This article was produced in collaboration with DMT
Developed alongside Tadej Pogačar and weighing just 195 grams in size 42, the new Pogi's Superlight represents DMT's most ambitious performance shoe to date.
The latest iteration builds on the foundations of its predecessor with significant advances in weight reduction, aerodynamics and power transfer, while maintaining the comfort and fit that have become hallmarks of the model.
One of the most significant improvements concerns weight, which has been reduced by 11%.
Lightweight design and knit construction
Much of the weight-saving effort focused on the Full Engineered 3D Knit upper, which is approximately 15% lighter than the previous generation. Built using a seamless, one-piece construction, it incorporates strategically engineered support zones designed to adapt to different areas of the foot, eliminating internal seams and material overlays.
This approach is intended to deliver a consistent, close-fitting feel, while the 3D Knit structure enhances breathability and moisture management during riding.
(Image credit: DMT)
"The DMT Product Development Team analysed and refined every single component of the Pogi's, with the goal of unlocking its full potential in terms of weight reduction and performance gains. The final result is the precise sum of numerous optimisations," explain Nicola Minali, Head of R&D and Sponsorship at DMT, and Fernando Simeone, DMT's Technical Product Manager.
"In particular, we should highlight the Superlight carbon outsole, engineered to the highest technical standards, the Engineered Knit upper, which uses ultra-lightweight yarns while maintaining the same strength as the previous Pogi's, and the innovative construction that allowed us to refine the overall technical package while reducing the number of components involved.
The development work extended far beyond reducing the weight of the upper, encompassing the shoe's entire architecture with the aim of improving ride feel and pedalling efficiency.
"We integrated this advanced component package with an innovative construction that enabled us to enhance the overall feel of the shoe and lower the stack height between the outsole and the pedal axle. This results in more efficient power transfer while also contributing to a reduction in overall weight. The project involved resizing and refining specific components according to clearly defined technical objectives, and the final result meets the highest expectations that have long distinguished DMT."
For the Italian company, Engineered Knit technology remains one of the defining elements of the project, thanks to its ability to combine support, elasticity and comfort within a single structure.
"DMT's Engineered Knit technology allows us to create a seamless one-piece upper while integrating varying thicknesses, strategically reinforced zones and differentiated levels of elasticity directly into the structure itself. Unlike traditional uppers assembled and stitched from multiple sections, a knit upper functions as a fully integrated system, delivering an unmatched level of fluidity as well as superior transmission of inputs and sensations. Even the lace guides are engineered directly into the knit structure rather than being applied separately. This helps explain why the wider sports industry regards knit technology as one of the most significant innovations in sports footwear over the past twenty years."
(Image credit: DMT)
Aerodynamics and component integration
The shoe continues to rely on a lace-up closure system, a solution chosen both for its weight-saving benefits and its ability to distribute pressure evenly across the top of the foot. The laces are housed within the redesigned AeroSafe Pocket, reshaped to sharpen the shoe's aerodynamic integration. The overall profile has also been reworked to optimise airflow management.
Aerodynamics was one of the key focal points in the shoe's development, with improvements targeting both its profile and several construction details.
"Aerodynamics is a core theme across the entire DMT range, and the Pogi's Superlight represents the ultimate expression of this philosophy. We refined an already high-performing platform by reworking the last and creating a sleeker, more streamlined shape, while preserving the fit that has always distinguished the Pogi's model. The Superlight carbon outsole features a tread pattern designed with airflow in mind, but the real strength lies in the smooth surface of the upper, made possible by the lace closure system. Finally, we reversed the opening of the pocket used to house the laces, further reducing aerodynamic drag generated by the shoe's components."
For DMT, the choice of laces is also a key element of the model's design philosophy and a solution the brand has been developing across its range for many years.
"When it comes to lace closures, DMT is far from a passive observer of a trend. In fact, a closer look shows that DMT has been one of the leading forces behind the technological evolution and renewed appreciation of this closure system, which has featured across numerous models in our range for years. Thanks to the shared vision of Tadej and the DMT R&D Team, we have been able to develop this concept to a level that may still seem futuristic to some, while for DMT it is already the present—and the next stage of evolution.
From a technical standpoint, the combination of lace closure and DMT Knit technology gives the Pogi's Superlight class-leading aerodynamic performance. It is also worth highlighting the system's ability to adapt naturally to the rider's foot over long distances, delivering a level of comfort and ride feel that is difficult to replicate with other solutions."
Superlight carbon outsole and power transfer
Power transfer is handled by the new Superlight Carbon outsole, developed in-house by DMT. Its high-stiffness monocoque carbon construction has been engineered to maximise pedalling efficiency and minimise energy loss, while keeping weight to an absolute minimum. Another key area of development focused on reducing the distance between the foot and the pedal axle, a solution designed to enhance pedalling feedback and improve biomechanical efficiency throughout the pedal stroke.
(Image credit: DMT)
"The Superlight Carbon outsole is first and foremost a DMT-exclusive technology, designed to deliver outstanding lightness and maximum power transfer through the use of premium materials and purpose-engineered construction. Combined with the innovative architecture of the Pogi's Superlight, it has enabled us to further reduce stack height and provide the kind of direct, connected feel expected by professional athletes.
We also paid close attention to ventilation, carefully balancing its benefits across both warm and cold conditions—an approach that perfectly complements the Knit philosophy at the heart of the Pogi's Superlight."
Behind the shoe lies an integrated process that brings together design, research, testing and manufacturing under one roof, allowing DMT to maintain direct control over every stage of product development.
(Image credit: DMT)
"Keeping manufacturing in-house, alongside Design, R&D and Testing, allows us to establish an efficient workflow built on communication, analysis and the continuous refinement of both data and processes. Sharing a common DNA enables every department to focus its efforts in the right direction, without wasting valuable time or resources, ultimately strengthening our expertise and channelling it entirely towards the quality of the products we create.
Finally, it is important to remember that DMT is a team and, like any great team, it is driven by the passion and commitment of every individual who contributes to it."
Developed in partnership with Pogačar
The Pogi's Superlight was developed within the framework of DMT's long-standing collaboration with Pogačar, who has worn the brand's shoes since the beginning of his professional career. Direct feedback from the Slovenian champion shaped the project at every stage.
"The insights, observations and technical exchanges we shared with Tadej Pogačar helped strengthen every stage of the Pogi's Superlight development process. A partnership of this calibre continually pushes the bar higher, making this a shoe designed for riders who want to experience the sensations and performance standards demanded at the very highest level of the sport."
Alongside the purely technical work, the project also involved extensive attention to design, with the aim of achieving the right balance between performance and the model's visual identity.
"The shoe was born from our collaboration with multiple-time champion Tadej Pogačar, and for this reason its design places particular emphasis on balancing aesthetics and performance. Styling and technical development worked hand in hand to fully express both sides of the Pogi's Superlight character.
Beyond the technical refinements made to the shoe's shape and profile, attention was also given to details that make this product truly distinctive: the contrasting laces, the Pogi's logo, the new positioning of the DMT logo and the semi-transparent toe section."
(Image credit: DMT)
Features and safety
The Pogi's Superlight retains the Ice-Key system, an NFC chip integrated into the left shoe that allows first responders to quickly access the rider's personal information and emergency contacts in the event of an accident. DMT was among the first companies in the cycling industry to introduce this technology into a cycling shoe and continues to offer it on models designed for competitive use.
Completing the specification are replaceable dual-compound rubber heel pads, designed to protect the carbon outsole from wear during walking and to allow easy replacement over time.
