Pas Normal has paired up with Fizik, to create a flashy new set of premium shiny silver carbon-soled road bike shoes. I have a hard time figuring out if I should call them dancing shoes or silver disco slippers. Style aside, one thing is for sure. They don’t skimp on performance or finishing. These are on par with the stiffest pro-race-ready shoes that Fizik makes. And the little details drive home that luxurious feel.
Fizik x Pas Normal Studios Mechanism carbon road shoes
Even though Pas Normal Studios has shown us in recent years that they can develop some of the most advanced technical apparel solutions out there, the brand still isn’t afraid to say that fashion is one of their biggest drivers. They wanted to create a premium race-ready road shoe when they sat down with Fizik to hash out this project. But they prioritized style first. And leaned on Fizik’s shoemaking expertise to be sure the performance side wasn’t lacking at the end of the day.
So what makes the Pas Normal x Fizik shoes unique?
While Fizik’s own latest shoes have relied on mixed material meshes, asymmetric wrap-around designs, and striking color combos – Pas Normal wanted to keep it simple but flashy. Chrome always looks fast. And silver seems to go well with any other color combo. So Pas Normal opted for a two-tone silver laminated synthetic upper.
Instead of adding mesh cutouts or basic perforations, Pas Normal had Fizik laser cut tiny slits into the outer polyurethane layer of the upper. The resulting herringbone pattern opens up to the mesh backing of the upper across the midfoot of their Mechanism shoe for ample ventilation. They do the same across the padded tongue. Although there, the slits are a bit wider and go all the way through the foam for even better airflow.
Then, to tune your precise fit, Pas Normal opted for a classic Boa Li2 closure. Even though the lacing is a simple and direct 2-loop layout, Pas Normal x Fizik take it to the premium extreme with polished full aluminum dials and clear-coated laces that let you see the twisted metal wires inside.
The result is a shoe that is at once, both simple and opulent.
Tech details
Beyond the custom supportive PU upper, the Pas Normal x Fizik Mechanism road shoes are built on Fizik’s max 10/10 stiffness R2 full carbon vented sole. That’s the same one you find on the top-tier Vento Stabilita & Vento Inifnito being raced in the pro peloton, with a replaceable heel tread block.
Claimed weight is 235g (per shoe, size 42 without footbed, as usual). Our size 43 shoes weigh 263.5g per shoe with the lightly supportive Fizik insole.
First Rides
I’ve had Pas Normal’s shiny new disco slippers for almost a month now, but haven’t really put too many kilometers on them yet, as spring hasn’t quite defeated winter in Central Europe just yet. But my foul weather riding is a great testing ground. And on an unseasonably cold day, it became very apparent that those little herringbone-patterned slits do a competent job of letting air in. I’m not too worried about overheating in these dancing shoes come summertime.
The laminated polyurethane upper is also apparently quite easy to keep clean. Wet and grimy road spray wipes right off, and my silver shoes still look brand new. Plus, the slits are already darker that the shiny outer PU material and not quite wider enough to accumulate grime. So, I suspect the shoes will keep looking good now matter how dry and clean your roads are.
Fit-wise, unsurprisingly the Pas Normal x Fizik shoes have the exact same narrow, low-volume fit as the rest of Fizik’s top-tier carbon road shoes. But these alloy Boa dials truly are a joy. They feel so much more tactile than even the premium plastic Li2 dials. And are simply nicer to adjust. Finely dial in extra tension, or back off tension in chunkier 2x steps. Now, I want to retrofit other Li2-equipped shoes with these aluminum dials.
Pas Normal Mechanism x Fizik road shoes – Pricing, options & availability
The new Pas Normal Mechanism x Fizik carbon road shoes sell for $490 / 450€ in silver only in EU half sizes 37-47, plus 36 & 48.
That makes them a bit more expensive than any other shoes in the Fizik catalog. I asked Fizik why they were more expensive when they look relatively simple. And Fizik explained that it simply boils down to more expensive materials. With the alloy Boas making up a big portion of that. I guess fancy style comes with an appropriately premium price tag.
Order the new shoes direct from Pas Normal or Fizik websites. Or find them in Pas Normal Studios clubhouse shops now. Pas Normal also does a special edition of the Fizik Ferox Carbon for the fashion-forward gravel & XC riders out there, too.
