Nobody would blame you if you wore these Metractive Air-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.
These are lightweight shoes that link a high level of ventilation to just the right amount of shoe to warrant safety. ‘Just right’ in this case means: ankle-high.
The suede inserts (perforated on the interior) alternate with ventilated ‘knitwear’: knitted textile, wear-resistant and sufficiently sturdy to inspire confidence when you put your foot down at a stop sign. This results in a healthy air circulation. The concession obviously being that there is no waterproofness. Choosing is always a little bit of losing and we’d rather focus on what we do get at DAINESE.
This adds up nicely, in an attractive design in a clearly sporty model. 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 higher the fashion level and the ‘we-look-less-like-motorcycle-shoes’ level, the smaller the odds are your shoes are equipped with proper gear lever protection. This is present here, even though the times of eye-catching plastic panels on top of your toes are long gone.
The combination of the Groundtrax®soles and an Ortholite-footbed ensure a high level of stepping comfort.
There is maintenance clothing and then there is clothing maintenance. Good,solid motorcycle clothing is an investment in comfort and personal safety. Invest in its maintenance after you buy it, and enjoy your gear for longer. We put the best tips & tricks on this maintenance page.
