Best boots,SIDI or TECH8??????

[sodbustercb]

I have never owned a pair of motorcycle boots.I`m getting older now and hurts take longer to heal so I am looking at some protective gear. I want good stuff so I don`t have to buy it all over agian latter. I like the looks and design of the SIDI boots but none of the localls have any experiance with them and they tell me to buy TECH8.I would like the opinion of all you kind gents out there.

[sodbustercb]

Sorry I forgot to add that it was the SIDI Force that I was thinking about. Should I go with the sewn on sole or the screw on replacement type sole?

[blackie]

sodbustercb,

I have no complaints with my Sidi Force boots. I have the regular sole instead of the SRS. I chose the regular sole because there was a better feel of the foot pegs then the SRS sole. I have now used the boots for over 1 year and there is no sign of wear on the original sole. I imagine that the sole will last as long as I have the boots.

I also chose Sidi because I have used their mountain bike and road bike shoes for the last 8 years. I have been happy with the fit and durability.

John

[MOmilkman]

The upside to the Tech 8's is definatly the comfort factor. I just got a new pair myself (2nd pair) and its like slipping a pair of comfy tennis shoes on. (no kidding)

The downside is the sole is a bit softer than the Sidi's are. (or so I have heard) So the sole could wear out a bit faster. BUT, the Tech 8 soles are replaceable as well as just the arch foot piece. Although I will tell you the new Tech 8's I just bought, it looks like Alpinestars might be starting to make the soles a bit tougher. Seems like to me the rubber looked like a harder compound than my last pair.

I just make sure my footpegs are good and dull do they dont wear out the soles as fast! ?

[^SQUID^_Thumper]

Go with the Sidi's.....you wont regret it. Superior quality and protection than the Tech 8's, and they have much better buckles. ?

[Jonesy920]

You will be happy with either one. I have the Tech 8's and love them. Especially when i can take out the bootie and dry it out over night and everyone else has wet boots in the morning. But you need to try on both and see which fits you better.

[Indy_WR450]

I like the sidi fit and buckle system. They are good with asterik knee braces.

[Harley]

The problem is finding a dealer who has both boots to try. First and most important is comfort. I don't think you want to be running a harescramble and halfway through discover your spending more time thinking about your sore feet than what might be on the trail in front of you.

I recently have been trying on boots, alot of boots but not the SIDI (wish a dealer had them)and though I do like the Tech 8 features, especially the removable boot and metal buckles I found that, for my foot the Tech 6 provides a much more comfortable fit.

[tigerowner_ut]

I tried on the boots side by side. For me it is an obvious choice. THe SIDIs were much more comfortable to me.

[MOmilkman]

I tried on the boots side by side. For me it is an obvious choice. THe SIDIs were much more comfortable to me.

WOW!

I guess I cant say that Tech 8's are MORE comfortable than SIDI's considering Ive never tried on a pair of SIDI's but how can you get more comfortable than sliding on a pair of houseshoes?

(at least thats what Tech 8's feel like to me) I wouldnt mind just wearing my 8's around the house all day, or even sleeping in them!

How can anyone argue with the fact that Ricky Carmicheal, Chad Reed, Travis Pastrana, Jeremy McGrath, Tim Ferry, Ezra Lusk, Sebastian Tortelli, Kevin Windham, John Dowd, Ernesto Fonseca, Robbie Reynard, Ivan Tedesco, Mike Brown, grant Langston, etc, etc....all wear the 8? And this dosent even start to list the Off-Roaders!

Now, who wears SIDI's... ????

If this boot is good enough to protect the most expensive ankles, toes, feet, of the worlds to riders then its good enough for me!

[BrandonW]

I wear the SIDI's!

I did go down to the local shop and try on both pair for about an hour, and I actually thought that the SIDI's were more comfortable. The inner boot is like deer-skin, and the outer "shell" is like a ski-boot. But, it flexes easy, and the protection is awesome! The buckles are very strong, they attach easily, and they are totally replaceable in that event.

Either boot is going to do well, but I chose the SIDI's cause I got a screaming deal. $219, with a 3 week wait, but that was only because of Opps. (UPS)

[Wyatt]

What a pro rider wears is no indication to me that any particular brand is better than the other. It is simply an indication of what boot company gives him free boots and a fat check.

I own a pair of tech 6's and I have tried on tech 8's and garne's. I also tried a pair of sidi srs boots that a friend has. They are all high qaulity boots and the tech 6's aren't that bad either. After trying the Sidi's I ordered a pair and I am wating for them to come in.

IMO it was no contest. The sidi's are much more comfortable. With the hinged ankle, you could almost run in them.

Your Tech 8's feel like houseshoes.....give me a break. Convince yourself, not me.

[MOmilkman]

What a pro rider wears is no indication to me that any particular brand is better than the other. It is simply an indication of what boot company gives him free boots and a fat check

Hey, Im not knocking SIDI's at all. How can I knock a product Ive never personally used. If you took it that way or I implyed it that way, Im sorry. ?

But you couldnt be MORE wrong about the above quote.

Do you think these guys are gonna wear the best because of a paycheck or because they provide the best protection. If you answered #1 you would be wrong - #2 then you would be correct. These guys are not your casual trail rider/weekend warriors. A seroius ankle injury could cost them hundreds even thousands or a career.

If SIDI's offered more protection then how much you wanna bet they would buy them with their own cash?

I'm sure they are both fine boots. No one is doubting that. I just cant imagine a boot being more comfy than the ApStars. Send me a pair and convince me!

Mabye that makes me a sucker for commercialism of a product but then again Ive never had a foot injury with any pair of Alpinstars Ive owned. (knock on a seriously tall pile of wood )

[Harley]

Which SIDI boots are you refering to as the most comfortable? Force SRS or TA?

[Wyatt]

Milkman,

Am I wrong??? I have always been under the impression that the factory riders all have paying clothing contracts with the gear providers. If I wear a factory rider, in my way of thinking, if Alpinestars offered me more money to wear their boots than Sidi did, I would wear theirs. I would not wear O'neal elements for the same money, but with boots of comparable quality, the money would be a factor.

Do Larocco and Preston think that Gaerne are the best boots or does Gaerne support their team?

I admit that I could be totaly wrong in my way of thinking, but I know how business works. That means if you pay me to wear your product, I will and I'll tell everyone how great it is also.

[MOmilkman]

All good valid points.

I guess neither of us will never know unless one of us becomes a top 10 caliber rider. ?

Not likley to happen on this end how about you?

Anyway, I see your point about the Gaerne's. (is that what the Rock wears? Man he is tough!)LOL I guess mabye most riders dont weigh the protection factor agianst the all mighty buck. You bet your bottom dollar I would!

Then again, nobody gives 2 rat's patooties about my ankles.

[sodbustercb]

Thanks guys for all the help and opionions. I found a local dealer that has some SIDI Force in stock in my size. I`m going to go try them on. I`ve already tried on some TECH 8`s.They were not exactly what I would call comfortable on my feet.As to what pro riders wear I could care less. I think the pros wear what they get paid the most to wear. I think most top of the line boots probably all offer very close to the same protection,(but I`m no expert).The SIDI`s have got to be at the least a little more comfortable to walk in. THANKS AGIAN FOR ALL THE HELP!!!!!! I will post my opinion when I try on the SIDI`s.

[KiwiThumper]

Top 10 !! are you serious !!

I am in the top 3 ......

Did I forget to mention that's with my 4 riding buddies ?

[^SQUID^_Thumper]

Am I wrong??? I have always been under the impression that the factory riders all have paying clothing contracts with the gear providers. If I wear a factory rider, in my way of thinking, if Alpinestars offered me more money to wear their boots than Sidi did, I would wear theirs. I would not wear O'neal elements for the same money, but with boots of comparable quality, the money would be a factor.

Do Larocco and Preston think that Gaerne are the best boots or does Gaerne support their team?

Wyatt, your are 100% correct on that. Not only do Pro rider's get BIG FAT cheques for endorsing/wearing a product, they get special, tailor made one-off items. If a certain superstar rider has fat, wide feet, the boot manufacurer makes special fat wide boots, just for him. At that level of racing, it's ALWAYS about the marketing/money.... ?

Here's a LINK that tests all the new boots, with enough charts and diagrams to make you wish you never asked about it in the first place.... :D

[BrandonW]

All reasonable results from that test clearly point to the SIDI's as the superior boot.

BUT! When you click on the links to the left, one of the sponsors is SIDI!!!!!!!

Who knows?!?!?!