LIGHTWEIGHT PERFORMANCE

SHIMANO TR9

SHIMANO HAS RAISED the bar with the performanceoriented TR9. It’s comfortable, light (just 502 g), sleek and looks great in Shimano’s signature blue. The stiff carbon fibre composite sole helps keep the weight off, but transfers power as efficiently as any road shoe. Triathletes won’t have to worry about fiddling around with their footwear in T1 with the TR9, either. Its extrawide velcro strap and asymmetrical, oversized heel loop makes it easy to get your feet into the shoe, which will shave valuable seconds off transition times. The dualstrap system, designed to give triathletes optimal comfort and snugness, ensures you can adjust the shoe to fit your specific foot shape.

The durable, stretch-resistant, synthetic leather upper can withstand the elements – Shimano says their Lighterleather technology is more durable than natural leathers. There’s a three-layer, mesh ventilation system that allows your feet to breathe, which triathletes will appreciate in their bare feet. Even the toe cap has extra air ventilation intakes, making this a great shoe whether you’re racing at the sprint or full distance.

The TR9 features Shimano’s unique Dynalast footbed shape, which ensures that the shoe hugs the unique curves of the foot to enhance muscle-efficiency and make your ride as smooth as possible. We found that the shoe fit basically true to size, though the toe box seems a little larger than some of Shimano’s other tri shoes. Overall, the TR9 is a great option for the triathlete seeking a high-end shoe that’s comfortable enough for training and racing long distances, for whom ventilation is a priority. For those who aren’t a fan of Shimano’s bright blue (which we love), the shoe also comes in white.–