The Fizik Terra Powerstrap X4 Gravel Shoe is a solid choice for gravel riders looking for comfort, style, and functionality on mixed terrain. The standout feature of this shoe is its Powerstrap design, which uses a unique hook-and-loop system to secure the foot snugly without pressure points. This makes it easy to adjust on the fly and keeps your foot in place even on rough trails.
The X4 outsole offers the right balance between stiffness and flex, making it comfortable for both riding and the occasional hike-a-bike. While it's not as rigid as a dedicated road shoe, it performs well on gravel, offering good power transfer and decent grip when walking. The shoe also has a stylish, streamlined look and durable materials that handle mud and dirt well.
One downside is that the shoe may not be ideal for riders with wide feet, as the fit is fairly narrow. Overall, the Fizik Terra Powerstrap X4 is a well-designed, comfortable gravel shoe that�s both functional and great-looking, ideal for cyclists who prioritize versatility and style in their gravel gear.
Firstly, prompt delivery and competitive pricing!
Now, I went to greater lengths in figuring out my appropriate shoe size. After contacting Lake and adding another 1/2 size to their measurements (including the initial 1/2 size addition in the original calculation) I ended up with a shoe that fits very well. I am glad I contacted LAKE and went with their recommendation, otherwise their would have been too small. If you are not sure and want to be sure, contact Lakes website for correct calculations and further more contact Lake directly.
Regarding these shoes, I find the leather to be supple, overall comfortable, slightly wider in the regular width, modest arch support which might not fit well for flatter feet, brutal insoles that require replacing and a fantastic Boa system without pressure points. Also, I am quite impressed with the air flow, I had my doubts but these have exceeded my expectations in the ventilation department.
These are excellent higher end shoes with a few quirks. They're light and slim on the foot, they don't feel or look bulky like some other shoes. The dual Boa system is great. My gripe with them is that they're kind of awkward to put on. The tongue is attached to one side of the uppers, so they don't open quite as wide. Also, the material around the collar seems to be some kind of non-slip material, I assume so your foot doesn't slip around while riding, but it also makes putting the shoes on more difficult, instead of your feet just sliding in. And I mean these are more of an annoyance, rather than a true fault of the shoe design.
Once you're riding though none of that matters. The uppers are stiff and the Boa straps make adjusting them a breeze. The "grid" on the soles help you match the alignment of your cleats, Aside from the two Boa dials, they're sleek and just feel quick. As for their stiffness - on a scale of 1-10 where 10 is a super stiff race shoe, I'd say they're an 8. Good and stiff with just a hint of noticeable flex when out of the saddle. I do wish that they came with an additional arch support size like the RC902 did.
My 15 year old Shimano shoes were starting to separate the soles. I bought these on sale and am pleased with them. I really like the wire tightening mechanism, which I can tighten before big hills. Side benefit is that while tightening, you can feel like the pros on the Tour as seen on the Netflix special. I just did a 52 mile ride with no hot spots. They are tight when first putting on, but feel right when pedalling. I would have bought wide as my feet are flattening out with age, but they were not available, so I bought regular with which aren't too tight. Strongly recommend, especially if you can score on sale. And the old shoes? I epoxied the soles back on and use them on my recumbent trainer.
