Upgrades
Udog Cima
£220 | The latest lightweight climbers’ shoe from Italy
ITALIAN SHOE BRAND Udog’s debut shoe, the Tensione (£135; issue 395), impressed us with its clever close fit, comfort and value aimed at everyday riders. The brand’s second design, the Cima, is made for climbing, with a very stiff sole plus a woven upper offering targeted support, comfort and breathability.
The full-carbon outsole has built-in rubberised toe and heel bumpers and features a single forward-facing vent in front of the footplate with an exhaust port in the midfoot. Moulded-in cleat markers are a great touch and the unidirectional carbon finish looks premium. The outsole is exceptionally stiff and very well shaped and manages to work harmoniously with
The Good Generous fit, super comfort, impressive breathability
The Bad Not one for cold or wet days the comfortable upper.
The star of the show, however, is the light, woven and very well thought-out upper. The generous toe box uses a highly open weave kept my feet cool even on really hot days. The weave allows your toes a bit of wiggle room too, meaning the shoes stay comfortable on long rides.
On the side of the shoe, a triangular bonded section with a close weave inside it adds stability. Towards the back of the shoe, a linear weave allows the upper to stretch and form around your foot, without creasing, as the laces are tensioned. The heel cup is reinforced to add support.
The Cimas use standard (flat, nonstretch) laces in place of dials or ratchets, helping keep the weight down to an impressive 576.6g a pair (size 45/UK 10.5). The patented lace pocket (PTS) in the foldover tongue tucks under a broad elasticated strip, keeping the shoes tidy, as well as a little more aero than standard lace-ups. Head to Udog’s website to find the right lacing option for you.
With its great looks and fit, this highly breathable shoe competes with premium brands’ offerings.
Warren Rossiter
Rivals…
DMT KRSL
£329.99
Fizik Infinito R1 Knit
£359.99
Giro Empire E70 Knit
£199.99
Van Rysel Pro Racer Bibs
£89.99
BOASTING LASER-CUT LEGS, plus minimal and gloriously supple fabric, these mid-price Decathlon bibs have a top-end feel – it’s no surprise that the Cofidis UCI WorldTour team played a part in designing them. That lean and lightweight polyamide/elastane mix is best suited for summer riding (or under layers) and feels far too delicate for gravel rides, but the perforated back panel and straps make these a prime contender for sweaty turbo sets. The Elastic Interface pad is both shortand big-ride friendly.
Met Estro MIPS
£120
WITH A SMARTLY-INTEGRATED MIPS plate, plenty of head coverage and an EPS foam mostly covered by polycarbonate, the Estro is hard to question from a safety perspective. It’s also difficult to fault on the road, with the array of exhaust ports and channels offering great ventilation and the 277g (M) weight light enough for the outlay. However, the retention dial at the rear is a touch tepid and I’d prefer a more resolute click when adjusting it, plus it’s £30 more than my benchmark mid-range lid, the Giro Agilis MIPS (292g).