Laces, Velcro, or Boa Dials: which cycling shoe closure is best?

Laces, Velcro and Boa dials are the three most common kinds of cycling shoe closure and each retention system has its pros and cons.

During a triathlon, you’ll have to pull on your cycling shoes quickly after the swim and whip them off before the run. This means that choosing a suitable cycling shoe closure that offers comfort but also is quick and easy to function single-handed is key. Road cyclists on the other hand, will be less focussed on putting on and more on the distribution of pressure, comfort, and weight.

The multitude of cycling shoe retention systems makes it tricky to choose what’s best for your triathlon bike shoes. To narrow down your choice, we’ve taken a look at the main cycling shoe closures, so that you can decide which is best for you.

Cycling shoes with laces

Verdict: A trendy, long-lasting retro option for cycling-only sessions but to avoid during bricks or tri racing.

Evidently not a quick option to slip into, lace-up shoes may have a vintage aesthetic, but they are actually a good bet for a secure and comfortable triathlon bike shoe fit.

This is because the laces can be fixed to your personal comfort. They fasten with an even distribution of tension across the top of the shoe and can also create less drag than their more modern counterparts. Just be sure to securely fasten the end of laces to minimise drag and the chance of catching them on something.

Cycling shoes with Velcro

Verdict: Great for entry-level shoes but not as sleek and fast as other retention systems.

Velcro is a step up from laces in terms of modernisation. They offer a simple and quick means to fasten your cycling shoes and jump on the bike.

Usually featuring two or three straps, Velcro cycling shoes are a convenient and low-budget closure system to have on your bike shoes.

The main drawback is that they can easily pick up and retain debris within the Velcro mesh and they’re less durable than other closure systems. They’re also a touch more weighty and less aero than options like the boa dial.

For a best of both worlds option, many cycling shoe brands have started bringing out shoes with hybrid closure systems involving both a boa dial at the top and slim Velcro strap underneath.

Cycling shoes with Boa Dials

Verdict: Extreme ease of use and strength, no wonder Boa tends to be the mechanism of choice for multisport activities. They look pretty cool too!

Twist lock retention systems are known as Boa Dials and are usually the choice of cycling shoe closure for most pro triathletes.

This lacing system uses steel wires connected to a twisting knob at the top of the shoe. The more premium Boa Dials are multi-directional. This enables you to loosen or tighten the tension without unfastening the dial, as you have to with unidirectional dials.

As such, they are highly adjustable, even being easy to access mid-ride. This ensures the snuggest fit and that no efficiency is lost during your ride. They’re also super easy to adjust one-handed like at the start of end of the bike leg.

Although Boa cycling shoes are usually more expensive, Boa offers a lifetime warranty on its dials and laces, so they’ll send you replacement parts if yours break.

You might also be interested in learning what’s the difference between road bike shoes and tri bike shoes. Make sure you know how to fit new cleats onto your bike shoes too.