Trail Tested | Sidi Dimaro MTB Shoe
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Trail Tested | Sidi Dimaro MTB Shoe
Price: $249.95
Colors: Black only
Sizes: Eur 37.0 – 48.0
In motocross circles Sidi is known for its high-end motocross boots, most notably the Crossfire 2 and Crossfire 3 models, which boast replaceable soles and an excellent hinged-ankle design. In cycling, the Italian manufacturer is known for its premium road cycling and cross country mountain biking shoes. Until now, the brand did not have a great option for trail riding, and pairing baggies with shiny hard sole XC shoes is a goony move that only guys like our buddy Jason “Hapa” McCune would do. Needless to say, we were excited to get a call from Jason Kilroy at Ciclista America – the official United Stated importer for Sidi cycling shoes – announcing that Sidi had finally produced a trail-worthy MTB shoe.
The Dimaro is a 3/4 top trail shoe that features a lace-up system covered by a gaiter that helps keep moisture out, as well as a neoprene ankle cuff that helps keep dirt and debris from finding its way into your shoe. Our first impression of the shoe was that it looked like nothing else in the Sidi Cycling line. In contrast with the XC models that feature Boa closures and Velcro straps, the Dimaro has a much milder appearance. Truth be told, we weren’t super fond of the Velcro-fastened gaiter that covers the laces at first because they reminded us of the Velcro kicks we ran in grade school. After spending some time pedaling in the Dimaro, though, we have become completely won over by the cover-up feature! In addition to keeping your shoelaces from flopping around and becoming untied, the gator prevents water from instantly getting through and onto your socks. If Sidi had built some stretch into the gaiter, you could actually use it to add some compression to the fit of the shoe but alas, it is only a flap that is held in place by sturdy Velcro.
The highlight of the Dimaro shoe is its Vibram Rubber sole. We were surprised that the surface of the sole actually had a smooth finish, unlike the aggressive tread found on the bottom of Sidi’s XC offerings. We soon discovered, though, how great the traction of the Vibram Rubber sole is. The tread may be minimal, but the soft rubber grips the dirt and rocks beneath your feet when you have to dismount and push. And while the soles of the shoe are stuiff enough to transfer power efficiently to your pedals, they are flexible enough to walk in much more comfortably than XC shoes. The Dimaro can be ridden with flat pedals or clipless, as the cleat access panel is easily removable with two Allen bolts.
One of the things we like best about the Sidi Dimaro is the neoprene ankle gaiter, which keep dirt, debris, and moisture out of your shoes. The gaiter has a nice, snug feeling that offers a nice secure feeling.
The exterior of the shoe is quite sturdy and durable. We’ve logged about 200 miles in our Dimaro shoe and they still look like new after a quick rinse with the garden hose. No scratches or scrapes are apparent on the synthetic-leater uppers.
Our final thoughts? The Sidi Dimaro shoe is quite comfortable and quite durable. It fits on the large size (we recommend going down one size), accomodates wide feet (standard D width), and does a great job of keeping your feet dry in wet conditions. (This also means that it can be warm in summertime conditions.) All in all, we throroughly enjoy the Dimaro MTB Shoe and we’ll continue to grab them first when it comes time to ride our trail bikes.
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