You can trust Cyclingnews
Our experts spend countless hours testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.
The unidirectional (UD) carbon sole of DMT's new range-topping shoe extends tub-like a little higher than average all around the base of the shoe, and taller still at the heel and arch for solid foot support.
Highs: Looks, fit, sole, performance and price
Lows: Disappointing ventilation, stained socks
Buy if: You want a good-looking shoe that suits a wider fit and don't mind your feet getting a little warm
Its sculpted underside accepts any three-hole cleats, has a replaceable heel bumper and mesh-covered toe vent, which feeds 175mm holes in both the inner sole and footbed, which are aligned for cooling. There's no toe bumper though, and any walking immediately marks the front of the sole, which is less than satisfying for an expensive shoe.
The striking two-tone microfibre uppers combine a matt black inside half with glossy outer, although if you don't fancy orange, yellow or white, there is an all-black option.
Two Boa dials deal with fine fit adjustment, and the shaped tongue is reinforced to counteract pressure from the wires, with a Velcro patch ensuring it stays centred. Perforations on both sides provide additional ventilation, and the heel liner includes anti-slip rubberised dots.
Shorter, wider fit
DMT advises going down by half a size from your normal shoes, they are available in sizes 37-47. Our size 44.5 pair weighed an impressive 583g. Compared to many of our usual size 45 shoes, the R1s are a little shorter in length, but slightly wider than previous DMTs, which should suit more feet.
The supplied footbed is a minimally thin fabric-topped foam number that follows the sole's anatomical profile. The sculpted arches offer good support, and the soles are as stiff as you could want them to be. With summer socks on, the ventilation wasn't that noticeable, and even after our second dry ride, the black inners had stained our socks.
Foot security is very good, with fine adjustment coming from the Boa dials, and no heel slippage. We were able to dial in good upper solidity without squashing our fairly wide feet, and although a little pressure was felt through the tongue, it wasn't a problem.
Hard climbs and sprints were efficiently dealt with and long ride comfort was very good, thanks to the fit, and some internal padding, but this also limits the R1's cooling ability.
