Sidi’s On Road Gore-Tex Boots left a positive impression when we reviewed them back in 2010, so we had high expectations when a pair of Canyon Gore-Tex Boots crept into our gear bag. For the last six months, we’ve put the leather motorcycle riding puts to the test, from flogging 650 Twins around our HQ in Southern Oregon to riding the Spyder RT in Orlando to cruising California on the Indian Chief Vintage. Using them for a full riding season, they’ve been worn in summer heat, fall rainstorms, and winter cold. Here’s what we discovered.
The Sidi Canyon Gore-Tex Boots are put together well and are more than capable of withstanding the rigors of daily use. The boots Gore-Tex does double duties, allowing a rider’s feet to breathe when it’s hot and keeping water out when it rains.
The Sidi Canyon Gore-Tex Boots have an exterior made from a combination of top grain leather and suede. An extra swath has been sewn into the shifting areas at the crown of the feet. Both the toe and heel areas have been reinforced and there’s a small, round protective pad sewn into the ankle. The boots have a compact design, cut a little taller in front to protect the shin while sitting right at the base of my calf muscle in back. They’re not as bulky as some riding boots and require little break-in time.
The Canyon Gore-Tex Boots use both a moto-style buckling system and Velcro wraps to ensure a tight fight. The two Velcro wraps sit above the ankle and the upper part of the boots are cut narrow so they fit snug. At the arch of a rider’s foot sits the buckling system. To ratchet the boots tight, click the black tab on the end of the buckle up. Keep clicking until you get the desired tightness. To release the latch, lift the grey tab on the sides of the buckle. The one drawback is feeding the notched tab that ratchets the boots tight into the buckle is a challenge to get lined up perfectly so it takes a little longer to get the Canyon Gore-Tex on than slip-ons.
The boots have kept my feet dry in rain storms, warm in cold, and comfortable in hot weather. The Gore-Tex membrane between the boot’s outer top grain leather and the inner liner works. It does double duty, allowing my feet to breathe on 100 degree days during the summer while keeping rain out when I got caught out in a storm, a recurring theme this past riding season. Even though the Gore-Tex is breathable, the boots have still proven to be plenty warm during chilly winter rides into work with temperatures in the 30s.
A bonded non-slip, lug-type sole provides plenty of grip, be it on pegs or street surfaces. The sole isn’t overly thick, which ties into the overall streamline design of the boots. They’re distinctly black, with a rugged look to them. The Sidi logo is emblazoned into the extra swath over the shin, but is succinct and blends right in with the texture of the suede. Beyond that, a small Sidi tag is the only other visible branding. A small reflective strip sits high on the heel, invisible while walking but positioned low enough to be seen when a rider climbs into the saddle and their pants climb up.
The Canyon Gore-Tex boots flex well at the ankle so it’s no problem walking around an event all day in them. After six months of use, they exhibit little signs of wear. The patch on the toe has a rub spot and the lowest part of the Velcro wrap below the buckling arches a tad but it doesn’t compromise its waterproofness. Once again, Sidi impresses us with a boot that’s built well, offers solid protection thanks to reinforcements in the right areas, is waterproof yet allows a rider’s foot to breathe. At $360, they’re not the cheapest boots out there, but quality generally comes at a price, and these are a quality pair of motorcycle riding boots.
