Sidi Doha Boots

Sidi Doha Boots

Daily runners

DO YOU PREFER TO KEEP A LOW PROfile once you’ve stepped away from your motorcycle? If so, you’ll appreciate the casual, understated styling of the Sidi Dohas.

Most current sportbike-spec footwear, with their armored hinges, sculpted ramair ducts and large, snow-ski-style buckles, looks like robo-boots. Great for racing, not so hot for going to the movies. Named, oddly enough, after a town in the Middle East, the Dohas are comparatively soft and supple, and their all-black leather-and-cordura-nylon construction doesn’t attract any more attention from passersby than tennis shoes.

Cut just above the ankle, similar to a high-top basketball shoe, they feature reinforced toe and heel cups, shift pads and padded ankles. Make no mistake, the Dohas don’t offer anywhere near the protection of conventional riding boots, but they are better suited for on-bike wear than Air Jordans. An old-school, open-front, lace-up retention system topped with velcro-backed strapping makes for quick entries and exits. After a short, two-day break-in, our Dohas fit like a glove-no, actually better than some of the hardknuckle variants we’ve tried recently. In fact, the lightweight sport shoes are so comfortable that we wore them day in and day out, both on and off the bike. While motorcycle boots don’t usually provide feel sufficient for effective heel-and-toe work in a sports car, these are just as at home in a WRX as they are on a GSX-R. That alone may be reason enough to make room for a pair in your closet. □

DETAILS

Motonation 1100 N. Magnolia Ave. #A El Cajon, CA 92020 877/789-4940 www.motonation.com Price... $140 ^Jps A Styling that fits nearly any occasion A Easy on and off A Sole dead-ringer for a Dunlop D208 Downs ▼ Ankle pads located a bit low ▼ Water-resistant, not waterproof ▼ Enough with the Homer Simpson jokes already