For the past few months, I’ve been testing two of Fizik’s latest cycling shoes, which incorporate a lightweight, ventilated, and breathable design. The road and offroad shoes featured in this article are from Fizik’s Vento line, the company’s performance racing series designed in collaboration with professional cyclists.
The Vento Powerstrap road shoe features the innovative second-generation Aeroweave material. Fizik touts this updated fabric as being lighter and softer than before, enhancing comfort and performance. Aeroweave woven fabric increases ventilation while still maintaining support. It interlaces nylon fibers with filaments of thermoplastic polymers that don’t lose their original strength, support, or structure.
For offroad cyclists, the Vento Proxy gravel shoe is designed with a PU laminated mesh that has exceptional durability and is resistant to tears. It has different uppers and lowers than the Powerstrap road shoe, but the Proxy is also lightweight and will stand up to the demands of gravel and CX.
Vento Powerstrap Aeroweave Road Shoe
Price: $379.99
Colors: Coral/Purple | White
Materials: Aeroweave upper, R3 full carbon outsole
Closure: Powerstrap with Velcro closure
Stiffness index: 10
Weight: 204 grams for one shoe
Sizes: 36-48 EU (37 to 47 also in half sizes)
How obtained: Company sample
Availability: Online and retail
RBR advertiser: No
Lightweight, stiff, and powerful
The Fizik Vento Powerstrap Aeroweave road shoe captured my attention right out of the box. As someone who wears a 45 EU, I’m often limited to more masculine color choices. I was thrilled these shoes were available in coral and purple alongside the classic white. They are sharp, and when I’d show up to a group ride, people couldn’t help but notice and ask about them.
I also noticed how incredibly lightweight they were. Each shoe weighs approximately 200 grams, thanks to the innovative Aeroweave fabric. Being lightweight translates to quicker pedal strokes and noticeably reduced fatigue on longer rides. Having previously experienced the Powerstrap closures on other Fizik models, I knew they would fit like a glove.
Setup and Customization
Installing the Shimano 3-bolt cleats was extremely quick and easy. The channel down the middle of the sole aided in lining up the cleats, but then I tweaked it using a cleat installation guide I purchased a few years back. Since I have flat feet, I swapped the insoles for a more supportive after-market version.
A center channel and markings make it easy to install cleats accurately.
When I finally slipped my foot into the shoe and cinched the dual Powerstraps, I felt my foot enveloped. The Vento Powerstrap configuration uses a ribbon that wraps around the foot, unlike traditional Velcro closures that just pull the two sides of the shoe’s upper together. The instep and midfoot are adjustable to customize the fit. Even with my narrow foot, there was no gapping at the ankle. The textured silicon inside the heel prevents the foot from slipping during pedaling. These two features combine to minimize foot movement within the shoe, even when putting a lot of power on the pedals.
Riding Experience
Then, off I went on my first of many test rides. The R3 carbon outsole’s stiffness index of 10 maximizes power transfer and was immediately apparent when climbing hills. Fizik’s R3 outsole aligns with the latest bike fitting trends, featuring a recessed cleat position, optimizes pedaling efficiency, and reduces knee compression. I increased my speed during my rides, and there was a nice cooling effect through the Aeroweave and two sole vents.
Durability and Protection
The shoe includes a modest toe bumper for protection. Although when starting from a stop, I catch the pedal with my toe, which contacts slightly above this bumper, I’ve observed no significant wear on the material so far, which speaks to the shoe’s durability.
Color Options and Sizing
Beyond the eye-catching coral and purple, these shoes are also available in white. Sizing is available from 36-48 EU, with sizes 37 to 47 in half sizes.
Considerations
There are a couple of drawbacks to note. While enhancing breathability, the mesh material also means that colored or patterned socks are visible through the shoes, which might not appeal to everyone. Additionally, these shoes are unsuitable for year-round use in colder climates, as even with shoe covers, they offer little protection against winter temperatures.
Bottom line
I put well over 300 test miles on these shoes, with rides ranging from 25 to 65 miles. The Fizik Vento Powerstrap Aeroweave road shoe is lightweight, breathable, and has a stiff carbon sole. All these features combine with the Powerstrap closure to give you one awesome road shoe. They make my feet happy.
Vento Proxy Gravel Shoe
Price: $249.99
Colors: Coral/purple | Sky Blue Reflective | Black
Materials: PU Laminated mesh upper, X3 fiber composite outsole with rubber thread
Closure: Li2 BOA Dial A Fit System
Stiffness index: 8
Weight: 346 grams
Sizes: 36-48 EU (37 to 47 also in half sizes)
I set up the Vento Proxy gravel shoe using 2-bolt Shimano cleats for my test rides and opted for more supportive third-party insoles for a personalized fit.
Material and Design
While the Proxy gravel shoe uses a lightweight, breathable fabric like the Powerstrap Aeroweave, this shoe fits my foot very differently. The Proxy uses BOA textile lace guides that evenly distribute the tension across the foot to eliminate pressure hot spots. The Li2 BOA Fit System features a single dial that allows for precise adjustments of fit and tension.
Fit and Comfort
The shoe accommodated my narrow forefoot comfortably, but I noticed some gapping at the ankle. This design might not be ideal for narrow feet, as the heel tends to lift when walking. Incorporating cat tongue fabric or textured silicone bumps, similar to the Vento Powerstrap road shoe, could be beneficial to enhance heel stability.
Ventilation and Durability
A translucent PU laminated mesh optimizes ventilation, similar in concept to the Aeroweave fabric. It also reduces the weight of these gravel shoes. At 346 grams per shoe, the Vento Proxy is one of the lightest shoes I’ve tested, translating to less leg fatigue. The upper material is highly durable and tear-proof to withstand the demands of off-road riding.
Performance and Traction
The redesigned X3 fiber composite outsole with a stiffness index of eight significantly enhances power transfer efficiency. The robust rubber tread provides excellent grip on flat pedals and improves traction for off-bike activities, whether during a cyclocross race or a casual stroll in a café.
The redesigned X3 fiber composite outsole with a stiffness index of eight significantly enhances power transfer efficiency.
Experience and Utility
During my test rides, which ranged from 25-50 miles, the shoes’ breathable uppers kept my feet cool and comfortable. I plan to take these shoes on my upcoming 150-mile trip on the Mesabi Trail. Similar to the Aeroweave shoe, the translucent fabric of the Proxy allowed the graphic design of my socks to show through.
Pricing and Aesthetics
With a $249.99 price point, the Proxy comes in standard black plus two great color choices ― coral/purple and sky blue reflective. My test pair came in sky blue reflective, which is more teal with navy and red lacing guide accents—a very smart look for an offroad shoe.
Bottom Line
The Vento Proxy Gravel shoe excels in cycling performance with its superior ventilation and lightweight design, making it ideal for summer rides. However, improvements could be made to accommodate narrow feet better, particularly to prevent heel slippage while walking.
Sheri Rosenbaum regularly contributes articles and reviews products for RBR. She’s an avid recreational roadie who lives in the Chicago area and a major advocate for women’s cycling, serving on the board of directors and volunteering with the Dare2tri Paratriathlon Club. Click to read Sheri’s full bio or visit her web site sunflowersandpedals.com.