DMT Prisma 2.0 Road Shoe

The Prisma 2.0 is the new top-end shoe in the DMT range and, although it doesn't look as action-packed as some, there are plenty of tech features to ensure a comfortable, efficient performance.

The sole is made from Toray MR60 carbon fibre, which also goes under the alias of 40 ton high modulus carbon. There are nine layers of carbon woven in there and it's virtually impossible to bend in any direction. Up-down, side-to-side and torsionally, it's very stiff – we seem to say that a lot when testing high-end shoes. Looks like manufacturers have got sole rigidity sorted these days; we review quite a lot of models where movement is negligible even when the weight is very low.

The sole doesn't extend up around the sides of your foot like it does with Lake and Bont shoes we've tested, so your feet can move a little more than with those. Whether that's a good thing or not depends on your preferences. What one rider sees as stability, another rider might see as restrictive.

You get heel and toe guards that, although they look plasticky, keep the actual sole off the ground as you walk and so avoid damage. I found that they'd slip on damp roads a bit more than rubber guards but, on the plus side, the rear one is replaceable should you eventually wear it right down.

The uppers are mostly made from micro-fibre. It's lightweight and very supple so the shoes conform easily to your foot shape. It's very comfortable too: no worries at all on that front. Plus, the micro-fibre is incredibly easy to clean; a quick wipe or brush will have it looking as good as new. There's no grain for dirt to get lodged in like you find with some leathers.

Huge areas of mesh let fresh air in and the moist air out. I've been riding in these over winter so sweaty feet haven't been much of a problem, but I know that plenty of air can get in because when I've been out without overshoes on my toes have told me so.

The external heel counter isn't the most rigid in the world – in fact, it's fairly flexible – but I didn't have any problems with heel lift when riding. Even when purposely pulling up on the pedals during sprinting, my feet stayed firmly in place. The inner section around your heel is a slippery material too so I had expected my foot to slide about. It didn't happen, though, so no arguments there.

Closure is handled by an ATOP cable and dial system that works a treat. If you've ever used Boa, it's a lot like that: you turn the dial and it draws in the cable. When you want to slacken the fit, you just turn the dial in the opposite direction. It just takes one hand so it's easy to use on the fly, and it's not a problem if you have wet fingers or are wearing full-finger gloves.

Systems like this tighten the shoe evenly from the bottom of the laced section to the top. I could have done with more tightness at the bottom because the shoe was loser in that section, but that's not an option here. That's the only real downside.

The tongue is generously padded so I felt no particular pressure over the top of my foot and the insoles are heat-mouldable. That's really easy to do. You put them in the oven for a few minutes at 82°C, sling them in your shoes, put your feet in and do them up. Then you just allow the insoles to cool.

You can do each insole twice although there's no reason why you wouldn't get it right first time. The insoles are pretty comfortable to start with, but moulding them does make a difference, shaping them more precisely to your feet to keep the pressure even and move the comfort up another notch.

The fit is fairly generous – which is unusual for anything coming out of Italy (DMT are based in Verona). I found these wider across the toe box than many other bike shoes. I had to tighten the laces right in to get them to fit correctly at the front and could possibly have gone for a size smaller than normal. That's why we always advise you to try before you buy when it comes to shoes; the best shoes in the world are no good if they don't fit your particular foot shape.

Overall, I've got on well with the Prismas though. As I said, the outsoles are mega-stiff, the insoles and uppers are comfortable, and the Atop closure is very good. At 670g the pair (size 46), they're a little heavier than most other shoes we've tested at this price, but we're talking about 38g heavier that Shimano R315 and 74g heavier that Bont Vaypor – not loads.

The Prisma is also comes in a white, black and red version, and in fluoro green and black. A Speedplay-specific sole is available too.

Verdict

Comfortable top-end road shoe with a mega-stiff sole for efficient power transfer.