New Boots

Hi all looking for a bit of advice, I'm after some new boots (Hein Gericke ones been dead since about a week after I got them) and having heavily researched the market am thinking about a pair of Sidi's. Either the Vortice, Vertigo or ST air. 

Has anyone any opinions on these or any ideas for alternatives, not really seen any others I like, Alpinestars, TCX etc not really floating my boat.

Cheers chaps

Altberg are ace. I've got Roadrunners, few other guys on here got Clubmans.

I commend your thinking.   

Have only ever had Sidi's, apart from my very first pair of boots, and have not been able to find fault with them. Very comfortable, only replaced them because I wore them out and I like the way they look - just don't go for white ones!   

Not the cheapest, but you get what you pay for. Is this what you're thinking of?  

sidi vertigo here great boots i had alpine stars before good boots to
but i,l stick to the sidi,s

I've just bought some Altberg clubmans. 3 month delivery as they're hand made. I bought them on the recommendations from a few of the guys on here.
If they're good enough for the Polis then they can't be half bad!!
Downside is I'm still waiting on them to arrive!!

greencat wrote:I commend your thinking.   

Have only ever had Sidi's, apart from my very first pair of boots, and have not been able to find fault with them. Very comfortable, only replaced them because I wore them out and I like the way they look - just don't go for white ones!   

Not the cheapest, but you get what you pay for. Is this what you're thinking of?  

I like the Evo but these are the ones I'm looking at  http://m.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/app/prod/35786
 Or these http://m.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/app/prod/72779

Got the Sidi Vortice myself and must admit cannot fault them, very nice abs comfortable, but I've only ever had sidi so couldn't comment on any others.

I was and still am very tempted by some altbergs again going from the recommendations from chaps on here.

But picked up a pair of alpinestars SMX6 goretex for a steal at the London bike show, they are so so comfy and feel very secure and safe. They are slightly more sports touring but that's fine for me, there is a higher spec version the SMX plus boots, these are top level ones and are very nice but were just abit out my price range.

I'm a low budget guy and got oxford boots from mega motorcycle store for £50 and found a fault yet, but they are plain black touring boots

The Mega Motorcycle store near me shut last year, along with the local Hein Gericke so my options are limited. The nearest place for me is with any decent choice J & S in Northwich which is 42 miles away. Called into the local Triumph dealer yesterday (who claimed to have massive stocks of everything) to find they had 1 boot in my size, the rest are mail order. She suggested going to J&S, try them on, pick the ones I like then order from them.

I think you'll find if I do that I'll be buying them from J&S or online thank you.

Just need to trek to Northwich at some point now!!

Having had a pair of Altbergs for the last 23 years, decided to go for a change, and purchased a pair of TCX Infinity gore tex. rrp £250 got them on line for £190

terry lees wrote:Having had a pair of Altbergs for the last 23 years

Have they had 5 new uppers and 8 new soles in that time??.........alright Dave!!

Haha, Trigger's boots!

Back to topic, I've currently got Sidi ST gore, Sidi Adventure & the Altbergs mentioned above. Can't complain about any of them.

The Altbergs are comfier and cheaper. The Sidis offer better armour/protection.

I've owned Alpinestars SMX gore in the past, fantastic boots but I wore through the sole in a less than 3 years. Kind of expected more for almost £300!

Well guessed, I did have them re-manufactured about 12 years ago.

A quick trip to J&S earlier has left me No nearer a decision, tried on the Sidi Vertigo & Vortise, plus the Alpinestars SMX5's and actually preferred the RST tracktec Evo that they had (over £100 cheaper than the Sidi's). The fit was a lot better (has to go up a size in the others) and liked the look of them but they were perforated instead of a solid boot, lot more comfortable but at £100 less not so sure about the quality.

Anyone any experience to share about the RST's? Otherwise I'm stumped but don't won't to go cheap on pair only to regret it in 12 months.

If they fit well, you could always get some sealskinz socks to ensure dry feet in a downpour.....

Eddie990 wrote:If they fit well, you could always get some sealskinz socks to ensure dry feet in a downpour.....

Just found out they do a waterproof version so winner winner, some of the reviews are pretty good as well. Think I may have my next set of boots!!

Still kinda like the Sidi's though  

Steve, I have RST boots for the past 2 years and they are really comfy but as much use in rain as covering your feet with T bags.
I kid you not I poured about half a litre of water out of each boot when we arrived at Jungholz last year after riding hours in the worst rain I have ever ridden through.
Great comfy boots tho.

I am on my second pair of rst track tech, first pair started tearing where the plastics are bonded to the leather. Rst replaced them under the warranty & second pair are fairing much better.
They are very comfortable & in my opinion look good, not really for touring though as said don't offer much resistance against the rain.
I'm mainly a sunny day rider unless getting caught out so not a problem.

Paul.

Cheers Dave, that's the kind of review I was looking for, not the fluffy hand picked ones off the sellers website, right decision made sidi vertigos being purchased on Saturday  

my vote would have gone to the sidis too... having tried a couple of cheaper alternatives I would go with sidis every time... though in my case its partly down to shortarse fit... not much else has a wide enough calf to get the leathers in , as the shin pads come down to my ankles lol

I had a similar problem with my calves and the shin pads. Didn't have an issue with the JTS's I had, but wanted something more substantial. Nothing seemed to fit, could have been I was useless at getting them on, not helped by various sellers seeming to not know how their wares worked - tried many at a bike show. Wanted TCX/Oxtar's, tried Sidi and quite a few others, couldn't close the fasteners.

Plumbed for a bespoke fit at Altberg, stopped over in Richmond on my way to a BigMac. Turned out a standard Hogg boot with longer laces did the trick. As has already been said, they are great boots, but don't rate high in the fashion stakes and not to everyone's liking.

New boots picked up from J&S yesterday, spoke to the boss man and got a hefty discount to boot (lol) happy with these
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Try them on as they're a very personal fit. I'm not a massive fan of Sidis, I find them very short, but love my Dianese pro-torque outs.