Triathlon-specific running shoes have recently joined Softride bikes in the multisport history vaults, even if both stand as tech whose influence shines on today.
Triathlon-specific bike shoes, however, show no signs of going full Betamax, as evidenced here in Fizik’s latest techy carbon wonders – the Fizik Transiro Hydra Aeroweave Carbon.
Sported by Brit short-course star Georgia Taylor-Brown, for whom lost seconds in the transition zones of World Triathlon and Super League Triathlon racing can make or break her day, the Transiro tick plenty of tri-bike shoe boxes.
Tri-specific features
There’s a heel bumper for easier running through transition, which also protects the carbon sole, while the heel loop is appreciated for putting them on in, or just after, T1.
The single Velcro strap continues the transition speed theme, its reverse nature meaning you can leave your shoe clipped into the pedal before you mount without the fear of the tongue getting stuck in the drivetrain.
The downside, as evidenced here, is that the tongue can be too long and can catch on the crank arm when pedalling, meaning you must cut them down with scissors, which always feel disconcerting on circa-£300 shoes such as the Transiro.
How's the fit?
Even without Boa dials and wires for added security (as seen on Fizik’s Transiro Infinito), the tongue produces a secure yet comfortable fit around the top of the foot, saving further time in both T1 and T2 due to the lack of dial rotating.
The sizing suited this tester’s wide feet, too, with enough room for sock-wearing training rides. As for sockless riding, the Transiro excels.
What's comfort like?
The Aeroweave upper, a mix of nylon and filaments of thermoplastic polymers, offered plenty of aeration on muggy UK rides, aided further by an inlet and some airflow channels on the outsole.
Despite its net-like construction, chafing was absent on sockless sojourns, and this praise is coming from someone who largely avoids sockless riding (yes, for fear of smelly shoes).
What's the power transfer like?
Onto the outsole and it ranks as 10 out of 10 on Fizik’s stiffness scale, the full unidirectional carbon giving the impression of efficient power transfer due to leanness of the build and connection to cleat and pedal.
That said, the effectiveness of ultra-stiff carbon soles isn’t unequivocal, with a 2022 University of Colorado study finding no clear evidence that a super-stiff sole is a winning choice for sprinting over more flexible shoes.
Your best bet if you’re serious enough about triathlon to consider spending nearly £300 on race shoes is a pro bike fit.
What else should you know?
That carbon sole and upper ensure the Transiro graces the scales at a lithe 228g (UK7), minus cleats.
The cleat positioning, meanwhile, also has a tri-friendly focus, being positioned slightly further back than conventional road shoe settings to aid the more aero/tri-bar positions favoured by multisporters.
It’s a further neat touch in what’s an exhaustive tri focus, and we applaud Fizik for the dedication.
Whether it’s enough for you to splash £290 depends on your bank balance but, if not, the standard Transiro Hydra (£149.99, albeit with nylon outsole) could be a compromise worth making.
Verdict: A fantastic tri and transition focus, but you’ll pay for the privilege.
Score: 87%
