Comparison test of DMT road bike shoes Expensive or cheap – which is better?

We compared both the entry-level model KR4 and the top model KR1 from the Italian road bike shoe specialist DMT. At least 200 € separate the two cycling shoes in price. Who needs the expensive car, for whom is the cheap shoe sufficient? We give a clear recommendation which shoe is suitable for which type of racing cyclist.

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Comparative test of DMT road bike shoes – in a nutshell

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DMT KR1

# The KR1 marks the top model at DMT and costs 349 euros.

DMT KR4

# For the entry-level class, the KR4 is available at a price of 150 euros.

Expensive or cheap - which is better?

There is no question that you should wear suitable shoes for road cycling or gravelling, which were specially designed for this sport and should not be discussed at this point. We are much more concerned with whether it is worth paying more than twice the price for a road bike shoe from the same manufacturer. Why is the top model so much more expensive than the basic shoe and who might be worth the extra cost?

Here are the detailed individual tests:

Test DMT KR1

Test DMT KR4

# Both shoes have a knitted upper - the KR1 (right) has it completely knitted, while the KR4 has a hybrid construction.

Comparative test of DMT road bike shoes – the evaluation criteria

In order to clarify this question, we put both the DMT KR1 for 349 euros and the DMT KR4 for 150 euros through their paces for several months and then rated the shoes in several categories. Which model you ultimately choose as your personal favorite is of course an individual question, which is also decided according to personal preferences.

Weight

Does it make a difference if a racing bike shoe is 50 grams lighter or heavier? Yes, definitely, because at a cadence of 90 revolutions per minute, your feet rotate around the bottom bracket 5,400 times per hour. On top of that, the frequency has to be changed frequently, so it stands to reason that light shoes have clear advantages. There are even supposed to be racing drivers who voluntarily squeeze themselves into shoes that are a little too small in order to save a few grams.

Back to our comparison: The KR1 weighs 254 grams per shoe, the significantly cheaper KR4 is even slightly lighter at 250 grams per shoe. And that despite the fact that we tested the KR1 in shoe size 42 and the KR4 in size 43! In this case, the cheaper KR4 is slightly ahead, although the difference of almost 10 grams per pair is of course very small in absolute terms.

Price

Looking at the bare price, there isn't much to argue about. After all, the KR1 is more than twice as expensive as the entry-level model KR4. However, if you take a closer look at the price-performance ratio, the situation is put into perspective. Not only is the upper of the KR1 much more elaborately knitted than that of the KR4, but also the carbon sole is technically more demanding and therefore also significantly more expensive to produce. Last but not least, the BOA closure on the KR1 is of higher quality and therefore a little more expensive to produce and purchase.

# Clear differences can also be seen in the soles - they not only affect the performance, but also the price.

fit and comfort

The cheaper KR4 has a good fit thanks to the knitted upper and offers decent comfort. However, if you have the opportunity to compare it directly with the KR1, it clearly falls behind. The fit of the KR1 feels like a well-worn running shoe, whereas the KR4 feels much more like a typical cycling shoe. This is mainly due to the more simply produced upper shoe and the much stiffer material that is used. The upper of the KR1 is soft and fits snugly to the foot, while the KR4 appears stiffer and less comfortable in direct comparison.

Only the high cut of the KR1 in the ankle area repeatedly caused an uncomfortable pressure point in our test shoe. The KR4 is cut much deeper in this sensitive area and avoids corresponding problems from the outset.

When it comes to the footbed, the two shoes are worlds apart. The sole of the KR4 is simple and smooth and also quite soft for a road bike shoe. The foot stands in the shoe without much support. The KR1 is completely different. Its sole is not only extremely stiff, but also completely anatomically shaped and supports the foot extremely well. There is not only very stable support under the arch of the foot, but also anatomically fitting shapes in the area of ​​the toe balls. You simply feel much more comfortable and better supported in the KR1, especially on long and strenuous tours and with high performance.

In terms of ventilation, both shoes work very well in the test, although here too the KR1 has its nose a good deal further forward in the wind. Another plus for the KR1 is the larger mounting area for the cleats. Compared to the KR4, it offers a few millimeters more adjustment range forwards and backwards thanks to the sliding thread inserts. In addition, it has a fourth attachment option for the Look Memory Adjustment System and ventilation openings in the sole, which further increase comfort.

# The DMT KR4 has a nylon composite sole with a simple mount for 3-hole pedal plates. # The threaded inserts on the KR1 can be moved by eight millimeters, the sole is made of carbon.

Limited range of sizes for the KR4

Also note that the KR4 is only available in whole sizes, while DMT also offers the KR1 in half sizes. Whether that's a problem or not depends on your feet. If all the sizes fit perfectly, everything is fine, if not, you were unlucky with the KR4. I myself wore the KR1 in a size 42 in the test and found this size to be perfect, while the KR4 in size 42 was clearly too small and was therefore worn in a 43.

performance on the bike

The performance of a road bike shoe on the bike is largely determined by the sole and the fit. Only if the foot is well supported and the sole is stiff enough can optimal and fatigue-free power transmission take place over a long period of time. Of course, the foot must also sit firmly in the shoe in order to be able to transfer the power to the pedal during the pulling phase. At the same time, the shoe should not pinch or chafe and thus cause problems.

More on the topicDMT KR1 road bike shoes tested Top class with knitted upperDMT KR4 road bike shoes tested Entry into knitted shoe technology Brooks Scape bikepacking bags tested Nicely done? New Specialized S-Works 7 Lace high-end road bike shoes with lacing # The KR4 is a solid and comfortable entry-level cycling shoe.# The KR1 offers outstanding performance and is also the first choice for ambitious athletes.

Anyone who has read the previous chapter carefully will already have guessed that the KR1 is clearly ahead in this important area. Fit, comfort and power transmission are significantly better and justify the hefty surcharge for performance-oriented racing cyclists. Both the sole and the upper shoe of the KR1 offer clear advantages that are particularly noticeable on the bike.

Conclusion

If you ride a few thousand kilometers a year or even pursue sporting goals in competitions, the KR1 is a significantly better racing bike shoe and should – if you can afford it – accept the surcharge. The gain in performance and comfort is worth putting significantly more money on the counter for sporty drivers. Road bike shoes are an important element in the question of whether long and demanding tours are fun or more of a pain, which is why the performance-oriented customer would ultimately save at the wrong end.

On the other hand, if you don’t do a lot of training on the road bike, ride rather relaxed and only occasionally pedal long and hard or go on a really long tour, you can also use the cheaper DMT KR4 without regret. This gives you a very decent and comfortable road bike shoe without any serious weaknesses. With a good insole, the comfort can be significantly increased and you still save money compared to the top model KR1.

# Expensive or cheap? - Both shoes have their place and appeal to different target groups.

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Text/Photos: Harald Englert