Pas Normal Studios x Fizik Mechanism Road Shoes are bound to polarise opinion

The Mechanism road shoe is a collaboration between insta darlings Pas Normal Studios (PNS) and the Italian shoe and saddle brand Fizik. They’ve called it Mechanism because it slots directly into PNS’ performance line of the same name, identifying it as a lightweight racing shoe with a heavyweight price tag.

Yes, that price. At a smidgen below £400 - at £390 - this is about as much as you’ll pay for a pair of the best cycling shoes, a similar amount can bag you a racing icon, such as the feature-laden Sidi Wire2S or Shimano’s slightly pricier but battle-proven S-Phyre RC903. Only the handmade in Italy Nimbl Ultimate makes the Mechanism look cheap.  

The trouble is, Fizik already has a near identical shoe in its range, the excellent Vento Infinito Carbon 2, that fulfills a similar purpose but costs £50 less. Surely, the Mechanism is just an exercise in style over substance for well-heeled (forefoot and toe) fashionistas? As a man of principle, I knew I was going to hate it.

Pas Normal Studios x Fizik Mechanism Road Shoes: construction

My principles held firm until I flipped open the Mechanism’s silver shoebox. B’Jesus, this is one good-looking shoe. PNS has pulled off the impressive feat of delivering maximum bling in an ultra-minimalist shoe. There’s no overload of gimmicky features, splashes of primary colour, curious tongue wrap-overs, or quirky Boa placement. 

In fact, in many ways, the Mechanism is a very conservative-looking performance shoe. The tongue is traditional, and the two silver Boa dials are placed where you’d expect them to be, on the outer forefoot and instep. The most noticeable design feature on the uppers, other than the bright, two-tone silver fabric and brace of Boas, is the strip of chevron-style perforations that’s reminiscent of diamond plate steel flooring – very industrial chic. However, they extend solely across the midfoot, and feature only on the tongue and the outer side of the shoe.

The fabric is a fine, flexible mesh coated in a polyurethane laminate so thin that it’s possible to make out the weave. This material is reinforced at the heel and toe but is otherwise supremely flexible. 

Inside the shoe, everything is oh so neat and tidy with barely any seams to cause chafing. The removable insole is a lightly padded affair, and beneath that there’s just the thinnest of felt liners glued directly to the carbon outsole for maximum power transfer. 

The heel cup is deep and well-rounded to stop your foot lifting and twisting during efforts and Fizik’s has added its signature sticky silicon microdots at the Achilles for added security. The entire heel area, including the lightly padded cup, is upholstered in super-soft, grey microfibre cloth. 

The outsole is Fizik’s R2, which is also used on the brand’s Vento Infinito Carbon 2 shoe and the single Boa budget(ish) Tempo Decos. It’s the stiffest outsole that Fizik makes, runs the entire length of the shoe and features a large inlet air vent just forward of the ball of the foot, and an exhaust outlet at the arch.

Pas Normal Studios x Fizik Mechanism Road Shoes: the ride

I take a size 48, the largest available for the Mechanism, and I’m blessed with standard-width feet. I found our sample pair moderately oversized, which suits me because my feet swell slightly on long rides, but your mileage may vary. 

One disadvantage of having large feet is that the outsoles can exhibit more flex. The R2, however, remained uncompromisingly stiff along both longitudinal and lateral axes. 

I’ve been running a pair of Fizik Tempo Decos for a while now, which share a similar construction including the same outsole, so I felt right at home wearing the Mechanisms. They feel precise – power transfer is superb, and the deep heel cup really locks the back of your foot into position whether you’re dancing on the pedals on a steep incline or going hell for leather on a town sign sprint.

These aren’t the lightest of shoes but, damn, they’re comfortable. The Boas are low-profile bidirectional Li2s that allow micro-adjustments in either direction, so I appreciated being able to fine-tune the forefoot fit, which is a bit hit-and-miss with my Decos. My first ride out approached 80km, but even fresh out of the box I experienced no chaffing or rub from the supple mesh fabric, and no hotspots from the soles. These are performance shoes that aren’t limited by distance.

Pas Normal Studios x Fizik Mechanism Road Shoes: the bottom line

It’s hard not to fall in love with the Mechanism shoe, but I have some reservations. Firstly, if you run hot, you may find that, despite the outsole vents, there are not enough perforations in the uppers to keep you cool.

Secondly, value. A pair of Vento Infinito Carbon 2s will serve you just as well for less, and a pair of Tempo Decos will serve you almost as well for a lot less. You’re paying top dollar to look fashionable – whether that excites or repulses you, only you can decide.

Spec

• PU laminate over mesh upper
• BOA® Fit System featuring dual-dial Li2
• R2 outsole, full carbon unidirectional, stiffness index 10
• Weigh from: 235g
• Sizes: 36-48 (37 to 47 also in half sizes)