Gravel shoes: Test update on the Fizik Vento Ferox Carbon x Pas Normal Studios bike shoe

The Fizik Vento Ferox Carbon gravel and mountain bike shoe from the Italian manufacturer is a classy shoe in its own right. A cooperation with the Danish cycling brand Pas Normal Studios (PNS) has resulted in a special model in which the shoemaking art of the Italians meets the design aspirations of the Danes, whose cycling clothing stands for modern, clear and functional aesthetics. The result in elegant creamy white and blue emphasises the claim with a - literally - strong appearance.

Fizik Vento Ferox Carbon: Bike shoes for narrow feet

Technically, the PNS special model of the Fizik Vento Ferox Carbon - like the brightly coloured Model Team Amani - unchanged compared to the original: Comfort and functionality are characterised by the double fastening, consisting of a Velcro strap on the instep and the Boa button on the forefoot. This allows the shoe to be precisely and finely adjusted to the foot; narrow to normal width feet feel most comfortable in the Vento Ferox.

Both fasteners can also be operated while riding to readjust the seat. The Li2 Boa button tightens the rope in the direction of rotation and releases it completely when you pull it out. In our experience, the relatively stiff and thin, barely padded tongue has to be positioned carefully when putting it on, but afterwards it does not slip significantly.

A cycling shoe for sport & racing

In combination with the board-stiff carbon sole, pedalling in the Fizik Vento Ferox results in a very direct pedalling feel. The thought of wasting valuable leg power by bending the sole of the shoe does not arise. This predestines the shoe for more athletic use and racing.

The disadvantage of the stiff sole is that the heel slips a lot when walking and walking comfort suffers. We would recommend other shoes for gravel and bike tours with longer carrying and walking passages, although the sole made of comparatively soft rubber and with pronounced lugs provides good grip on stony and muddy ground. But the white rubber of the sole also wears out quickly, an earlier test model with a black sole was more resistant.

More for the "road to nowhere" than for the trail

The super-precious look is another reason why you should leave the shoes on the pedals if possible; although the upper material is very robust and hard-wearing, you can see every stain on the light-coloured surface. In our practical experience, you have to scrub quite vigorously and use cleaning agents to remove dirt. This also suggests that the Vento Ferox Carbon in the PNS edition is more of a shoe for fast tours on good roads - in keeping with the motto "Road to Nowhere" printed on the inside. Incidentally, the special model is already sold out in the PNS webshop, but is still available from Fizik.

UPDATE: Experience - 2 years endurance test

The fear expressed early on that the cycling shoe with the light-coloured upper material would be susceptible to dirt has now come true. After a good two years and a number of gravel rides under all conceivable weather conditions, the material has embedded fine dirt particles like the ink on a tattoo. Even after intensive brushing with various cleaners, the surface hardly releases any dirt. Too bad, because technically the shoe is as fit as on the first day in every respect.

Fizik Vento Ferox Carbon x Pas Normal Studios: The special model at a glance

• Sizes: 36 to 48 (37 to 46 also in half sizes)
• Price: 330 Euro
• Colour: Off white (cream white)
• PLUS: lightweight, narrow fit, very stiff sole, easy to customise
• MINUS: Dirt-sensitive, relatively expensive (standard version 299 euros)