By Brandon Bilyeu
Hot!
Nylon-Carbon composite sole is stiff and comfortable
Last takes the middle ground between skinny and wide
Single dial effectively locks foot in the shoe
5mm fore/aft slotted 3-bolt cleat mounting holes
Deep heel cup and effective grippers
Not!
UDOG dials don’t have micro adjust for loosening, only full release
Tension Wrap pressure points if worn ‘sprint’ tight
Only available in full sizes, no half sizes
Cost: $209
How obtained: review sample from company
Available: online, retail
Colors: White, White/Octane
Website: Sempre Cycling Shoes
RBR Sponsor: no
Tested: 25+ hours
Sizing: 38-48 (full sizes only)
Fit Comments: The size chart shows both UK and US equivalents, actual foot measurements in millimeters, and comparisons to other cycling brands (Fizik, Giro, Northwave, Sidi, Shimano, Specialized, DMT). I measured my feet at 267mm and tested size 43. I found the fit to be good, with enough clearance for my toes.Â
UDOG Sempre – Quality Construction and Clean Looks
The UDOG Sempre is a road cycling shoe with a Nylon-Carbon composite sole and polyurethane uppers that are closed via a single UDOG Twist Tech dial. The uppers are a wrap-around design without a tongue, and the laces incorporate udog’s Tension Wrap System. They offer a clean aesthetic, and the quality of material and construction is clear.
I can’t remember the last time I tested a pair of shoes that did not have a full carbon sole, but I have no complaints about the Sempre’s Nylon-Carbon composite. A quick bend test by hand does reveal some give, but high stiffness is only important under the cleat for power transfer and to avoid hot spots under foot. In my testing both indoors and out, I couldn’t detect any deflection at the cleat and have had zero issues with hot spots. I found the sole to be perfectly comfortable and sufficiently stiff. Rounding out the sole design are 5-mm slotted cleat mounting holes that allow a decent reward cleat position, front/rear vent holes, and non-replaceable front/rear rubber bumpers.
The single Twist Tech dial on each shoe has two functions: micro-adjust closure and full release open. Dial actuation is smooth and low friction which allows the shoes to be tightened quickly and easily. With no micro-adjust open, if you overtighten then you must fully release and start the tightening procedure over again. With this style of dial, I recommend starting a little loose and then slowly adding tension as you ride to avoid overtightening.
The non-metallic laces run through fabric eyelets and UDOG’s Tension Wrap System (TWS) at the midfoot. The TWS consists of a webbing strap anchored at the sole on each side of the shoe. The two loops of strap are then pulled snug around the midfoot when the Twist Tech dial is tightened. In general, I wear my cycling shoes relatively snug, and the TWS works well to achieve a snug fit with a noticeably strong hold along the midfoot. My only issue with TWS occurred when dialing the shoes extra tight for sprints or attacks on unsuspecting victims riding buddies. In these scenarios, the webbing straps created uncomfortable pressure points at the outside edges of my feet. So, if you like really tight cycling shoes, the Sempre might not be a good fit for you.
Last and Fit Designed for Real Feet
UDOG may be an Italian company, but thankfully they don’t follow the tradition of skinny and pointy footwear. The Sempre last width falls nicely between skinny and wide, so it should work well for most people. The toe box is relatively square and so avoids pinching the toes. The wrap-around uppers offer a generous volume for larger feet but also cinch down well to fit my low volume feet. The ankle is low cut to avoid any side or front irritation while a deep and tall heel counter with grippers does an excellent job at heel retention. I’ve been able to wear thin summer socks while on the trainer and thick winter socks while riding outside and the Sempre accommodate the volume changes without issue.
The uppers are perforated for average venting performance and are pretty easy to keep clean with a simple wipe down. An abrasion resistant toe cap helps minimize damage from wheel overlap strikes and also cleans easily. The white laces and white TWS straps are harder to keep clean and require a little more effort than just a wipe with a cloth.
Bottom Line
Good fit, comfort, and performance for most riders. The Nylon-Carbon sole should be sufficiently stiff for all but high-power sprinters and keeps the price reasonable. The Tension Wrap System works well but again might not work well for sprinters with super tight shoes due to pressure points.
Brandon Bilyeu is an avid recreational roadie who lives in Regensburg, Germany. He’s a year-round bike commuter and is a mechanical design engineer by trade. Click to read Brandon’s full bio.