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Which type and brand of biking shoe do you use for tri?

I'm interested in reading which type and brand of shoe ENrs use for the bike leg? Historically I always used my bike shoes and as I got more into the sport I switched to tri shoes. Last year I went with the Pearl Izumi Tri Fly Octane II based on favorable online reviews.

At first I thought it was a great shoe -- went sockless right away with my indoor workouts (tempo, threshold, VO2) and didn't feel any rubbing, hot spots, as well as being easy to get on and off. First couple of rides outside were sockless as well and no problems. (I was trying sockless due to some early season Oly races). First race I noticed rubbing across my toes and found I had multiple blisters forming when I got off the bike. This pattern continued throughout last year between training and races and for my summer 70.3 "A" race I used these shoes, went with socks and didn't have any issues. Clearly I was pedaling a little different in my races than in indoor and outdoor training rides.

I am undecided whether I will stick with these shoes or change it up for this year. (I'm doing IMAZ and have always worn socks on the bike leg)

What do you all like and use? Do your choices vary between shorter distance, HIM, and IM races?

** Note, not the purpose of this thread, but if people get into road shoes, I use the Bontrager XXX Road shoe **

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  • edited January 10, 2019 7:08PM

    Specialized TriVent (several years old). Never had an issue with blisters or rubbing.

    I never wear socks for actual tri/races and most training rides. Sometimes when it's a bit colder, I'll wear some socks, but mostly not.

    EDIT: I use Specialized road shoes (cannot remember exact model), with velcro and ratchet straps for road biking; always with socks.

    I have shimano WIDE shoes for my MTB'ing and gravel grinding; also always with socks.

    Special note...I've never peed in any of these shoes!

  • I have the Specialized trivent with the opening heel and go without socks. Zero issues. That said, I just started riding the Sworks 6.0 road shoe for road riding and have found them to be incredibly comfortable, they feel like shoes, not bike shoes! I know there are a number of pros that use road shoes and I may consider switching. I would likely wear sox as I have to put them on for the run leg anyways...

  • For tri, I use and enjoy the Nike Poggio 4 UL, which is basically the Bontrager XXX le.  Except I have removed the three Velcro straps and drilled holes for stretchy laces (this lets me just slide my foot into the shoe, in T1), and I'm using a 'sweet spot' soccer shoe lace cover to wrap the shoe for the same aerodynamic effect as the 'warp sleeve' on the Specialized Sub 6.    The goals driving all of ^that^ are usability, lightweight  and as aero as possible.   Above all, though, the major factor is comfort.  

    (I've used two different sized Giro Empires, but the toebox is far too narrow for me.   When the Poggios finally fail - they are now about 15 years old - I'll replace them with a pair of wide Lake CX1 carbon. ) 

    Never worn socks, but I do smear some bodyglide on the higher friction places inside of the shoe before races.     

     

  • Specialized Trivent without socks (90% of races) or Specialized road shoe (Torch?) with socks if it is too cold.

  • Sidi T-2. I bought a pair in 2000, used them maybe 1000 days of cycling, and they were still going strong when I got a new pair with Carbon sole and fleecier innards. Those are now 6+ yrs old and look brand new, with maybe 4-500 days of cycling. Sidis are *INDESTRUCTIBLE*, worth every ¢ from a time-value perspective. I still have a 20+ yr old pair for winter mountain biking which I can't throw away, and two more pair for routine mountain biking and road biking. The heel pads and insoles are replaceable.

    I go without socks for races of all lengths up to and including IM. I wear socks at other times.

    Granted, they have velcro rather than BOA straps, but I leave the front strap locked, and just flip over the second one after I get on the bike. They are very easy to release when unclipping 100 yards from the line for a faster dismount.

  • I just upgraded my SIDIs to the T4.  The old SIDIs issue was not with the shoes but my cleats were so beat up that the screws could not be removed to replace the cleat.  Races always no socks all distances.  Socks on most other rides.  Sort races no socks on run anyway.  long races don't want to pee in socks.  Never any issues with blisters in SIDIs.

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