For triathletes, one of the most crucial elements of winning a game depends on how quickly they can switch gears according to sport type. These are of critical importance and manufacturers pay special attention in making triathlon bike shoes that could be swapped in a jiffy. As for the ones who are new to the game, triathlon cycling shoes are glorified bike shoes. They provide the same stiffness, are equally durable and an identical cleat system as a normal bike shoe. However, triathlon bike shoes go a little beyond that as the design is supposed to help triathletes slip in and clamp the lock in a breakneck velocity. The ultimate innovation that are embedded in all triathlon shoes are the heel loop system, that is specifically designed for a hard yank, when you quickly slip in to a pair that are attached to your bike or kept aside from you transition tower. Checkout the Best Triathlon Shoes for Cycling.
But there’s more. There also these nifty security and speed systems embedded into the footwear. It is built on the idea that it must be quick to slip into, but it also has special BOA Ratchet dials, quite different from conventional bike shoes, on a mission to keep your feet firmly in place. These dials are becoming increasingly popular in addition to a reverse main strap that run in the opposite direction to conventional road numbers. The only problem with tri straps is that they can easily get caught in a crank if they’re too long.
Buying Guide
Before, you go frenzy on shopping for triathlon bike shoes, just hold on a second. You need to decide on something that will be very comfortable either in a long run of a hard bike ride. In addition to that, you also need to know if your bike pedals demand you go some a specific triathlon shoe. Only then are you ready to make your pick. Next, you need to decide on how many pairs to get. However, it is recommended that you wear what you have been training with, in the tournament. The cushions have already molded into your feet form and that helps you get maximum comfort when you are ready to show what you are made of. Therefore, one pair should do, but it is kind of important to keep an extra pair if you run into any problems. Other than that, go for brands that are recognized easily by anyone. The brands may cater to entry level to something really advanced.
However, when getting triathlon shoes, be sure to pick the ones that are lightweight, are comfy enough to wear without socks, and also the materials they are made from eliminate odors. In addition to that, they must have speed laces for faster change and should be made in a way that supports your run gait. As a bonus tip, as for something that is fast-drying, which means it must have adequate ventilations. This is because your foot might be wet from a swim or you might be cycling in a light drizzle. These are horrible times to wear something made from leather.
Build Quality
Other than making you look super cool, there are certain attributes that you must lookout for when getting a pair of exclusive triathlon bike shoes. While use of Velcro fastening mechanism, may give you a quick response time, it sometimes leads to a marginal trade-off when it comes to power transfer. Therefore, choose the ones that have a hybrid system consisting of BOA dials and large straps. The extra time that it takes to fasten a tight-fitting system could be really worth it.
As mentioned before, moisture reduction is a key factor when choosing a proper tri shoe. When looking for a pair, look for properly ventilated shoes to help you cope with summer heat. In addition to that, flip the shoes over and you’ll notice vents or a small hole cut out on the sole. This is extremely critical as it helps you to dispense off water from your feet when you slip into a pair after the swim. These vents work together to keep your feet as dry as possible while you are on your bike.
Bonus Features
Added Comfort
It is not always the bike race of the triathlon you should worry about. There is an impending run coming your way as soon as you finish your sock-free bike ride. Tri bike shoes should have extra cushioning, a comfortable lining. And a seam-free support. This’ll help you feel secure and keep your feet from rubbing around. Therefore, this guarantees protection from fatal injuries and helps deliver top-notch performance
Bumpers
These are carefully positioned plastics which will protect your fine carbon footwear from bumps and scratches. Furthermore, you’ll find them located at the toe and heel area to get an added support feel while you make a run for it. These bumpers, in addition to the mentioned benefits, adds traction as they fend off a rubberish feel that prevents slipping. Therefore, you run as fast as possible without having to think about a million things that could go wrong.
Price Range
The best triathlon footwear for bike rides range from $50 to $500. It all dependson the make, features and brand. The list below features some of the top-notch tri shoes available in the market for you today. Therefore, you really want to continue reading to find out what we have in store for you.
Image | Product | Features | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Giro Imperial Mens Cycling Shoes | COMFORTABLE AND SUPPORTIVE FIT FAST, EASY ADJUSTMENT POWERFUL PEDALING | $$$ | |
 | Fizik Men's K1 Uomo | Breathable Neoprene Sail Cloth Straps 3D Flex Carbon Outsole | $$$ | |
 | Fizik Unisex Adults’ X1 Infinito | Knitted upper Infinito advanced volume control UD carbon outsole | $$$ | |
 | Louis Garneau Men's Course Air Lite 2 | IceFil Ergo Air Carbon Air Lite outsole breathable microfiber | $$$ | |
 | Fizik - Infinito R3 | Light weight Modern aesthetics Snug-fit World-class ventilation | $$ | |
 | SHIMANO SH-TR501W | fibreglass reinforced sole One strap fastening Breathable and Quick to Dry | $$ | |
 | PEARL IZUMI Men's Tri Fly Select V6 | 87% Rubber/13% Textile 1:1 anatomic tri closure Carbon fiber construction | $$ | |
 | Tommaso Veloce 100 Triathlon | 100% Fit Guarantee fiberglass reinforced sole SPD-SL, SPD compatible | $$ | |
 | Triseven Premium Nylon | Compatible with SPD–SL and SPD Breathable mesh Carbon Sole | $$ | |
 | Tiebao Outdoor Triathlon | Synthetic microfiber upper fiberglass reinforced nylon sole 3-bolt and 2-bolt cleat systems | $ |
1. Giro Imperial Mens Cycling Shoes
Popular because of its lightweight build, it only weighs 215 grams, it has the special attributes that make the Giro Imperials the right choice to dominate the toughest and the steepest climbs. The pair comes with a thermoplastic polyurethane reinforcement that give you comfort and also additional support. You will be paying a lot for this pair and that’s why it comes with a super adjustable footbed with a natural feel with adequate rigidity from the BOA dials.
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2. Fizik Men's K1 Uomo
Considered as one of the best triathlon pair, this is what triathletes recommend if one needs to blend speed and comfort seamlessly. The outsole is made from one of the best carbon fiber grades in the world which is unyielding, yet gives you just the right amount of flex. In addition to that, the straps allow the best transitions as you prepare to deliver maximum torque to the rear wheels.
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3. Fizik Unisex Adults’ X1 Infinito
The looks are jus enough to make any one jump up and down like a little child. This has the first in class functional aesthetics that not also give you just the right fit, but also known for its class-leading comfort. In addition to that, it has the brand-new Infinite Closure System, a still sole, and is light weight to give you that fire breathing cross-country and race-worthy performance
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4. Louis Garneau, Men's Course Air Lite 2
You’re in for a little treat in this one. The louis Garneau is one of the most exclusive brands offering triathletes a go with their premium build finesse with the Men’s Course Air Lite 2. Not only is it light weight but also has a Carbon outsole with vents for easier airflow. This also has titanium inserts making it rigid and ultra-light for ground breaking power transfer.
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5. Fizik - Infinito R3
Fizik is one of the highly preferred brands for athletes because of it award winning quality, performance and design. This bring you top-north power delivery, both off and on-road. You not only buy a pair of tri shoes. but you also buy countless stories of victories in the pro peloton when you get a pair of Fiziks. The Inifinito R3 is committed to provide you with a light-weight and the most comfortable design out there in harmony with advanced technology and engineering.
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6. SHIMANO SH-TR501W
Shimano is dedicated to bring you speed and agility. With the all new TR5, not only do you get faster transitions but also an ultra-stiff sole for accurate power transfer. You always get what you give. Wear it with wet feet and see how quickly it dries off due to adequate ventilation, which also helps with air-circulations to keep your feet dry throughout the ride.
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7. PEARL IZUMI Men's Tri Fly Select V6
With this pair, you will see the Pearl Izumi name on top of the shoe, proudly asserting that this is one of their best makes yet. You will definitely be more than satisfied with its podium-worthy performance with a barefoot comfort. This is one of the most exceptional choices for a triathlon bike shoe.
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8. Tommaso Veloce 100 Triathlon
If you are all about getting places without any hiccups, the Tommaso Veloce brings you top-notch reliability for extensive wear and use. IT’ll make sure you have a blissful ride with as much comfort as possible. The Veloce has a friendly price tag, and is perforect for people training for upcoming triathlons.
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9. Triseven Premium Nylon
In the face of very competitive triathlons, the Triseven shoes bring you the latest technology and engineering in its build. The nylon reinforced outsole, combined with adequate insole ventilation give you more than enough rigidity and secure fit. They are even compatible with SPD and SPD-SL, also with a strap closure system to cater to your custom fit needs.
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10. Tiebao Outdoor Triathlon
The Tiebao Outdoor Triathlons are the best buy for beginners. The pair is made from microfiber leather with an added breathable mesh. It also comes with an anti-slip lining for top-notch utility and comfort. The user also has an added advantage of comfortable fit and rapid closure through its adjustable hook and loop strap, in any inclement conditions.
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Final Words
The above are the top finalists of the best triathlon shoes you can buy today. Not only will you find something comfortable and reliable from the above recommendations, but we also selected triathlon shoes that delivery the best performance due its abundant attributes. However, we would like to drop in our personal suggestion which is PEARL IZUMI Men's Tri Fly Select V6. It has the maximum amount of pros vs cons in the list above and is more an athlete focused pair. Therefore, beginners will also find something to like about the Try Fly Select V6.
You can also read: How to Put Cleats on Cycling Shoes