SIDI ATOJO SRS: MX Boot Protection Without The Extra Weight
SIDI's latest mx boot puts focus on achieving an ideal weight-to-protection ratio.
I’ve heard it pronounced many ways, Ah-Toe-Joe, Ah-Tahoe, Ah-Toe-Hoe… I like the last pronunciation because it phonetically matches the names of the three riders who helped develop this new lighter-weight moto boot launched last November. The name “ATOJO” is an acronym that represents three of SIDI’s world-dominating MX riders: “A” as in Alessandro Lupino, “TO” as in Tony Cairoli, and “JO” as in Jorge Prado. This collaboration created a boot with a focus on balancing protection, durability, comfort, and weight.
Ask any off-road racer, any real off-road racer; it doesn’t matter if you have the cheapest second-hand boots or the best moto boots money can buy; good boots are one of the most essential pieces of safety gear you can have. Your head is significant, but your feet and ankles take the most abuse and are highly susceptible to injury.
“I almost had a pair.” This is a statement I hear a lot at ADV events like Taste of Dakar and ADV Days from riders wearing hiking boots matched with a Gore-Tex suit, even though there’s not a cloud in the forecast. My reply: “Almost had a set of boots? You never had a set of real boots; otherwise, you’d be wearin’ something protective like ya should.”
There are a few major players in the boot game, and SIDI has been in the game for 81 years. Their experience and long list of world championships make them a legitimate force in moto footwear. One of the most recognizable names SIDI has brought to the table is the Crossfire boot. The Crossfires are now on their third iteration, they’re double hinged and regarded as their “top model” but the ATOJO’s could become the new standard if we can agree on how to say their name.
Right out of the gate, if the ATOJO’s have one feature that separates them from other “top model” boots, it’s their weight-to-protection ratio. A set of the ATOJO’s weigh a pound less than their sibling, the Crossfire 3. It may not sound like much weight but holding them side by side causes your eyebrows to raise as you purse your lips together and make the audible “Mmmm” sound while bouncing them in your hands to feel the weight.
How They Performed
I’ll get into the techy bits further down in the article but first, for comparison, the ATOJO’s only lack some upper calf and shin protection when compared to the Crossfire 3’s or to the Gaerne SG12’s (which I own a pair of) — both top of the line boots. The big differentiator between the Crossfire 3’s and the SG12’s being the width of the footbed. If you have a wider foot, you get the SG12’s, and if you have narrow (Italian) feet, you get the Crossfires. The ATOJO’s land nicely in the middle ground.
For fitment, I personally run a smidge wide in the foot with a normal to skinnier calf and use hinged knee pads that go in the boot. The ATOJO’s are a perfect fit and spot-on to size (45 Euro.) Without ever breaking them in, I took them right to a muddy District 6 Hare Scramble that was 1.5 hours (+1 lap) long and didn’t have a single rub or blister. I know this is subjective, but I’m never this lucky!
Okay, so what? That was in a dirt bike race, and this is ‘ADV’ Pulse. How are they as an ADV boot? I later took the ATOJO’s to the Touratech Rally/Dirt Daze event in NH and wore them for three days straight without any issues, but I did get surprised by them.
SIDI packs much detail into the interior of their boots. The lower part of the boot (below the ankle) is lined with Cambrelle. A material that is known for high wear resistance and for having the ability to dry quickly. The above-the-ankle portion is lined with a Teflon coated material called “TECHNOMICRO” to prevent the full absorption of water, sweat, and dirt. Day one at the TT/DD rally, I managed to sink my Triumph Scrambler XE in the mud pit on the obstacle course to the point water was above the high pipes!
I laughed at myself as I could feel the muddy water rushing in over the sides of the ATOJO’s. This would be a wet-soggy-wrinkled toes death sentence to anyone’s feet with two more days worth of riding ahead of them, and the only place to dry out the ATOJO’s was under my tent’s rainfly. To my above-mentioned surprise, the ATOJO’s didn’t hold onto every last drop of water. While yes, my feet were moist in the morning as my socks took on some of the moisture, I didn’t need to implement the “plastic bag” trick, and my feet didn’t wrinkle up and turn white by the end of the day either.
Hinged boots are the standard as far as real off-road racers see it. SIDI has added dual hinges to the ATOJO’s, very similar to the Crossfires. One below the ankle and one above, on either side of the boot. This arrangement allows the hinges to work in sync while also allowing the boots to be more narrow. The result is pretty impressive and will enable you to grip the bike more evenly with your foot and calf without a noticeable high spot from a hinge mechanism.
We all like extensions when it comes to, say… vacations or unemployment benefits, but no one likes hyper-extensions, especially when it comes to our ankles. The lower hinge has an anti-hyper-extension mechanism built into it, while the rear of the boot will only allow so much flexing backward until it’s stopped by an upper hoop that goes around the back of the ankle. The final protection against overextending yourself is an exposed PU “slide” with stops incorporated into the lower buckle.
The buckles are among the other major distinguishing factors when comparing the ATOJO’s to the Crossfires because there are fewer of them. The Crossfire is a four-buckle boot, and the ATOJO’s are a three-buckle design. With a softer upper shin plate and a well-made velcro upper that shows no sign of wear after a full season of racing, I don’t see the need for the fourth buckle on these boots. SIDI uses the same buckles across most, if not all, of their off-road boots, so if for some reason you hate/or like SIDI buckles, you’ll still dislike/or love these.
The ATOJO’s do get the designation “SRS,” which stands for Sole Replacement System. The SRS dovetails into the bottom of the boot and is held in by four quarter-turn mechanical fasteners. There is an option to purchase separately a more traditional enduro-style lugged replacement sole. The boot’s bottom is impressively smooth and rounded as to not grab into the dirt on an MX track or onto tree roots in enduro situations.
The entire boot’s slim profile lets you get under your shifter a little easier and avoid hitting or snagging your feet as you ride in tight conditions. Personally, coming from a traditional stitched sole on the SG12’s or like that on the Crossfire 3 TA’s, you may have a little trouble locating the brake pedal and may want to get something with a little more bite and length over the stock as on my KTM 250 EXC-F.
I would personally never not choose a boot because of how it interfaced with my brake pedal when the solution is as easy as a larger brake pedal. I would, however, not choose these boots if protection was THE most important thing to you. The upper shin plate and gripper calf section on the ATOJO’s are not as protective as the Crossfire 3’s or SG12’s upper sections.
The trade-off is the weight. While slightly less than 8 ounces per boot may not sound like a deal-breaker, tie two 8oz soup cans to your feet and walk around all day…tell me how you feel. I can attest to the crush resistance of the ATOJO’s or lack thereof compared to my old SG12’s, but I’m going to stick with the ATOJO’s. The amount of energy you can save by having lighter boots is the better decision for me.
Who Are They For?
Let’s say you want a pair of top-model off-road boots but don’t want to stomp into the room like you are Frankenstein looking for “brains.” The ATOJO’s offer all the protection you’ll want without the excess weight or restrictions in movement that many other MX boots come with. If having a hinged boot is a must (which it should be) these will be a great place to start comparing. If you are looking for a fully waterproof adventure-style boot, these are obviously not the answer as they only have some water resistance. Although, I’m a fan of having wet feet or dawning plastic bags over socks to benefit from moisture transfer and cooler running feet than dry socks.
The Verdict
I’ll be wearing the ATOJO’s for as long as they’ll last. With plenty of replacement parts, panels, and soles, it may be for a long time. With a price that far outweighs missing even a single week of work due to a broken foot and a weight that will help you maintain your energy while riding longer, I’ll be stuffing my feet into these for the foreseeable future.
What We Liked
- Fits average feet and required no break-in.
- Lightweight and compact design.
- Replaceable parts give them longevity.
- Dry out fast and don’t smell foul (yet).
- Double hinge systems make them easy to walk in.
- More feel from the shifter and brake pedal than other boots.
- Heel cup holds the foot down in the bed nicely.
- Excellent protection for a convenient three- buckle boot.
- No noticeable “SIDI Squeak.”
What Could Be Improved
- More ‘loud’ color options but not brand specific
- More crush protection for the upper and backside of the calf.
- Insoles could be nicer at that price point..
- More ventilation, they aren’t hot, but they could be cooler.
Colors & Price
COLOR: Black Black, Gray Black, Black White, White Black Fluo Yellow, Fluo Yellow White Blue, White Black Fluo Orange, White Black Gray, Lead Gray Black, Red Black
SIZES: 7-12.5 (40-47 Euro)
PRICE: $525
Shopping Options
Photos by Steve Kamrad, @aaronxyoung, Mike Levin and Bryan Stephan Grimes
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I have a pair of Sidi Adventure Gore-Tex that I no longer wear. Somehow, a “divot” has formed in the top of the left boot between my big toe and the one next to it. It won’t go away and is very uncomfortable. It might be from the shifter but I’m not sure. I have tried everything I know to “re-train” away that divot, but it’s there for good. I ended up replacing the boots with a pair from Gaerne, which are way more comfortable anyway. I had emailed Sidi’s US customer service to ask for ideas, but never got a response.
The article’s in-depth exploration of the boot’s features, performance, and innovative design left me thoroughly impressed. The writer’s ability to blend technical details with their personal experiences on the track truly sets this review apart. It’s clear that these boots are a game-changer, and this article perfectly captures their essence. Kudos to the author for delivering such a captivating piece that’s both informative and engaging! ️
Thanks Saleh, gonna strap em up today and hit a local sprint enduro. Appreciate the kind words