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LATEST UPDATE FEBRUARY 9th 2026
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Sidi Algor MTB Shoes
1048g 44 (as tested) £225 3 Month Test
The Sidi Algor MTB Shoes are a winter trail bootie designed to lock the elements out and feet temperate. Generally speaking, they’ve proven equally suited to winter road duties and have done an excellent job of regulating temperature - even in wet, yet unexpectedly mild, conditions. Power transfer is better than the sole stiffness rating might suggest, without compromising comfort when running, or walking. However, for all their considerable charm, the closures don’t extend high enough, creating a funnel around the tops where wet stuff can sneak inside.
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Pros: Comfort, good balance of power transfer and walkability, highly waterproof materials, sturdy construction & toe box, easy to care for.
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Cons: Zipper closure less convenient than Boa types, quick lace system a little short, price.
Specification
Available in our tasteful “monochrome” or black, uppers are made from a durable “textile” cuff and TPU, which is rugged, waterproof and easy to keep clean.
It is likely to be a better fit for strict vegetarians into the bargain. Bold yellow tag loops at the tops make for easy, dignified donning. Retro-reflective piping along the sides give plenty of presence, without looking gaudy. Contrasting heel and toe bumpers promise to extend the fabric’s life and some protection from rocks, roots and similar hazards.
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Inside we have a relatively thin pile, breathable PrimaLoft insulating layer. Staying inside there’s a relatively shallow tongue and the “Quicklace” system, which as the name suggests makes for quick, effortless adjustments, say if you’ve gone from middleweight merino blend to calve-height waterproof socks.
Coming from Boa Type closures, the waterproof zipper might be a slight culture shock and can feel decidedly stiff until the TPU fabric has moulded to your foot’s shape. During our formative outings, I feared I might strain and moreover, break the zipper. No such crisis struck and things improved considerably, given the first 125miles, or so. That said,
I found adding a zip tie generally made them quicker and easier to whip on and off. The Velcro neoprene closure is simple and promises to lock in some warmth, even if you’ve immersed your foot in a very deep puddle, or snow. The sole is made from a nylon/carbon blend engineered for efficient power transfer yet walking friendly compliance. Stiffness ratings are to some extent a little academic, since they don’t allow accurate, some might say, meaningful comparisons between manufacturers.
That out of the way, anecdotally they’ve felt a little stiffer than Shimano’s 5 rating common to their MW501 and MT701 GTX . The toe section will accept studs for additional traction in the gloop, while the tread pattern follows the tried and tested 5 lug design -three at the heel, two along the ledge. The gap between them means they should be less prone to collecting stones- pea gravel inn particular. The smooth mid sole is similarly well designed, and the twin bolt cleat drillings will welcome SPD patterns, Time and Crank Brothers with ease-not forgetting a lick of grease on those fasteners.
Sizing/Fit 3.5/5
In common with other manufacturers, Sidi’s size guide is pretty accurate, taking much of the guesswork from online purchases. I went for my time honoured 44 default and yep, bang on. That being said, as I mentioned in my opening paragraph, there are some quirks and they won’t suit everyone. Aside from my comments about the “Quicklace” system sitting a little low, I have relatively small ankles, which resulted in a slightly gappy top, even with the zipper fully home and the Velcro closure pulled tight, there was a gap around the cuffs, which looked as if it would allow cold, wet and generally wintry stuff inside- spoiler alert, it can, given the right variables but before you click away, it is nuanced and factors including sock length and whether I’d gone for bib longs, or ¾ lengths. No bagginess, or similar detraction elsewhere. The toe box is generous allowing comfortable displacement-perfect for long steady miles, especially when tackling more technical, or seriously boggy sections, where shouldering the bike and trotting along can make more sense.
Rigidity/Power Transfer 3.75/5
From the off, this has been surprisingly good, though booties can always feel slightly remote compared with say a gravel, or sportier touring shoe, fierce, out of the saddle climbing on the fixed, my full weight on the pedals didn’t reveal any unwelcome flex. Better still when I switched to Denise and Ursula for longer, steady mixed terrain miles along roads carpeted in agricultural slurry and equally persistent rain.
Road, or trail, small, or bigger platforms, turning a steady 80rpm cadence, there’s been no issues with hot spots around the balls of my feet. Continuing this theme, no annoying squeaks, or creaks-something I partly attribute to the smooth mid-section. Sure, I wouldn’t be racing in them with any regularity and Shimano MW7 have an edge here and on the weight front. Not much but potentially significant if you’re trotting through heavy, clay soil. Credit where it’s due, the Algor will shed gloop pretty convincingly, given a firm surface, or having re-engaged with the pedals.
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Dismounting and running with the bike, there’s sufficient compliance for efficient, dignified runs and walking and while I’d always urge caution on icy, or otherwise slippery stuff, the sole has offered decent traction and feedback. As a side note, while other brands’ studs have worked handsomely, given the asking price, I can’t help thinking bunging in a set as standard would be good grace on Sidi’s part.
Waterproofing & Breathability 3.75/5
Some things are more waterproof than others - unless you’re wearing waterproof socks, any sole drilled for cleats will suck in some water, resulting in cold feet. That out of the way, the Algor has kept the lion’s share of heavy rain out. Nothing has infiltrated the waterproof zipper and heavy, persistent rain just beads up and rolls off the TPU upper from dusk till dawn, essentially.
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Despite the cleat drillings, which will suck some water inside, with sustained trotting through deep water, boggy bridlepath and similar. However, quick dashes through waterlogged sections haven’t permitted ingress.
With the perfect blend of wind, I’ve found rain could be driven inside the cuff, around the tops, although again, this was most obvious wearing three quarter lengths, full length tights provided a much better seal between the two and are the most likely choice during the darker months. Rain doesn’t wait for the temperature to fall. Throughout October and early November, it was decidedly soggy, but the mercury was still hovering between 13 and 17 degrees.
Even at the upper end, paired with merino blend socks, the Permatex lining has wicked heat very efficiently, leaving my feet unexpectedly temperate. I should point out, 17 degrees has been towards the end of a ride, but common during early spring, which can be very changeable. Insulation and breathability are similarly impressive when the mercury finally plummeted below zero. Icy crosswinds brought the air temperature lower still and paired with winter longs, I remained the right side of toasty for as long as my legs and circumstances allowed- typically 3 to 5 hours.
Durability/Care 4/5
The TPU uppers make the Algor incredibly straightforward to look after - no excuse for leaving them caked in salty, slimy stuff-outside of a testing context, obviously. As with the Shimano MW501 all I’ve needed is a quick shot of bike wash and a medium soft brush, such as the Green Oil Bike Brush worked into a lather and rinsed with warm water-same story for the soles. So long as you’ve not been sloshing water about there shouldn’t be any call to do more than allow them to sit on old newspaper at room temperature- ready to wear, given thirty minutes or so. My initial concerns around the zippers appeared to boil down to a faulty sample. Something that Saddleback quickly addressed under warranty. The TPU also relaxed a little, making them much easier to whip on and off. Otherwise, and as I’d expect from this end of the market, there’s no hint of wear, or deterioration seven hundred mixed terrain miles down the line.
Value 3.25/5
£225 is a lot to part with, so let’s look at the competition. Shimano MW7 Gore Tex MTB come in at £220 and have been my defaults for when the weather’s turning bandit. Their soles and slight weight advantage give them a slight edge over the Algor, and I found the BOA system quicker, dare I say more intuitive.
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However, they take a while to dry when right royally soaked. You can also spend a good bit more. Lake MXZ304 come in at £280. If you don’t mind leather and the slightly higher maintenance (feeding the hide periodically) and aren’t vegan, their BOA M4 closure and Vibram Soles. According to Lake, the shape is designed to trap warm air and as with the Sidi, a broader toe box continues this narrative promising excellent blood flow and circulation.
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Deeper pockets? Fizik Terra Nanuq GTX features a waterproof breathable rip stop upper, Gore Tex membrane and Vibram soles. There's also reinforcement at the toe and heel sections, fleece lining and BOA closures. However, these will set you back £289.99 and we’ve not set foot in them, so can’t comment on their real-world foul weather prowess.
Summary
he Sidi Algor are a very competent winter bootie. At face value, different, rather than obviously superior to the competitors discussed here. Like fort like and in the strictest sense, the fabrics are more waterproof than the Shimano MW7, but water can also get funnelled inside the tops, given the right conditions. This may also be down to individual rider quirks, but there are others, which won’t be to everyone’s taste, so I’d suggest trying a pair to see if you’re mutually compatible before parting with the cash.
Verdict: 3.5/5 Refined and comfortable winter booties, albeit with some quirks.
Michael Stenning
DECEMBER 2025
