Everyday motorcycle sneakers

Come on, it's just you and me, I admit it. Yes, I rode in Converses my first few years as a biker. It was the South, it was the beach and the warm sand. Mea culpa. In my defense, in the Joe Bar Team, Paulo les Gaz had them on his feet, so I was convinced they were the height of style. And it matched the youngtimer look of my little 125 DR. Except that when I passed the big cube, I was made aware of it by an exceptional instructor. Fortunately, today you can ride every day in sneakers AND in complete safety. I might as well tell you that I didn't hesitate!

The urban motorcycle shoe, with its chic traditional cut, is great if you're a banker, lawyer, doctor or just... old.

But if you want to be sure of wearing your motorcycle gear every day, you need something that suits you and your look in life. Otherwise, your daron's leather boots will stay in the closet, and the Converses will reappear as soon as the warm weather arrives. So if, like me, you usually wear casual sneakers (not Nike sports shoes), well, keep that habit on your bike! As the saying goes, you've got to look the part.

Since you're going to be wearing them every day, there are a couple of things you need to know, because they're not exactly like your Galeries Lafayette shoes either.

1 . Motorcycle sneakers are high-top sneakers (or they're not approved, so watch out). So you're not going to be able to take them off in the evening like a pair of Vans. They're designed to resist tearing off in a fall, so you can always try, but... So, personally, I prefer models with side zip fasteners. It's invisible, the laces are decorative, but at least you don't have to worry about putting them on and taking them off every morning and evening. And since you don't have to force your ankle through them, your pumps will last longer.

2 . Converses aren't waterproof. And on a motorcycle, in everyday life, it can (often) get wet. There are sneaker models without a waterproof membrane. You just have to accept it when your feet get wet. The advantage is that you don't have to be a pressure cooker when it's hot. Or there's the Gore-Tex solution, which breathes and waterproofs. Of course, this comes at a price. But the assurance of staying dry and avoiding fungus at the same time can be worth it. On the other hand, let's face it: when it's really, really wet, unless you've got your feet tucked under the apron of your scooter, the rain's bound to get in your sneakers. No, no, it's not that it leaks. It's just that they're not boots: the water on your futal will eventually run into your socks through the "big door" that is the top of your sneaker. You just have to know it. Style has its limits...

3 . Sneakers need maintenance. Chances are, despite their "sporty" look, your shoes are made of leather (which is even better). So that little bit of grease every now and then isn't a big deal, and it can really help them become pretty, lifted grannies rather than wrinkled old things. And if they're made of textiles, you can clean them too, with a damp sponge.

Once you get used to the malleolus protection and the slightly rigid upper, well, these sneakers... you're never going to leave them. It's even disturbing to put on "normal" sneakers again, you feel naked. With my motorcycle sneakers on, I go to the restaurant, I go to the cinema, I run when I'm running late (often). I've even danced in them! They're tough and very comfortable to wear. In short, motorcycle sneakers are like kittens (before they pee on the sofa): to try them is to adopt them.