As many motorcycle brands move production offshore, Sidi is doubling down on in-house manufacturing, expanding its range and investing heavily in the future of premium footwear.
Italian boot maker Sidi is entering a new era. Backed by new ownership but still committed to in-house European manufacturing, the iconic brand is expanding its range, refining its technology and placing renewed focus on adventure riders. We catch up in Milan…
Italian boot specialist Sidi has been through some major changes — and the result is a renewed focus on innovation, durability, and manufacturing back at home. The turning point came in 2022, when Sidi was acquired by a long-term Italian investment group committed to maintaining premium manufacturing in Italy, rather than stripping and flipping heritage brands.
Speaking with Massimiliano Mirabella, Sidi’s marketing manager and head of commerce, it’s clear the brand is in a phase of active forward motion. “We wanted to expand the collection… reinforce what Sidi is already well known for… and add new lines,” he said.
Sidi was acquired by a long-term Italian investment group committed to maintaining premium manufacturing in Italy…
Today, Sidi still produces 100 per cent of its product in-house, across its own factories in Italy and Romania — an increasingly rare position as much of the boot industry outsources production.
Mirabella puts it plainly: “We make our own stuff… we think it’s unique positioning because pretty much nobody does it today.”
The new ownership has brought with it a new management structure, new design and development teams, a massive boost in product development and a broader model range – especially in adventure and casual categories. While expanding, the brand has doubled down on its DNA: fit, control and lasting protection.
Durability and comfort
Sidi boots has long been known for quality, but Mirabella says the new push is unapologetically premium: “Everything we do is built to last; soles, protectors, buckles – all replaceable parts.”
That philosophy resonates most with racers, who can keep familiar gear across a full season rather than constantly breaking-in new kit – helping maintain the feel and confidence that’s hard to quantify but easy to lose.
“Any other company? Four months,” says Mirabella. “Sidi? Half an hour. They cut three [replacement] parts by hand downstairs, came back and asked, ‘Which one do you like?’”
Mirabella shared a factory story that illustrates the point well. Malcolm Stewart was testing Sidi MX boots during Italy’s August holiday period. When Malcolm requested a change to the tension system, the response time was immediate.
“Any other company? Four months,” says Mirabella. “Sidi? Half an hour. They cut three [replacement] parts by hand downstairs, came back and asked, ‘Which one do you like?’”
That ability to prototype and refine on the spot is only possible because Sidi controls manufacturing and engineering internally, not via distant suppliers.
Modern motorcycle footwear needs to provide real protection without the stiffness that makes casual wear a battle. This is why Sidi uses soft non-Newtonian protectors in its urban and casual footwear, it’s comfortable on the footpath, yet rigid in a crash. Likewise, water-resistant and breathable Gore-Tex remains a go-to specification because riders still walk into shops specifically requesting it. It all fits the brand’s mission, neatly captured in their tagline: Made To Progress.
Not just for racers
Mirabella is emphatic that properly motorcycle-certified casual riding shoes represent a huge growth segment globally, and it’s easy to see why when you look at how Australians use their bikes. These aren’t hardcore sports riders looking for a track-day boot; they’re commuters who want to be able to arrive at the office and not have to carry a second pair of shoes to change into.
“They’re commuters who want to be able to arrive at the office and not have to carry a second pair of shoes to change into”
Sidi’s casual offerings are engineered with shift guards to protect against gear-lever wear, waterproofing for the morning commute and meaningful protection without the bulk. Mirabella acknowledges that for many urban riders, the motorcycle is transport rather than identity and that those riders deserve safety all the same.
Adventure direction
Adventure riders – and particularly those here in Australia – are central to Sidi’s future. The brand already runs the long-standing Adventure boot, but is now pushing above it with a new model family inspired by 1980s off-road design cues.
The new Taurus boot is designed to strike the balance demanded by modern dual-sport machines: support for standing on the ’pegs, grip for river crossings and rocky climbs, comfort for hours of touring and a Dual Nunn adjustable closure system for tightening on the fly, meaning you can run it a little looser on the road and crank it down when the dirt begins.
“A Dual Nunn adjustable closure system for tightening on the fly, meaning you can run it a little looser on the road and crank it down when the dirt begins.”
“You go from the road to gravel to dirt… you stand up, you want more support,” Mirabella explains. “You don’t have to stop – you can adjust while riding. You guys have an amazing adventure scene,” he adds. “We think Australians are going to have a fantastic experience.”
Closure and protection systems
The Dial System was developed to offer highly adjustable, secure closure that can be tightened or released quickly and stays stable under load. On motorcycle boots you’ll find variants including buckles and straps, or more sophisticated dial and rotor systems integrated into the upper and brace structures — the REX AIR, for instance, features a high-density resin dial system integrated directly into the boot’s structure.
Anti-hyper-extension systems are another hallmark of the Sidi range, with hinge and chassis designs engineered to control excessive movement under crash loads. Materials include advanced synthetics, reinforced structures and specialised sole compounds for grip and stability. Some models, such as the Descentio, use D3O flexible impact stiffeners for ankle protection.
“For Australian riding conditions, whether commuting, adventure touring or off-road, these features translate directly”
For Australian riding conditions, whether commuting, adventure touring or off-road, these features translate directly: the boot stays locked in when standing on pegs or sprinting off tar into gravel, walk-ability is improved by fine-tuned closure and the replaceable components mean you won’t be replacing the boots themselves after a single off or a single season.
Sizing and fit
To measure your size, place your foot on a flat surface with your heel to a wall, mark the longest toe, and measure heel-to-toe in centimetres. EU 36 corresponds to 22.5cm; EU 44 corresponds to 27.8cm.
In terms of width, Sidi boots tend to run narrower than casual footwear and are engineered for performance rather than casual comfort. If your foot is on the wider side, Sidi recommends sizing up.
For adventure and touring riders, if you ride with thick socks or ankle braces, factor that in when choosing your size. Always try boots on with the gear you’ll actually ride in and test both standing on pegs and walking.
Proudly premium
Sidi isn’t aiming at the budget end of the market, and Mirabella makes no apology for that. Even entry-level options in the range are built to the same quality standard.
“We don’t want our brand to fit anything disposable… the best way to respect the customer is to make durable stuff,” he says.
A respected Italian brand staying authentically Italian in a world where many logos are Italian, but the boots are anything but. Between new ownership committed to in-house manufacturing, a rapidly expanding range and a genuine focus on the Australian adventure market, Sidi looks to be in the strongest position it’s been in years.
Check out the full Sidi range here…
Read our Sidi gear reviews here…
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