Udog Distanza gravel shoe review

Udog’s new Distanza inherits its 3D-knitted upper and laces-only design from the brand's road bike shoes.

Here, it's paired with an all-new outsole and a modified design that's targeted specifically at gravel riding.

Certainly, the Distanza is distinctive looking, but underneath the aesthetic is a shoe that will tick many boxes for lots of riders.

Udog Distanza details and specifications

The issue with many gravel shoes is that they can be an adaptation of lightweight, super-stiff cross-country race shoes, such as the Sidi Jarin or Specialized Recon Gravel – overly stiff and not always fit for purpose.

The Distanza, however, has been designed from the ground up for gravel riding.

The emphasis of the shoe is on riders, as opposed to gravel racers, who are catered for by the lighter, stiffer Distanza Carbon.

The Distanza’s upper is woven, with a one-piece weave for the front end of the shoe, that’s then sewn to the rear quarter.

This means the 3D-mapped front section can combine more open weave sections through the midfoot. Udog says this helps the shoe conform to the shape of your foot better.

Up front, on the flanks of the toe box, a tighter weave provides plenty of structured support, although Udog has opened up the weave on the top of the toe section to improve breathability.

The Distanza fastens with simple laces, but they are used with Udog’s patented ‘Tension Wrap System’. This sees twin inverted V-shaped ribbons on either side of the midfoot tethered to the laces.

These ribbons then wrap under your foot (through the underside of the sole) sitting between the footbed and outsole.

Udog says this design creates 16 points of contact between the upper and your foot, keeping your foot secure.

The rear of the shoe uses a much tighter woven material and an internally reinforced heel cup with plenty of padding.

I like that the heel has a stitched-in reflective ribbon. This not only makes it easier to pull the shoes on and off, but also to hang them up to dry when they get wet and muddy.

The outsole features a stiff carbon cleat plate, while the rest of the outsole is carbon/nylon to improve compliance.

It’s wrapped in a distinctive natural rubber tread that runs from heel to over-the-toe, designed to offer additional walking grip and protection.

Udog Distanza performance

On the bike, the Distanza is a supremely comfortable shoe to wear.

Its knitted upper matches the comfort of the brilliant DMT GR1, although I don’t think it’s as light and airy. Having said that, I’ve tested the Distanza through February and March in the UK, and in those cool-to-cold conditions, it was a great match.

I thought the knitted upper would be overwhelmed by cold, wet conditions, but while it wouldn’t be my first choice when the weather's terrible, I came away quite impressed.

The wrap-over rubber on the toe section helps to stop water and grime from getting through to your socks head-on, so you only need to deal with inevitable puddle water sometimes sieving through the upper.

The great news is, the Distanza sheds water and dries out remarkably quickly.

The sole has just enough stiffness so as not to impede pedaling inputs, yet just enough flex to mould around your feet as you bike hike and scramble up trails when your tyres have given up gripping.

The wrap-over rubber on the toe offers lots of protection and plenty of grip when you’re running with your bike.

At 383.2g in a size EU45, the shoe is reasonably lightweight (beating Sidi’s excellent MTB Gravel shoes by 35g in the same size), especially because the sizing is broad and generous in volume.

In fact, I could possibly step down a size, but being able to use thicker cycling socks without feeling squeezed was most welcome.

At £160, they undercut the MTB Gravel by £35, and the similarly constructed DMT GK1 by £30; Quoc’s similarly stylish Gran Tourer IIs are £30 more expensive. That makes the Distanza a strong value proposition.

Udog Distanza bottom line

Overall, the Distanzas are among the best gravel shoes on the market.

The fit is excellent and they’re very comfortable. The sole isn’t overly stiff, while the rubber tread provides plenty of grip and protects the outsole when walking.

Add in a highly breathable upper that dries quickly and it adds up to a very attractive proposition.