UDOG Cima shoe review

Italian shoe brand UDOG’s debut, the Tensione, impressed with its clever close fit, comfort and value.

Building on the success of the Tensione, the brand's sophomore outing is the Cima, which is aimed squarely at climbing duties.

It combines the stiffest sole UDOG offers, with a multi-woven upper, formulated to offer support, comfort and breathability.

UDOG Cima shoe specifications and performance

The full-carbon outsole – which, perhaps in homage to Spinal Tap, has an arbitrary stiffness rating of 11 – has built-in rubberised toe and heel bumpers. It 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.

As per UDOG’s claims, the outsole is exceptionally stiff. It’s also very well shaped and, rather than being at odds with the pliable upper, the two work harmoniously together.

Undoubtedly, the star of the show is the Cima’s upper. The lightweight woven design is very well thought out.

The generously sized toe box uses a diamond-patterned weave that allows lots of air to pass through, keeping my feet cool even on some of the hottest days the UK summer has provided.

The flexible toe box also enables less restricted movement, making these a great shoe for big-mileage rides.

The shoe cleans up well, even though the woven material can trap dirty water and gritty road spray. Taking that into consideration, I’d reserve these mostly for dry-weather use, especially in the white colourway supplied for this test.

At the first toe knuckle is a triangular bonded frame. Inside this frame, UDOG uses a very closely woven material that combines to add stability to the upper.

The flanks have a linear weave, which enables the upper to stretch and form around your foot without creasing, as the laces are tensioned.

The heel cup is reinforced, which means the upper provides a superb combination of support and free movement.

The Cimas use standard (flat, non-stretch) laces in place of any dials or ratchets, helping keep the weight down to an impressive 576.6g a pair (size 45/UK 10.5).

One of the shoe's key rivals, the Specialized S-Works 7 Lace, weighs 494g in the same size, but won’t offer the same breathability on hot days. At an RRP of £300, it’s also significantly more expensive.

The Cimas also have a clever patented lace pocket (PTS) built into the fold-over tongue. This then tucks under a broad inch-thick elasticated strip, keeping the shoes tidy, and perhaps a little more aero than standard lace-ups.

UDOG’s website even includes lacing options to help you match the shoe to the shape of your foot and how you like a shoe to feel.

UDOG Cima shoe bottom line

Overall, the Cima is a great-looking, superb-fitting and highly breathable shoe.

While it's not designed for use in colder temperatures, it deserves to be considered alongside many leading brands' premium offerings.