Intended as a replacement for its top-of-the-line Vertigo Corsa boots, Sidi's new Vortice model boasts a boatload of upgrades over its predecessor. We covered the details in the previous issue (see Late Braking, December '08), but here's a quick recap to give you an idea of all the changes that were wrought on an already well-designed boot.
Using Lorica (a type of synthetic leather) for its main construction, the Vortice features a formidable array of protection, with an interlocking plastic upper protective section that completely encases the rider's calf/shin area. The same style "Tecno Tensioner" system first seen on the Vertigo Corsa is now used to tighten both sides of the top portion of the new upper, with another tensioner adjusting the lower shin area. Because of its tighter tailoring, the side-entry zipper utilizes an expansion joint that assists in getting the zipper over the ball of the ankle. The external lateral and lower braces on each side of the ankle/foot (redesigned with a slimmer and tighter profile and reinforced with fiberglass), work with the new upper protection to provide improved support to the ankle joint. The same instep Tecno Tensioner secures the rider's foot from forward movement that could cause toe injuries.
The revamped heel cup protector uses a shock-absorbing insert covered by a shell that can move 3mm in its attachment points during impact. The Racing SRS sole is also all-new, with a polyurethane/rubber blend of two compounds. The sole features a replaceable insert on the ball area of the rider's foot, where a lot of wear occurs from the footpeg digging into the sole when the rider hangs off and puts his inside foot on the edge of the footpeg. Even the toe sliders were redesigned, with the fiberglass-reinforced nylon plastic units (attached with two screws) now featuring a replaceable alloy insert for no sparks and less noise/vibration, plus an adjustable vent in front. The lower adjustable side vents on the side of the boot remain, and the upper portion of the boot is lined with a Teflon vented mesh (with a couple of exhaust vents on the inside portion of the calf area), while the toe area is lined with Cambrelle, a soft synthetic fabric combining excellent sweat absorption and breathability with good resistance to abrasion and piling.
Putting on the Vortice boot takes a bit more time and work than the average boot, and it's actually the only gripe we can think of. After slipping your foot into the snug-fitting footbed, you need to pull up the entry zipper and fasten the cover flap. Then, after clipping in and tightening the Tecno Tensioner over the instep, you must align the interlocking upper portion (on both sides, the top portion fits over the outside, while the lower portion slips underneath) before clipping in and tightening the tensioner on each side of the calf and the tensioner on the front of the shin. The result is an extremely supportive and snug-fitting boot overall, but we'd recommend setting aside more time than usual to put on your boots; don't wait until you hear the first call for your trackday group or race before beginning to don your riding gear.
Other than the work involved with ingress, we were very impressed with the Sidi Vortice. Overall fit and finish are top-notch, with excellent ankle support and protective feel. With the previous Vertigo Corsa, we had some issues with the external ankle braces becoming fouled on some bikes' footpeg brackets; the Vortice's braces are much tighter and flush with the surface of the boot, and we had no such problems with the bikes we've ridden them with so far. Overall peg feel was excellent (even with the reinforcement insert), the toe sliders worked well, and the Sidi shifter pads have always been one of the best at preventing "shifter toe" soreness. And there aren't very many boots packing all the protective features present on the Vortice, so we're pretty confident of its protective qualities.
The new CE-certified Vortice boot retails for $475. Metric sizes 39-48 (American sizes 6-13) can be had in black, red, white, or blue versions, with fully perforated models available in all black or white.
Motonation
(619) 401-4106
www.motonation.com