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Fizik Vento Powerstrap R2 Aeroweave weave lightest, stiffest, most breathable road shoes

Fizik Vento Powerstrap R2 Aeroweave road shoes, lightest lightweight most breathable stiffest full carbon sole road bike shoes
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fi’zi:k has been dropping lightweight Powerstrap velcro versions of their top road & gravel shoes for over a year. But the latest Vento Powerstrap R2 Aeroweave is more hi-tech than anything else Fizik have put out to date. Adding the simple, light closure to a new open synthetic net Aeroweave upper and a new ultra stiff carbon sole, Fizik calls these the lightest, most breathable & stiffest shoes in their range…

Fizik Vento Powerstrap R2 Aeroweave light, breathable, stiff road shoes

We’ve been catching glimpses of the Vento Powerstrap R2 Aeroweave on & off since Eurobike where they won an innovation award. We correctly assumed that Aeroweave would mean improved ventilation, and that Powerstrap would help make them lightweight & probably keep the price from being astronomical. But the new second-tier R2 designation suggested they wouldn’t supplant the Infinito R1 as their top road shoes. In the end, that wasn’t altogether correct. Sure, the Infinito R1 remains Fizik’s most expensive shoe with top-level performance, and it is likely to remain the regular choice of the Movistar pro riders.

Fizik Vento Powerstrap R2 Aeroweave road shoes, lightest lightweight most breathable stiffest full carbon sole road bike shoes

But the new Vento Aeroweaves have them beat on everything except fine Boa-dial adjustment.

Vento Powerstrap R2 Aeroweave – Tech details

Fizik Vento Powerstrap R2 Aeroweave road shoes, lightest lightweight most breathable stiffest full carbon sole road bike shoes

The shoes feature an all-new full UD carbon sole that they call “the stiffest outsole in the fizik range” with a claimed stiffness index of 10/10. The new R2 carbon sole is said to have been developed with a UD layup that both “saves weight and delivers increased stiffness” (presumably over the R1 sole). The new sole also appears to offer more cleat position adjustability (moving rearward for better pedaling efficiency), a replaceable heel block, as well as a larger vent opening with deep internal channels for improved cooling.

Fizik Vento Powerstrap R2 Aeroweave road shoes, lightest lightweight most breathable stiffest full carbon sole road bike shoes

Improved ventilation is of course a hallmark of the new Aeroweave upper as well, calling these their most breathable shoe. Working to increase airflow, these are the first shoes to come out of Fizik’s new Concept rapid prototype lab & advanced production division.

Fizik Vento Powerstrap R2 Aeroweave road shoes, lightest lightweight most breathable stiffest full carbon sole road bike shoes

The net-like Aeroweave upper weaves together opposing light nylon fibers and thermoplastic filaments to create a supportive, durable structure that allows almost unfettered airflow.

Fizik Vento Powerstrap R2 Aeroweave road shoes, lightest lightweight most breathable stiffest full carbon sole road bike shoes

On top of the new carbon sole & mesh upper, when you add in a light version of the simple Powerstrap velcro straps which are lighter than any dial or ratchet closure, you end up with a super light shoe overall. The new Vento Aeroweaves then are more than 10% lighter than the Infinito, for a claimed 205g weight per Aeroweave shoe (size 42.5).

Vento Powerstrap R2 Aeroweave – Pricing & availability

Fizik Vento Powerstrap R2 Aeroweave road shoes, lightest lightweight most breathable stiffest full carbon sole road bike shoes

The new Aeroweave shoes sell for 350€, a bit less than the Infinito R1 but more than twice their next most expensive velcro shoe. The Vento Aeroweave is offered in black weave only (that will show what color socks you are wearing through it) and comes in half sizes from 37-37, plus 36 & 48. The new Vento Powerstrap R2 Aeroweave road shoes are available now from Fizik & their dealer network.

Fizik.com

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Tom
Tom
4 years ago

Curious if the material in the upper expands with moisture content, as nylon does. My old Sidis, which base the upper in nylon mesh, changed fit pretty dramatically (looser) over the course of a ride. The way these fit in the store may not be anything like the way they fit on the road.

O. Tan
4 years ago
Reply to  Tom

Sounds like they need dyneema

David
David
4 years ago
Reply to  Tom

I bought a pair, have ridden them in wet and dry and the good news is they don’t expand or change fit with moisture. They also dry out incredibly quickly and don’t take on weight as the material doesn’t absorb or hold any moisture.

THEODORE ALLEN
THEODORE ALLEN
4 years ago

never understood why brands build a ventilated shoe for hot weather, but paint it black…..

Patrick Cavender
Patrick Cavender
4 years ago
Reply to  THEODORE ALLEN

Think heat build up inside the shoe where it matters vs. heat build up on the surface where it is continually scrubbed away by airflow.

Dolan Halbrook
Dolan Halbrook
4 years ago
Reply to  THEODORE ALLEN

Because every shoe ends up blackish-grey anyways with enough time and weather…

Velo Kitty
Velo Kitty
4 years ago

Just a data point here, but I live in a hot climate, but I don’t see any need for ventilated shoes. I’ve never once thought to myself “Gee, my feet are hot.”

Tom
Tom
4 years ago
Reply to  Velo Kitty

Try riding Bonts when it’s hot out. Your feet will feel like tea bags

O. Tan
4 years ago
Reply to  Tom

I like Bonts but yeah, their shoe looks soooo dated.

Robin
Robin
4 years ago
Reply to  Velo Kitty

It’s suffice to say that circulation in extremities and temperature sensation/perception varies quite a bit in the population. As such, your experience could very well not be the norm for the cycling population.

TheSweetCyclists
4 years ago

It’s interesting to see a velcro strap at this price point. Curious if these provide a more uniform pressure than BOA dials.

Ben
Ben
3 years ago

I just got a pair yesterday. Have done about 50 miles in them across 2 rides so far. They replaced a pair of Infinito R1s. I’m not willing to say that it’s more uniform than the BOA, but I have some issues with pressure on the tops of my feet (I’ve been riding Fiziks mostly for their asymmetric closure which really seems to help, even on a single BOA shoe, which I won’t ride on a standard closure.) and I’ve had no issues even strapping them down pretty tightly.

My worry with a material like this would be that the inside would be rough or prickly which is a problem I’ve had with other shoes that used a lot of nylon-ish mesh in the upper. Even wearing my lightest weight socks this morning they were comfortable.

I’m going to wait until after my long ride Saturday to really pass judgement, but so far they seem like awesome shoes.

stuart
stuart
3 years ago
Reply to  Ben

Hi Ben

And 3 months in?

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