Triathlon Equipment

Item

Necessity

Comments

Suit

Required

Polyester training suits are chlorine-resistant and will last longer than traditional nylon/lycra fabrics.

Goggles

Strongly recommended

While it is possible to swim without goggles, they will greatly enhance your comfort in the water and help you maintain proper form while swimming. Be sure to find a pair with a proper fit.

Training fins

Optional

Fins are helpful in developing good swimming form. They allow you to ride higher in the water, simulating your race pace while preserving your leg strength for the main set. Shorter fins are preferred to longer, scuba-type fins.

Kickboard

Optional

Using a kickboard for kick sets is useful for developing leg strength.

Hand Paddles

Optional

Using hand paddles allows you to focus on your underwater catch and build arm strength, both critical aspects of efficient swimming.

Item

Necessity

Comments

Bike

Required

While a bike is obviously required for participation in a triathlon, there is no need to invest in a full-fledged triathlon bike right away. You can do most sprint-distance triathlons on a mountain bike or a road bike. Upgrades to your bike, such as clipless pedals or aerobars, will enhance your performance but can be added later as you become more committed to long term training.

Helmet

Required

An ANSI/SNELL or ASTM approved helmet is required for participation in any USA Triathlon sanctioned event.

Pump

Required

You should pump up your tires before every ride.

Road repair kit

Strongly recommended

You should outfit your bike with the equipment necessary to repair a flat tube when you’re out on the road. Typical items in your repair kit: spare tube, CO₂ cartridges, tweezers, tire lever, patch kit.

Water bottle & cage

Strongly recommended

Maintaining adequate hydration is essential to any endurance sport. A cage mounted to your bike frame allows convenient access to fluids.

Cycle gloves

Strongly recommended

Gloves enhance comfort and also provide protection should you break a fall with your hands.

Sunglasses

Strongly recommended

Eye protection can be critical when riding on the road both to keep out debris and provide UV protection. Look for glasses that are vented to prevent fogging and that come with interchangeable lenses for different light levels.

Cycle shorts

Optional

Cycle shorts have a built-in pad for comfort while on bike.

Cycle shoes

Optional

Cycle shoes are stiffer than running shoes and provide a more efficient transfer of energy to the pedal stroke. Typically these are used in conjunction with a clipless pedal system.

Item

Necessity

Comments

Running shoes

Required

Proper running shoes are essential to injury prevention. Visit a specialty running store to have your foot type and gait assessed for proper shoe selection.

Running shorts/shirt

Strongly recommended

Technical running apparel is made from wicking fabrics that provide moisture transfer to reduce weight and chafing.

Socks

Strongly recommended

Never use cotton socks for running. They hold moisture, which contributes to blisters and promotes fungus growth.

Hydration system

Strongly recommended

For runs longer than 20 minutes, you should carry fluids with you to maintain hydration during your workout. Experiment with different methods of carrying your fluids to see which works best for you.

Visor or hat

Optional

Any hat worn while running should be mesh or a breathable fabric to allow heat transfer from your head.

Sunglasses

Optional

Look for glasses that are vented to prevent fogging and that come with interchangeable lenses for different light levels.

Lace locks

Optional

Lace locks keep your shoes from coming untied during your run and also allow quicker transitions in and out of your running shoes.

Item

Necessity

Comments

Triathlon suit

Strongly recommended

Triathlon suits allow you to swim, bike and run without having to change clothes. Tri shorts have a smaller pad than cycle shorts so that you can also run in them. USA Triathlon rules require that men wear a shirt during the entire race for Olympic distances and longer.

Race number belt

Strongly recommended

A race number belt allows you to clip on your race number for the run portion without having to pin it onto your shirt.

Gear bag

Recommended

Have a bag with accessible compartments to transport and organize your transition gear.

Towel

Recommended

Spread out a towel at your transition spot to organize your gear and provide a place to dry off your feet after the swim.