The Sidi Dragon is one of the best mountain bike shoes ever built. The new Dragon 3, with a roomier toe box, a rubberised protective toe cap and an updated lining, ups the ante even further.
Previously the Lorica upper was easy to damage; not what you want on an expensive pair of shoes. The new rubber material is comfortable against toes in thin racing socks, and will keep your investment and tootsies sweet if you hoof a big rock.
The liner is now a perforated affair, helping manage moisture away from the skin more effectively. The overall fit continues to be the best in the industry thanks to the adjustable mechanical heel fit, and bombproof triple mechanism closure – calliper buckle strap, Techno 2 speed dial and secure Velcro forefoot strap. It’s a rare Middle Earth foot that can’t find comfort in a Sidi.
The carbon mid-sole is also different from the competition in that it’s not plank-like in its rigidity. The cleat area doesn’t flex, but from the cleat forward there’s a degree of give, making it a great race shoe option if you have any amount of walking/pushing/hike-a-biking to do.
Buying the best of anything is always a slightly salty affair in the wallet department, but mitigating the cost is the genuinely replaceable nature of nearly every element that can wear out, from outsoles, straps and buckles to heel fit hardware, which means you can keep them running as new when you’re binning the competition.
This article was originally published in What Mountain Bike magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio.