Keen to sign up for your first triathlon? You don’t have to wait until next year to try your hand at putting your favourite three sports together (seriously, it’s actually quite fun).
Brighton, Dorney and Hever triathlons are all coming up in the next few months and are among some of the UK’s favourites, with everything from sprint distances (it’s only a 5k!) to full-length races depending on how many lido trips and Richmond laps you’ve fitted in this summer.
So what to buy? From all the gear that will get you through training to the ultimate race day essentials, here’s your kit list.
For training
Beeline Velo 2
London’s safest bike navigation device has just had its first big upgrade. Beeline released its Velo 2 bike computer last year: it’ll help you navigate with turn-by-turn directions, and track your adventures.
Battery life in the newly upgraded model is over 11 hours (it’ll charge up to 30 per cent in just 20 minutes if you forget to plug it in overnight) and all your metrics will be saved in the Beeline app, ready to upload straight to Strava when you’re home. Oh, and it’s also the world’s first carbon and plastic negative cycling computer thanks to features including a clever new repair and refurb scheme and recycling of old devices. That’s smart.
£79.99, global.beeline.co
TheMagic5 goggles
If you’re someone who struggles to find goggles that don’t leak or leave you with massive suction marks around your eyes, these are well worth an investment. They’re the only custom-fit swimming goggles on the market thanks to the brand’s clever Optimal Fitting Technology which maps the counters of your face to deliver a unique goggle, specific to your facial structure (the process takes five minutes – just scan your face using TheMagic5’s app).
The brand insists this gives users a five per cent edge on the competition, hence the name, and if you don’t believe them, believe the 110,000 swimmers already using them around the world, including world-class athletes Jan Frodeno and Matt Grevers, who are both investors. Three Olympic swimmers even competed in TheMagic5 goggles at Tokyo 2020.
From £65, themagic5.com
Le Col Sport Cargo Bib Shorts
Your new go-to bib shorts. Le Col’s cargo edition come with durable fabrics, added comfort and extra storage for carrying snacks, tools or your phone.
A technical triple layer chamois with gel insert absorbs vibration and boosts comfort when cycling on rougher surfaces.
£155, lecol.cc
Salomon ADV Skin 5 Hydration Vest
It’s thirsty work, running in a heatwave. And Salomon’s unisex ADV Skin vest is best-selling, allowing you to carry up to five litres of water comfortably on your chest.
Runners say it’s comfortable and allows you to move freely, thanks to carrying the weight on your front. Bonus points: it fits perfectly with this season’s running aesthetic (see: TikTok).
£125, salomon.com
Garmin Venu 3S Smartwatch
Garmin is one of the best triathlon smartwatches on the market and it doesn’t just do chunky big watches you can throw on for a run.
The Venu 3S — a touchscreen all-rounder with up to 10 days of battery life and pretty, feminine touches — is sleek, chic and perfect for wearing for day-to-day, so you can track your step-count around the office as well as your bigger runs, cycles and swims at the weekend. Trigger warning: your analogue watch might quickly find itself redundant.
£449.99, garmin.com
Drink Oshun Electrolyte Concentrate
Your electrolytes just got a whole lot prettier. Drink Oshun — a new unflavoured electrolyte formula from Brits Jack Atkinson and Joe Welstead — launched this summer and contains 200 large glassfuls of nutritionist-recommended electrolyte concentrate in one chic, Instagrammable bottle.
The brand’s unique formula isn’t made in a lab — it’s harvested through solar evaporation of the mineral-rich water of the Great Salt Lake of Utah. Simply add two pumps to your water bottle, glass of water or even your tea or coffee first thing in the morning. Atkinson and Welstead recommend adding a dash of lemon for added flavour.
£32.99, drinkoshun.co
Rapha Detachable Bib Shorts
The worst thing about bib shorts? That hurry to get undressed during a mid-ride pitstop. Rapha’s detachable bib shorts will be your hero: the comfort of bib shorts without the faff of being in an all-in-one. A magnetic clasp allows you to remove the bib without removing your jersey, the super-soft fabric is cut to provide optimal compression without bunching around the legs, and there are high-stretch mesh uppers with bonded seams to prevent chafing.
Other features include a padded section behind the magnetic clasp, and printed Rapha logos on the thighs (essential).
£230, rapha.cc
Koo Supernova Sunglasses
Some of the most lightweight cycling sunglasses on the market. Koo’s latest Supernova glasses weigh just 21 grams and feature a single frameless lens with shatterproof, anti-reflective and 100% UV protection.
They come with an interchangeable nose pad. Choose from 11 different colour combinations.
£170, kooworld.cc
Beats x Alo Yoga Special Edition Beats Fit Pro earphones
Your new favourite running headphones.
Beats Fit Pro are the brand’s most advanced earphones to date, with premium sound alongside Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency and Adaptive EQ modes,Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, and the Apple H1 chip. They’re also compatible with Android phones - you just have to download the companion app.
Thanks to an exclusive new collab with Alo Yoga, this sleek black version features a glossy finish, a debossed Alo logo on the right earbud and pearlised ‘b’ logos on both buds.
£219.99, aloyoga.com
Shock Absorber Active Crop Top Bra
Try as you might to imagine it right now, a t-shirt can feel like too many layers when you’re training in the peak of summer.
Shock Absorber’s Active Crop Top Bra is a happy medium: supportive enough if you just want to wear a bra, long enough that you feel covered up. One of the best brands in town for proper support, especially for fuller-busted women.
£24.50, shockabsorber.co.uk
Rapha Letra Glasses
Rapha’s latest eyewear collection includes a new frameless edition. The Letras feature a freeform shield lens and strategically-placed ventilation, with contrast-enhancing lens technology that enhances hazard perception and adapts to variations in terrain and light conditions.
They’re named after ‘Alto de Letras’, the gargantuan mountain pass in the Northern Andes.
£160, rapha.cc
SiS Go Hydro Tablets
Drop one of these into your bottle before every ride and it’ll replace the key electrolytes you lose through sweat.
This particular range was developed to keep the British Sailing team optimally hydrated at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. It’s only nine calories per serving and will help you to improve muscle function, regulate blood pressure and improve your circulation.
From £8, scienceinsport.com
GUL 7 Seas Goggles
These goggles come with three interchangeable lenses and three interchangeable nose bridges so you can get nitty-gritty on the customisation.
They feature UV protection and have been treated with an anti-fog coating to prevent misting up. Snap them up while they’re under £25.
£23, gul.com
Asics GT-2000 12 shoes
For those with high arches looking for plenty of cushioning. Asics have spent hours testing it at its Institute of Sports Science (ISS) in Japan and the result is one of the most popular running shoes on the market. They come with special Puregel technology to boost shock absorption and Blastplus foam for a softer landing.
£140, asics.com
Le Col Women’s Sport Jersey
A chic cycling jersey perfect for long rides. Le Col’s go-to short-sleeve jersey has been engineered using a stretch knit polyester that's lightweight and breathable, without the compressive aero fit found in the brand’s Pro Collection.
There are three pockets for snacks and pumps, and a fourth waterproof zip pocket on the rear.
£105, lecol.cc
MAAP Atmos Jacket
A perfect outerlayer for spring or summer riding. MAAP’s chic, all-new Atmos Jacket is the lightest-weight packable rain jacket the brand has ever created - and perfect for unpredictable weather after one of the wettest winters ever.
It’s breathable, with two-way stretch fabric, and ultra-packable so you can slip it into your handlebar bag or back pocket. Choose from five different colours.
£270, maap.cc
Fractel F-Series Essence Edition Cap
Sustainable Aussie brand Fractel has become one of the go-to running hats for 2024. Its unisex F-Series cap is made from 100 per cent recycled fabrics, UV 50 protection and moisure-wicking fabric.
It’s fully machine washable and has four mesh panels to keep you cool.
£32, fractel.co.uk
Zone3 Neoprene Socks
You won’t wear these on the big day but you’ll thank yourself for having them on that chilly Tooting Lido training morning when you can’t face getting into the water. They may look a little unfetching with a swimming costume but many triathlete beginners say they’re their hero product for feeling brave, keeping their feet and hence their whole body at a slightly more bearable temperature.
Pair them with a wetsuit for real warmth: Zone3 recently increased the length of the sock so it can be tucked into a wetsuit without exposed skin, and there’s a Velcro strap to keep them in place.
£29, zone3.com
Zone3 Neoprene Gloves
The other product sock converts swear by? Matching gloves. It’s the body’s extremities that feel the cold the most so keeping your hands warm will make for a much more pleasant training swim (and gives you greater surface area for pushing the water away - double whammy).
Like the socks, Zone3 has upgraded the design to feature greater length and a Velcro strap. There’s a gripped palm for added stability. Grab them now while they’re half-price.
£14.50, zone3.com
Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar
Garmin is the triathlete’s go-to smartwatch and for good reason. It’s lightweight but with about as much smart tech as can possibly pack into something you’d wear on your wrist — think stats, maps, GPS tracking and suggested workouts for your training schedule.
Many of the brand’s watches are built with triathletes in mind but the Forerunner 955 Solar is among the top picks, featuring up to 20 days of battery life and a Power Glass solar charigng lens that extends battery life. You can squeeze up to 49 hours of battery life out of it in GPS mode if you use solar charging.
£519.99, garmin.com
Lazer Vento KinetiCore Helmet
Safe yet subtle, Lazer’s new KinetiCore technology works like the crumple zone in a car, protecting your head from both the linear and rotational forces of an impact. Its Vento model is the leader for road cyclists so perfect for training for your first triathlon.
There’s an ergonomic belt for easy adjustment, a ventilation system that expels hot air through the rear of the helmet and special eyewear docking silicone for storing your sunglasses when you don’t want to wear them. Choose from four colours: black, white, titanium and green.
£249.99, freewheel.co.uk
Huub Aura 2 Wetsuit
If Zone3 is the go-to for triathlon wetsuits, Huub comes in as a close second - and says its Aura wetsuit is specifically designed for women.
It features unique buoyancy levels for maintaining an effective kick, plus a waterline position designed to maximise flow around the body and improve swim speed by not lifting the body too high out the water. It’s now half price.
£249.99, huubdesign.com
Bolle C-Shifter Sunglasses
Bold and beautiful. Bollé’s Volt+ is the first sunglass lens ever created using Artificial Intelligence. The brand tested over 20 million combinations to develop a patented solution which delivers a richer colour experience than is humanly possible.
These glasses also use a special Thermogrip thermoplastic rubber that’s specificaly engineered to get grippier when in contact with water and sweat.
£145, bolle.com
Pinnacle Radium Road Ladies Cycling Shoes
Sleek, minimalist and affordable entry-level cycling shoes for newbies to clip-ins. There’s a soft padded collar, non-slip heel and nylon outsole.
You can personalise the fit thanks to a single velcro strap and easy turn-lock fastening.
£60, evanscycles.com
Wahoo Speedplay Aero Pedals
Perfect for triathletes. Wahoo’s slick new road pedals come with cleats that are easier to walk in than your average, with a slim profile and rubber texture.
The pedals themselves are aerodynamically engineered to defy wind and boost speed with less effort while the three-axis adjustability allows you to dial in your cleat positioning, micro-adjust your float up to 15 degrees, and decrease your stack height for the most aerodynamic fit on your bike.
£239.99, uk.wahoofitness.com
Decathlon Floor Pump
An affordable, reliable floor pump. This one from Decathlon comes with two foot rests for stability and a built-in pressure gauge.
Perfect for keeping at home for a pump before long training rides.
£19.99, decathlon.co.uk
Wahoo Elemnt Roam
Cyclists’ favourite bike computer year-after-year. The Elemnt Roam offers turn-by-turn directions to a specific location, let’s you retrace your route and uses colour to display the gradients of your climb.
Bonus features include a whopping 17-hour battery life.
£349.99, uk.wahoofitness.com
lululemon beyondfeel running shoe
lululemon has joined the running trainer market and its new beyondfeel edition is more than just a pretty shoe.
The new line launched last month and features the brand’s exclusive supercritical midsole foam, ventilation and confident traction and flection in the outsole for a more comfortable and cushioned run. There’s a trail-running version, too, if you’re planning to train off-road. £148, lululemon.co.uk
Stanley IceFlow Flip Straw Tumbler
Can you really make a simple water bottle to go viral? Stanley is proof that you can.
Triathlon training is a perfect excuse for joining the tribe. The brand’s IceFlow tumbler comes with a built-in flip straw for easy sips and double-wall vacuum insulation to keep your drink fully leakproof and cold for 12 hours. Ideal for longer rides if you’re taking a bag, or fitting in your bottle-holder during spin classes.
£42.99, uk.stanley1913.com
Huub Vision Goggles
Some of the best mirrored goggles around. Huub’s version come with soft silicone gaskets, UV protection lenses and a wide lens to minimise disorientation when you’re in the open water.
They also reduce glare when you’re in bright conditions, perfect for those early morning swim starts when the sun is frustratingly-low over the water.
£27, wiggle.co.uk
For race day
Zone3 Aspire Wetsuit
There’s a reason almost everyone you see at a triathlon is wearing Zone3. The brand’s designers have spent years meticulously working to create the most flexible, comfortable, warm wetsuits around.
Its Aspire model has been winning awards for 10 years and now has an upgraded version for 2022. Expect a new silk lining for extra comfort against the skin, cool-spot forearm panels for improved catch in the water, and pro speed cuffs for quick removal while you’re running into transition after the swim.
£449, zone3.com
Van Rysel Women’s LD Triathlon Trisuit
Go bright or go home. Van Rysel’s latest trisuit has been designed by triathletes to provide a stretchy gel skin that’s perfect for all three sports.
It’s super quick-drying and comes with a mesh pocket at the back and two phermoformed pockets on the side of the thighs for carrying gels.
£69.99, decathlon.co.uk
Zone3 Activate Short Sleeve Full Zip Trisuit
Not just your wetsuit hero - Zone3’s trisuits are also some of the best in the business and its Activate model has become a high-quality yet affordable triathlon staple. It’s breathable, snug and super-flattering, with chic turquoise side panels and a subtle black colour so you can actually wear it on a training run without getting (too many) funny looks.
There’s a small amount of padding to stop you getting saddle sore, short sleeves to prevent chaffing while you run, and two pockets on the back for storing emergency gels.
£90, zone3.com
SiS Beta Fuel Gel
Chances are you’ve tried SiS if you’ve ever used an energy gel for exercise - and its latest Beta Fuel series is made from a newly developed blend of maltodextrin to fructose that gives you an impressive 40g of carbs in one blast.
Fortunately, it tastes great too.
£1.80 per gel, energysnacks.co.uk
BACX Performance Fuel
Stomach not agreeing with SiS? Last summer, the buzz was all around BACX, a hot new plant-based performance fuel that’s been painstakingly not only designed to actually be enjoyed rather than just endured, but without giving you the queasy post-gel feeling you’ll be well accustomed to if you’re a type two fun veteran.
Throw a few in your back pockets and you’ll get 680mg of electrolytes, 20g of superfood carbs and 1,200mg of plant amino acids in one tasty hit (just choose from an orange or berry flavour). BACX’s designers say they’ve worked hard to make sure you won’t get nasty side effects like an upset stomach, headaches or mid-race energy crashes. Don’t believe us? Believe four-time F1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel, who recently gave them his backing.
£23.30 for a 10-pack, bacxnutrition.com
Oofos Oolalal Sandal
What? No one’s told you about recovery shoes? Well you won’t want to be staying in your trainers after the finish line, that’s for sure.
To let your feet breathe and your muscles recover, sporting footwear brand Oofos offers a great range of recovery shoes that absorb 37 more impact than traditional footwear, reducing stress on the knees, ankles and joints. The Oolala sandal is made with the brand’s patented OOfoam and comes in a subtle black design for wearing to the pub after.
£59.95, oofos.co.uk
Zone3 Ultimate Race Number Belt
Another Zone3 essential: the race belt. It comes with special toggles for your race number and loops to hang your gels.
There’s an easy size adjuster for different waists.
£7.50, zone3.com
dryrobe Lite
For the races you have to get to by train. It’s near-on impossible to pack light for a triathlons but if you’re trying, dryrobe has mercifully just brought out its most travel-friendly edition so far: a smaller, lighter, and very much more packable changing robe the dryrobe Lite.
It comes with its own stuff-sack and is made with the same high-performance, planet-friendly fabrics the brand is known for, using a minimum of 37 recycled plastic bottles. Fear not: it’ll still keep you toasty on summer race days.
£280, dryrobe.com
Gill Marine Aqua Parka
Fancy a dryrobe without joining the dryrobe cult? Gill Marine’s new Aqua Parka is among the top rivals so far: it’s one of the sailing brand’s most popular hero products and is waterproof, windproof and breathable to get you through those autumn/winter cold water swims. Oh, and it’s actually quite chic.
It’s Gill Marine’s only product with stretch fabric properties, so you can change out of your wet clothes without causing half the beach to stop and stare. A thermal fleece and handwarmer pockets are among the other key features. So tempting you’ll actually want to train.
£150, gb.gillmarine.com
A beginner’s guide: how to nail your first triathlon, according to the experts
By Flora Duffy, Commonwealth Games winner and gold Olympic triathlete
Don’t be intimidated
One of the best things about triathlons is there are races for all types of abilities, so don’t be intimidated by the pros or that friend training for an Ironman for a yar. If swimming isn’t your strength, for example, just focus on improving your cycling and running. Not everyone will be amazing at all three. Training also doesn’t have to take months and months. If you’re doing a race like an Ironmn, then you do need to be preparing six to 12 months ahead, but if you’re looking to do a sprint or Olympic level triathlon then you can easily get trained within a couple of months. There’s plenty of time.
Join a club
Training doesn’t have to be lonely. Ideally, try and find a local triathlon club so you have set training times and surrounded by those with similar goals. If you can’t find one, consider joining a running club and/or swimming club and just do you cycling training separately. Some bike shops have group riding schedules so have a Google.
Find new (quiet) routes for cycling
When cycling, try and find routes that avoid roads with a lot of traffic lights so you’re not constantly stopping and starting. I uses the Hammerhead Karoo 2 cycling computer to upload new routes and find great rides when I’m cycling somewhere unfamiliar.
Borrow kit if you can’t afford to buy it
Kit can be expensive, but the good news is that other than your own helmet and clothing to get through a triathlon, everything else could be borrowed. You do not need a tri suit for your first race. You can take your time in transition and slip on some comfortable cycling gear and even change again pre-run. The bike can be done on flat pedals in running shoes. Remember: you do not need all the bells and whistles to do and enjoy your first triathlon adventure.
Fuel is important for training, as well as race day
On an average training day focus on getting your protein, carbs and fat in and while training bring snacks and gels so you’re not under-fuelled. I always eat a mix of rice, avocado and banana before a race.
Recovery starts on race day
Personally, I have a recovery drink prepared before every race that I’ll try and consume within fifteen minutes of finishing. That gives you a head start in trying to limit damage. If, like me, you eat three hours before a race and then it takes some time after the race to get back to a hotel, showered and out for a meal, it can become a real catabolic event. As a pro, I have two massages as a staple every week, and post-race this is the same. I also like to take an ice bath followed by Epsom salt both most nights. That might be a bit extreme for triathlon beginners, but do consider treating yourself to a sports massage and doing some active recovery like an easy swim or easy spin.
