The hot “urban” moto-fashion trend focuses on innovation and style, without completely eliminating key safety elements. High-top motorcycle riding sneakers fall into this category and have made a big splash on the scene in recent years and many riders enjoy their casual, comfortable look over more traditional women’s motorcycle boots.

Sporty and casual, Dainese’s Street Biker Lady D-WP riding sneakers look and feel right at home on Harley-Davidson’s Sportster Iron 1200.

Dainese Street Biker Lady riding shoes are available in two versions, the waterproof ones I reviewed, and the “Air,” which cost about $10 less ($179.95) and are perforated for warm weather riding. Both styles feature a cowhide suede upper, rubber soles, nylon heel and ankle protectors, and reflective inserts.

The ankle-high lace-up women’s waterproof sneaker is offered in three colors—I chose the dark carbon/red ones shown here. They came with both light gray and black laces. Lacing them up versus using a zipper (on other motorcycle boots) takes a little longer to get them on and off, but laces allow for a perfect fit.

I love how the pink laces highlight the color in the anthracite/fuschia Street Biker.

The black/anthracite-colored Street Biker will match almost any urban outfit.

Dainese is an Italian manufacturer, so sizing is limited to European sizes 36 to 42 and no half sizes are available. According to the company’s sizing chart this translates into US size 4.5 to 9. However, I found this size chart to be a bit off. I typically wear a US size 9.5 or a European size 41. I ordered the Street Biker in 41 and they were a bit snug in the width, but the length fit me perfectly.

Dainese women’s footwear runs a little narrow. The Street Biker’s felt tight at first, but after wearing them about a half-dozen times they broke in well enough for me.

Based on my experience, I recommend choosing one size bigger than Dainese’s US size. I haven’t worn a size 8.5 since grade school.

The flexible sneaker construction is comfortable for walking so you can wear them all day once they’re broken in. Reinforced insoles prevent too much flex while riding.

The rubber soles don’t have much tread so beware of putting your feet down on gravel surfaces.

Grippy, stiff reinforcement on the toe prevents wear from the shifter on the left shoe. I like that the design is carried through to the right shoe as well, even though it’s not a technical necessity.

Nylon embedded in the inner and outer ankles adds protection where you’re most vulnerable in a crash.

Dainese Street Biker shoes include small reflectors on the outside of the heel for extra visibility at night.

After a full season of wearing these motorcycle shoes, they are still in like-new condition. They’ve performed well in all kinds of conditions, and are indeed watertight. But when I wear them on very hot days, I find my feet get very hot quickly. Still, they have become my go-to riding footwear for commuting and shorter rides because I like how they look and feel on and off the bike.

The Street Biker Lady D-WP retails for $189.95. For ordering and more information, go to Dainese.com.