There’s no more difficult physical challenge than the incredible endurance competition of a triathlon. It takes athletes immense determination and focus to train their bodies and minds to handle such a daunting challenge, and one area athletes can’t overlook is their gear.
Investing in the right apparel is about more than functionality—it's about being race-ready without weighing yourself down with unnecessary items. In this guide, we’ll highlight the essential gear every triathlete must have for every stage of the race, from swimming caps to running shoes and more.
Swim Essentials
For many triathlon races, the swimming portion is the first stage, so that’s where we’ll begin as well. Every triathlete should invest in proper open-water swim gear, such as a wetsuit, goggles, and a swim cap.
Wetsuit: Buoyancy, Warmth, and Speed
Open water swimmers must have a wetsuit to keep their bodies warm in the cold water, provide buoyancy to their hips and legs, and reduce drag in the water. The neoprene material also insulates your body in cold water, helping to prevent energy loss from shivering. Full-sleeve wetsuits offer maximum buoyancy and warmth, ideal for longer distances and colder temperatures, while sleeveless options provide greater arm mobility while still maintaining core warmth and leg lift.
When choosing a wetsuit, confirm a snug fit that doesn’t restrict breathing or movement. High-quality wetsuits can feature smooth-skin outer surfaces on the legs and forearms to reduce water resistance and allow for easier removal during transitions.
Goggles: Clear Vision in Open Water
When in the water, swimmers need to see where they’re going, which is where a pair of quality goggles comes in. Goggles shield your eyes from salt water, chlorine, and debris, while helping you spot buoys, other swimmers, and exit points. Tinted lenses reduce glare from sunlight reflecting off the water, with different lens colors for specific conditions.
Anti-fog coatings and a proper fit will help swimmers avoid clouded vision mid-swim. Adjustable straps and interchangeable nose bridges ensure a watertight seal without causing discomfort, making longer swims more comfortable and frustration-free.
Swim Cap: Reducing Drag and Maintaining Warmth
Swim caps help streamline your head position, keep hair out of your face, and secure goggles. Silicone caps are more durable and provide better insulation than latex, making them ideal for open water swimming where warmth is important. Brightly colored caps also increase visibility to boat traffic and race officials, with many races assigning specific colors for age groups or wave starts.
For freezing water, double-capping with a latex cap under a silicone cap adds extra warmth and reduces drag with a smoother surface. Always have a backup cap as well, just in case something happens to the primary one.
Bike Necessities
After the swimming stage, it’s time to peel off the wetsuit and hop on the bike for the cycling portion. The essential gear every triathlete must have includes a proper cycling bike, cycling shoes, and a helmet.
Triathlon Bike: Aerodynamics and Efficiency
The biking stage is the longest portion of most triathlons, making cycling gear key to success and comfort. Triathlon-specific bikes position you in a wind-cutting stance to reduce air resistance and conserve your legs for the run. Aerobars enhance this position while offering multiple hand placements to reduce fatigue.
Carbon fiber frames provide stiffness for efficient power transfer while minimizing road vibrations over long distances. Triathletes should get a professional fitting for their bike to adjust the saddle height, reach, and aerobars to match their flexibility and riding style, so they can maintain a comfortable, aerodynamic position throughout the race.
Helmet: Safety First
Your helmet protects your most valuable asset while meeting race requirements. Aerodynamic designs reduce drag without sacrificing ventilation, allowing you to maintain speed and stay cool on long rides. Time trial helmets are ideal for experienced athletes seeking maximum aerodynamic gains, though they offer less ventilation.
For those prioritizing comfort and safety, traditional road helmets provide better cooling and wider visibility. The helmet should sit level on your head, with straps forming a V-shape under each ear.
Cycling Shoes and Pedals: Power Transfer and Comfort
Stiff-soled cycling shoes transfer power from your legs to the pedals, with cleat systems locking your feet into the optimal position. This secure connection prevents energy loss from foot movement and reduces hot spots during long rides. Clipless pedal systems allow you to pull up as well as push down during the pedal stroke, engaging more muscles and improving pedaling efficiency.
For triathletes, special shoes feature wide openings, minimal straps, and heel loops for faster transitions. Some athletes pre-clip their shoes into the pedals, stepping into them while riding to save time during transitions.
Run Requirements
Finally, we come to the last and what many say is the hardest stage of the triathlon: the running portion. A triathlete needs quality shoes and running apparel to keep their body and feet comfortable and finish the race strong.
Running Shoes: Cushioning and Support
Quality running shoes absorb impact and provide support through the thousands of foot strikes during training and racing. Proper cushioning helps reduce fatigue and prevents overuse injuries caused by repetitive stress on hard surfaces. In triathlons, running on tired legs after swimming and biking makes cushioning and support even more critical.
For athletes with efficient running mechanics, neutral shoes are ideal, while stability shoes offer motion control for overpronators. Triathletes should consider getting a gait analysis at a specialty running store to identify their specific needs and choose the right pair for optimal performance and injury prevention.
Running Apparel: Breathability and Comfort
Technical fabrics wick moisture, provide muscle-supporting compression, and improve circulation. Flat-seam construction prevents chafing, even on long runs when sweat soaks your clothing.
Tri-suits streamline transitions with one-piece designs that offer minimal bike padding, running mobility, and quick-drying properties for swimming. Alternatively, separate pieces let you tailor gear to each sport but add time during transitions.
Transition Gear
A key part of any triathlon is the transition. Athletes must have the right gear to help them quickly and easily switch from swimming to cycling and then running portions of the race.
Transition Bag: Organization and Efficiency
Your transition bag is your race day headquarters, keeping all your gear organized for seamless discipline changes. With compartments to prevent frantic searches, mesh pockets make it easy to identify contents and allow quick drainage for wet gear.
Multiple sections help separate clean race clothing from wet items, ensuring everything stays in order during preparation. Bright colors and distinctive markings make your bag easy to spot among the crowd in busy transition areas.
Quick-Dry Towel: Drying Off Quickly
Chamois or microfiber towels absorb water efficiently while remaining compact in your transition setup. Quick drying prevents the towel from becoming a soggy mess that fails to dry in subsequent uses. Strategic towel placement creates a clean surface for bare feet while changing shoes and provides quick moisture removal that improves clothing adherence and comfort.
Gear Up for Success With T3 Endurance Sports
If you’re in need of some or all of this triathlon gear, we can help! As a triathlon store in Orem, Utah, we have everything triathletes need to succeed—from bikes to running shoes and more. Browse our inventory online or stop by our store to prepare for your next race with T3 Endurance Sports!