Sidi Mag-1 Motorcycle Boot Review
Bill Berroth, owner of Motonation, the North American importer of Sidi boots, tells us, “If we can help improve rider safety, then I believe we have a duty to bring [a new feature] to market.” Having worn various Sidi boots for a number of years, I’m a believer.
I crashed heavily on track and, fortunately, I was wearing Sidi Mag-1 boots. My right ankle became trapped between the handlebar and gas tank, and while sliding I could feel the enormous forces being exerted on my ankle.
I was petrified that my ankle would either be dislocated or broken. However, such was the strength of Sidi’s internal frame that neither happened, and I was able to walk away with zero damage to me.
This leads us to the technical side of the Sidi Mag-1 boots, which is impressive beneath the surface. A carbon fiber internal frame braces the boots, and they weigh almost a pound less than the Sidi Vortice — a boot worn by MotoGP racers. Both the arch and Achilles tendon areas utilize Sidi’s exclusive elastic textile and injection molded polyurethane comfort panels, and two flexible bands for maximum arch support.
The shaped, shock absorbing heel cup is at and smooth on the inside to prevent snagging on any bike parts, and the replaceable shock absorbing back and outside helps prevent any impact being transferred into your heel in a crash; the external sliders across the heel, toe and shin are all replaceable.
The Mag-1’s toe slider has an alloy insert for durability, and features a new air intake for cooling throughout the boot. High stress sections of the Mag-1 are double stitched to prevent tearing, and the dual compound sole provides high grip on footpegs.
The Sidi Mag-1 is a side entry boot with a zipper and Velcro flap to hold it closed, and three plastic-coated steel wire loops that cinch down across the instep, ankle, and calf, essentially creating a custom fit.
The only downside is that they are somewhat fiddly to put on, although the system has been improved over previous generations of Sidi boots. The upside is that having made the effort, the fit of the boots is perfect, and the level of tightness in key areas can be adjusted to individual preference. The end result is a flexible yet stable boot, where the normal range of motion is unhindered, and ankle roll is all but eliminated.
The Sidi Mag-1 is a comfortable, pliable, technical boot that allows for good feel at the controls, and yet prevents damage to the ankle and the rest of your foot in a crash, based on my experience on the track. The Sidi Mag-1 — the Italian company’s latest flagship road-racing footwear (and its perforated Air sibling) — is not only one of the lightest boots available, it is also among the most protective.
The Sidi Mag-1 retails for $495; for additional information, visit Sidi.
Good boots are vital to protecting one’s bones; I got into an horrific tankslapper years ago, with the front tire slamming stop-to-stop and leaving black streaks on the pavement to prove it. Fortunately the bike straightened out at the last instant and I avoided a crash, but not before the inside of both my ankles had been mashed repeatedly into the sides of the motorcycle, as I was clinging to the handlebars, legs flinging about wildly.
I thought I’d perhaps crushed or broken an ankle but the boots (they were BMW branded, but I think made by one of the factories that produce Sidi) did their job. The inner ankle protector kept the bones intact, although I had quite a bruise.
Wow–that’s a heck of a story!
What motogp riders have you seen wearing mag-1s? all the ones iv´e seen they wear vortices…. bradley smith, cal crutchlow, andrea dovizioso, alex rins…. etc…