The latest performance road shoes from Fizik – the Tempo Powerstrap R5 – are a return to basics. While most companies have reached back to laces for the fully retro look & light adjustability, the Italian shoe & saddle company doesn’t go so far back in time – just returning to velcro straps.
Fizik Tempo Powerstrap R5 affordable road shoes
The Tempo Powerstrap R5 isn’t quite a top-level road shoe for Fizik. That R5 designation suggests a mid level performance road shoe. And these get the same carbon reinforced nylon shoe as the standard Tempo Overcurve R5s which use a single Boa closure. But the new two-strap crossing Powerstrap closure does shave weight off the standard R5 and brings the price down as well.
Fizik Tempo Powerstrap R5 Tech Details
The new shoes are the first to unveil the new Powerstrap Velcro strap design, but are rumored to not be the only shoes to get the new closure. Instead of a simple strap closure that pulls the two sides of the shoe together like you usually get in a velcro strap shoe, the Fizik Powerstrap traces back and forth across the forefoot pulling together more like you get with dial closure shoes. Then the upper strap offers more conventional tightening over the midfoot.
The rest of the shoes construction is shared with the other R5 family, including the same flexible perforated synthetic upper.
Of course even with wide, quality velcro, straps are cheaper than dials & wires. So these new Tempo Powerstrap R5 shoes sell for just 119€, down 30€ from the Boa equipped R5. That reinforced road sole is pretty isn’t overly light too, so these weigh in at 499g per shoe to deliver performance stiffness (more than twice the weight of Fizik’s top R1 shoes, weird?).
UPDATE: OK, so much like we suspected, that 499g weight is actually for the pair, making these a nice light, affordable option. Fizik for some reason quotes the weight on these shoes for the pair, instead of per shoe like most of their lineup. Anyway, good news for anyone looking to buy a simple, affordable, light road shoe!
The new shoes are available in all black, white & black, navy & black, and red & black. They come in wholes sizes 36-48, and half sizes from 37-47. Get them now direct from Fizik or through regular retail channels.
