby like some T-800 terminator who’s gone on holiday by mistake. It’s caused by the TPU protection and microfibre upper rubbing together around the bindings, but is easily fixable with some dubbin or leather balm smeared on the offending surfaces.

How protective are the Sidi Adventure 2 boots?

CE certification is to the higher level of 2 across the board, and with technology either borrowed or derived from the competition world, I’d feel confident tackling almost any situation that adventure touring could throw my way. And I have, from negotiating gravel alpine passes, to tackling heavily rutted green lanes and extended periods on tarmac.  

Are they good value for money?

At £359.99 they make for a significant outlay, but if the Adv 2s last as long as the originals, and I’ve no reason to doubt they will, then that will be money well spent. They come with a two year warranty from Sidi, and Gore-Tex offer a guarantee for the expected life of the product. The area most likely to wear first is the sole, but that is replaceable, so shouldn’t give cause for concern.

So what’s the verdict?

For an all-terrain, multi season boot that’s as suited to commuting as it is to long distance touring, the Sidi Adventure 2 is a tough act to beat. Yes, they’re expensive, but that’s massively outweighed by the protection they offer, and if you factor the initial price by how long they should last, offer great value for money too. I’ve seen them on sale with significant discounts, so it’s worth shopping around, particularly if you’re not fussy about the colour.     

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