Sidi are arguably the most iconic name in road cycling shoes and an undoubted market leader. The current president, Dino Signori, used his initials to name the company when it began in 1960, producing mountain sports footwear.
Change in the 70s
From mountain sports footwear, the 1970s saw them diversify into the two-wheeled markets which they would come to dominate – motorcycling and cycling. Since then, many of the best road cyclists in the world have worn Sidi shoes to their most memorable victories.
Heart of Cycling
The company are based in the Italian city of Maser, on the edge of the beautiful Italian Alps. Their headquarters location is not too far from top Italian bike manufacturers, Wilier and Pinarello. The list of Italian brands who dominate cycling worldwide is extensive, Sidi are unquestionably one of those top tier elite Italian brands, alongside names such as Colnago, Castelli, Campagnolo, Bianchi, Wilier and Pinarello.
Brand in Demand
From the early days, they were the chosen shoe manufacturer for the top riders. From the 1970s onwards, they were tested and worn by most of the big name racers, these included Hinault, Moser, Fignon, Kelly. Saronni, Hampsten, Fondriest, Zulle, Indurain and Ballerini. More recently Chris Froome and Egan Bernal have won the Tour De France wearing their shoes.
Technological Changes
The brand have been at the forefront of technological changes with cycling shoe closure since their early days. They pioneered the use of Velcro closure way back in 1983 and the ratchet system in 1989, as well as the modern wire systems in 2012. Soles too progressed from wood in the early days to nylon, carbon reinforced nylon and to full carbon soles in 2006.
1970s Sidi Titanium shoes featured bolted plate fixings (adjustable) rather than nails, revolutionary at the time!
1983 Sidi Revolution – First Velcro Closure
1989 Sidi Genius – First ratchet Closure
2004 Sidi Ergo – First Semi Carbon Sole
2012 Sidi Wire – First Wire closure system
2020 Sidi Sixty – A celebration of 60 years
The Sixty was developed to acknowledge to sixty years that they have been at the forefront of footwear manufacturing. It represents the pinnacle of the Sidi drive for excellence. All of the developments and tweaks over the years married together with Italian design flair, culminating in a shoe chosen by champions.
Not Just Road Shoes…
As well as road shoes, they have been producing mountain bike shoes since the early days of MTB. They were the shoe-maker of choice for double Olympic Cross Country Champion, Julien Absolon and many other top off-road riders. As you might expect, they produce gravel shoes (Jarin & MTB Gravel) which combine the best features from the road and MTB shoe range into one, mixed-terrain shoe.
See our full range of Sidi shoes for Road and MTB here.
Check out our Photo Timeline of Sidi Shoes Here.
