Test: DMT R1 road shoe – Italian style with comfort

DMT R1 racing shoe test: Anyone looking for cycling shoes made in Europe will find what they are looking for at DMT, for example. The Italian manufacturer has been in the business for decades and is more than an insider tip for those who don't know what to do with American brands from the Far East. Above all, however, DMT stands for high quality and a good fit, which is made clear by the new top model, the DMT R1.

Every cyclist knows that a carbon sole is standard in the upper price segment. The high rigidity of the material is also nothing new, even if almost every manufacturer cites this as a quality feature. Of course, the shape of the sole seems to be more important, and DMT is one of the most innovative providers: With the R1, the material of the sole is raised laterally, so it supports the foot laterally, which the carbon can of course do better than a flexible upper material. In addition, the sole is slightly wider in the front area, which proves to be extremely comfortable after several hours of continuous pedaling. Anyone who rides with individual insoles should also benefit from the slightly wider carbon sole, especially since there is a little more space in the shoe.

The DMT R1 also ensures a high level of comfort on the top of the foot – still the most important feature of a cycling shoe. The tongue is particularly noticeable here, which is comparatively wide and thus covers a larger area on the instep. On the other hand, it is equipped with an inner core made of polyurethane, which ensures optimal pressure distribution of the BOA closure (more on that in a moment). And thirdly, the tongue can be fixed with two Velcro points so that it does not slip when the shoe is fixed.

As mentioned, the latter is done with two BOA fasteners, whereby DMT opts for the high-end version, which can not only be tightened with a "click", but can also be loosened just as sensitively. This enables optimal adjustment on the go, for example if your feet swell on a long journey in extreme heat. The closures are opened as usual by pulling the knob upwards.

Unusual for Italians: the DMT R1 fits perfectly!

As a result, DMT has dispensed with an additional Velcro strap on the forefoot of the R1 - this almost always has no usable function and instead impairs the look. Current cycling shoes should be as straight and smooth as possible, and this is exactly how the top model from the Italians presents itself.

A low weight is also very important for cyclists, but you shouldn't take the matter of moving masses too seriously - if you let lighter shoes gyrate, you have a psychological advantage at best. DMT states 225 grams per shoe in size 41, our test sample weighs 296 grams in size 45. It should be noted that these are really size 45 cycling shoes – ie a rider with shoe size 45 does not have to choose 45.5 or even 46 ; the R1 in size 45 fits perfectly.

The DMT R1 is available in white, black, yellow and orange, with the inside always being black; the BOA buttons are colored accordingly. An elegant accessory that is not only reminiscent of noble Italian shoe fashion because of its origin.

Conclusion DMT R1

The DMT R1 convinces with a good fit and a lot of comfort; it also offers the best closure on the market. 269 euros for the top model of a top brand, which also has a lot to offer - that's an extremely fair price.