Fizik Tempo Beat shoe assessment: Road sneakers for gravel, or gravel sneakers for highway?

The Tempo Beat from Fizik launched final 12 months and joined the manufacturers highway shoe lineup as a flexible, snug possibility for highway and gravel use. The most eye-catching factor right away was most likely the funky, colored sole on two of the fashions, however there’s extra to the sneakers than only a the visuals. 

The sneakers sit within the Fizik highway vary, however use a two-bolt cleat mounting, so normal three-bolt highway cleats aren’t going to suit. This is a shoe that is been designed for extra informal highway use with SPD pedals, in addition to off-road gravel or MTB driving. 

Why? Well primarily, it is quite a bit simpler to stroll round in recessed SPD-style cleats whenever you aren’t driving the bike. Second, for some riders, myself included, utilizing an mtb or gravel-specific shoe and SPD pedals on a highway bike would not sit or look proper, particularly if the sneakers have a chunky, aggressive sole. The clean, much less aggressive sole design of the Tempo Beat means it blends in aesthetically on highway or gravel bikes. 

The sneakers have a retail worth of $179.99 / £179 / €179 and can be found in three color choices, an ordinary black, the sage inexperienced possibility I’ve been testing and a white and orange model, which is probably a bit of too brilliant for me.  

I’ve been testing these sneakers for some time now within the UK, and lately on a visit to Tuscany with loads of dry dusty gravel, and importantly strolling round. 

Check out our greatest biking sneakers information and finest gravel shoe purchaser guides for extra nice shoe choices. 

Deisgn and aesthetics 

The Tempo Beat makes use of a easy, clear design that appears fairly smooth general. There is a Fizik wordmark on the skin toe field of every shoe, and one other vertical one working down the heel of every shoe, and in addition probably neatly overlaying up any stitching there that brings the higher collectively. 

There’s a black possibility, which is at all times secure. The different two color choices are a bit of bolder, the sage inexperienced / desert color I’ve examined appears good, and the colorful sole has grown on me. It’s a translucent rubber sole, with the color on the underside of the shoe itself. If you wish to ramp it up much more, there’s the funky white, orange and purple possibility. 

The toe field additionally has a tricky cowl over the mesh materials to guard from scratches and scrapes, the uppers themselves use a sturdy but soft-to-the-touch material and a lace-up closure. 

The lace eyelets are neat, and sit on the within of the tongue cutout, making for a clear look. There’s additionally an elastic band you possibly can tuck the laces into mid-way down the tongue, one thing that is virtually a necessary for lace-up sneakers and does assist preserve issues neat and tidy.  

The sneakers additionally profit from a brand new Fizik final and wider toe field, which ought to go well with the extra relaxed, all-around driving this mannequin is designed for in addition to simply selling consolation typically. They aren’t accessible in a large possibility, so use the Fizik size guide to get an concept if they could be just right for you. Head to our greatest biking sneakers for wide-feet information in case you want a wider possibility. 

For me, the final is pretty straight and would not have as a lot curve as some sneakers. The sole can be pretty flat with out an excessive amount of drop. The sole itself is designed to be cozy and simple to stroll round in so will get a stiffness ranking of 4 out of ten on the Fizik scale. It’s versatile, and you may flex the sneakers by hand a bit of. The sole for my cash can be a bit of chunkier and deeper than some extra performance-focused sneakers, and attempting different sneakers on in opposition to them again to again confirmed this be the case. 

Cleats will be mounted pretty far again. People appear to need their cleats to go additional and additional again, however I feel the mounting appears fairly on the cash. The mount definitely is not too far ahead, which might trigger points. 

Performance 

The Tempo Beats have been a cushty shoe for each highway and gravel driving. There’s sufficient construction and assist from the shoe and soles that you simply really feel taken care of. I do not assume the character of the sneakers will rule them out for something however essentially the most relaxed of espresso rides or spin classes.  

The laces really feel hardy and hard to me, and there is a sufficient friction between them and the lace eyelets to allow you to tighten them down snugly. I’ve been very pleased with the laces. 

Size-wise, an EU 43 comes out as a UK 8 3/4, the subsequent dimension up is 9 1/4. For me, the 43 has felt like most manufacturers UK9, however it’s a tough one. Consult a Fizik seller in case you need assistance right here, or strive them on in case you can. 

I’ve been snug from the off within the sneakers. The tongue and uppers are tender and comfortable, and the grippers on the heel cup do not do a nasty job. Zero niggles right here in anyway. One factor to say is that there is no venting on the soles, or uppers, which can imply they really feel hotter than some sneakers in excessive temperatures. I do not are likely to undergo an excessive amount of although on this regard. 

Walking may be very snug with no points in any respect for me. I’ve performed a great quantity of strolling on dry gravel and tarmac and the flex within the sole of the sneakers means they flex properly together with your toes when strolling. It’s on a par with the Northwave Hammer Plus for me, one other very snug shoe for off-road driving and strolling. For something off-bike, from cafes to simply pushing the Tempo Beats will serve you properly. 

Due to the design of the only I feel I can nearly really feel the cleat mount insert plate at occasions when actually urgent down on an SPD pedal. I’ve performed some fairly robust gravel rides within the sneakers and observed it a couple of occasions. It’s the extra inflexible insert within the sole I feel I can really feel, which contrasts to the extra versatile sole itself. It hasn’t brought about me an issue, however it’s one thing to pay attention to. However if you’re looking for a cushty shoe, a stiff sole will not be prime of your need record anyway. 

On the soles, they’re much more durable than they seem. I am unable to see them carrying down in a rush in any respect, regardless of preliminary appearances. I additionally have not discovered myself wishing for extra grip; it is very grippy rubber. Perhaps in mud or on sure surfaces, there would not be as a lot traction as there aren’t actually lugs to talk of, however general it is confirmed to be a non-issue.  

Cleaning is not too dangerous both, although I feel you will have to get the scrubbing brush and water out If you actually get them mucky. I’ve dismissed dried mud no issues, however a scrub could also be required to get greater stains or mud out because of the mesh materials uppers. 

Value 

At $179.99 / £179 / €179 these aren’t the most cost effective sneakers available on the market for his or her product class. Though in fact you possibly can simply spend double that now. There could also be a bit of little bit of a mode tax to pay too, however you’re getting undoubtedly a top quality shoe, with a extra up-to-date roomy toe field and final.

A competitor right here is the Northwave Hammer Plus, which is available in at £121.49 / $149.99 / €134.99. However there aren’t so many sneakers that mix highway and gravel use and aesthetics collectively so properly. 

I’d even go to this point to say that, pedals apart, which give the sport away you possibly can assume these have been highway sneakers on the highway, and gravel sneakers off it. If it is a key level for you, then it might be cash properly spent.  

Verdict 

I made the purpose once I reviewed another comfort-focused sneakers final 12 months, that it’s typically simple to be blinkered by the attract of stiff efficiency sneakers. A pair of versatile, snug biking sneakers is a good factor to have at occasions. And that is what I’ve discovered within the Tempo Beats. 

This is an efficient possibility for a spread of driving, from highway to gravel, cross nation and even spin or indoor coach classes. If you want the concept of a cool, barely extra relaxed, lace-up shoe that may do a little bit of all the things these will make for an ideal selection so long as the match is best for you.