this is Ryan from Motonation, the US distributors of Sidi. The place you are going to want to go is linked below. If you visit the site you will notice this guy specializes in resoling off road type boots. He does all of our warranty sole repair and the only guy that Motonation stands behind his work. You will also notice on the site, no matter the boot, he only uses Sidi soles.

http://www.factoryresole.com/

as for the warranty, I am not 100% sure. But I will ask. All Sidi boots are covered by a 2 year warranty by Motonation. The lifetime warranty by gore-tex though is not something I am completely familiar with...well the details at least. They are pretty pecular and strict in the rules on their warranty as well as the production. Gore-tex Sidi boots must be built with leather approved by gore-tex vs. the Rain models which are constructed of Lorica.

The construction and design of the boots must be approved by gore-tex as well, so I am sure the stitching of the soles plays into that some how. I dont know if this would be the case, but I have also seen resole jobs where the mold a new sole onto the stitched sole instead of unstitching the boot and restitching a new sole back on. If that was the case, I would see no reason why they would not be covered under the lifetime warranty after the repair since the construction actually wasnt compromised at all.

I will find the answer and get back to you as soon as I know.

http://www.factoryresole.com/

Ryan

There are a few differences.

1. Construction - Adventure Rain models are constructed of Lorica, while the Adventure Gore-tex are constructed of Top Grain Italian leather. In order to create gore-tex models, Sidi must purchase and used the approved leather by gore-tex.

2. Breathability - Since the Rain models are made of Lorica, by technical standards of how the materials work (lorica vs. leather) the Rain boots have slightly better breathability. That being said, we have yet to have anyone say the Gore-tex version doesn't breath better or worse.

3. Warranty - All Sidi boots are covered by a 2 year warranty. The only extended warrantees on Sidi boots come from the Gore-tex Lifetime guaranteed that the boots will be waterproof. If your boots leak after the 2 years of purchase, you would contact gore-tex. And again, that warranty is only for the waterproofness of the boots, not the manufacture defect warranty that Motonation provides in the first 2 years of purchase.

Guaranteed waterproof, full-grain leather construction.

I think otherwise it's the same boot.

Now, since the boot is only $100 more than the ADV rain, it really makes it easier to swallow. For me, the extra $100 was worth it. I think any serious adv riding involving streams, rain, long distances, etc. would benefit greatly from the added waterproofness.

I just learned the difference. The Adventure Rain is not waterproof, it is only considered Water Resistant. I recently rode from upper Maine to NY in heavy rain the whole distance; my feet were wet at the end of the trip. Sidi made it very clear that the Adventure Rain is a water resistant boot so the wet toes was possible after a long ride. It is not waterproof. Sidi honored my complaint by allowing me to pay the difference to upgrade to the Gore-tex version, So does that answer why it is $250 more to get it waterproof.

The Sidi Adventure Gore-Tex boots are identical to the Sidi Adventure Rain boots with the exception that the waterproof membrane is made by Gore as opposed to another lesser priced (presumably inferior, but I doubt it) brand. PERSONALLY, I find that Gore-tex on a textile jacket or pants is value-added, but Gore on the inside of an all-leather or a leather and plastic boot just adds cost without benefit (Sorry Anthony, I know you are a Gore disciple)