I was looking for a lightweight, summer riding shoe, with proper motorcyclist-protection features, that’s also comfortable for walking and standing. What I found was this Sidi Slash ventilated, low-top boot. It fits the bill.

The Slash has an all-new, non-slip sole and composite inner sole. The inner sole resists side-to-side compression, offering greater protection than traditional leather inner soles. For standing and walking, my aching arches love the arch support (but it’s removable if you like). Inside is also a comfortable Cambrelle lining and the Slash is easy to slip on and off thanks to the Velcro and zipper closure system. No laces to come undone. I mentioned lightweight and airy. The Slash’s outer is made with Lorica and vented nylon. Lorica is a composite microfiber material that is created from fine strands and highly resistant to abrasion, yet breathes with more than 3 million pores per square centimeter. When riding, it feels like my feet have a fan blowing on them, which is great for summertime use. The Lorica doesn’t stain, can’t be scratched, and offers reduced weight and more flexibility than leather riding boots.

In the protection department, the Slash has a fully encapsulated heel cup, is double-stitched in all high-stress areas, and features ankle ball pads. The built-in toe gearshift pad is molded of DuPont polymers, which ensure that the plastic’s qualities will not change in high or low temperatures. A word of note here; when the Slash was new, I found the Lorica fabric flexed abundantly, but the cast-in, polymer panels on the outer boot did not, so at first the feeling was a combination of flexing and stiffness. But after a few days of wearing and some break-in time, the boots complied with my feet, and my feet accepted the combined feeling of firm and flex. I have no reservations about wearing my Slash boots for an all-day trip, or a day of combined walking and riding. RB

Easy on and off with the zipper closure.

Hard Data

Sidi
Slash
$225
619/401-4100
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