While clip-in cycling shoes aren’t necessarily the first thing you need as a new triathlete, they’re one of those things you’re going to get eventually. It’s just a matter of time. The best pair of triathlon cycling shoes for you will provide a stiff platform to pedal, enough side to side play (or float) to prevent any knee tracking issues, go on quickly in transition, dry quickly when wet, feel comfortable for one hour or three or seven, and come off quickly in T2.

Most popular cycling shoe brands have triathlon-specific models, but today triathletes are also using non tri-specific shoes that still go on and off quickly, yet might be more comfortable over the long haul for training and long-distance racing. That said, a pair of tri-specific shoes will typically address the needs of the multisport athlete better than a pair of catch-all road cycling shoes.

With that in mind, we’ve compiled three of the most interesting pairs of shoes to help you find your best triathlon cycling shoes this year—whether they’re a top-of-the-line tri model, something more basic, or a road cycling pair that just works. Our easy-to-use guide includes ratings and info on criteria like fit, value, width, stiffness, comfort, breathability, transition speed, and more. Read on all of the info you need to make an educated decision on the best triathlon cycling shoes for you.

Editor’s Note: While the gear below was loaned out by the brands represented, all choices were selected independently by the tester without any promotional consideration or brand input. Also, unlike other “best triathlon cycling shoes review” websites, our testers actually wear and try the gear ourselves—no glancing at spec sheets and rewording marketing terms! For more on how we review gear, click here.

Value	More than just absolute cost, this is how much bang you get for your buck. 1-5; 5 being a great value.
Weight	The weight in grams
Fit Notes	Notes on the size, shape, or any issues with breaking in
Width	Does this shoe fit narrow or wide when compared to other shoes? 1-5; 1 being super narrow, 5 being super wide.
Stiffness	How stiff the sole feels while riding and putting down big power. 1-5; 5 being super stiff.
Comfort	Taking into account the material on the inside, the fit, the buckles, everything. 1-5; 5 being super comfortable.
Breathability	How breathable is this shoe in hot/sweaty or wet conditions? How well does it drain water? 1-5; 5 is extremely breathable.
Speed in Transition	How quickly does this shoe go on and off? 1-5; 5 being very fast/easy.
Material Quality	How well made is this shoe? Are there lots of seams and threads? Does it feel like it'll last a long time? Does the upper take a long time to break in or is it ready to go? 1-5; 5 is extremely good materials/build.
Walkability	How easily can you walk around in transition/at a coffee shop/etc. Assuming the same cleat for all shoes being equal. 1-5; 5 being great at walking around.

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Fizik Transiro Hydra Aeroweave Carbon Tri Shoes | $300

Value	3
Weight	259g (size 46)
Fit Notes	Runs true, wide toe box
Width	4
Stiffness	4
Comfort	5
Breathability	5
Speed in Transition	4
Material Quality	3
Walkability	4

Fizik’s new line of tri-specific shoes is a super-modern update to a collection of shoes that was already quite good. The new Transiro Hydra Aeroweave Carbon is the premium offering, but Fizik also has a more affordable non-knitted, non-carbon version for almost half the price. We loved the innovative and ultra-comfy liner that was not only plush, but had an interesting, grippy padding around the ankle, making sockless use a no brainer at any distance. The asymmetrical heel pull tab is also a best-of-both-worlds solution to getting enough leverage while pulling the shoe on when on the bike, and the super-wide single velcro fastener was quick and easy. Drainage was also excellent with a through-port cut into the front and the bottom of the forefoot carbon. The only small complaints with this shoe were questions around durability for such a fragile-looking knitted upper (and not a ton of toe/heel bumper protection for dragging shoes in T2) and the inability to get a super tight fit with only one strap (especially given the roomy toe box).

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Shimano SH-TR901 Tri Shoes | $275

Value	4
Weight	262g (size 46)
Fit Notes	Runs true, slightly narrow
Width	2
Stiffness	4
Comfort	4
Breathability	2
Speed in Transition	4
Material Quality	5
Walkability	5

Shimano has quietly created some of the best “workhorse” tri cycling shoes in the game for years, and the latest version of their top-tier shoe is no exception. For $140 you can also get into the non-carbon SH-TR501 that shares much of the same design. The unsexily-named SH-TR901, however is a great value for a shoe that will likely last more seasons than most—thanks to its tough exterior, massive heel and toe bumpers, durable finish, and excellent walkability. Much like Shimano’s previous models, these are built for a lot of use and abuse. We also liked the fact that this was a more lightweight shoe than Shimano has produced in the past with a great horizontal heel tab (as opposed to the standard vertical tab on most), and even though the secondary loop by the toe might seem like an afterthought, we loved how well you could tighten the entire upper, not just by the main loop. That said, the main loop opens wider than almost any other shoe we’ve tried over the years (great for quick, wet barefoot entry). Our only little critiques include the fact that the toe loop strap opens toward the bike (which could get snagged in the drivetrain), and the fact that the drainage and ventilation are a little less than other models—the latter of which could be ok if you’re racing in colder climates.

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VeloVetta Monarch Tri Shoes| $400

Value	2
Weight	430 g (size 46)
Fit Notes	Runs one euro size big, so order a size down
Width	3
Stiffness	4
Comfort	3
Breathability	2
Speed in Transition	5 with socks
Material Quality	2
Walkability	1

VeloVetta’s very novel Monarch is a unique concept that uses a large hinge in the heel attached to wires to open and close the shoe quickly. Designed using CFD, VeloVetta says the unusual teardrop rear section (that also serves as the open/close hinge) is optimized for aerodynamics. While the design doesn’t open the entire heel like a few models, it only loosens the front of the shoe (think, quickly releasing a main strap) a small bit, then closes it tightly with a flick of the large hinged lever/heel. The result is a shoe that takes a little set up to get the tension just right—finding a sweet spot between not opening enough in the “open” position and not tightening enough in the “closed” position.

Once set up, it is a very fast close and open, but only if you’re wearing socks—if you choose to go barefoot it’s virtually impossible to squeeze your foot in without smashing the upper’s “tongue,” that sadly has no loop or tab to grip and hold it open further. If you loosen the wires far enough to accommodate for a wet, bare foot, it won’t tighten down enough when you flip the heel hinge closed. And while the shoe is comfortable and stiff enough with a nice liner and carbon outsole, ventilation and drainage are very minor, and without a secondary toe loop to close, the fit is fine, but not above-and-beyond the competition. Unlike a standard loop or ratchet closure, our tests found you can loosen the fit mid ride (adjusting for swelling feet, for instance), using the metal fit adjustment wheel, but you cannot tighten the fit past the preset “closed” position safely while riding. Finally, we struggled mightily with walking and/or running in transition due to the rounded heel shape, and would worry about the durability of the hinge device given how much abuse that part of the shoe can take while flopping around in T2.