Honestly, I’ve seen some seriously dodgy Sidi knock-offs floating around the interwebs and, like, flea markets. It’s a real bummer because Sidi, when they’re the real deal, are actually pretty decent shoes. I mean, they’re not *always* the best fit for *everyone* (remember, fit is king!), but the quality is usually there.
But these fakes? Forget about it!
First off, let’s be real, if you’re seeing a price that’s *way* too good to be true, your spider-sense should be tingling like crazy. A real pair of Sidi wires, for example, costs a pretty penny. If you’re finding them for, like, a quarter of the price? Yeah, that’s a red flag waving frantically. I’d say, don’t even bother!
The biggest problem, aside from the obvious online fraud aspect, is the *quality*. You might think, “Hey, they look kinda similar, who cares?” But trust me, you *care* when your foot’s slipping around inside a shoe that’s supposed to be providing power transfer. And carbon soles? Forget about the purported power transfer benefits from carbon soles, it’s probably just painted plastic!
I’ve even heard stories (maybe just online rumors, who knows?) about these fake soles literally cracking mid-ride. Imagine that! Suddenly your cleat is detached and you’re face planting into the pavement. No thanks!
And don’t even get me started on the materials. Real Sidi uses good-quality leather or microfibers. These fakes? Probbaly the cheapest, most plasticky stuff they can find. Your feet will be swimming in sweat, and they probably won’t last more than a season, or maybe even a few rides.
Look, I get it. Sidi’s can be expensive. But seriously, is saving a few bucks worth risking an injury? Or getting stuck with a shoe that falls apart after a few rides? IMO, it’s really not. You’re better off finding a *real* shoe, even if it’s a different brand, that *actually* fits your feet and is made well.
