When it’s time to pick a gravel shoe, there’s a lot to consider. Road bike shoes are able to focus entirely on performance but when it’s time to look for gravel bike shoes they have to not only perform on the bike but off the bike too. They have to be able to take a beating while remaining stiff enough and comfortable enough to handle gravel racing or just a long day on the bike. It’s a complex design challenge and in some ways, it’s still waiting for just the right design to solve it. Despite the challenges, there are some very good options available today. We’ve put together our list of the best gravel bike shoes available based on a variety of needs.
One of the brands on that list is Fizik, and its Terra Powerstrap X4. It’s a shoe that a few of us have used and enjoyed but it’s also something of a mid-range all-road focused option. Recently Fizik brought a new option to market called the Fizik Vento Ferox Carbon. It’s a shoe that boasts top-tier performance and a greater off-road focus. In many ways it’s a combination of the Terra Powerstrap X4 and the Terra Atlas but with a greater focus on performance. Now that we’ve had a chance to put in the time with them, we are ready to share our thoughts. If you are looking for a new pair of performance shoes for gravel cycling, keep reading to see if these new shoes from Fizik are right for you.
Design and aesthetics
The Fizik Vento Ferox Carbon are one of a growing number of options out there that are bringing a clear focus on style to the gravel shoe market. There are two colour options available with one of them being stealthy black on black. The other is the real show stopper though with Lilac/White being the official name. There’s a soft purple outer that’s highlighted against detail of black, white, and touches of fluro yellow. Each time a new colour shows up, it’s there to highlight a specific design detail.
The look of the outer comes from the layered construction. On the inner surface is a soft woven textile. It feels like a low pile felt and it’s covered in ventilation dots. This is the piece that’s actually lilac Above that sits a fine mesh layer. It’s semi-translucent white and there is an angled square structure running through it for additional…
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