Some people will say that triathlon and road cycling is for professionals only. These sports are too high-maintenance and complicated to practice regularly. But that doesn’t stop us from doing what we love!
To be honest, you can’t really ignore the price tag here as these shoes aren’t inexpensive. Therefore, people are always finding ways to save money on footwear, trying to use one pair as the substitute for the other.
But the question is, can we actually do that? Do these two shoes serve the same purpose, or is it just a tall tale? In the tri shoes vs road shoes debate, which one is the winner?
Triathlon Shoes vs Road Shoes – All You Need to Know
If we want to learn that both of the footgear can be used as alternatives or not, we need to break down each option separately. Yes, we are going to follow the “divide and conquer” strategy here!
First of all, we will discuss the features, pros, and cons of tri and road shoes. And then, we will be comparing the similarities and dissimilarities. After that, the final decision will be made, whether we can wear them for both sporting events or not.
Yes, that sounds a bit elaborate, but there’s no shortcut when it’s about getting the ultimate knowledge. So without wasting much time, let’s get into that part right away!
Read More: Difference Between Sneakers and Running Shoes
What Are Triathlon Shoes?
The tri shoes are a high-performance pair made specifically for running and swimming, in short, for triathlon events.
Triathlon is an exciting sport. You do swimming, biking, and running all at the same game. To win a match, you have to be equally (or nearly) perfect at all three sides.
The tri shoes have a durable yet lightweight construction and are designed with a quick-drying feature. In this way, you can use them for both land and water.
Features of Triathlon Shoes
Here are some common features that are available in every tri shoe pair. Let’s get to know them to have a better understanding.
- Closure
These shoes are typically designed with large Velcro closure. It is easy to grab; you can take them off and wear them in seconds.
- Tongue
They come with a divided tongue across the upper. This design prevents the folding of the tongue under your feet.
- Heel Loop
The heel loops are quite large in this footwear. In this way, you can easily grab the hill and pull for adjustments anytime you want.
- Mesh Upper
To make the shoes dry faster, this pair is made with a mesh upper. As the fabric is amazingly breathable, you won’t have to feel any discomfort if you run in these shoes after a swim.
- Internal Fabrics
The internal fabric liner of this pair is exceptionally soft and comfy. Therefore, even if you are not wearing any socks, your feet won’t feel stiff.
- Drainage
Yes, the most innovative feature of tri shoes is that they come with ergonomic drainage points. It is located at the bottom of the shoes to help you get rid of the excess water when the shoes get wet.
Pros
- The soft compartment of tri shoes allows you to wear them without socks.
- Designed with a single outward strap so you can pre-mount the footwear in the pedals
- The pair comes with a large hoop which makes them easy to wear
- Made with a breathable mesh upper to keep your feet dry
Cons
- As the shoes are well ventilated, your feet may get cold.
What Are Road Cycling Shoes?
As the road bike shoes are made for improving your pedaling and traction, they come with a stiffer sole. It gives you optimal support and allows you to have excellent balance while cycling.
Though this footwear is super comfortable, they have less ventilation than tri shoes. As a result, your feet stay warm during those morning practices. And that’s pretty necessary!
Triathlon shoes come with a softer and seamless construction. Therefore, you can keep the pair on without socks, but you cannot do that for road shoes.
Features of Road Shoes
Here are some features that are commonly seen in road bike shoes.
- BOA Dials
In this footwear, there are BOA dials, and with their help, you can adjust the tension according to your preference. You will also get several routing options for perfect foot contouring.
- Heel Cup
The heel cups of road shoes are exceptionally deeper. Therefore, your feet will have a secure fit inside the shoes and will not move during aggressive pedaling or movement.
- Upper
These shoes are designed with a closed upper. This aerodynamic construction doesn’t allow much airflow and keeps your feet warmer in freezing weather conditions.
Pros
- The lack of ventilation makes this pair eligible for cold weather.
- This pair is made with multiple straps for better security and support.
- Comes at a cheaper price range
Cons
- It’s pretty tricky to wear and take off because of several straps
Tri Shoes vs Road Shoes – Similarities and Differences
As both of these are bike shoes, they kind of look alike and share similar features. But when you look closely or wear them, you will see the differences too.
Well, the good news is that you don’t have to spend your money finding out the commonalities and differences between these two types of footwear. We’ll give you a side by side comparison so you can make the perfect decision without any doubt.
So, what are you waiting for? Let’s grab all the juicy deets!
Things in Common
- Both of these shoes come with stiff soles. As you will lose the support and balance without the stiffness, triathlon and road bike shoes are made with toughness to offer stability on the go.
- Tri shoes and road shoes use a clipless retention system which allows the beginner to attach the shoes to the pedal without any trouble.
Differences
- Tri shoes are highly breathable, road shoes have closed upper.
- Road shoes don’t do well when wet; tri shoes are made to handle water issues.
- Triathlon shoes have a seamless and soft compartment; road bike shoes are more on the opposite side.
- Road cycling footwear has a deeper heel cup than tri shoes for excellent foot contouring.
So, Which One Is the Best?
Finally, we are done with covering every tiny little detail of the triathlon and road bike shoes. Now the question remains, “Which one is the best pair?”
Well, the answer is, it really depends on your preferences. If you want quick-drying shoes with a comfortable compartment, go for the tri shoes. And if you don’t have to swim in your shoes, and want to spend most of the time on your bike, go for the road shoes!
Each pair comes with benefits and cons, some people will feel cozier in triathlon footwear, and some will feel powerful in road shoes. At the end of the day, the choice is totally yours!
However, there is a little issue with the price tag as the road pairs are available in a more reasonable price range than the tri one. But then again, the sense of affordability varies from person to person. So let’s not scratch that itch, shall we?
But, Can You Use Triathlon Shoes as Substitutes for Road Shoes?
Yes, you can use tri shoes as an alternative to road shoes. If you count the differences by fingers, there are a lot of them. But after wearing them, you won’t feel the dissimilarities until you are going for a swim! Both of these pairs have stiff soles, excellent support and comfortable fitting, so you won’t feel the differences stridently!
However, if you are going for long bike rides, wearing road shoes will be the brightest idea as they are designed in that way. And for shorter and quicker rides, tri shoes will be the best one as you can take them off and on in a second.
Do Cycling Shoes Improve Your Performance?
Bike shoes are made specifically for cycling, that’s no secret! Therefore, if you wear cycling footwear during rides, you will get better benefits than wearing a basketball shoe for that occasion!
The cycling footwear is designed with shock absorption quality, breathability, amazing traction and an ergonomic closure system for an easy transition. And you will not get these qualities in an ordinary pair.
Therefore, if you want to make your bike rides safer and enjoyable, take your skill to a whole new level, you have to go for the cycling shoes. It will enhance your performance; there is no doubt about that.
How Should Triathlon Shoes Fit and Feel?
Here is how a perfectly fitted tri pair feels on your feet.
- The shoe will feel airy, and your feet will be lightweight.
- The closure system should be effortless to put on and off.
- There will be no chaffing and tightness.
- When you walk around, the terrain shouldn’t feel slippery.
How Should Road Cycling Shoes Fit and Feel?
The signs of accurately fitted road cycling footwear are:
- It should be cozy in the heel and even heavy on the instep.
- There will be a little toe-room inside a perfectly-fitted road bike pair.
- There shouldn’t be any large gap inside the compartment.
- Your feet will feel stable and powerful.
The Bottom Line
When it is about tri shoes vs road shoes, there isn’t any specific calculation that will tell you which pair will serve you better. Both of this footwear have their own perks and unique features to enhance your performance.
So before making a purchase, take your time to make the correct decision. And you can use this article as your ultimate guide, as we have covered all the details inside out. Don’t worry, if a pair goes wrong, there’s always a second chance, isn’t it?