Training & Racing Survival Kit: 10 Essential Triathlon Gear For Beginners
Well done! You’ve signed up for a triathlon – an exciting step in your fitness journey. Whether you’re swatting away pre-race butterflies as a triathlon beginner or already have a triathlon under your belt and are seeking an edge as you race against your personal best, it’s important to complement your triathlon training and recovery with the right triathlon gear.
Come race day, this triathlon gear will support you to perform at your peak, allowing you to take on the challenges of each discipline (swim, cycle, run) distraction-free, chafe-free and with your essential hydration and running nutrition close at hand.
Hydration & Nutrition: What should you eat and drink during your triathlon?
1. Koda Energy Gel - 45g Sachet ($2.50)
To perform at your peak, your body needs the right fuel - and for triathletes the right fuel also must be practical to consume on-the-go. It’s generally recommended that triathletes competing in Olympic distance triathlon racing ingest between 30-60g of carbs per hour or potentially more depending on your specific requirements.
A fast-acting source of energy is essential to maintain your endurance from the starting blocks to the finish line. It’s in the name but remember that a triathlon is 3 events in 1 – with the swim, ride and run disciplines all taking a toll on your body and ‘burning up’ your energy.
Koda Energy Gel sachets are packed with easily digestible carbohydrates manufactured to resemble a ‘pre-digested’ state. This ensures this smooth, semi-fluid formula is easy to convert to usable energy - reducing the energy demand on your digestive system to metabolise it compared to solid foods. More energy can be applied to your muscle movement to swim, cycle or run stronger and ward off fatigue for longer.
It’s an ultra-convenient and portable way to top up your energy, free of sugar spikes and crashes while being gentle on your digestive system – because the last thing you want on race day is to feel like there’s a tiny tornado in your stomach!
2. Prepd Prime Pre-Workout Hydration Enhancing Sports Drink ($4.95 - $52.50)
Your hydration should be at the front of your mind during training, triathlon and long-distance racing of any kind. Particularly in summer when your sweat rate is higher – whether it’s training at high intensity or pushing to conquer more distance on race day, it’s essential to pay attention to hydration tips about water, sports drinks and sweat, know the smarter way to carry water on your runs and consult your personal trainer on hydration advice.
The Prepd Prime pre-workout hydration enhancing sports drink puts science on your side to combat dehydration. Developed by Flinders University (Adelaide) in collaboration with Yale University (USA), this game-changing formula boosts your body’s ability to absorb fluid in the gut thanks to a unique resistant starch – putting it in a league above standard sports drinks or plain water when you demand more from your body.
They’ve put in their research and put it to the test in the real world with ultra-marathon runners, Ironman competitors, cyclists and other elite athletes all benefiting from this low sugar, ultra-hydrating formula.
It teams up smoothly with Prepd Recover post-workout hydration enhancing sports drink – perfect for drinking up immediately following training and competition to replenish electrolytes lost in sweat and to rehydrate to your full potential.
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Prepd Prime Pre-Workout Hydration Enhancing Powder - Sachet -
Prepd Prime Pre-Workout Hydration Enhancing Sports Drink - 350ml
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Prepd Prime Pre-Workout Hydration Enhancing Powder - 14 Serves
Triathlon Clothing & Shoes: What should you wear during your triathlon?
3. Sub4 Aero Endurance Men's Triathlon SpeedSuit & Sub4 Aero Women's Triathlon Speedsuit ($219.95)
When you’re shopping for a tri suit, comfort counts first and foremost. Comfort leads to better performance – because when you’re comfy, you’re focussed – meaning you’re primed to perform.
The Sub4 Aero Endurance men’s triathlon speedsuit and Sub4 Aero women’s triathlon speedsuit provide a non-restrictive fit with every stroke and stride featuring Tri-Skyn Italian Lycra and 4-way stretch that moves with you like a second skin.
It’s the details that make these trisuits worthy for the winner’s podium, sporting a front lockable zip with chafe guard for custom ventilation and zero irritation, race-ready cut and drag-reducing dimpled arm and shoulder to enhance your speed.
This polyester/spandex performance blend protects all covered skin from harmful UV rays with SPF 50+, features 2 rear mesh pockets for extra storage of your Koda Energy Gels or other running nutrition and is chlorine-resistant to stay in top shape throughout your training and competition. It can be worn solo or beneath your wetsuit.
4. Asics Gel Noosa Tri 13 Men's Running Shoes & Asics Gel Noosa Tri 13 Women's Running Shoes ($219.95)
Built for long distances with the versatility and durability to conquer your training and triathlon race day, the Asics Gel Noosa Tri 13 is a must-have for the budding or seasoned triathlete.
Asics have shaved off the weight from the shoe’s predecessor, providing a consistently lightweight and airy feel with the engineered mesh upper. Asics have thought of everything with a bungee lace system to prevent wasting precious seconds as you transition from the swim to the bike stage of the race – providing a fast and secure fit in an instant.
Responsive and resilient FlyteFoam technology provides cushioned protection underfoot but the game-changing GUIDESOLE technology is what puts it ahead of the pack. It delivers a rocker-shaped sole for an energy-saving design to improve your running efficiency for more smooth and effortless transitions.
Turn your best triathlon shoes upside-down and you’ll find the AHARPLUS outsole – a durable platform to handle frequent sessions on the road and the hard, repetitive impacts it’s bound to endure on race day.
Made to stand out with bright and bold patterns to overtake the pack in a blur of colour, the Asics Gel Noosa Tri 13 running shoe is a winner in your triathlon kit.
Triathlon Accessories: The little things make a big difference to your comfort and performance
5. UP Reflective Elastic Running/Triathlon Shoe Laces ($12.95)
Although traditional shoe laces offer a personalised fit, they run the risk of coming undone and potentially becoming a trip hazard – exactly what you want to avoid when the finish line is in sight.
The UP Reflective elastic running/triathlon shoe laces are the best of both worlds – offering a personalised AND locked-in fit with a spring-loaded lock system. These smart elastic laces are just what you need to conquer triathlon transitions smoothly and quickly.
Transforming any of your running shoes, training shoes, netball shoes, tennis shoes, football boots or sneakers into no-fuss, tie-free footwear is easy with this fully adjustable lacing system. To top it off, they’re reflective to keep you easily spotted by other road users when you’re triathlon training in the low light hours of early morning or night.
6. PA Sports XT-3 Triathlon Race Belt with Gel Loops ($14.95)
The PA Sports XT-3 Triathlon Race Belt keeps your Koda Energy Gels or your choice of energy gels from Sportitude’s running nutrition category easily accessible with gel loops so you can fuel up on-the-go.
Designed for an adjustable, chafe-free fit with buckle closure and elasticated belt, the triathlon race belt conforms to your body and stays in place.
The days when you had to use irritating safety pins to attach a racing number are history. With the attached clips, you can secure your racing number quickly, easily and without discomfort or distractions.
7. Uvex Sportstyle 231 Multi-Sport Sunglasses ($199.95)
A casual pair of sunnies just doesn’t cut it for triathlon training or race day. The Uvex Sportstyle 231 multi-sport sunglasses offer more - meeting the demands of both triathlon beginners and elite athletes and protecting your eyes from the elements including severe wind and sun.
Engineered for wide coverage, they feature a single-piece, wrap-around lens equipped with UVEX’s Supravision anti-fog technology for clear, undistorted vision during training and racing.
A glare-reducing design with Litemirror mirrored lenses reflects infrared rays and provides 100% UV protection. They offer a secure, stable fit with adjustable and flexible nose pads for zero distractions as you accelerate the pace and go the distance.
8. 2XU Run Visor ($24.95)
Topping off your sun protection, the 2XU Run Visor provides race-ready comfort with a built-in sweatband to keep perspiration off your forehead and out of your eyes. The open top allows evaporative cooling to do its thing without excess fabric getting in the way, while the semi-curved bill provides on-the-go shade for your face.
This moisture-wicking design is complete with a Velcro back strap for a secure and personalised fit and is available in a variety of colours.
9. Gooch Goo Anti Chafe Balm - 100ml ($44.95)
Chafing is the silent enemy that can hold you back from competing at your peak. When training for a personal best, skin care may be the furthest thing from your mind – that is until skin-on-skin or fabric-on-skin friction strikes, exasperated by sweat and resulting in painful chafing.
The best triathlon suits are a league above the pack when it comes to reducing chafing with moisture-wicking designs that minimise bulky seams and race-ready cuts with strategically placed arm and leg holes for improved comfort. However, even with the right triathlon suit it’s difficult to eliminate chafing entirely considering the distance you have to conquer and particularly if you have sensitive skin.
Gooch Goo Anti Chafe Balm has been put to the test by real-world athletes. This Australian made formula provides chafe protection that can be applied to tricky, chafe-prone areas of your skin.
Made of natural ingredients, this smooth, anti-friction formula is reef-friendly (for the swim stage), moisture-resistant (to hold up against sweat and sea), anti-bacterial and soothes irritation.
Train Smarter: The Best Sports Watch For Triathletes & Ultrarunners
10. Coros Apex Pro Multisport GPS Watch ($849.95)
Gearing up with tech to know your body better and track your heart rate helps you personalise your triathlon training and acts as a motivation booster to take your performance further.
The Coros Apex Pro Multisport GPS Watch keeps in mind that your training may take you beyond the expected routes. It not only helps you know your body better, but the terrain better with in-built senses to measure everything from your heart rate and blood oxygen levels (with a Pulse Oximeter) to the altitude.
This makes it extremely versatile for not only your triathlon training, but for ultrarunners, mountain bikers or whenever you're inspired to trade your road running shoes for trail running shoes.
This wearable sports technology is made of more premium materials than the classic Coros Apex and provides up to 40 hours of full GPS battery life before requiring a recharge, making it your ever-reliable training companion.
It's race and adventure-ready – pairing a durable titanium frame and sapphire glass face with an ultra-lightweight design, weighing in at only 59 grams. It's water-resistant (up to 100m) to outrun (and outswim) any limitations, handling all 3 disciplines of triathlon racing.
The supported workouts in Coros Training Mode include Running, Cycling, Swimming and Strength Training - everything you need for your next triathlon and beyond.
Happy triathlon training!