Sidi Taurus GTX boots review: worth the cost?

SQUEAK. SQUEAK. SQUEAK.

These Taurus GTX boots may not be leather, and their traditional buckles may have been ditched for a fancy new retention system, but the squeak means they are definitively Sidi boots.

Launched at last year’s EICMA, the Taurus GTX sits at the top end of Sidi’s ‘Touring’ category. They are adventure-touring boots designed to be rugged enough for light off-road work, yet comfortable enough to wear all day. I’ve been wearing them regularly for about six months, testing them through typical British winter misery and the sweltering heat of southern India.

Do I like them enough to justify their eye-watering £489.99 asking price? Read on.

Sidi Taurus GTX in a nutshell

Features and Construction

Like most Sidi boots, the Taurus GTX is constructed from "technomicro microfiber." According to Sidi, these incredibly fine fibres act like natural leather but offer better strength and lighter weight.

It doesn’t feel as luxurious as real leather, but honestly, I don’t care. Leather requires meticulous cleaning and regular treatments of leather protectant to survive a British winter. If Technomicro saves my Sunday evenings, I’m sold.

A rubbery material called ‘Materiis’ runs along the bike-facing shank for grip, extending to the shifter guard and outsole. Protection is extensive: a large TPU protector covers the tibia, backed by a steel shank and a reinforced toe box. The whole package achieves CE Level 2 certification across the board (Level 2222) for shin coverage, abrasion resistance, cut resistance, and rigidity.

Inside, you’ll find a premium Gore-Tex membrane liner to handle the weather.

Fit, Comfort, and the Squeak

Some gear sellers advise buying a half-size up in Sidi boots. That wasn't my experience; my usual size 44 fitted perfectly out of the box with zero break-in required.

The shaft closes securely with heavy-duty Velcro, but the real star of the fit is the NUUN dial system (Sidi’s take on BOA). Instead of laces or bulky buckles, you twist two dials to tighten coated wires, ensuring a precise, easily adjustable fit that doesn't scratch your bike's paint. A hide-away strap at the very top of the shank makes it easier for you to pull the boot on.

Once strapped in, they feel incredibly secure but never restrictive. Whether tackling 15-hour riding days in India or doing 600-mile motorway roundtrips, they have performed brilliantly.

However, they wouldn’t be my choice for a romantic evening stroll. The robust ankle support enforces that heel-lead, clunky walk you adopt in ski boots. You can meander down a footpath looking for a cafe, but long hikes are out of the question.

And then there is the squeaking. It doesn’t bother me – it’s the motorcyclist's equivalent of wearing spurs – but it can be slightly embarrassing when clomping through quiet hotel hallways.

A note on fit: These are chunky boots. The legs on my Aerostich AD-1 trousers fit over them perfectly. Slimmer riding jeans and some other adventure/touring trousers might struggle.

Weather Performance

As I pointed out in my review of the Weise Navigator jacket, I am the sort of person who doesn't mind being hot. During multiple 15-hour days in India where temperatures hit 34ºC, my feet never felt sweaty. There are rugged strips of microfiber on the tongue and heel designed to offer ventilation, though I suspect my comfort was more about personal heat tolerance than aggressive airflow.

Conversely, they perform admirably in the cold. They aren't heavily insulated winter boots, but I've been happy wearing them through British winter storms.

When it comes to the wet, Gore-Tex remains the gold standard. Feel free to stomp through puddles or ride through named storms (these boots survived Storms Bram and Chandra). Your feet will remain perfectly dry.

The NUUN Dials: A Reason for Concern?

The NUUN dial system is excellent for achieving a perfect fit, but I’m not 100% convinced it is entirely fit for purpose on a rugged adventure boot.

The famous red dust of India works its way into everything. After several days of riding, that dust infiltrated the dial mechanisms, preventing them from loosening. I had to tug aggressively at the dials just to squeeze my foot out, briefly pondering the use of wire cutters.

Back home, British rain and a drop of trombone slide oil loosened things up, but the mechanism still doesn’t release as smoothly as it did on day one. It’s worth noting perhaps that fellow moto-journalist John Millbank told me that he has taken his Taurus GTX boots green-laning and hasn't experienced any sticky dials, so maybe I’m just the victim of bad luck.

The mechanisms are replaceable, and Sidi offers a two-year warranty if things do gum up.

My only other quibble? The wire laces always pop out of their plastic guide grooves on the tongue when you loosen the boot, forcing you to guide them back into place when fastening. It’s a minor annoyance, but an annoyance nonetheless.

Verdict

I highly recommend the Sidi Taurus GTX boots. They are supremely comfortable, heavily protective, and keep your feet bone dry.

They are also incredibly expensive, and I still harbour a tiny sliver of "old-man anxiety" about the long-term durability of the NUUN dials in heavy mud. But premium gear, made in Italy with genuine Gore-Tex, costs money.

If your riding genuinely takes you off the beaten path, through streams, and across continents, the Taurus GTX will serve you brilliantly. However, if your grandest adventure rarely strays further than a National Trust car park, you can probably save yourself a few hundred pounds and buy something less aggressive.

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