For some time, within the States, Sidi felt like a model that had light into the archives—laborious to seek out, costly when doable, and seemingly out of step with the fashionable biking shoe market. However now, the legendary Italian shoemaker is making a severe comeback in North America with a brand new retail presence, higher distribution, and three new fashions aimed toward regaining their place within the pack. The brand new multi-discipline Sidi Physis off-road footwear appeared like an excellent place to start out, whether or not you wish to experience gravel or XC. So we obtained in a pair to place them to the take a look at…
The Sidi Comeback Plan: Higher Availability & Pricing
Sidi has partnered with QBP, North America’s largest biking distributor, to return their footwear to native bike retailers. This implies simpler entry and extra aggressive pricing, though you shouldn’t anticipate bargain-bin offers. Though main on-line retailers like Backcountry, Velotech, Bicycle Habit, and Jenson will even carry the brand new lineup.
Millennium vs. Basic: A New Method to Match
For years, Sidi’s normal ‘basic’ match has been a love-it-or-leave-it expertise—slender, glove-like, and unforgiving for wider ft. However with fashionable high-performance footwear trending towards wider toe containers, Sidi is adapting.
Introducing the Millennium Match, a revised final that shortens and widens the toebox, making a roomier really feel with out sacrificing efficiency.
For die-hard Sidi loyalists, don’t fear—the basic match isn’t going wherever. You’ll nonetheless be capable of get that ultra-snug race match if that’s your jam.
The New Lineup
Sidi Physis – Off-Street Efficiency
Millennium Match for a roomier toe field
TPU-welded cloth higher in Black or Sand (plus Violet & Myrtus within the EU)
Single Tecno buckle + hook-and-loop strap for adjustability
X2FC carbon outsole with a stiffness ranking of 11/12 on Sidi’s scale
Replaceable toe spikes & full rubber tread for sturdiness
Worth: $399 / 299€
Sidi Genius 10 Knit – Sizzling Climate Street Shoe
The brand new Sidi Genius 10 Kint is a highway biking shoe with a hybrid knit higher for air flow and luxury.
Basic Sidi match
Hyper-vented nylon knit forefoot for breathability & versatile consolation
Accessible in Black or White (plus Violet in Europe)
Twin Tecno buckle closure system
Nylon & carbon composite sole with a stiffness ranking of simply 6/12
Worth: $355
Sidi Ergo 6 – The Trendy Street Flagship
The brand new Sidi Ergo 6 brings an up to date aesthetic and match to the model’s highway biking lineup.
Millennium Match for a wider, extra up to date match
Clear, minimalist perforated microfiber higher with a twin Tecno buckle closure
Accessible in White or Darkish grey with reflective heel particulars (plus Burgundy & Darkish Blu in Europe)
Anchored Unum Ergo anatomical tongue design prevents shifting throughout rides
New full-carbon R2FC outsole with a protracted 15mm of cleat adjustment vary, 11/12 stiffness
322g per shoe (dimension 44)—not the lightest, however aggressive
Worth: $399 / 299€*Search for a evaluation on this mannequin shortly
Physis First Impressions
The Sidi Physis leads the cost, as a no-compromise MTB race shoe aimed squarely at XC and gravel riders who prioritize energy switch over walkability. So, is the Physis a worthy addition to Sidi’s legacy, or simply one other stiff shoe in an already crowded class?
On the Bike with Physis
Sidi footwear have all the time been recognized for impeccable craftsmanship, and the Physis isn’t any exception. Out of the field, you’ll be able to inform these footwear imply enterprise. The seamless, dual-layer higher feels extremely refined. And the Millennium Match provides it a modern, performance-driven form, with out being too tight.
If you happen to’re anticipating an off-the-cuff, walkable MTB shoe, this isn’t it. The understated Physis screams race day if you put them in your ft. It’s stiff, structured, and unapologetically designed for placing down watts.
Energy Switch & Efficiency
On the coronary heart of the Physis is the brand new X2FC full UD carbon sole, which is one step shy of Sidi’s stiffest ranking.
Each little bit of energy you set down goes straight to the pedals. On the bike, the Physis feels explosive.
Whether or not mashing a climb or sprinting for the city line, you’ll be able to really feel the effectivity. The only real has zero flex, which is strictly what you need in a race-focused shoe.
For traction off the bike, Sidi provides molded-on rubber tread and toe spikes, however let’s be actual—this isn’t a hike-friendly shoe. Strolling on pavement or laborious surfaces is sort of laughable. If you happen to anticipate to hoof it via lengthy hike-a-bike sections, look elsewhere. Although thick lugs on the heel present wonderful grip for working down unrideable, cyclocross-style sections.
Additionally price noting is the prolonged rubber via the instep. That helps loads for those who unclip on some gnarly part, and it takes a second till you will get your foot again over the pedal, and correctly clipped-in once more.
Millennium Match & Consolation – Cosy, however Exact
Sidi describes its footwear as “becoming like a glove,” and that’s exactly how I’d describe them. The Physis is constructed with their new Millennium Match, which provides a bit extra room in comparison with conventional Sidi sizing.
However it’s nonetheless a really cosy, race-inspired match.
The general match is wider, however not a lot that it looks like a large shoe, corresponding to a Bont. I might simply describe the match as ‘extra foot-shaped’ and fewer pointed on the toe field. One thing that I’m certain all riders pushing laborious on the pedals will respect.
I needed to meticulously measure my ft and examine them to Sidi’s chart earlier than ordering, and I nonetheless ended up in a dimension smaller than anticipated. Once I first pulled them out of the field, they regarded small, however as soon as on, they match like a second pores and skin.
Sidi Strap & Dial Closure System – Stable & Safe
Sidi’s Stable-Strap closure system is a step up out of your normal Velcro. As a substitute of counting on friction alone, it additionally options opposing plastic enamel that lock in place, eliminating strap pressure loss over time. It’s been a minute since I used a shoe with a velcro-style strap. And with BOA dials flying off footwear at almost each cyclocross race, I used to be .
The safe match is a pleasant contact, and the tender cloth of the overlapping strap permits the shoe to flex simply when off the bike, even when working uphill.
Paired with the Dyneema dial system throughout the forefoot and grippy silicone dots within the heel, the Physis provides a fine-tuned, locked-in really feel. The strap retains the foot steady, whereas the dial permits for micro-adjustments over the arch — essential for stopping foot numbness.
The tongue and edges have been stiff from the beginning and pressed barely in opposition to my ankle. Nevertheless, over time and a few wet coaching rides, they softened up properly.
Tecno Buckle: A Love-Hate Relationship
One factor that hasn’t modified?
Sidi’s proprietary Tecno buckle system. It’s been round longer than BOA, and whereas it nonetheless provides straightforward half replacements, it’s not as user-friendly or fast to regulate. You want two separate button presses to loosen or tighten, which can really feel a bit outdated in comparison with BOA’s single-turn simplicity.
That mentioned, Sidi followers will respect the sturdiness and longevity that comes with the Tecno system — no threat of snapping a BOA wire mid-ride. Plus, substitute components are very straightforward to seek out on-line, and a ready rider might need some of their equipment bag simply in case.
Verdict: Who’s the brand new Sidi Physis For?
The Sidi Physis is a purebred racing shoe designed for XC, cyclocross, and gravel riders in search of most effectivity, sturdiness, and a no-compromise match. It’s the shoe for you for those who’re on the lookout for a light-weight, highly effective shoe that can final for years. I’ve a pair of my first Sidi footwear nonetheless in a field, labored over from years of use, however I can’t appear to half with them.
I’m hoping this new chapter for Sidi will ship that very same expertise to new customers, with an up to date match.
Are they well worth the $400 asking worth?
After many winter and spring rides in them, I lean towards sure. The footwear present minimal indicators of wear and tear, although I washed them after nearly each experience due to mud. Nevertheless, for these in search of the highest tier within the model, this isn’t it for Sidi. They nonetheless have two fashions above this, topping out at $530 for the MTB Tiger.
What do you get with a $530 mountain bike shoe that isn’t on a $400 one?
With Sidi, you get a brilliant stiff carbon sole (nearly too stiff), replaceable rubber tread blocks, and their tremendous cool heel retention help system.
If you happen to’re a rider who loves the attract of a top-end Italian shoe (however it’s truly made in Vietnam, not made in Italy), with a bombproof construct, and might deal with all off-road racing, the Physis delivers in spades. This may be the right shoe for a racer or rider who’s bored with breaking BOAs (even when they do include guarantee substitute) and doesn’t like laces. We’re excited to see what this new chapter for Sidi brings – to this point, it seems to be promising – and I’m right here for it!
Sidi.com
