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review

Sidi Hydro Gore winter boots

4
£200.00

VERDICT:

4
10
Good in the cold, pretty useless in the rain
Weight: 
876g
Contact: 
www.saddleback.co.uk

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These Sidi Hydro Gore winter boots are really nicely made and comfortable, but they aren't the Italian shoe company's finest moment because they don't keep your feet dry, failing their primary mission objective quite severely.

As the name suggests, the Hydro Gore boots are made with a Gore-Tex membrane lining. This membrane is incorporated into a boot with no air vents to speak of, a carbon nylon sole with a regular three-hole cleat drilling and markings for easy cleat alignment. The heel is reinforced and there are four Velcro straps to keep the boot secure on the foot.

> Find your nearest dealer here

> Buy these online here

Fit is really good, with ample space for a pair of thicker merino wool socks. The four Velcro closures do an adequate job at clamping the shoe in place, but it's odd not to see a more advanced closure mechanism given the high price. But the fit is good enough that you don't need much pressure with the straps, and the heel cup hugs the back of the foot well, so Sidi is forgiven here.

Sidi Hydro Gore winter boots - 4.jpg

The Gore-Tex lining does a sterling job of stopping water from entering the foot section, especially around the front where it can be subjected to constant spray generated by the front wheel. In that respect they're more robust to repeated spray than overshoes and regular road shoes, especially if you ride without mudguards.

Sidi Hydro Gore winter boots - 5.jpg

They're a warm shoe, too. When it's cold and dry these shoes kept my feet warmer than even the best overshoes I've tested, with nowhere for the air to leak in. The breathability is sufficient that I didn't suffer any unduly sweaty feet, even on warmer rides when a winter boot is probably overkill.

Unfortunately, the boots failed to keep water out in properly heavy rain. On closer inspection it's obvious why this is happening: the neoprene closure has been designed in such a way as to prevent any restriction around the ankles when pedalling, but unfortunately it does mean there's a big old gap for water to dive straight in. You can cinch the large Velcro strap up, but there's still a gap when pedalling, plus they are then uncomfortable around the ankles.

> Check out our guide to keeping your feet warm in winter

It's a real shame, because I had high hopes for these winter boots, but as they are it's hard to recommend them for wet weather riding (they're fine in the cold and dry). Your money is better invested in some really good overshoes worn over your regular cycling shoes.

Designing a winter boot that is completely waterproof without compromising fit and comfort is a tricky challenge, and one that few shoe manufacturers have really nailed yet. If Sidi can improve the neoprene ankle, it's on to a winner.

Verdict

Good in the cold, pretty useless in the rain

road.cc test report

Make and model: Sidi Hydro Gore winter boots

Size tested: 45

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Sidi says: "The Sidi Hydro Gore-Tex Road Shoe features Gore Tex Membrane to make it extremely waterproof and highly breathable at the same time."

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Features:

Upper:

Synthetic material

Synthetic fabric

Two lorica side inserts on the toe

Lining:

Water-repellant and breathable

Gore-tex membrane

Sole: Millenium 3 sole

Sidi Heel Cup

The reinforced heel keeps the foot in a optimal position and avoids the shoe being deformed by extreme performance or prolonged pressure.

Replacement Heel Pad

For walkability, Sidi cycling shoes include a replaceable polyurethane heel pad.

Millenium 3 Sole

It is constructed out of injected carbon fiber in a nylon matrix. The infusion of carbon fiber gives the sole more rigidity than the previous sole. The MILLENNIUM 3 SOLE is more durable and less susceptible to changes in stiffness resulting from prolonged usage and changes in temperature The MILLENNIUM 3 SOLE features a replaceable non-slip polyurethane heel pad. The heel pad is held in place by a screw. To facilitate cleat replacement, the MILLENNIUM 3 SOLE features a 10mm horizontal and vertical cleat alignment scale molded into the sole as well as the Look Memory Eyelet.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

Really nicely made winter boots with a replaceable sole pad.

Rate the product for performance:
 
4/10

Stiffness and pedalling performance is good, fit is great, and they are warm when it's cold. However, they let the rain in due to the poor fit of the neoprene ankle closure.

Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

The build quality is the usual Sidi level, so very good, and the heel pad is replaceable.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
6/10

At 876g for a pair of size 45 shoes they're not very light, but don't feel heavy when cycling.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
7/10

Fit is good with enough space to comfortably wear thicker socks.

Rate the product for value:
 
3/10

Considering they fail to keep water out, the value isn't great. Your money would be better spent on some really good overshoes, or look at rival winter boots.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Failed to live up to the claims of being waterproof.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Fit and comfort is good.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

They let the water in.

Did you enjoy using the product? No

Would you consider buying the product? No

Would you recommend the product to a friend? No

Use this box to explain your score

These are really nicely made winter boots let down by the neoprene ankle closure, which does a poor job of sealing up the top of the boot and simply lets water in.

Overall rating: 4/10

About the tester

Age: 31  Height: 180cm  Weight: 67kg

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo-cross, commuting, touring, mountain biking

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes

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14 comments

Avatar
jacknorell | 8 years ago
2 likes

If water ingress is an issue, it's a dressing appropriately fail...

Waterproof tights, for example the Pearl Izumi Amfib, has a gasket design, which goes outside the neoprene ankle. Thus moving the water down past where any ingress could happen.

Naturally, rain trousers do the same.

Of course *any* waterproof boot will have ingress if you don't guide the water away from the top!

Would you wear wellies in the rain with your rain trousers tucked in too?

Avatar
3cylinder replied to jacknorell | 8 years ago
1 like
jacknorell wrote:

If water ingress is an issue, it's a dressing appropriately fail...

Waterproof tights, for example the Pearl Izumi Amfib, has a gasket design, which goes outside the neoprene ankle. Thus moving the water down past where any ingress could happen.

Naturally, rain trousers do the same.

Of course *any* waterproof boot will have ingress if you don't guide the water away from the top!

Would you wear wellies in the rain with your rain trousers tucked in too?

 

+1  to this

i also have these and they're great in the wet, so long as you put leggings/leg warmers over the cuff of the shoe so that water running down your leg runs onto the outside of the shoe rather than being carried down inside.  It isn't rocket science. It's not that rain falls into the gap!  I'm not aware of any shoe that can make a water tight seal if it is bridged by fabric. 

Avatar
themartincox | 8 years ago
0 likes

cling film over the boots, cover them completely then cut out the exact whole needed for cleats. Add some gaffer tape to the top of the 'cuff' and around the shoe and you've got a fully waterproof solution, admittedly it isn't pretty but it does work!

Avatar
harman_mogul | 8 years ago
0 likes

Worst case, oversocks over your shoes or boots, then the overshoes. But in really heavy rain you will still get wet feet.

Avatar
muppetteer | 8 years ago
1 like

@davearthur - Is there a winter boot which doesn't have this issue with the ankle closure? Every pair I've tried has a similar system which lets water in.  

Avatar
Exup replied to muppetteer | 8 years ago
0 likes
muppetteer wrote:

@davearthur - Is there a winter boot which doesn't have this issue with the ankle closure? Every pair I've tried has a similar system which lets water in.  

Agreed - I have tried everything (except the rubber glove sealing method described).

Avatar
harman_mogul | 8 years ago
0 likes

These have certainly been tested. I have had a pair, with SPD soles but essentially the same pattern, for at least 10 years. You are right, they do not keep heavy rain out. But they are great all-round shoes for winter riding, comfortable and requiring no overshoes for warmth.

Avatar
Matthewjb | 8 years ago
0 likes

I have these. Very warm 

In terms of water getting in, it depends how you dress. I wear these with overshoes and tights. Tights fasten over the top of the overshoes. No water gets in. Feet stay warm  

If you want to wear a boot without overshoes, I suspect water will always get in. 

Avatar
muppetteer replied to Matthewjb | 8 years ago
1 like
Matthewjb wrote:

I have these. Very warm 

In terms of water getting in, it depends how you dress. I wear these with overshoes and tights. Tights fasten over the top of the overshoes. No water gets in. Feet stay warm  

If you want to wear a boot without overshoes, I suspect water will always get in. 

 

Genuine question. You buy winter boots and wear overshoes? Doesn't that defeat the objective of buying winter boots in the first place? Why not just wear your normal shoes if you're using overshoes? 

Avatar
Matthewjb replied to muppetteer | 8 years ago
0 likes
muppetteer wrote:

Genuine question. You buy winter boots and wear overshoes? Doesn't that defeat the objective of buying winter boots in the first place? Why not just wear your normal shoes if you're using overshoes? 

Well with my normal shoes and overshoes my feet are still cold.

If it was dry and cold then I'd just wear the boots. But I live in Yorkshire. It's never dry. So I wear overshoes to keep out the wet. 

Given the fact your feet is moving I would think finding a boot with a perfect seal at the top is unlikely. Unless you use something like an overshoe.

Avatar
nowasps | 8 years ago
0 likes

Is it even worth worrying about? The only thing that matters is warm feet (and shoes that dry out quickly between rides, I suppose...)

Avatar
Ducci | 8 years ago
2 likes

Isn't the water ingress issue a problem with all winter boots? I'd be happy if someone could point me to a pair that didn't have this issue.

Avatar
hardgrit | 8 years ago
0 likes

winter boots and overshoes always suffer with the same issue.........leaking water down the front in the ankle area.......I use a cuff from an industrial black rubber glove to seal the enclosure tight there by stopping any leak keeping my feet dry and warm.

Dry suits cuffs also do the same just a bit more expensive. 

Or tape for a cheap option

Avatar
Yorky-M | 8 years ago
1 like

It amazes me how things get to maket without testing.

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