Sidi Defender
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all cycling shoes.
This shoe has a 7% penalty on its expert reviews because it has fewer than 5 reviews. This is to avoid that shoes with few reviews unjustly receives high scores.
Learn moreVerdict
Pros
- Unbelievable comfort level
- Durable
- Excellent protection
- Excellent closure system
- Lightweight
- Aesthetically pleasing
Cons
- Too flexible
- Upper stretches over time
- Pricey
69% say it's true to size.
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Rankings
- Top 29% most popular cycling shoes
Comparison to similar cycling shoes
Who should buy the Sidi Defender
The Sidi Defender is primarily targeted at technically adept mountain cyclists who like to be clipped in. Its build also suits riders who are after the following elements in their footwear:
- Easy to use retention system
- Ankle protection
- Clipless cleat design
- Flexible with a hint of rigidity
- Well-built pieces
Excellent grip and power transfer
The Sidi Defender employs the brand's Outdoor rubber sole. This sole is designed to provide adequate stiffness for power transfer and grip for off-bike stability. This pair's tread design [is optimized to automatically expel debris, dirt, and mud.
Sidi Defender's cleat system
The Defender utilizes a traditional MTB two-bolt cleat system. It is suitable for the following pedal models: Superstar Nano-x EVO, Burgtec MK4 Composite, and Nukeproof Horizon Pro Sam Hill.
A protective plate comes with the shoe, which can be unscrewed to reveal the cleat area. The cleat area is also recessed to make walking comfortable and natural.
Politex material and mesh inserts
This mountain cycling shoe's upper is crafted from a Politex material and mesh inserts. The Politex displays a suede effect and is made up of several overlapping layers with different properties. One of them is the compacted PVC, which is then coupled with knitted fabric and felt. Both the knitted fabric and felt materials are then film dyed to keep the color for a long time. The end result is a material providing strong resistance against laceration, ripping, and fading.
Techno-3 closure system
The Sidi Defender employs the combination of the brand's Techno-3 system and Velcro strap for its retention system. The Techno-3 system consists of a dial that tightens and loosens in increments and SIDI Wire material that is completely non-binding and goes along the length of the midfoot top foot areas of the shoe. Once the dial is cinched, the wire wraps the foot for a supportive and snug fit. The Velcro strap governs the fit of the toe area.
Sidi heel cup
This pair features the Sidi heel cup, which is designed to keep the foot in place and in optimal position while pedaling. It also prevents deformation brought about by extreme performance and pressure. Pull tabs are placed in both the heel and tongue areas to aid in faster putting on and taking off.
