Gear Review: SIDI Canyon GORE-TEX Adventure Boots

As a late yet very welcome Christmas present, I was lucky enough to get my hands (or feet) into a set of SIDI Canyon GORE-TEX boots. I was stoked, as I was just about to head down to Melbourne for the 2022 CFMOTO 800MT launch.

“Over the 4 days, the SIDI Canyon GORE-TEX’s really got put to the test. I seriously flogged these boots through 800km of Victorian bushland and twisties and they held up an absolute treat.”

Over the 4 days, the SIDI Canyon GORE-TEX’s really got put to the test. I seriously flogged these boots through 800km of Victorian bushland and twisties and they held up an absolute treat. Here’s what I’ve got to say about these fantastic and versatile boots!

Check out Nick’s launch report of the CFMOTO 800MT here…

The old set of adventure boots were clearly at the end of their life, as I stared at them in the closet, wondering how well they’d hold up in the river crossings and Victorian scrub. I said my thanks and wished them well in their retirement without much of a second thought, as I ripped open the new set of GORE-TEX. At first glance, the boots are quite minimalist and don’t have the same aggressive styling you would usually suspect out of this style of boot. I like it, a lot.

Nick had his fingers crossed that they were waterproof, given all the rain lately.

The GORE-TEX feature full grain microfiber, a type of synthetic composite leather. It looks nice and holds up surprisingly well! The full grain microfibre make up most of the upper boot, which leads into the hardier leather toe-shift pads, followed by the gnarly and aggressive bonded non-slip soles, which offer a tonne of grip in the slippery stuff and rubberised foot pegs! Also, given how thick the soles are, they do a great job at dampening the vibrations you get on some of the bumpier surfaces.

“The gnarly and aggressive bonded non-slip soles, offer a tonne of grip in the slippery stuff and on rubberised ‘pegs.”

The boots offer a GORE-TEX waterproof-breathable membrane which, in all honesty, is fantastic. Throughout the 800km bushland ride, I felt like I was standing in the water more than I was riding through the water at times. At points, the water level was up near the top of the boot, yet I still managed to stay completely dry on the inside, aside from the sweat! Whether this was a result of the VELCRO branded closure system just above the ankle, the GORE-TEX membrane of the inner gaiter, I didn’t care. Whatever they have done, it works very well!

GORE-TEX material.

Ratcheting in-step buckle.

Plenty of adjustment.

Rubber soles with plenty of grip.

The boots are little tough to get on and require a bit of force, despite being the perfect size for my feet. I’d say this would be due to the ankle and heel support or the nylon shin plate, regardless, it’s a small price to pay for such protection. The boots are incredibly comfortable, after 800km and 3 days of riding, I didn’t have a single blister or pressure sore – despite them being brand new and forgetting to pack thick socks. I couldn’t believe it.

The ratcheting instep buckle is an awesome mechanism to keep your boot locked in place and didn’t come undone once! It has tiny micro adjustments to really get it into a comfortable position, which I appreciated after a few hundred kilometres! Despite such protection, the boots still allow for the dexterity and movement to shift and apply the rear-brake with ease.

Nick noted that they’re not just great off-road, but handle road riding comfort perfectly!

Despite SIDI marketing the boots as “Perfect for daily commuting or long-range sport touring”, these boots are an awesome option for a longer adventure ride, while also suiting the prior riding types perfectly. They’re not my first choice for the daily commute, as I have other options that are more suited, but they would work just as well if needed.

Velcro strapping, sealing the boot and keeping your feet dry.

Top boot protector to stop wear.

Aside from the overall comfort and protection, one thing I must mention is the durability. When I say I flogged them, I mean it! For a first ride, these boots were really put through their paces, and they held up fantastically. All the high-stress areas are double stitched, and the locking mechanism, soles and VELCRO are all seriously tough. After a wash with some soapy water and a high-pressure clean, they still look new.

The soles are barely worn, with some slight abrasion where they scraped the tarmac on the tighter corners. The toepads are spotless and there’s no sign of wear on the inner soles or internal membrane. With a bit of polish, I reckon I’d have these looking like they’d just come out of the box again!

After the launch they were still all in one piece.

Soles weren’t worn at all.

Straps still worked fine, a common part to break on off-road boots!

A quick clean and they looked brand new!

The SIDI Canyon GORE-TEX retail at $499, which in my opinion, is a small price to pay for these versatile and hardwearing boots. If you’re looking for a daily option that will suit the commute, touring and some serious off-road adventures you can’t look past these. They’ll have you protected and comfortable for many years to come. Check them out! These are one of my favourites so far…