If you find getting a comfortable fit in your cycling shoes a problem, you’ll want to shortlist Fizik’s latest shoe, the Vento Stabilita Carbon when you’re looking for new kicks.
It’s the product of Fizik’s research programme with academics and technologists, with the aim of improving cycling performance.
Fizik says that the new shoe has a highly adjustable plantar support system that’s designed to adapt to your foot’s anatomy and prioritise foot stability, so you don’t waste power with unnecessary foot movements.
Called Dynamic Arch Support 2.0, the shoe includes a wide, adjustable strap that emerges from the inside face of the sole and wraps over the inner side of the midfoot.
It’s designed to provide customisable support for the plantar arch – that’s the series of blood vessels running under the instep and supplying your forefoot with blood.
Fizik says that the support offered by the strap helps to stiffen up the foot’s medial arch, which in turn leads to efficient power transfer. Adjustability is via the upper of the shoe’s two Boa dials.
The second component of Fizik’s new fit system is its separation of the volume adjustment for the instep and the forefoot. Fizik says that the shape and volume of each part of the foot can vary widely between riders, so its use of a second Boa dial at the front of the shoe lets you alter each separately.
Fizik uses a new Boa dial model called the Li2 on the Vento Stabilita Carbon. It has a smaller diameter than Boa’s previous dials and a lower profile for better aerodynamics. The uppers are made from a laminate of a polyurethane layer over a mesh fabric that Fizik says reduces stretch as you ride and ensures effective support.
The upper sits on Fizik’s latest sole, which it says is the stiffest in its range. It’s moved the cleat bolt holes a bit further back relative to its current shoe models, which it says increases pedalling efficiency and reduces stress on the knees.
The Vento Stabilita Carbon is designed for pro-level racing, where saddles are tending to be set further forward for a lower, more aggressive riding position. Fizik says that the adjusted cleat bolt positioning works well with such a set-up.
Fizik quotes a weight of 227g for the Vento Stabilita Carbon, although it doesn’t specify in what size, and that’s also without a footbed. Since most people ride with two shoes and probably want a footbed in each (which Fizik says weighs 20g), we reckon that’s a smidgen under 500g a pair.
The new Fizik Vento Stabilita Carbon is available in sizes from 36 up to 48, with half sizes between 37 and 47. The shoes will set you back a hefty £374.99 / €400 / $399.99 / AU$599.95.
