The Distanza is UDOG's first gravel shoe, sitting alongside the Cima and Tensione road shoe – both of which really impressed us in testing.
As with the brand's road cycling shoes, the Distanza uses a knitted upper.
However, for the Distanza, the upper is treated with a weather-resistant coating. It also features bonded sections of a waterproof rubber-like polymer at the toe, heel, outstep, and instep to protect from rock strikes.
The shoes also feature the same patented 'Tension wrap system’ lace system as the road shoes.
This sees two inverted V-shaped ribbons wrap under your foot through the underside of the upper, sitting between the footbed and outsole. The laces then pass through these ribbons.
UDOG claims this design creates 16 points of contact between the upper and your foot, improving support when pedalling or, as this is a gravel shoe, when scrambling up steep slopes.
UDOG uses flat laces that, according to the brand, don’t stretch like a round lace. The laces can then be tucked into an elasticated pocket at the top of the tongue of the shoe.
The Distanza is available in two versions – the range-topping Distanza Carbon and the standard Distanza.
As the name implies, the Distanza Carbon uses a carbon outsole. The standard Distanza uses a carbon-reinforced nylon sole.
UDOG says the Distanza Carbon has road shoe-like levels of stiffness, whereas the more compliant nylon shoe is better suited to multi-day adventures.
Both models share the full natural rubber tread that covers all but the spine of the outsole and the cleat plate.
The chunky rand that wraps fully over the toe box of the upper is a feature we haven't previously come across in a gravel shoe.
We’ve got both the Distanza carbon and the Distanza in for testing. Our sample shoes (size 45 EU/10.5 UK) weigh in at 379g each for the Distanza Carbon and 383g each for the standard Distanza.
The shoes are available now and priced at £220/€250/$300 for the Distanza Carbon or £160/€180/$200 for the standard Distanza.
