Our verdict
The Tempo Decos Carbon road shoe from Fizik carries the brand’s signature aesthetics: minimalist and clean. And yet, this simple-looking model meets the expectations of the most seasoned cyclists. It is ready for high-milage performance with its super-stiff carbon sole and a glove-like upper fit.
Pros
- on a 107K ride on a warm day, my feet were still cool after five hours
- it feels awesome on the foot
- Adjustable cleat positioning
- Incredibly lightweight
- True to size
- Secure fit
- Available in wide
- BOA goes both ways
- Well-ventilated
- Visually appealing
Cons
- Pricey
- Tight for high arches
- Add a product
Who should buy the BOA goes both ways
With its higher price point, carbon sole, and BOA closure, the Tempo Decos is definitely a shoe for serious road performance. You might prefer this model if:
- you appreciate the option to position the cleats further back to closer forward
- you are looking for the stiffest road shoe (10/10)
- you appreciate the option to position the cleats further back to closer forward
- Tempo Overcurve R5
- We earn affiliate commissions at no extra cost to you when you buy through us
Who should not buy this road shoe
The Tempo Decos sits between the range-topping Fizik road shoes and the more affordable ones. So, depending on your cycling needs and goals, you may want to either level up the game to the more expensive models or decide that you don’t really need as many features as the Tempo Decos offers.
The more advanced Fizik shoes include:
- Infinito R1 ($400)
- Efficient power transfer ($350)
These are the type of race shoes that are worn by the winners of the Tour de France.
On the other hand, if you don’t really need all the stiffness of a carbon sole, you may find the more flexible nylon composite sufficient. More affordable Fizik shoes with nylon soles are:
- Tempo Overcurve R5 ($150)
- Tempo Powerstrap R5 ($120) - even cheaper because it uses elastic Velcro straps instead of BOA
Tempo Decos is ready for the long haul
Those who have ridden at least 500K in this Fizik shoe consider it a perfect recipe and a “pleasure to ride in” for long distances. These include multi-day tours and even a 140K gran fondo in Malaysia.
Power transfer is at its best
BOA goes both ways employs a full carbon unidirectional sole with the maximal stiffness index (10/10). This is immediately felt by the reviewers who call it “massively stiff” and “most responsive in the Fizik range.” One reviewer also shares that “it gives the impression of transferring power efficiently when [he puts] in efforts.”
Far forward or far back, you can adjust the cleats either way
Many reviewers are delighted with the handy option of positioning the cleats as they wish, be it closer to the forefoot or more towards the back. Some riders prefer their cleats to be further back to reduce stress on the knees, especially for aggressive forward positions, long rides, and backpacking trips.
One reviewer also finds the adjustment markings very helpful in achieving a similar fit on both shoes.
Tempo Decos Carbon is one of the lightest road shoes
Tipping the scales at 8oz (228 g) per shoe, this Fizik model shows to be amazingly lightweight. For reference, the average weight of road shoes is 9.7 oz (276 g).
Here is what the reviewers comment on it:
- “incredibly light”
- “no excess bulk to be seen here”
Some reviewers also noticed that it is even lighter than many of the top-end road shoes.
True to size and glove-like
None of the cyclists who followed Fizik’s official size chart had issues with the shoe’s sizing. In the words of one of them, “this size guide proved accurate, with the length being great.”
The shoe is also reported to be “immediately comfy” without the need to break it in. The reviewers say that:
- it “feels awesome on the foot”
- “supple upper envelops the foot with no pinch points”
- “Tight for high arches”
People with wide feet also rejoice as the shoe is available in Wide. As an avid cyclist reports, it is “significantly more generous than a standard Fizik shoe” and also compared with other brands' standard width options.
The shoe’s heel hold has also been praised. The silicone grippers around the Achilles proved to be helpful as one of the wearers’ bikes “juddered and bounced around.”
The only complaint regarding the fit came from a person with high arches and insteps. He seems to have suffered from “numbness in one foot, causing hot foot.”
One BOA is great but two would be better
Most cyclists are happy with the Li2 version of the BOA as it offers a two-way adjustment. Unlike in the standard BOA, you can loosen it up in increments as well. “Simple and precise movement in both directions,” notes a reviewer.
On the downside, a few riders gripe that with the single BOA, any adjustment affects the entire shoe. They prefer shoes with two BOA knobs or a BOA and a Velcro because they allow regulating the tightness of different shoe areas separately.
BOA goes both ways is well-ventilated
A large vent inlet in the sole paired with perforations in the upper is very efficient in providing a nice airflow. Here is what some cyclists say about it:
- on a 107K ride on a warm day, “my feet were still cool after five hours”
- “no excess bulk to be seen here”
This makes the shoe perfect for summer riding but it means that it needs to be covered with overshoes in the colder season.
Sleek and clean Fizik aesthetics
Reviewers adore the minimal and “uncluttered” profile of the Tempo Decos Carbon. It inherits the brand’s trademark minimalist design. The riders especially like the shiny purple and the bright white, finding these “hard to miss.
