Sidi ARX Air Riding Shoes Review

Final up to date:June 2, 2025

Breakdown

With consolation on the forefront, Sidi’s ARX Air Driving Footwear are a fantastic choice for riders who’re on the lookout for a shoe that works each on and off the bike. Whereas the shoe might lack armor inserts, D30 ankle safety, heel, and a rip-stop toe gives extra safety than conventional streetwear. The footwear sport a timeless high-top design that’s certain to pair nicely with using denims, hoodies, and extra.

Professionals

Timeless look that blends with most streetwear-inspired gear

Distinctive consolation each on and off the bike

Rip-stop toe and D30 ankle

Excessive traction rubber sole retains your toes firmly planted on the controls

Accessible in massive sizes for riders with huge toes

Cons

Reflective components conflict with the general design

No protecting inserts all through the shoe

Solely two shade decisions

Fraying sew brings into query the general high quality of the shoe

The value level is excessive to comparable using footwear

Overview Abstract

For those who’re on the lookout for the principle takeaways from this evaluate, right here is my abstract of the ARX Air Driving Footwear by Sidi:

The Sidi ARX Air Driving Footwear retail for $179.99 USD
They’re out there in two colorways
- Black/White
- Castian/Bronze
The ARX Air Driving Footwear have a near-perfect streetwear-inspired design, with the one flaw being the clashing reflective components on the heel
The black cloth is extraordinarily straightforward to maintain clear, and the white rubber heel might be stored trying new with using a magic eraser
The shoe feels high-quality general except for the stitching on the shift gear safety
The stitching started to fray after one trip, however has not progressed a lot additional over the course of two months
Offered in EU sizing, which can differ barely from US sizes
Manufactured and stocked in massive sizes comparable to US 14 and 15
Distinctive consolation each on and off the bike
Safety is minimal, however nonetheless higher than sporting avenue footwear
D30 ankle safety and rip-stop materials throughout the toes
The footwear have a excessive worth level compared to comparable using footwear, however the worth might be justified by how comfy they’re

Stroll & Journey in Consolation

It’s been some time since I’ve reviewed a pair of using footwear. For those who’ve adopted my earlier work, you’ll know I are inclined to stray away from boots and go for extra low-profile, informal using footwear. I’m not large on boots, and I’m afraid that bias will influence the evaluate.

Helmet Home had expressed a number of curiosity in working collectively on some gear, and I figured, what the hell! My present using footwear are trying slightly worse for put on, and the ARX Air Driving footwear seemed proper up my alley.

Slim, modern, discrete, and most significantly, comfy.

Yep, these footwear have been thought to have all of it! I put them to the take a look at and was pleasantly shocked by how they carried out. They ticked most of my packing containers, and I believe they are going to tick most of yours as nicely.

Skate Footwear or Driving Footwear?

I’m reviewing extra streetwear-inspired gear, who would’ve thought?

The Sidi ARX Air Driving Footwear have a number of apparent design options that differentiate them from conventional streetwear, however aside from that, they fly beneath the radar fairly nicely. One of the apparent options is the outer mesh alongside the center and again of the shoe.

I don’t learn about you, however I’ve by no means seen a pair of Nikes with mesh alongside the physique. You’ll be happy to know, nonetheless, that I’m grateful for that mesh. It offers the footwear loads of air flow in sizzling using situations, one thing you’ll admire as nicely.

What’s extra, the mesh isn’t even noticeable in my using denims. The leg is lengthy sufficient to cowl that a part of the shoe, exposing solely the toe and a part of the laces.

Talking of the toe, the shift guard on the large toe could be very discreet, and smaller than I’ve seen on different using footwear. From a design facet, I like that, nevertheless it makes me query the effectiveness of it.

In case you couldn’t inform, I reviewed the Black/White shade mixture. The white rubber sole contrasts properly in opposition to the black cloth, alongside the white laces. Black laces have been included within the field, however I believe we will all agree that white laces look higher.

The black ARX footwear are 100x simpler to maintain clear than the white Spidi XPD Moto-1 shoes I reviewed in 2023 (who would’ve thought?). On the time, I used to be stoked to have discovered a white pair of using footwear, however I rapidly realized they’re so onerous to return by – they get destroyed by the shifter.

General, I like the design of the footwear. With what’s seen beneath my using denims, they remind me of a pair of black Converse. The one factor I’d change is the reflecting particulars on the heel. I’d like to see Sidi incorporate reflective particulars in a extra tasteful, design-oriented approach.

If brief boots are your fashion, you’ll wish to try our Best Short Boots list for 2025.

Design: 90%

Construct High quality

At first look, the footwear seemed and felt high-quality. All through my evaluate, that just about remained fully true, except for one minor element with the potential to show main. Let me clarify.

The toe of the shoe is made out of a rip-stop materials. This was a really sensible alternative of fabric because the rip-stop will encourage your foot to slip throughout the pavement to stop your toes from catching whereas skipping throughout the asphalt. Not a nice thought, however the actuality of an accident.

The only real of the shoe is agency and sturdy. I’m assured that the Vibram Rubber Sole will be capable to stand as much as any terrain. As for time on the bike, the only real has massive grooves in it to maximise grip, making certain your toes keep firmly planted in your pegs and controls.

Shifting up the shoe is the higher canvas and aforementioned mesh materials. Within the hand, it feels thick, influence absorbing, and comfy. All the pieces about this shoe is screaming prime quality, aside from one factor – the stitching.

On the shift gear safety, the stitching started to fray after my first trip. Funnily sufficient, it started to fray pretty excessive up on the foot in areas which can be unlikely to be touched by the shifter. Except for a number of stray shifts, I really feel assured sufficient to say that space of the shoe has not seen a lot motion.

Regardless, the sew has begun to fray. The excellent news? It hasn’t gotten a lot worse over the previous couple of weeks than when it initially began. Like I discussed, this can be a minor difficulty with the potential to grow to be a serious one.

If the stitching is fraying from a bit of drugs shifting, how will it maintain up in a slide?

Construct High quality: 75%

Superior Match & Consolation

Some issues that actually caught out to me with the Sidi ARX Air Driving Footwear are in regard to the sizing. First off, you’ll must convert your US foot measurement to match the EU sizing. That is straightforward sufficient to do with a easy Google search.

Sadly, by following the EU sizing, the shoe isn’t made in my precise measurement. Sometimes, I put on a measurement 9. With the ARX’s, I had the selection of both an 8.5 or 9.5, however not a 9. I opted for the latter and was pleasantly shocked by how nicely they match. Sure, a tad bit huge, however nonetheless comfortable and secure to trip in.

On high of that, check out the general vary of sizes, significantly the bigger ones. I problem you to seek out me one other using shoe that’s not solely made, however stocked, in a US measurement 14 and 15. I’ll wait.

Dimension choices are considerable with the ARX Air Driving Footwear; that a lot is obvious. Except for that, the match is great. On first use, the match is pretty comfortable, with the high-top design and safety working in opposition to you. Fortunately, Sidi included a pull tab on the again that helped inspire my foot into the shoe.

After my testing interval, I’m blissful to say that the footwear nonetheless match comfortable. Sometimes, I’d like my footwear to loosen up over time, or break in, however with using gear, I anticipate the other. I don’t need my armor and safety to put on via regular use. That’s not signal of sturdy reinforcement.

So far as consolation goes, these footwear are a dream to put on. Whether or not I’m strolling or using, I didn’t have any ache in my toes, discovered the soles to be extraordinarily comfortable and supportive, and loved my time sporting them.

I used to be afraid the bigger measurement could be a difficulty, nevertheless it wasn’t in any respect. I don’t have any complaints in the case of the dimensions, match, and luxury of the ARX Air Driving Footwear.

If consolation is what you’re after, you’ll wish to try our evaluate of the Cortech “The Slayer” Canvas Riding Shoes.

Dimension, Match & Consolation: 100%

Good Safety For What They Are

Simply by trying on the Sidi ARX Air Driving Footwear, I knew what I used to be stepping into when it comes to safety. They don’t make use of steel inserts in high-impact areas, nor do they incorporate highly-abrasion-resistant supplies.

But, they’re nonetheless licensed to EN 13634:2017. They’ve low-profile D30 materials across the ankle for influence absorption and vitality dissipation. Moreover, the heel and toe are strengthened for added safety.

The ARX footwear weren’t designed to be essentially the most protecting brief boots available on the market, and I believe it’s honest to say anybody contemplating shopping for them will not be anticipating them to be. With that being stated, I believe that Sidi may’ve included a number of extra protecting options whereas nonetheless sustaining a low profile. For instance, an insert within the ankle wouldn’t add bulk to the shoe, however it may possibly make an enormous distinction in a slide.

For those who’re on the lookout for one thing with a bit extra safety, try our Best Cruiser Motorcycle Boots.

Safety: 75%

Worth for Cash

Coming in at a mid-range worth, the Sidi ARX Air Driving Footwear have a tough time presenting their worth for cash.

For instance, the TCX Road 3 Air Footwear are available in on the identical worth level, look very comparable, but have a heap extra options all through the shoe. A few of the most notable options embrace an Ortholite footbed and D30 inserts on the malleolus.

Taking a look at cheaper footwear, the aforementioned Cortech “The Slayer” using footwear have comparable options to the ARX Air’s, however value over $40 much less.

Now that’s to not say that the Sidi ARX Air Driving Footwear are overpriced. I believe that they’re a particularly comfy shoe that a number of riders will discover worth in, however sadly, that isn’t one thing I can present a direct comparability as I haven’t worn the beforehand talked about footwear above.

Worth for Cash: 70%

Remaining Verdict

Driving within the ARX Air Driving Footwear was a pleasure, and I’m grateful for the chance to evaluate them. The footwear have a fantastic design ingredient to them, which is able to attraction to riders on the lookout for a discreet, streetwear-inspired shoe.

Whereas they aren’t the most affordable pair of using footwear available on the market, or essentially the most protecting, it’s my perception that riders will discover worth within the ARX footwear via the consolation they supply each on and off the bike.

If staying calm, cool, and comfy is most vital to you, the Sidi ARX Air Driving Footwear can be a fantastic match in your closet.