Coming from cycling the tri shoes I’ve looked at don’t look that great. They look very unaero and lack stiffness. I noticed at Kona this year some of the professionals were using road shoes. For half IM and IM is it worth using road shoes or does the extra stiffness cause problems later when changing into running shoes and then doing the run part of the race?
IMO I always thought the main reason for wearing tri shoes was to save transition time even if sacrificing some stiffness. In Kona then, and well all long-distance races, I assume the athletes made the decision that the relatively minimal loss of transition time was less than the gain from stiffer bike shoes. I may just be ignorant to it, but I don’t think the run affects that decision.
Unaero compared to? Most tri shoes have one huge strap and not much else, while road shoes can have anything from a single BOA dial to having a dial, strap and ratchet all crammed into one shoe. Can’t know which is more aero without testing them.
Most tri shoes use the same sole as the equivalent road shoe, so stiffness should be the same. Not that it matters that much anyway.
It’s mainly a comfort vs mount-time tradeoff. At the IM distance, especially with US races banning flying mounts, the time to pull the shoe on is somewhat insignificant. Since some people find road shoes more comfortable, the trade-off is worth it for them. Others have a tri shoe that fits them great, and see no reason not to use it and save the 5-15sec.
FWIW, I have the Mavic Tri Helium and Zxellium shoes. Exact same sole, exact same last and therefore, the same fit. Both are comfortable and I’ve taken both on 200+km rides. However, since part of that great fit is the hugging, tub-like feel, the wide opening of the Helium makes it significantly easier to enter than the Zxellium (I can’t imagine a flying mount in those). Since there’s no difference for me, I’ll choose the Tri Helium for any race requiring a fast mount, and the Zxellium for road racing and the bulk of my training.
Unaero compared to? Most tri shoes have one huge strap and not much else, while road shoes can have anything from a single BOA dial to having a dial, strap and ratchet all crammed into one shoe. Can’t know which is more aero without testing them.
Most tri shoes use the same sole as the equivalent road shoe, so stiffness should be the same. Not that it matters that much anyway.
It’s mainly a comfort vs mount-time tradeoff. At the IM distance, especially with US races banning flying mounts, the time to pull the shoe on is somewhat insignificant. Since some people find road shoes more comfortable, the trade-off is worth it for them. Others have a tri shoe that fits them great, and see no reason not to use it and save the 5-15sec.
FWIW, I have the Mavic Tri Helium and Zxellium shoes. Exact same sole, exact same last and therefore, the same fit. Both are comfortable and I’ve taken both on 200+km rides. However, since part of that great fit is the hugging, tub-like feel, the wide opening of the Helium makes it significantly easier to enter than the Zxellium (I can’t imagine a flying mount in those). Since there’s no difference for me, I’ll choose the Tri Helium for any race requiring a fast mount, and the Zxellium for road racing and the bulk of my training.
Thanks for the detailed reply - that helps. I was thinking products like the Bont Riot Tri or Spesh Trivent don’t look as aero as say the Sworks road shoes or Bont Vaypor2/Zero etc.
I’ve a pair of S-Works road shoes, really comfortable fit and very stiff sole. Same sole is used on the S-Works Trivent, but as mentioned above, the design behind it is for a faster transition. Without Boa dials, I’m not sure how the fit will compare.
I’m now using Giro Empire lace up shoes on the road (because I’m a poser and fancied a change from S-Works), so will invest in a tri-specific shoe, because laces will obviously be very time consuming… Either that, or just race duathlon in my S-Works (dials are quick in transition).
I use S-Works road shoes for anything over Oly Dist now. I can put them on either in T1 or on the bike; personally I don’t bother with flying mounts as I’m inherantly clumsy. But sometimes the time you spend farting around trying to put your shoes on ‘on the fly’ could be saved by putting them on in T1.
I use regular road shoes on longer distance tris (HIM and IM), and Specialized Transitions on sprints and Olys. Never worried too much about aeroness on my shoes, and never really noticed any difference in stiffness either. The trade-off for me is that tri shoes are a bit quicker in transition, whereas road shoes have a few more adjustment options so I can get a better/snugger fit. For longer distance, that extra comfort trumps the few seconds saved in transition.
Thanks for the detailed reply - that helps. I was thinking products like the Bont Riot Tri or Spesh Trivent don’t look as aero as say the Sworks road shoes or Bont Vaypor2/Zero etc.
Shoe-covers look more aero, but turns out most of them aren’t more aero than a bare shoe. Aero is weird, after all, and unpredictable. My guess would also be on those two particular road shoes being more aero, but who knows? Bont are high on my list to replace the Mavics when they’re dead (4 years and they still look new, can’t justify a new set yet) - and judging by the construction and moldability, I find it hard to believe anyone would find the Riot lacking in terms of stiffness and comfort.
PS, if you’re referring to the S-Works Trivent - test it first. I found I couldn’t quite get it to hug my foot properly without the whale-tail tugging at my achilles too tightly. Speaking of, I don’t think I’ve seen a single Spesh-sponsored athlete wearing them for long-course racing.
Keep in mind the drainage holes typically found on a tri shoe. Most will have similar soles with the exception of these drainage holes (in sole and in shoe)
Ive added drainage holes to shoes that otherwise didnt have them FWIW
Not having worn a pair of tri shoes, my understanding is that two benefits of them over road shoes are breathability and comfort when worn sockless.
I train in road shoes and only race 1/2 IMs and shorter in my tri shoes. Road shoes are a better fit and are more durable.
I think the same thing can be said for trip shorts versus cycling shorts for riding…or trip tops versus cycling tops.
know some will argue that you need to train in what you race in…you are wrong in regards to this 
Used a pair of DMT tri for 2 x 1/2 IM - then went back to my trusted Gaerne carbon Road shoes.
My experience is that You don’t gain enough in transition to make up for the comfi of the road shoe