Triathlon Equipment


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Your First Triathlon

Your first Triathlon - A Guide to the equipment required.

We've tried to keep it simple by breaking it down into options for each section: Swim, Bike, Run, Transition, Nutrition and Others.  It's not finite and there are new bits of kit coming out all the time but you'll get the basics. 

  • Race Must Haves : The minimum required to race
  • 1st Race Options : Items to use, that can be used for things other than Triathlon afterwards (if you decide not to do another)
  • 1st Race - Nice to Have : Want some comfort, your final time is important, then consider these options
  • Hooked - Options for the future : Fallen in love with the sport, the sky's the limit......

 

Race Day

Racing must haves

1st Race options

1st Race nice to have

Hooked – Options for the future

Comments

Bike

Swimsuit

 

Tri Suit or Tri-2 pce

Better Tri Suit

A trisuit is worn throughout the race, so although not essential it’s worth investing as it has a light pad for the bike part. Otherwise add clothing on top of the swimsuit

 

Cap

 

 

 

 

May be provided at the race

 

Goggles

 

 

 

 

You don’t have to wear goggles but most do

 

 

Open Water Swim

 

Swimsuit

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wetsuit* - Hire

 

 

Wetsuit* - Buy

Better wetsuit

*depends on water temp

 

Cap

 

 

 

 

May be provided at the race

 

Goggles

 

 

Open Water Goggles

 

OW goggles are often bigger with wider vision, lens options include – polarised (anti glare), smoked (sunlight), yellow (Improves vision in varying light)

Bike

 

Bike – any you have

 

 

Road Bike

Time trial / Tri bike or a road bike with clip on tri bars

 

 

Helmet

 

 

 

Time trial helmet

 

 

Your run trainers/shoes

 

 

Clip-in bike shoes

Triathlon specific bike shoes

 

 

 

 

Run shorts (add a foam saddle cover) or cycle shorts

Tri-Suit or Tri-2 pce

 

Add (at no time during the race can you be in your birthday suit) clothing as required on top of the swimsuit. If it’s cold/raining you may wan’t to consider a lightweight, reasonably tight fitting jacket and gloves.

If you’re after a good time remember ALL clothing that has to be put on or taken off wastes time

 

 

 

Run/cycle top

Tri-Suit or Tri-2 pce

 

 

 

 

Any sunglasses

Sports Sunglasses

Sunglasses with interchangeable lens’

Keeps the bugs, grit and sun out of your eyes

 

Race Belt

 

 

Race Belt with gels loops

 

Your race number needs to be on the back on the bike section & front on the run, you often only get 1 number. A couple of safety pins ensures it stays attached to the belt

Transition

 

Plastic box/Carrier Bag/Sports Bag

 

 

Specific Transition Bag

 

Keep your kit together, it it’s raining use it to keep your kit covered if you can – remember there’s not a lot of room in the transition for each person

 

 

 

Towel

 

 

Make it brightly coloured so you can use it to help find your bike as well as standing/drying your feet on.

Nutrition & Hydration

 

Water + bottles

 

 

 

Aero bike bottle

Shorter races don’t usually have water stations, so have water ready in transition and on the bike

 

 

 

Electrolyte Powders

 

 

Add to water to replenish the salts you lose during the race

 

 

 

 

Energy gels

 

Try them before the race not all will agree with you and they all taste & have different textures. Most need to be taken with water (isotonic ones don’t need water)

 

 

 

 

 

Recovery Drinks / Bars

Aids faster recovery, gives you back the protein and carbs lost during the race

 

 

 

 

 

 

Others


Cycle Gloves

If it’s cold, they could be useful to ensure you can still feel your fingers


Socks

To wear socks or not, up to you but do go barefoot for the first time in race day


Run Hat

If it’s sunny this may be of benefit


Anti–Chafe Cream

Prevents friction rash from wetsuit, chamois cream makes the bike more comfortable on a longer ride