Nobody would blame you if you wore these Metractive D-WP-motorcycle shoes even when there’s no motorbike around. They can perfectly double for streetwear or urban sneakers or whatever the kids call them these days.
DAINESE developed a number of Metractive versions. These – the Metractive D-WP – is the waterproof version. It therefore has a number of obvious differences with let’s say the Air-version, that’s designed for another purpose.
In this case, it also gives a wider range, as in: more months in the year to wear them. They are still lightweights that are ankle-high, which again has a number of consequences.
The full-grain leather of the exterior is wear-resistant and sufficiently sturdy to inspire confidence when you put your foot down at a stop sign. If that happens to be in a puddle, the integrated D-WP interior will ensure its waterproofness. It’s obvious that ankle-high, waterproof laced shoes cannot perform miracles.
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 inserts on the inside; a combination that works wonders and that combines sturdiness with comfort.
Although from afar they might look a bit traditional, their sporty side is never far away either. Opening them up and closing them is done with laces. The top of the tongue has a pushbutton and a wide cover flap, easy to stow away the ends (and especially the loops) safely.
DAINESE expertly calls this a ‘lace garage’.
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.
The higher the fashion level - and the level of ‘we don’t really look like motorcycle shoes’-, the smaller the chance your leather shoes have a full-fledged shifting reinforcement. No problem on a scooter but on a motorbike, the multitude of shifting will quickly cause wear and tear. A shame of the leather shoes because this “wear and tear” will not often be incorporated in the warranty conditions.
You’d better take precautions, give yourself a hand or a foot in this case and add an extra layer to your leather motorcycle shoe or your gear lever. There are a number of options available in our range.
