Fizik's new Vega Carbon road shoes are designed from the ground up, and boast increased comfort

Fizik has unveiled the Vega Carbon, its latest flagship road racing shoe, which the Italian brand claims is purpose-built for cyclists seeking the highest levels of performance, fit and comfort.

After delivering a whole raft of new helmets last month, the Italian brand has been busy, having developed the shoe entirely from the sole up. The new Vega Carbon hopes to combine a refined ergonomic shape with an integrated carbon outsole and advanced materials to meet the demands of modern competitive riders.

At just 239g per shoe, Fizik is promising a lot with its latest pair of kicks, but is it really revolutionary?

A New Approach to Fit and Form

At the core of the Vega Carbon is an entirely new anatomical design. Fizik has reworked the shoe’s geometry to feature a straighter foot axis, an expanded toe box, and a reduced heel-to-toe drop. This updated shape is said to reflect the evolving fit needs of contemporary cyclists, allowing the foot to stretch more naturally within the shoe. The result, Fizik claims, is improved comfort, better stability, and a reduction in fatigue over long or intense rides.

According to Fizik, this ergonomic approach is part of a broader focus on natural biomechanics. By allowing the foot to adopt a more relaxed position, the Vega Carbon promotes a more efficient and powerful pedal stroke while maintaining a secure and stable fit - a fit philosophy that we are looking forward to testing out in due course.

Designed from the ground up

The foundation for the new Vega Carbon's improved performance is its integrated full-carbon outsole. Uniquely, the carbon sole is built directly into the shoe’s structure and concealed beneath the upper fabric. This design reduces the stack height beneath the cleat, positioning the foot closer to the pedal for enhanced power transfer and pedaling efficiency.

The outsole achieves a stiffness index rating of 10, Fizik’s maximum, though it's worth noting that pretty much any decent carbon sole is stiff enough that a human would struggle to find too much play in it! Despite its rigidity, Fizik is claiming a retained natural pedaling feel.

Upper construction centres around Fizik’s proprietary Aeroweave Pro woven fabric, which is paired with a lightweight translucent mesh for optimised breathability and reduced weight. Fizik says that materials have been strategically mapped across the shoe, with different fabrics used in key zones to balance support, airflow, and comfort.

Inside the shoe, a foot-wrapping bootie made from perforated Airprene provides a snug, but supposedly pressure-free fit.

As for foot retention, Fizik has opted for the Dual-Dial Li2 system from BOA® Fit System, which means you can independently adjust the shoe across the instep and midfoot areas.

Commenting on the launch, Alex Locatelli, Fizik’s Senior Product Manager, said: “With the Vega Carbon, we wanted to deliver the highest level of performance without compromising rider comfort. This is why we have redesigned the shape and the ergonomics of the shoe to offer cyclists a more natural riding feeling while also retaining the level of stiffness provided by the carbon sole.”

The tech specs

The Vega Carbon is available in sizes ranging from EU 36 to 48, with half sizes offered between 37 and 47 to ensure a precise fit. Weighing just 239 grams per, the Vega Carbon is fairly competitive on the scales too.

The Vega Carbon is offered in two colourways: classic white, and a white and yellow fluro combination. The retail price is set at £389.99 in the UK, €390.00 in Europe, and $469.99 in the United States.

For more information, visit the Fizik website.