Fizik have been a personal favourite shoe for some time - but my use of them and our stocking of them at 700 waned as they fell behind with cleat positioning and toe-box shape and volume.
The former was remedied a few seasons back, finally allowing riders the comfort afforded by a more progressive bike-fitting and improved biomechanics offered by more rearward cleat mounting with it. One box ticked.
As a store focussed on USPs and genuine benefits, we stuck with our existing offering of QUOC, Q36.5 and UDOG despite the change as we felt that these served riders better.
Enter the Vega. This is a shoe that ticks all the boxes and a shoe that we can definitely get on board with. A far cry from the range as it was 5 years ago, the Fizik Vega is the real deal. Firstly, it looks great (tbf, they always have, from the Kangaroo leather offerings a decade plus ago, to the latest shoes - they just click). Second, cleat position as mentioned is where it should be - saving injury and allowing for your best biomechnaical output without risking injury. Thirdly - they have NAILED the toe-box. Like UDOG and Q36.5 (Bont and Lake), the wider fitting toe box allows for the toes to sit natually. Unconfined by the physical boundaries of the shoe - even when the arch collapses and the foot spreads while you ride - the Vega lets your feet relax and this lack of tension makes for a decidely less painful or distracting ride than many shoes on the market, and certainly than previous offerings from the brand. When I say they've nailed it - I mean it.
Try them on side by side with the excellent and more expensive Q36.5 Unique Pro shoes that offer a similar sock-like, tongue-less design with ultra thin, stiff sole, dual BOA closure and broad fore-foot; and they stand out with their comfort and literal wiggle room. Both are superb in this arena but the Fizik are just a notch better. (For me at least - and this is a key point - you'll need to try them on. What works for a friend / Pro is not a decent reason for you to buy - but if we stock 'em, it's reasonable to assume that we see them being a valid option for most at their price point.
Vega carbon is Fizik's latest top-level road racing shoe engineered from the sole up to prioritise performance for peloton-leading riders and pro-racers. Featuring a highly stiff integrated carbon outsole, innovative, ultra-breathable upper construction, a revised shape, and more ergonomic fit, Vega meets every requirement in terms of lightness, high performance, and efficient power transfer and is engineered to specifically complement modern race-bike geometries, rider positions, and riding styles.
A natural, new shape
Over the past few years, bike geometry and body position have changed a lot. For this reason, the contact points between riders and their bikes have had to evolve accordingly. With Vega, Fizik are introducing an entirely new shape - one with a straighter Axis and reduced drop to deliver a more natural feeling while pedaling.
Vega's expanded toe box provides more room and allows the foot to fully stretch, delivering an ergonomic fit and improving comfort on high intensity rides, whether that means stages races or weekly training.
Outsole on the inside
Vega is equipped with an integrated full-carbon outsole that delivers increased stiffness while decreasing the stack height.
Using this advanced construction technique, the outsole is actually on the inside of the shoe and concealed by the shoe's upper, allowing Fizik to reduce the stack height in the cleat area and providing full ergonomic medial foot support. The anatomical shape and reduced drop prioritize foot stability and support, resulting in more efficient power transfer.
Fit, fabrics and features
The Vega's upper features strategic material mapping, using different materials in different areas depending on the specific required characteristic : breathable where more ventilation is needed, supportive where comfort is top priority.
For breathability and weight savings, Fizik have coupled Aeroweave woven fabric with a thin translucent mesh to create an even lighter shoe that doesn't lose its original tenacity.
Next, a foot-wrapping bootie made of perforated airprene material ensures greater comfort and a pressure-free fit, from race days to big rides in the mountains.
Adjust to comfort
The instep and the midfoot are separately adjustable for a customized fit with a dual-dial Li2 BOA fit system. Two separate BOA dials are connected to panels that wrap around the medial part of the foot, meaning cyclists can fine-tune shoe fit to their unique foot shape, ensuring lasting support.
The Fizik Vega carbon is a lightweight, powerful, and innovative new racing shoe designed for and chosen by the most demanding riders and pro-peloton racers, featuring an ergonomic design, low stack height, and strategic material mapping.
Specifications
- Aeroweave Pro: extremely breathable, high-tenacity net-like structure combined with a resilient mesh
- BOA fit system: the dual-dial Li2 allows for multi-directional fit adjustments for the instep and forefoot areas
- Vega Outsole: integrated full-carbon outsole, stiffness index 10
- Weight: 239 g
- Sizes: 36-48 (37 to 47 also in half sizes)