Athough I know some guys are riding mountain bikes in road tri shoes and adapted “mtb” tri shoes (Stoltz) for while, this year two major brands have specific triathlon shoes for xterra athletes, the Gaerne G.THN MTB ( www.gaerne.com ) and the Sidi Terra ( www.sidiusa.com ). I’m looking for an all around shoe to start in off-road triathlons, but also stand for the training, and the ocasional mtb race. What do you guys think? I’m worried about the fit (less straps), the durability and the white color… well, I’m think the shoes will hold on ok, but wil be brown in week.
They’re kidding right? White Mt Bike shoes! The ones from Gaerne with one strap are probably totally useless and the two strap Sidi’s are half way between the Gaerne and a good three strap shoe. I use three strap, all velcro, Sidi shoes for Xterra and they work great.
PS: If you show up at your first Xterra in the latest white shoes, they’ll know you’re from Slowtwitch.
Stay away from the ratcheting kind of MTB shoes for XTERRA. The 3 strap velco shoes are the best overall for fast trasitions, secure fit (even when soaking wet from stream/creek crossings), and comfort. Sidi, Specialized, etc. all have good velcro systems.
They’re kidding right? White Mt Bike shoes!
x2 … I have always wondered when off-road tri specific bike shoes would enter the market. But colored white?! That is completely ridiculous.
I have an entry level pair of mtb shoes with 2 velcro straps. I’ve never been wishing I had more support, so the 2 straps are fine while riding and easier to get in/out of.
I wouldn’t bother with something specific to ‘triathlon’, just get mtb shoes with velcro straps. You can run around pretty well in mtb shoes without the issues you have doing so on road shoes, so you won’t clip in while on the bike. You might take the shoes off as you are approaching transition though. All-in-all I don’t think you’ll miss having a heel strap to grab.