What Is the Difference Between Cycling Shoes & Triathlon Shoes?

Triathlon shoes are road cycling shoes that are designed for the specific needs of a triathlete. Unlike road cyclists, triathletes often put on and take off their bike shoes when they’re already on the bike, leading to specialized shoe features.

  1. Straps

    • Road cycling shoes fasten with straps, laces and ratchets. Triathlon shoes use a single fabric fastener strap to expedite fastening for a quick transition.

    Shoe Entry

    • Many triathletes put on their shoes after mounting the bike, so unlike road cycling shoes, triathlon shoes have wide openings with no tongue so that the shoes can be slipped on easily.

    Heel Loops

    • Triathlon shoes have a loop on the heel that road shoes don’t have. This loop works like a shoehorn to help pull the shoe quickly onto the rider’s foot. Some triathletes tie thread from the rear skewer through the heel loop to hold the shoe upright and keep it from dragging on the ground until the rider reaches the mount line.

    Shoe Exit

    • The fabric fastener straps on triathlon shoes sometimes open to the outside. This way, the straps won’t catch in the spokes when the rider opens the shoes before dismounting.

    Interior

    • To prevent blistering on wet feet without socks, triathlon shoes have seamless interiors and are designed to drain water efficiently.