When it comes to buying gear for a triathlon, you’ve got more variables to consider than just any one-sport race. You use different muscle groups to move from the swim to bike to run. So to avoid mid-race injury (and save precious seconds on your time) you’ll want the best-fit gear to ensure fast, smooth transitions during your tri.
The fastest way to browse? Hit the web. But before you plug in your credit card digits, make certain you try gear at your local store before making the investment. Patience is crucial when you’re searching for the right tri-gear, no matter how fast those shoes look. “Everybody is built differently,” says Jimmy Wills, 30, who has raced triathlons for the past 15 years and competed in the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in 2007. “Don't just buy something based on how it looks or what you’ve read.” In your prelim gear search, stay focused on your needs, avoiding fancy gear gimmicks. Wills advises triathletes to invest in the essentials upfront to train safely and comfortably. “Then you can start accumulating cool ‘want’ pieces to improve performance or just look faster.”
To jump-start your list, Men’s Fitness scoped out the season’s top-quality triathlon gear. These 15 tri-accessories will help sharpen your training regiment or race time, keeping athletes—from newbie racers to professional triathletes—comfortable and safe.
Aqua Sphere Powered Pursuit Wetsuit
Practical for training or for race day, the flexible Powered Pursuit wetsuit is part of Aqua Sphere's competitor collection and stays breathable, especially in warmer water. The sleeveless design allows for maximum range of motion, and the Aqua-Flex collar seal design closes the neck up tight and ensures no water seeps in. The suit is fitted with quick release ankle transition panels, maximizing buoyancy and reducing drag. Plus, as proper wetsuits should, it provides 100 percent UV protection. ($200, aquasphereswim.com)
Orca 226 Kompress Race Suit
With its Vapour-Cool fabric, Orca’s 226 Kompress Race Suit conducts heat away from the body to wick moisture and quick-dry your body. The fabric is also antibacterial, deodorizing, and anti-allergy. The Kompress has graduated compression in the legs, as well as a doubly thick compression panel for your lower back area providing extra support while you swim. To finish it off, the suit has UPF 50+ protection, two covered rear pockets with reflective trim, and an internal chest pocket. ($165, orca.com)
Aqua Sphere K180 Goggles
Aqua Sphere’s sleek and simple K180 goggles offer 180 degrees of panoramic vision and include straps that use an integrated loop for enhanced hydrodynamics. None of that annoying drag around your eyes as you take your breaths. The K180s have 100 percent UV protection, come with three interchangeable nose bridges so you can find maximum comfort. The K180s come in clear or smoked lenses, so go ahead, be picky with your preference. ($25, aquasphereswim.com)
Amphibx Fit - Waterproof Armband
If you ride with music and run with music, why shouldn’t you be able to swim with it, too? With the lightweight, sealed-tight H20 Audio Amphibx Fit Waterproof Armband, your iPhone, iPod or Droid will stay safely dry, and still be fully operational with enough sensitivity for touchscreen functions. Use the armband in or out of the water for smooth transitions between race segments or every part of your workout. ($60, h2oaudio.com)
Surge Contact 2G Waterproof Headset
The Surge Contact 2G Waterproof Headset by H20 Audio comes complete with earbuds and a microphone. If you sweat a lot and aren’t willing to wreck normal earbuds or you just want the freedom to swim with your music, this headset has you covered. No annoying static here, and it comes with different sized earbuds to ensure a watertight fit. ($70, aquasphereswim.com)
Smith PivLock V2 Max Sunglasses
With its amped up lens, Smith’s PivLock V2 Max provides greater eye coverage for hazardous debris while you’re flying down hills at fast speeds. The larger lens and frame fits well on athletes with broader faces. The glasses come with three easily changeable lenses in three different colors (clear, ignitor and super platinum) and have a three-position adjustable nose pad that’ll stay secure and tight to your face. ($159, smithoptics.com)
S-Works Prevail Helmet
Specialized always dishes out quality cycling gear, and the S-Works Prevail Helmet continues the company’s rep as the team set out to design the best road helmet ever. The lightweight racing helmet has innovative ventilation opportunity through colossal vents, and an aerodynamic design. It also contains a Kevlar-reinforced Inner Matrix for super-light, super-protected construction. The S-Works Prevail is the best when it comes to cooling and sweat evaporation. Pre-fit and snap it on quick with its micro-dial fit system and easily adjustable straps. ($230, specialized.com)
Clif Bar - Gary's Panforte Edition
If fruitcake reminds you of a nasty holiday dessert, think again. Gary’s Panforte, a limited-edition energy bar from Clif Bar, mixes fruit, nuts and spices that’ll stick with your muscles the whole race. Packed with oats, dates, figs, almonds, pistachios, hazelnuts and a strong taste of ginger, the 260-calorie bar provides 44 grams of carbs and five grams of protein. Gary’s Panforte fuels up your system on the go in a tasty, substantial way. ($15 for a 12-bar box, clifbar.com)
S-Works Trivent
Changing up your shoes can cost you precious seconds on race day, and those mere seconds can cost you a place on the podium. Here’s a shoe that solves that problem. Specialized S-Works Trivent triathlon shoe was built for the elite triathlete. And don’t let the price turn you off. The shoes have a Boa dial closure system, an easy entry drawbridge heel counter that ensures quick transitions, and a smooth lining for sockless riding. One less thing to worry about, so you stay focused on your race strategy. ($400, specialized.com)
Pearl Izumi - Elite Gel Vent Glove
The Elite Gel Vent Glove by Pearl Izumi has a mesh palm lining to keep sweaty hands cool and dry. The durable, comfort bridge gel vent padding relieves pressure on nerves and increases ventilation. If your hands tend to fall asleep on long rides, the Elite Gel Vent gloves reduce numbness and cramping. Make sure to go for a snug fit sans extra space or folds. Don’t worry, the easy-off glove removal tab allows for one-pull removal, instead of wasting time individually loosen each finger. Plus, strategically placed synthetic leather means you won’t be replacing them every few months to due wear and tear, as you would with real leather. ($40, pearlizumi.com)
New Balance 1600 Running Shoe
At only 5.8 ounces, you can barely feel the weight of New Balance’s 1600 distance running shoe. The shoes have no-sew overlays for cushion support and durability. The shoe has a lower instep height, a reduced-volume toe-box depth, and a reduced-volume forefoot width compared to other New Balance shoes, which fits snug and reduces in-shoe movement, which can cause discomfort. ($110, newbalance.com)
Clif Bar Shot Bloks
Clif Bar’s newest flavor of chewable Shot Bloks, citrus, is just as tasty and just as energizing as all the other flavors. Three pieces provide 100 calories of fuel to give your body back some electrolytes and carbohydrates. The chews come in a small, easy-to-open pack that can slip right into a back pocket for easy access during your hardest races. Other flavors include strawberry and mountain berry; the margarita flavor contains an extra sodium boost, and tropical punch, orange, and black cherry contain caffeine. ($36 for an 18-package box, clifbar.com)
Garmin Forerunner 910XT
If you’re into tracking and improving your progress, the GPS-enabled Garmin Forerunner 910XT will help you monitor your workouts and races. The Forerunner tracks distance, pace, elevation, and heart rate when you run and cycle. During your swim, the Forerunner records distance, efficiency, stroke type, stroke count and pool lengths. With a battery life that lasts up to 20 hours, it’ll never die out on you during a race and can even send data wirelessly to your computer so your supporters can track your route on a map. ($450, sites.garmin.com)
Helly Hansen Pace Stripe Shirt
The Helly Hansen Pace Stripe SS is the all-purpose triathlon training shirt with advanced dry fiber, which draws away heat and sweat from your body, while air circulation features keep you cool. The flatlock stitching ensures no rubbing or chafing from annoying seams. It’s a simple, training accessory that’ll ensure you don’t overheat, especially during those high-intensity workouts. ($55, hellyhansen.com)
Helly Hansen Windfoil Jacket
For three-season training, this convertible Helly Hansen Windfoil Jacket is lightweight, reflective, and windproof. Whether you’re working out in humidity, or biting wind, the Windfoil keeps you covered and cool. In warmer weather, you can wear it as a warm-up jacket and zip off the sleeves into a running vest. The Windfoild has three zippered pockets, including one on the back, a UPF protection of 30+, and stretchy fabric along the shoulders for an unhindered range of motion. ($160, hellyhansen.com)
When it comes to buying gear for a triathlon, you’ve got more variables to consider than just