To the pleasure of broad-footed cyclists like myself, Fizik has expanded its range of wide-fit cycling shoes of late. The Fizik Vento Proxy Wide Shoes are two-bolt off-road all-rounders aimed at gravel, cross-country mountain bike and cyclocross riders who need more room around the forefoot. I found them pretty well-fitting, extremely comfortable, cool, practical and stiff enough for most situations.
Design and construction
The outsole is carbon-injected nylon rather than the full carbon you might hope for at this price. The trade off for a rock-solid gravel sole is often difficulty walking. That’s not the case with the Vento Proxy Wide. The outsole’s slight give and rubber lugs (you can even fit spikes under the toe) made traversing hike-a-bike sections easier than on slippier and stiffer full carbon.
You have to be pushing hard to flex the sole, registered at 8/10 on Fizik’s stiffness index. While such scales are imprecise, elsewhere I’ve reviewed the Vento Omna (6/10) and Tempo Decos Carbon (10/10) and concur that this shoe’s stiffness sits between them. It’s a degree of rigidity that will suit most people’s gravel riding, perhaps barring high-level racers.
Riders looking for a more efficient feeling off-road shoe from Fizik should consider the £299.99 Vento Ferox Carbon – the model up with a full carbon sole.
The weight of my size EU46 test pair isn’t bad at 794g. My pair of Lake MX30G weigh 950g in the same size but are £45 dearer.
The PU laminated mesh of the Vento Proxy upper provides good ventilation without seeming fragile. Thanks to the supple material and even tension distribution from the single Li2 Boa dial, I experienced no hot spots.
Although I liked the clean aesthetics of the minimalist upper, the downside of the mesh is that it’s difficult to clean. Apart from at the start of the season, this would be impractical for UK cyclocross.
What about its suitability for XC mountain biking? Well, there’s less protection than in some off-road shoes. I think this makes the Vento Proxy better for less technical trails typical of gravel cycling than the rocky singletrack XC mountain bikers might encounter.
Sizing and fit
Measuring 284mm and 278mm long and 104mm and 107mm wide, I’m an EU46 wide in most shoes.
As a result, the size 46 Vento Proxy Wide fitted me superbly. True to Fizik’s word, the metatarsal area is broad enough and the toe box is sufficiently voluminous to prevent any pinching or pressing. The width extends to the outsole too, providing a supportive and solid platform.
Given my feet aren’t as broad as some, I could afford to wear thicker socks for added warmth during the autumn/winter test period.
The cleat bolt holes slide far back in the sole, allowing for a rearward cleat position advised by many bike fitters.
As is common among mid-market cycling shoes, the stock insoles of the Vento Proxy are thin and flimsy, and arch inserts aren’t included.
Unlike the Vento Ferox, the Vento Proxy also lacks a forefoot strap. However, I found the single Boa gave adequate tension for intense pedalling. The heel security was less good, so I’d prefer a tighter heel cup to prevent subtle slippage during sprints.
Value
As good as the Vento Proxy Wide are, they are not the best value.
The Shimano RX6 has a similar construction, costs much less at £159.99, is also offered in wide-fit and scored 9/10 in our review.
Another Shimano gravel shoe, the RX8, is also better value on paper because it has a full carbon sole for the same price.
For a little less money, the Bont Riot G gravel shoes, which Dave scored 8/10, have a full carbon outsole. He did, however, find that their stiffness made them hard to walk in.
But you can also spend vastly more on wide-fit gravel shoes, as shown by the £400 Lake MX333 and the £295 MX239.
Conclusion
The Fizik Vento Proxy isn’t at the peak of performance or value, but it does provide wonderful off-road comfort and versatility for wide-footed riders.
Verdict
Comfortable, cool and well-fitting with adequate performance for most gravel riders, but less suitable for other off-roading
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Fizik Vento Proxy Wide Shoes
Size tested: 46
Tell us what the product is for
From Fizik: “Our fast, lightweight, breathable off-road racing shoe, now available with a wider fit for competitive cyclists who need a bit more wiggle room to cross the finish line comfortably.”
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
From Fizik: Fit: Wide
Material description: PU laminated mesh upper: enhanced ventilation with support where needed.
Cleat adjustment? Yes
Outsole material: Carbon injected nylon outsole
Outsole stifness: 8
Outsole type: Clipless off-road
Closure system: Single boa li2
Despite its low weight, the mesh upper seems solidly made.
Not the raciest gravel shoe, but I don’t think it will slow many people down. It seems less good for cyclocross (because grime lodges in the upper) and XC MTB (because it has little foot protection).
No issues so far.
Very good at the front of the shoe, but a tad loose for me at the back.
Sizing was as I expected from the size chart.
It’s on the heavy side.
Generally very good. Would be improved by better insoles.
This shoe costs more than average for the spec.
How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?
Not so easy because mud and grit is hard to remove from the mesh upper.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
This shoe is less racy than Fizik’s description implies. But it still feels responsive enough for intense off-road riding and shines in terms of fit, comfort and ventilation.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
The spacious wide fit and its mix of ventilation, stiffness and practicality that suits varied off-road riding.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
If I was spending this much, I’d wanted a stiffer sole and lighter shoe.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
It costs more than the Shimano RX6, which has a similar spec, and costs about the same as the brand’s RX8, which has a higher-grade sole. Its spec is also inferior to the slightly cheaper Bont Riot G.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your overall score
This is a do-it-all off-road shoe with a mid-range spec at a price that’s verging towards premium.
About the tester
Age: 31 Height: 190cm Weight: 76kg
I usually ride: Fairlight Strael 3.0 My best bike is: Canyon Ultimate CF SLX (2016, rim brake)
I’ve been riding for: 10-20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, cyclo cross, touring, club rides, Gravel
3 thoughts on “Fizik Vento Proxy Wide Shoes”
Fizik makes quality shoes,
Fizik makes quality shoes, but no shoe in their line-up is actually wide. Look at the pointy toes on these shoes… who on earth has a wide foot with toes that come to a sharp point?
The reviewer does apparently
The reviewer does apparently – said these fitted him really well.
Lake’s win for wide shoes –
Lake’s win for wide shoes – unless outright custom, theyre the best for wide feet ?%