Should I replace my Sidi boots for TCX???

[N8te rider]

Ive had my Sidi Vertigo Air boots for 2 years and think they are the nuts, but are looking for more protection like the TCX Competizione S Gore-Tex.
Got a new R6 and doing more track days so my chances of having an off are higher (me thinks). My ankles are quite fragile and Ive heard the TCX offer max protection. Has anyone crash tested the Sidi Vertigo's? Are the TCX safer?

[barwel1992]

i have tested my vertigo's 3 times, the first i landed and the bike on my ankle and they did fine, dident even get a bruise the 2nd i slid on my side with my boots across the floor and once again they worked fine, the third time i booted my dads light as i went over the roof and once again they were fine

same boots 3 accidents and they dont look that bad :) mine are the normal vertigo

[cb1000rsteve]

My Sidi Vertigo boot was under the bike till i came to a stop. first time i noticed was when i went to get up but couldn't as the bike was laying on the boot. didn't even know it was resting on me!!! just picked bike up and and pulled it out. Not even a scratch. Boots where just covered in mud and grass marks (i was off road).

[Dave20046]

TCX are as far as I'm aware the only brand that test their boots inline with anything that means anything, they also always come out with top marks on protection whenever magazines test them (regardless of model). Think it was ratty on the forums (sorry if not ) that reckons the competizione's saved his ankle when a car took a disliking to it (guess there's a lot of if and buts there).

I own the competiziones (sp?) and they're brilliant. Only bought theym because they were the comfiest boot I could find.
Crashed in mine but it was more of just a clatter to the floor from height then a proper test of the boots, can say they've never let a drip of water in though.

[ravingdavis]

I have crash tested my Sidis. They did a pretty good job, I jarred my right ankle and it hurt for a few weeks but was never hurt enough to stop me walking normally. The off was pretty rough too.

[Ratty]

Think it was ratty on the forums (sorry if not ) that reckons the competizione's saved his ankle when a car took a disliking to it (guess there's a lot of if and buts there).

Here is a link (http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=132860&highlight=t-boned+work) to the thread about the 206 crushing my ankle / foot against the bike. I've not owned Sidi's but I believe they are a fantasic boot. I do recommend the TCX Competizione S after the accident but they are not without flaw. See other thread (http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=136574&page=4) about the mods I did to make them more user friendly and you can't creep up on anybody in them :p

Ratty

[N8te rider]

Ive heard about the mice in the tcx boots. think Id end up greasing the boot till they leave!

[N8te rider]

Didnt realise the sidi's were that good in crashes!

[Dave20046]

never had to mod mine,could just be my feet but I got used to the rigid ness after a couple of days.mice have gone now too!

[Holdup]

Go and try some on

I got a set of competizone s in white and love them, havent had to mod mine either, they still squeak but nothing a bit of silicone lube doesnt sort, im looking at getting myself a set of the gortex ones for winter

[N8te rider]

Go and try some on

I got a set of competizone s in white and love them, havent had to mod mine either, they still squeak but nothing a bit of silicone lube doesnt sort, im looking at getting myself a set of the gortex ones for winter

Yeah, white is cool. Wish they were gortex. Going to doble motorcycles to try on saturday.

[Lozzo]

I've been using a pair of Oxtar boots (now called TCX) for a couple of years. They are the top of the range Goretex race boots from before the name changed.

I love them, mainly because they are flexible and comfortable yet very strong and my feet are always dry as a bone. I also like the fact that TCX use a lot of leather in their boots. I don't like Lorica, if it was as good as the makers say it is then Rossi and every other racer would be wearing suits made of it, but it's not, so they don't. Lorica is cheap and nasty material that has almost zero resistance to abrasion. Most other boots are made with Lorica and most other boots wear out quickly. My ex-g/f wore out three pairs of Sidi's Vertebrae and Vertigos in 35,000 miles, the uppers wore out before the soles did on all 3 pairs - my Oxtars are still going strong after 50,000 and don't show any significant signs of wear on the uppers or the soles.

TCX/Oxtar are one of very few companies to be awarded CE approval for their boots. This means they are properly certified safety items for professional motorcycling wear. Sidi tried to get all their boots through CE approval testing and they all failed, as did Dainese, Alpinestars and even Daytonas £550 Security Evo boots.

The first two names don't surprise me as I'm not very impressed by anything either firm make, but I was shocked that the Daytonas failed as they are reputed to be the best, safest boots you can buy, and the price would have you think that too. Makes me quite pleased about my £130 Oxtars being safer as I was looking to splash out some of my hard earned on a pair of Security Evos but didn't because they didn't do them with Goretex.

[fizzwheel]

I need new boots, Ive finally just about killed my A* SMX's

This thread makes interesting reading. Will go off and have a google I think.

[custard]

have had a pair of oxtars for the last 3 years and god knows how many miles. have crashed in them, and not looked after them in the slightest and they are still going strong. comfy blah blah blah.

have had sidi's in the past. zip went on one pair of vertebra jobs, and the black rains wore through at the toes on account of not having any sliders... not the greatest.

[N8te rider]

Tried them on yesterday. Felt comfy and super safe. I now own a pair of TCX comp S Gortex (almost went for white but dont like wet feet). Thanks for all the posts

[Specialone]

Im very happy with my sidi vertigo gortex, very comfy, just the sidi sqeak i dont like ;)

I have oiled them btw before anyone offers advice.