Fizik Women’s Road R5B Donna

Fizik’s reflective gray R5Bs kick up the style with small hits of mint green across the uppers and on the soles. The thick microfiber uppers feel stiff at first and take some breaking in. But once they’ve loosened up, the shoes are cozy and comfortable.

With a wide toe box and somewhat loose fit, the R5Bs are ideal for riders with wide feet. A Boa closure system and Velcro strap snug the shoes up for a secure fit but we still had some extra room when fully tightened down.

The Boa offers two-way adjustments for tightening or loosening the shoes on the fly. With just a click or two of the dial, you can make micro adjustments throughout your ride: tighten them down before a sprint or loosen them up on hot rides for added ventilation.

Small perforations line the full length of the shoes for increased airflow from toe to heel. But the holes are small and don’t offer the same blow-through that large vents on the soles or the uppers could provide.

The carbon reinforced Nylon sole provide a little give, flexing slightly when pressing hard on the pedals. While comfortable for long rides, the sole doesn’t offer the same efficient power transfer of a full-carbon sole. The nylon sole does keep the price down to a competitive $185, however, an impressive value for riders who are more interested in cruising than racing.