You Spent How Much on a Pair of Shoes?
Shoes for biking are probably the most money that any man spends on shoes. I would have never thought that something that seems so basic, could be so expensive. Not all bike shoes are created equal. There are just as many varieties and technologies out there in biking shoes as there are in any other product. But, I like to keep things simple. So, a good biking shoe for triathlon specific races should have:
- A stiff sole – for effective power transfer
- Velcro straps – for quick on and off
- Well-ventilated shoe – so you can easily wear it with or without socks
The Pearl Izumi Tri Fly III has all of those and more. I have owned these shoes for a year now and have to say that I’m very happy with them. The sole is exceptionally stiff. It’s made of unidirectional carbon, and has the stiffest sole of any triathlon shoe Pearl Izumi makes. I don’t know exactly what unidirectional carbon is, but from using the shoe I know first hand that it’s a stiff shoe. Also, because it’s made of carbon it’s ultra light – and we know how triathletes are big weight weenies.
Another feature that I really like is that the entire upper part of the shoe is made of mesh. This lets your feet dry quickly after the swim and makes the shoe exceptionally breathable and comfortable – especially for those riding barefoot. Be careful though, if you’ll use these shoes during cold weather training, the vents let in cold air.
I like the velcro straps on these shoes, obviously they make it easy to get in and get out. But I especially like that you only have to do the large strap. You can easily get your foot in, while leaving the front strap in place. Also, the large strap is over-sized so that you can easily grab it and make adjustments in mid-ride. If you’re looking to shave off a few seconds in transition, than this shoe is a must.
The overall size seems to run true and the design of these shoes is spot on. I really like the white, but it also gets dirty exceptionally easy. I went for a ride in these on a wet day in Utah, and they got so dirty that I had to sit and scrub them for about an hour. Even after all that scrubbing, they didn’t come out completely white – so be forewarned about the white color.
The Bottom Line ~
This triathlon shoe from Pearl Izumi meets all the specific needs of a triathlete. It’s sleek, stylish, and super-stiff (talk about alliteration!) The Tri Fly III is not easy on the budget, as these bad boys will set you back $180, but if you are tri-geek, then I don’t think there’s a better way to go. The Pearl Izumi name is known for quality, and on this shoe they didn’t disappoint.
