Sharing many features with the premium Vento Ferox Carbon sibling model, the Fizik Vento Proxy shoes opt for a single Boa Li2 dial and composite sole combined with a robust mesh upper. Designed for fast-paced riding and racing in warmer climes, the shoe is heavily ventilated, which also means that it dries out exceptionally well.
With a great fit and pleasing aesthetic, these summer-focussed gravel shoes have gone straight to the top of the pile.
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Fizik Vento Proxy gravel shoes design and features
The most noticeable part of the Fizik Vento Proxy shoe is the chunks of mesh upper for maximising ventilation around the toe box and mid-foot. The laminated polyurethane mesh upper has been designed to be robust, reinforced with a rubberised toe box and heel.
The sole is rated an 8 for stiffness according to Fizik, made of a composite rather than carbon, which allows for a little more flex. If you’re planning on using them for cyclocross racing, you’ll be pleased to hear that there are ports for studs, too.
A single dual direction Boa dial secures the fit, which is available in half sizes from 37 to 47 as well as 36 and 48.
Fizik Vento Proxy gravel shoes performance
I wasn’t surprised to find that the Fizik Vento Proxy shoes fitted really well, as I’ve found my foot shape compatible with many other Fizik models, including the Terra Atlas gravel shoes. Not only did I enjoy the roomy rounded toe box, but I also found it quite deep. As my big toe curves upwards slightly, this gives plenty of room (unlike other options like the Giro Sector gravel shoes).
The shoes are very highly ventilated, which is great for keeping your feet dry and comfortable on hotter days, though they won’t see you through the colder winter months. They’d pair up well with the Fizik Terra Artica X5 GTX boots, though, to keep you shod at either end of the year.
The other benefit of this very meshy shoe is that it does also dry out very quickly, which is good news if your ride includes river crossings or wet weather conditions.
I was intrigued by the inclusion of toe stud fixings for these shoes, as they’re predominantly for summer use, so less suitable for cyclocross. I suppose there still is the odd round of summer cross with wet and muddy conditions, though I think the probable reason is a universal sole for multiple models, including shoes with uppers that are more winter-ready.
The rubber tread of the Fizik Vento Proxy shoes is grippy enough when off the bike on hike-a-bike sections, and it hasn’t appeared to show any issues with durability after the testing period.
The gravel shoes were comfortable on long rides, with a perfectly shaped heel cup not digging in at all and enough room to allow the feet to swell a little in the heat without feeling constricted. The premium Boa Li2 dial means you can also knock off a couple of clicks easily enough on the fly. The only niggle that I experienced was that the tongue was prone to slipping to the side of the foot, which I then reset at a cafe stop.
At 614g for my EU40 pair, they’re neither the lightest on test (with the Shimano RX8 shoes weighing a feather light 518g) nor the heaviest (the Rapha Explore shoes weigh 652g).
Aesthetically speaking, I’m a big fan of these shoes. The black colour on test goes with everything, and if you think they’re a little boring, there’s also white, hot pink and coral, and a bright blue and grey design to choose from.
Fizik Vento Proxy gravel shoes review verdict
A comfortable pair of gravel shoes that excels in warm weather, the only major downside of the Fizik Vento Proxy is that their versatility is limited by their specificity. If you do a lot of riding in hotter climes, then the £229 price tag may warrant consideration, as the quality of the shoe certainly stands up to that price.
Source link : https://www.cyclist.co.uk/reviews/fizik-vento-proxy-gravel-cycling-shoes-review
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Publish date : 2024-08-06 22:38:47
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