Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1376983
VOLUME 58 ISSUE 21 MAY 25, 2021 P117 MSRP: $524.99 Website: www.motonation.com RIDER AN ALYSIS At first glance the Atojo boot looks like a trimmed down, more agile Crossfire 3. Many features that Sidi has become known for are front and center—the buckles and the replaceable sole to name a few. Take a closer look and the differences become increasingly notice- able. The Atojo boot sports only three buckles and relies on a Velcro closure up top. The single-layer shin plate of the Atojo is much more compliant in com- parison to our old Crossfires and tends to be more form-fitting while riding. The fit of the Atojo boot was on par right out of the box. The biggest standout upon first ride was the overall roominess of the toe box. In the past I was always warned that Sidis were narrower and that I might even need to size up when riding in them. These how- ever were almost exactly opposite as my toes in the size 11's had some extra wiggle room. I don't have particularly wide feet and usually prefer a slimmer boot so this was not necessarily a win in my book, but it could be seen as a plus for some riders. Another major point of the Atojo's design are the two flex points, one above the ankle and one below the ankle. Rather than having one large ankle hinge like the Crossfire 3, the Atojo has been slimmed down by divid- ing the load among the two points. The two hinges work in conjunction and Sidi claims this "improves the flexibility of the boot, making the bending move- ment fluid without compromising rigid- ity and lateral protection." I was pleasantly surprised, however, at the slimness of the ankle, as I ex- pected it to match the width of the toe box. Instead, this area hugged my lower leg tightly and provided confidence- inspiring support. As I attempted to break them in, I watched the upper ankle hinge move back and forth and could visibly see the stopper engage to prevent hyperextension. Out on track the most noticeable thing is the lightweight feeling of the boots during a moto. I've been rotating three sets of boots over the last few months—Sidi Atojos, Fox Instincts, and Alpinestars Tech 10s. On my scale, the Atojos weighed in at only 8.4 pounds while the Fox's and A-Stars were 9 and 10.2 pounds, respectively. This weight was most apparent when sticking my leg out or adjusting my feet on the pegs late in a race. An extra pound or half pound on the lowest part of the body can really add up, and it's nice to see Sidi's claims hold true on the scale. The Sidis are also very form fitting. I have yet to have any issues with the boots fitting comfortably over my Mobius knee braces. There are also no weird gaps as the shin plate stays in place without letting dirt in. Gripping with legs is another advan- tage in the Atojo's. The inner leg panel features protruding rubber grips that allow the rider to engage with the lower half portion of the motorcycle. These grips are especially helpful as more and more emphasis is placed on rider technique and controlling the bike with the legs. Unfortunately, with our white pair, we did see signs of scuffing and wear earlier than we expected. Finally, we move to the soles of the boots. The flat, hard-plastic design pro- vides a surprising amount of feedback to the rider while on track. I was able to comfortably feel the pegs, brake and LOWDOWN •LARGE TOE BOX FOR NARROW FEET •LIGHTWEIGHT •PROVIDES GOOD FEEL •EASY TO USE BUCKLES •REPLACEABLE SOLE shifter right away in these boots. In a boot like the Tech 10, on the other hand, I spent much more time breaking them in and learning how to feel through the bootie and thicker sole. I don't feel as much plushness or cushion in the Sidis as I do in the Fox or the Alpin- estars, but the actual feel of the pegs is unmatched. And from a consumer standpoint, it's hard to beat the replace- ability of the Sidi SRS soles. Overall, it's nice to see a manufac- turer adding to their already popular lineup. The boot market has been at a bit of a standstill with the major players making only small revisions to an exist- ing model. Sidi's newest boot, the Atojo, looks to get a leg up on the competi- tion with a slim design in a lightweight package. The three-buckle system is nearly fool-proof and the protection is equivalent to any other high-end offer- ing on the market. If you're tired of toting around heavy boots and are looking for something that's protective and compatible with wider feet, the Atojo's will have you walking their way. Ryan Nitzen