| SIDI Vortice Air | | Print | |
| Written by Kenn Stamp | |
| Thursday, 30 December 2010 13:31 | |
 Stock photos used.  When it comes to riding protection, what we want is pretty simple – good
There are many brands in the racing suit, glove and boot markets, so it can be tricky to navigate what you are getting for your money. Too often big distributors prey on the fact that many motorcyclists are not that educated about the technical side of the products and so they sell poor quality, flashy, cool looking products that afford them big profit margins. Often these products don’t fit well or protect well since look and cost are the major factors. Enter Sidi Boots distributed by MotoNation. Although MotoNation is not one of the giant distributors where every dealership in the USA is set up, the Sidi name is well known since it is one of the most popular brands amongst professional and amateur racers all over the world (you see many top riders on TV using Sidi boots). This built in Italy footwear comes from a culture where motorcycles are major part of life – transportation, sport and racing. It is real gear designed for its intended purpose, not just for a look and price point.  The Sidi line includes boots that are built for street, road racing, moto-cross and supermoto specific models. All of the lines are thoughtfully designed and constructed. Being a roadracer, I was interested in the new Vortice Air model.PROTECTION The first thing that caught my attention was the added protection around the ankle area. All riders fall, racers simply fall more often and we know the next crash is out there. My ankles are scarred up inside and out since both dirt & road riding can have motorcycles can end up on top of your ankles during crashes. This Sidi protection system is called an External Ankle Brace system and it surely provides a new level of protection to the ankle while still allowing enough movement to adjust your feet during track riding & racing. All the areas of high stress or likely abrasion are double stitched adding to the integrity of a boot designed to actually work. The heel has a shock absorbing cup around it and you can see the level of protection that the Vortice has over other brands of boots once you hold it in your hand .  COMFORT & FIT I put the boots on, threw my leg over the bike and a few laps into the session I forgot about the boots. They were already my boots. Part of this is due to the Tecno VR adjustable calf system allows for the proper fit no matter your calf size – from Chicken Little legs to the roast beef calves of my buddy Kevin. This adjustment system is coupled with the Tecno Buckle System. As you can see in the photo, these are a series of ratchet functioning string-like straps which lock into a fixed hook and then allows you to tighten the calf, top of the foot and shin area let you decide how tight you like the boot. Ventilation is beyond anything else. Not only is the Lorica outer material seriously perforated, the Teflon treated nylon lining is also perforated. If you want additional air to pass through the boot there are vents, not unlike helmet vents, are located on the toe and side of the boot. These can be closed if you wish, but having them open on hot day makes a noticeable and well appreciated difference. The sole of the Vortice is made from polyurethane and rubber and is constructed of two pieces. The idea is that the area around the ball of your foot which gets the most wear from sharp/grippy foot pegs can be replaced when worn. The toe slider looks and feels like aluminum but is a nylon reinforced with fiberglass. It protects the boot well and is also designed to be easy to replace. In fact all the “bolt-on” pieces can be replaced. These easy to replace parts are a nice way to protect your investment in a quality boot that is not completely worn out but simply needs a new part.  The only downside is the added time to put the boots on. It is not a terrible burden, but with the Tecno buckle system allowing you to set the tension, a few extra minutes is required to get the boots on and adjusted properly.Good protection, comfort and fit are most important, but looking good is always good too and although beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I think these boots look sharp. I sort of felt like a little kid with my new cleats or something when I put them on; they just made me feel cool. The bottom line is that if you want to have good protection, comfort, fit and style the Sidi Vortice or Vortice Air boots should be on your list to check out and try on before you make your next purchase. Thanks to our Sponsors: Chicken Hawk Racing, Ducati NA, Michelin, Seacoast Sport Cycle, MarkBilt, Catalyst Bodies, Heroic Leathers, Speedy Moto, Ferodo, Shoei, Sidi Boots, DucShop, Ohlins Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites           
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| Last Updated on Tuesday, 01 March 2011 15:53 |
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