AS-DSL refers to the already successful collaboration between Alpinestars and Diesel. Apart from the usual suspects (motorcycle jeans), the collaboration also includes motorcycle gloves and these 'Akio' motorcycle shoes.
Ankle-high, sporty but above all youthful and stylish, this is urban motorcycle footwear that can be worn both on and off the bike. Will be worn. Casual, for all-day comfort. The close fit has a lot to do with that. This motorcycle shoe is pretty much the opposite of a clog: tight, without wanting to create that feeling. A bit Alice in Wonderland: small on the outside and very roomy on the inside. Surprisingly spacious. Perhaps the 'bumpers' on the front and back increase that effect even more.
The sole delivers excellent grip, regardless of whether you're on tarmac or a footrest. The fact that Alpinestars chooses a double, oil-resistant rubber compound as a base material is a big part of that. In terms of textiles, you can effectively expect a dose of denim from a motorcycle shoe that is the result of a collaboration between Alpinestars and Diesel. This is assisted by nubuck leather for extra durability, and because leather is a very pleasant and rewarding material in any motorcycle shoe. To add to the durability, the forefoot gets a rubber extra layer and an EVA patch, where you operate the gear shifter.
Don't expect hard ankle cups or a tip that looks like it came from a safety shoe. Alpinestars and Diesel opted for TPU, admittedly certified and approved safety material, but that for the most part keeps it practical and low profile. This is just as much a walking shoe as it is a motorbike shoe, a city shoe as an office shoe.
You get in and out of the shoe with laces. No zipper in sight here. The Akio motor shoe is first and foremost a shoe. Reinforcements are present in the form of an ankle protector and a TPU plate over almost the entire length of the shoe. An OrthoLite® technical inner sock makes it easy to get in and out of the shoe. The fact that the Akio is a breathable and therefore rarely overheated motorcycle shoe is a big part of that.
Guaranteeing waterproofness is never a good idea when the top of a motorcycle shoe is lower than the slightest splash of water. So we are not going to do it.
Not waterproof, but casual on and off the bike, and a bit Alice in Wonderland.
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.
