Shimano TR50 W

Shimano proudly claims that some of the world's leading elite female triathletes helped them design their TR50 shoe - and it shows.

Here is a shoe which boasts funk and function: its super-stiff yet light carbon fibre sole offers good support to the foot and aids pedalling efficiency while its sleek good looks means anyone wearing them certainly looks the part.

Reverse closure straps are a must in a good tri shoe if an athlete wants fast, hassle-free transitions. Standard straps can easily become tangled in the chain when pedalling with feet out of the shoes leaving transition 1 and entering transition 2. It is no surprise to see, then, that plenty of thought has gone into the design of the TR50's strap system. Not only does it have a sturdy reverse closure, easy-to-fasten Velcro strap, there is also a neat strap loop to keep the tongue of the shoe firmly in place, something its predecessor, the TR02, lacked.

This shoe also goes one better than the TR02 with its sturdy rubber hook at the ankle which enables the triathlete to hold the shoe steady as she is putting her foot in or taking it out on entering/exiting transition. The earlier model only had a weaker fabric-made loop which, after just a few races, could look very worn. Rubber protection on the heel and nose of the shoe is there to prevent this kind of damage in transition and the baby blue colouring adds a nice touch to make it one of the more feminine-looking shoes on the market.

The insole is ventilated and, together with large grills and mesh panels, it combines to make a well-ventilated shoe which allows the feet to breathe on even the warmest of race or training days, as well as dry off quickly post-swim. The insole is also lined with an anti-bacterial treatment which helps to reduce odours, particularly when worn barefoot in races, and the soft lining inside the shoe means the triathlete is unlikely to suffer chafing.

They are SPD-SL / Look, SPD-R and SPD cleat compatible and, for the weight watchers among you, weigh in at 574g a pair (size 40).

Verdict Emma Kate Lidbury in action Verdict: an excellent performance triathlon shoe which is well-designed and looks good. Hard to fault. Intelligently-designed with racing in mind and comes into its own in transition Quite pricey. Price: £110 Website: www.edinburghbicycle.com Colours: white/light blue Sizes: 36 - 42