So I offer him $60 if they fit, we meet up so I can check them out, and they're not cobras. They're Vertigos. Wait, no... They're Vertigo Corsas. Sidi's Ferrari Enzo boot. Obviously I didn't tell him that, and I walked away with moderately used $425 boots for $60.
Call me biased because of my heritage, but there are few things nicer than Italian made goods.
The boots have what's called the "Tecno II" system which is basically a ratcheting teflon cable at the calf, and one over the top of the foot to allow for custom fitment.
In addition to the thick Lorica material throughout, the boots also have a rigid exoskeleton from the ankle up to the top behind the calf, as well as carbon fiber shin guards. Everything is replaceable on them, and the parts are readily available for reasonable prices.
One of my favorite features is the toe sliders. They have porcelain inserts that serve 2 functions: Reminding you to stop duck footing off your pegs, and help your toe slide if you really are cornering that hard. Most boots have ABS guards which I've had actually try and yank my foot off the peg because it's soft enough material to catch and not slide.
I do admittedly have one complaint, and that is that the toe box (as with all Sidi footwear) is narrower than I like. I prefer a little bit of wiggle room, and these are effectively straight jackets for my toes. A minor inconvenience, as the boots are still very comfortable and solid feeling.
I've seen similar pairs on ebay for as little as $115 shipped. Bear in mind, they run about 1/2 size smaller than street shoes, so my 43.5/9.5s fit like a 43/9
They were discontinued when Sidi introduced the Vortice.
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