The waterproof and ankle-high DAINESE Urbactive GORE-TEX®-motorcycle shoe is a city dweller that acts much less outstanding than it actually is. It can perfectly act double, with or without a motorbike nearby and possesses a number of properties that set it apart nonetheless.
Let’s start with the most important feature: waterproofness. Hence, the Gore-Tex® in the name. Specifically, an integrated membrane right below the textile-with-suede exterior of this motorbike shoe. Is it 100% flawless? It’s still an ankle-high motorbike boot: hitting the highway during a heavy downpour will easily demonstrate how a sock feels in a washing machine. So, no. But take a look at the way the shaft is connected to your Achilles’ heel and the attention DAINESE has given to that and then you’ll also understand that lots of consideration has been given to the design and finishing. Inside and out.
In a motorbike shoe of this calibre, it is quite evident that the toe and heel have been reinforced and that the ankles clearly have some protection to fall back on. Harder on the outside, softer D-foam on the inside; a combination that works wonders and provides a high level of comfort. The plastic attachments on the outside make for somewhat of an exoskeleton, something which obviously improves the general sturdiness and stability.
Also important to mention: the Groundtrax sole is an impact-absorbing element. This instantly reduces the risk of your toes and ankle crossing each other after a collision.
The unremarkable gear lever protection and the reflective strip in the back almost dissolve in the designed lines which suggest its sporty roots.
The laces are relatively high up. Whoever hides the ends in the typical way doesn’t need to worry at all and even when you don’t, the risk of hiccups is rather small; there’s an elastic band that runs over the tongue of the shoe that is perfect for stowing away loose lace loops.
The CE-certification (Cat. II – EN 13634) is the reasonable result of the clever structure and ingenious finish of this ankle-high (and therefore, perfectly legal) motorbike shoe. The combination of the Groundtrax®-soles and an Ortholite-footbed ensure a high level of stepping comfort.
