Like every Sidi cycling shoe I’ve ever bought, the Sidi Dominator 5 Mountain Bike Shoe is both a work of art and a superb shoe. This shoe offers true Italian craftsmanship and you can see it in every stitch. When you read most reviews for cycling shoes you will find a lot of talk about the “break-in time.” In my opinion the Sidi Dominator 5 does not have a break-in period—it is perfect straight out of the box. I have not experienced any hot spots or pressures points in this shoe at all.
Sidi 2011 Dominator 5 Mountain Bike Shoes
The upper on this shoe is made of a soft, breathable, hand-stitched Lorica synthetic leather microfiber that will keep your feet nice and cool due to its cooling mesh inserts (you will need a pair of toe covers in cool weather). Lorica is an incredibly strong, yet soft, material that stands up well to the abuse it takes on off-road trails and many hours spent riding in the rain.
This shoe has three closing straps. At the top there is a soft arch compression strap with an Ultra SL buckle that you can easily adjust as you ride. In addition, there are two high security Velcro straps that stay in place regardless of circumstances. This shoe is compatible with a variety of cleat and pedal combinations. I have used both SPD and Crank Brothers Egg Beater cleats on this shoe without any problem.
Sidi Dominator 5 Mountain Bike Shoes
Sidi offers this shoe in an amazing variety of sizes. Standard sizes go from 38–52 (EU), with half-sizes from 38.5 to 46.5. Mega (wide) width shoes go from 40–52, with half-sizes from 40.5 to 46.5. Narrow widths from 40–50 are also available, with half-sizes from 40.5 to 46.5. If you have wide feet these are the shoes for you! The Mega (wide) shoes are very comfortable and have a very wide toe box. I have found these shoes to be true to size.
My only complaint about this shoe is that toe spikes (mud studs) were not included in the box. Toe spikes are available, but they are going to cost you another $15. I like riding with toe spikes even when the trails are dry—the spikes can really take a beating and then be replaced a few years later at very little cost.
The Sidi Dominator 5 Mountain Bike Shoes are not cheap—the retail price is $260, but you can usually find them online for around $230. If you are on a tight budget you might want to consider the Lake MX235C Mountain Bike Shoe.
