CUSHIONED & TRI-SPECIFIC?
Many people think cushioned run shoes are the sole preserve of training, while flatter, ‘faster’ shoes are more appropriate for race day. But if you’re taking on a longer triathlon or are simply a runner who’s more comfortable in cushioned shoes, you may not want to switch to racing flats. Plus with technology in shoes intended for high mileage progressing in recent years, you don’t necessarily need to. If anything, changing your shoes for race day is a recipe for disaster, especially if you’re not used to lower drops. But there are a few things to consider when it comes to race day and your run shoes, which can make transitions easier, if nothing else…
1 Switching the supplied laces for a set of elastic laces will make transition much quicker. These allow you to simply pull the shoes on and go, with the tension held either by knots or by a plastic toggle which easily slides into place.
2 For longer triathlons you’ll want to wear socks to avoid chafing and blisters, but for shorter ones slipping your feet straight in and running is a good way to save time and faff. Look for a shoe with a lightweight, breathable upper, soft fabrics on the inside and minimal seams.
3 A heel loop can be a big help pulling shoes on quickly, so if your run shoes have one, it’s an added bonus. Saying that, we’d never advise choosing tri-specific features over comfort. In the past, some brands have added Boa dials to run shoes (as on bike shoes), but these were a bit marmite, often leading to hot spots on top of the feet.