Designed for fast-paced gravel, cyclocross and mountain biking, the Fizik Vento Ferox Carbon cycling shoes are a premium option for the most dedicated racers. But how does this top-tier (and top pricetag) shoe stack up on test against the competition?
Fizik’s Vento Ferox Carbon are very comfortable shoes considering how stiff the performance-oriented sole is, leaving little to moan about but the cost.
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Fizik Vento Ferox Carbon design and features
Featuring a closure consisting of both a Boa Li2 dial and a wide hook-and-loop strap, the Fizik Vento Ferox Carbon shoes incorporate a carbon fibre outsole for maximum stiffness and pedalling efficiency.
The soles have siped rubber lugs and ports for adding studs for the cyclocross racers, while the two-bolt cleat plate offers plenty of adjustment and graduated lines for easy cleat setup.
The laminated polyurethane mesh upper is highly perforated for breathability, and the heel cup features a series of silicone dots to give a more secure fit and prevent slipping.
While Boa dials can be replaced, the Vento Ferox is designed as a ‘crash-proof’ system, with the robust strap designed to keep the shoe secure regardless of any incidents.
Fizik Vento Ferox Carbon shoes performance
The Fizik Vento Ferox Carbon shoes were easy to set up, thanks to gradation marks on the sole for even cleat placement. The foot is held secure in the shoe thanks to three elements; the Boa Li2 dial on the mid foot, which can be wound in both directions for easy adjustments on the fly, the wide hook-and-loop strap across the top of the foot, and the silicone dot lining of the heel cup, which gives a snug fit without causing irritation.
I had no qualms about the shoe’s performance on a mixture of road, gravel and singletrack trails, both on the bike and some short technical hike-a-bike sections off the bike. Though the sole is certainly stiff, it’s not uncomfortably so, so short sections of hike-a-bike were no problem at all. Likewise, lengthy day rides didn’t end in foot discomfort. Unlike some other gravel shoes, I didn’t find the heel cup too aggressive, and it caused no irritation.
At 620g for my size EU 40 pair, these are not the lightest gravel shoes, but they’re far from the heaviest. The Fizik Vento Proxy shoes are a shade lighter at 614g per pair, though for riders prioritising lightweight kit, the Shimano RX8 shoes shave off another 100g at 518g per pair.
The materials used have fared well on test, proving to be robust against flying stones and mud. The uppers are also easy to wipe clean, meaning that you can keep them looking fresh for longer.
Fizik has done a good job of making a hook-and-loop strap – all too commonly associated with shoes for children or the elderly – look good here. I hadn’t previously thought about how useful it could be in a race setting where a broken Boa dial or ratchet can be a race-ender, but it certainly seems to work well. Proving to be durable despite the mud, there’s a good reason why it’s used in military applications, after all.
Fizik Vento Ferox Carbon shoes review verdict
The Fizik Vento Ferox Carbon shoes live up to Fizik’s performance claims. Though they are not as lightweight as some competitor models, they don’t sacrifice comfort, even on longer day rides. If you can justify the cost, these are high quality and durable shoes that should last for many seasons to come.
Source link : https://www.cyclist.co.uk/reviews/fizik-vento-ferox-carbon-gravel-shoes-review
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Publish date : 2024-08-01 13:16:44
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