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Before getting into the pedals themselves, a necessary disclosure. FATBLACKCAT provided the PurrPro Formula pedals at no cost for review. They had no input on this article and did not see it before publication. For additional transparency, Moza, a competing brand, is a paid sponsor of the channel. As always, all thoughts and opinions here are entirely my own.
The FATBLACKCAT PurrPro Formula pedals are some of the most unusual high-end sim racing pedals I have tested. Designed in Poland by a former Formula 1 engineer, they combine integrated haptics, hydraulic damping, an active heel rest, and a 200 kg load cell brake. At €1,100, or around $1,250, they also have a lot to prove.
What makes them interesting is how much mechanical tuning is available without going fully active. Between the springs, dampers, adjustable brake stages, haptics, and moving heel rests, there is an almost ridiculous amount of control over how these pedals feel.
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For a small company making an extremely niche product, the presentation is genuinely impressive. The pedals arrive in a fully branded box with mounting hardware, additional springs, magnetic pedal-face grip plates, a braided USB cable, and the two power adapters required for the haptics. The only thing missing is a physical manual, with FATBLACKCAT instead using a QR code linking to a digital version.
The hardware itself feels every bit as serious as the price suggests. The main structure is anodized aluminum, the pedal faces and heel rests are carbon fiber, and ball bearings are used throughout the pivot points. The plastic haptic covers and damper adjustment knobs feel less premium, but otherwise the construction is excellent.
The throttle uses a one-way hydraulic damper with nine settings. Increasing the setting adds resistance as you press the pedal, smoothing the movement and making gradual throttle application easier. Because it only works in one direction, the pedal can still return quickly when you lift your foot.
I ended up using setting three because I prefer a lighter throttle. Maximum travel is 91 mm, although an adjustable end stop lets you reduce that. You can also change the pedal angle, mounting angle, spring position, preload, haptic strength, and heel-rest position.
Even at its softest, the standard spring is slightly heavier than I would personally choose. FATBLACKCAT sells a softer spring separately for around $20, but at this price I think it should simply be included.
One of the most distinctive features is the active heel rest. Instead of your heel remaining stationary while the rest of your foot moves through the pedal arc, the heel rest slides with your foot as you press the throttle.
It sounds like a small detail, but it makes a bigger difference than I expected. There is less dragging between your shoe and the pedal deck, your ankle follows a more natural motion, and the complete pedal stroke feels smoother. I would like the heel rest to be slightly larger or have more grip around the edges, but the concept works extremely well.
The brake uses a three-stage mechanical system. The first stage is a small spring covering roughly the first five percent of travel and is designed to recreate the initial sensation of the brake pads contacting the disc. Once that compresses, two larger springs take over and provide most of the resistance.
Several springs are included, allowing the main stage to be made substantially softer or stiffer. Input is measured through a 200 kg load cell, giving more than enough range for even very heavy configurations.
The third stage acts as an adjustable end stop. You can choose exactly when it engages by moving the assembly closer to or farther from the pedal arm. I set mine so the resistance increased considerably near maximum braking pressure, creating a clear physical reference as I approached the limit.
There are also two separate one-way hydraulic dampers. One controls the pedal as you press it, while the other controls how quickly it returns as you release pressure. That second damper is especially useful for trail braking because you can slow the return movement and make it easier to bleed pressure away smoothly.
The throttle is incredibly smooth. Between the ball bearings, spring mechanism, and hydraulic damper, there is very little unwanted friction, and holding the pedal at a specific range feels natural. Small throttle adjustments are easy to make without constantly correcting your foot.
The brake impressed me even more. After experimenting with the springs, third stage, and dampers, I was able to get it extremely close to exactly what I wanted. I kept the main portion relatively soft, then introduced much heavier resistance near maximum pressure. That gave me a very clear physical wall rather than relying entirely on muscle memory.
I ran the rebound damper around level five, which gave the brake a controlled return without making it feel slow. Trail braking became especially satisfying because the pedal helped me release pressure progressively instead of immediately springing back against my foot.
Both pedals have built-in vibration motors that can reproduce telemetry effects such as ABS, traction control, wheel lock, and wheel slip through SimHub. They are not the strongest pedal haptics I have used, but they are quiet and detailed enough to make the pedals feel more alive.
FATBLACKCAT also provides PurrOS for calibration and pedal curves, while SimHub currently handles the more advanced haptic configuration. One strange design choice is that each pedal requires its own power adapter for the haptics, adding more cabling than I would like.
Among passive pedals, the FATBLACKCAT PurrPro Formula pedals are probably my new favorite. I prefer them to the VRS DFP pedals overall, and I think they outperform the Fanatec Podium pedals in modulation, adjustability, and pedal feel.
Active pedals from Moza and Simucube still have advantages in instant adjustment, software control, and immersion. But active pedals are also more complex and often more expensive, and many drivers find one setup they like and rarely change it.
The PurrPro Formula pedals are expensive, there is no clutch option, and the amount of adjustment can be overkill for some people. But once dialed in, the combination of hydraulic damping, the three-stage brake, active heel rests, haptics, and excellent construction creates the best passive GT and formula pedal experience I have used so far.
In a market increasingly focused on active pedals, the PurrPro Formula pedals are a convincing reminder that traditional mechanical pedal systems still have plenty of room left to improve.
FATBLACKCAT PurrPro Formula Pedals: Everything You Need to Know - OC Racing says:
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