Tri shoes as my only shoes?

Triathlon Forum
1

Anyone train and race in just their tri shoes? How long do they last?

I have newish Shimano Tr 02s and I love them but want them to last 3 seasons or more. Much as I would like $200+ road shoes it is not going to happen this summer. I barely afforded the Ultegra SL pedals I just bought.

I have 1,500 miles on my silver Shimanos and they are pretty scuffed up but still fit and feel great. I ride about 3,000 miles a summer.

So the question is: Is it worth it to get $60 shoes for training and thus perserve my tri shoes a bit longer? Or will $60 shoes juts suck too much? How long do your shimanos last?

thanks -TB

2

I bought used T1 Loricas by Sidi off e-bay and I am in season 4 and that is all I use. I guess they will last forever.

3

my TR01s lasted a race season and a half with some sporadic training in them but they are pretty shot at this point. They could go another year if need be. The sidis seem more durable as I now have T1s. My roommate has had his TR01s for about 2 years and they are still going strong but he’s finally gotten a road only shoe which he’s been wanting forever. The road shoes with more straps just fit better in my opinion

4

Can’t tell you how long they last because they are still fine after 2 hard years.

5

I’ve used the TR-01s as my only shoe for the past two years (this is the beginning of the 3rd) and they’ve held up great. They are very scuffed up (both the shoe and the sole) and some Hammer Gel stains, but functionally as sound as the day I bought them. Velcro is holding up fine.

The one problem (now solved) was the smell. I ride without socks (I like the breeze) and the smell used to be horrible. But I read some tips on this site over a year ago and solved the problem. I wash them in the dishwasher about once every couple of months (whether they need it or not). Then, after every ride, I pack them with newspaper. No odor problem at all now.