Equipment is a huge part of triathlon, and there are some essentials you'll need, along with other items that, while not necessary, can be helpful. In this article, I'll explain each item of kit you will need and might want.
We'll start with the minimalist kit - this is what you absolutely NEED to complete a triathlon.
Swimwear
You’ll need something to swim in. If you’re participating in a triathlon without investing in specific gear, a simple swimsuit is ideal. You can train and race in the same kit, whether in the pool or open water (if it’s warm enough and you’re tough!). During the race, you’ll need to cover your top half after the swim, usually with a t-shirt or cycling jersey.
Entry-level swimwear costs around £20 / $25.50 / €23.50.
Goggles
While not absolutely essential, goggles are so beneficial that they’re on this minimalist list. Being able to see while swimming is crucial. Goggles help you swim in a straight line, maintain better technique, and avoid collisions with other swimmers and objects.
Entry-level goggles cost around £20 / $25.50 / €23.50.
Bike
This one is obvious—you’ll need a bike when you get out of the water! The rules are generally flexible about the type of bike you can use, as long as it’s safe—meaning roadworthy and with plugged bar ends. These will be checked before you enter the transition area.
At a local triathlon, you might see everything from everyday commuter bikes to time trial bikes with disc wheels worth thousands!
New entry-level road bikes cost around £500-£800 / $640 - $1000 / €590 - €940.
Used entry-level road bikes can be found for around £200 / $250 / €235.
Helmet
Triathlon rules require that you wear a helmet. You’ll need to prove that it fits you and is undamaged before entering the transition area. Helmets must meet the safety standards set by your national triathlon governing body.
Entry-level road helmets cost around £30 / $40 / €35.
Water Bottles
Hydration is crucial when training for and racing in a triathlon. Having a water bottle on your bike means you won’t need to stop frequently for fluids. Water bottles can also be filled with electrolytes or carbohydrate mixes to keep you fueled longer.
Many events provide a water bottle for free, but buying one beforehand will cost around £5 / $6.50 / €6.
Shoes
You’ll want something on your feet for the bike and run legs of a triathlon. The most affordable option is to put on running shoes after the swim and wear them for both the bike and run. While this might not be the fastest way to ride, it’s cheaper than buying cycling shoes and quicker than swapping shoes during the transition.
A budget pair of running shoes costs around £70 / $90 / €80.
The standard equipment
In addition to the minimalist kit, here are some items most triathletes use to make training and racing more comfortable, efficient, and faster.
Tri suit
A tri suit is a piece of kit you can swim, bike, and run in. It’s flexible enough for swimming, aerodynamic with slight padding on the rear for the bike, and lightweight and quick-drying for the run. A tri suit saves time in transition and is more comfortable than cycling in your swimwear.
Females typically wear a sports bra underneath, which is something else to consider.
An entry-level tri suit costs around £80 / $100 / €90.
Wetsuit
If you’re doing an open-water triathlon in cold water, a wetsuit is mandatory, so it could be considered part of the minimalist kit. For most open-water triathlons, athletes wear a wetsuit over their tri suit/swimwear if the water temperature is between 18 and 24.6 degrees. Below this, wetsuits are mandatory; above this, they are not allowed.
Entry-level wetsuits cost around £120 / $150 / €140.
Tri Belt
A tri belt is used to attach your race number. It can also carry energy gels, bars, and sometimes even a water bottle. A tri belt eliminates the need to wear another layer with a pinned race number, saving time in transition and offering more comfort in hot weather.
Tri belts cost as little as £5 / $6 / €6.
Cycling / Triathlon Shoes with clipless pedals
Being clipped into your pedals may seem daunting for a new cyclist, but it’s much more efficient than using flat pedals with running shoes. The power transfer from your legs to the pedals is much greater with stiffer shoes and a smaller barrier between your foot and the pedal. Triathlon shoes also have a loop on the heel for attaching them to your bike using elastic bands, allowing you to get on your bike and moving before putting your shoes on—saving a few seconds in transition.
Entry-level cycling shoes cost around £50 / $60 / €60.
Clipless pedals cost around £40 / $50 / €47.
Pull Buoy
A pull buoy is a piece of swimming kit that you can’t use during a triathlon but is essential for many triathletes’ training. It keeps your legs raised in the water even when you’re not kicking, allowing you to focus on your arm and body movements, helping you swim faster while conserving leg energy.
A pull buoy costs around £10 / $13 / €12.
Kick Board
Like the pull buoy, a kickboard isn’t used during a triathlon but is valuable for training. While many triathletes neglect their legs, they are crucial for maintaining a good position in the water and a balanced stroke technique. A kickboard helps strengthen your legs and improve your overall swim performance.
Kickboards cost around £12 / $15 / €14.
Clip on Aerobars
Aerodynamics plays a significant role in cycling speed. Clip-on aerobars help reduce wind resistance, allowing you to go faster for the same effort. These take practice to get used to, but once you do, you’ll notice the difference. However, they are not allowed in draft-legal events, so check your event rules before purchasing.
Entry-level clip-on aerobars cost around £30 / $38 / €35.
Elastic Laces
Elastic laces offer a quick and comfortable way to put on your shoes in transition. They stretch and then rebound into place when running, making them ideal for triathletes.
Elastic laces cost as little as £4 / $5 / €4.50.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses are commonly used, especially when cycling. They protect your eyes from the sun, dust, wind, and insects. Trust me, you’ll want a pair when you encounter a fly while speeding down a hill!
Basic sunglasses cost around £25 / $32 / €30.
GPS Watch
To get the most out of your training and help pace your races, a GPS watch is invaluable. It tracks your swim, bike, and run sessions and can motivate you by allowing you to monitor your progress over time. Many GPS watches also track other metrics, such as heart rate, sleep patterns, and fatigue levels. You can often spot a triathlete by the Garmin watch on their wrist!
A basic GPS watch with swim, bike, and run functionality costs around £150 / $190 / €175.
Chest Based Heart Rate Monitor
While most sports watches now include wrist-based heart rate monitors, they are only accurate when worn tightly against the skin with no obstructions. During exercise, movement and sweat can reduce the accuracy of these sensors.
A chest-based heart rate monitor offers precise heart rate measurements during exercise, useful for optimizing training and maintaining a sustainable effort during races. It’s a piece of kit I never leave home without!
A basic heart rate monitor costs around £30 / $38 / €35.
Conclusion
Total cost of all minimum kit as new = £645 / $820 / €760.
Total cost of all minimum + standard kit as new = £1151 / $1470 / €1350.
All of these items can be purchased second-hand, potentially cutting the total cost in half. There are also many more expensive options available that typically increase comfort and efficiency.
If you’re looking to try out triathlon, consider joining a local triathlon club. Members often share gear like tri belts, and you’ll get extra tips and tricks to help you through your first triathlon.
If you have any questions or would like training or coaching, feel free to get in touch!
If this article has helped you start your triathlon journey, why not sign up for more free training tips?
About the Author:
Chris Searle is a Level 3 Qualified British Swimming Coach and a Level 2 British Triathlon Coach, also holding various running and cycling coaching qualifications.
With over 14 years of experience coaching athletes of all levels, Chris has developed British Champions in swimming and guided triathletes to podium finishes on the world stage.
You can read more about Chris's coaching journey on the About page.
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