Your first triathlon need not require a long shopping list of expensive triathlon gear – the truth is you don't need any specialist triathlon kit to get started at your local sprint or super sprint distance event. Here we advise you on what you absolutely need and a few upgrades to consider once you've been bitten by the triathlon bug.
The Swim
Triathlon swims can be either in a swimming pool or in the sea (open-water). Novices often prefer the controlled environment of a pool but confident swimmers may choose to start with open water swim events. Your choice affects what swimming kit you will need.
- Goggles protect your eyes, improve visibility and help you keep you swimming straight.
- A swim cap isn't essential but it can be useful. Some venues and events require a cap to be worn as it helps competitors be more visible to life-guards. We recommend one to keep your hair out of your face and keep goggle straps in place. It can also provide some insulation in colder water.
- Starting out, your typical swimming costume will be fine but remember that you'll need to cover chest and thighs during the bike and run. Perhaps your swimming costime already does that but if not you might wear a pair of tight ftting lycra shorts over your swimming costume during the swim leg.
- A specialist tri-suit is potentially your first upgrade. This is an all-in-one garment designed for triathlon and is worn to swim, cycle and run, making its main advantage a reduction in your transition time as you won’t have to change clothes.
- A wetsuit is only essential for open-water swims in the winter months or if you plan to do a race in a country where the water is colder than Qatar. For most of the year local open water swim events are either wetsuit optional or non-wetsuit. Swimming wetsuits are made of more flexible neoprene than surfing or scuba suits and they they can be expensive. Look for sales or ex-hire stock being sold off. Owning a wetsuit will also allow you to swim in the sea all year round, which might help you to justify the cost.
The Bike
- Yes, you need a bike but starting out that can be any bike, even a mountain bike, if your goal is simply to complete the challenge. Whatever the bike, it must have functioning brakes and bar ends must be plugged because the open tubes can be dangerous. Your race could be ended by official before you even start if you show up with a poorly maintained bike.
- A helmet is mandatory. No helmet, no ride at any race and all our TriClub Doha training and member cycilng activities. It can save your life.
- Cycling shoes which attach to the pedals to improve power are unnecessary for novice triathletes. Running shoes are fine.
- As the bike leg of a sprint triathlon is relatively short, you may not need the thick padding of specialist cycling shorts, especially if you plan to run in the same shorts. Simple lycra shorts may be more effective. A trisuit has a thin pad designed to offer some chaffe protection without limiting running movement.
- We recommend carrying the tools and kit to fix a puncture (spare tube, tire levers and a pump). If you have spent time and effort preparing for a race, you don't want it to end just because you get a puncture. Make learning how to fix it part of your preparation.
- A race belt is an inexpensive upgrade that can save a surprising amount of time in transition. Wearining a number while swimming isn't practical and pulling on a shirt with a number pinned to it can be tricky. Solution: an elastic belt which you can pull over your chest before beginning the bike leg.
- Your first upgrade after getting a drop bar road bike is to fix an aerobar to the handlebar and use clipless pedals which attach directly to specialist cycling shoes. Get confifent and comfortable using them and these two upgrades provide the single biggest improvement you can make to your bike speed.
The Run
The final leg of your first triathlon will be the run – which can be a difficult adjustment after the leg-draining speed of the bike leg. In terms of triathlon gear though, this is where you’ll need the least equipment.
- Clothing: There’s no need for specialised running gear at beginner triathlete level. If you choose your gear well, swimming, cycling and running clothing can double up. Clothing that’s comfortable, light and non-chafing, is all you need. Remember that chests and thighs should be covered, so no topless running or running in skimpy swim wear.
- Running Shoes that are well-fitting, comfortable and support your foot shape are your single most important bit of running gear.
- Elastic laces are a useful upgrade that allow you to pull on shoes without tying laces. That will shave seconds off your time.
- Many experienced triathletes run short races without socks. We recommend wearing them for your first race unless you spend some time training without to toughen up your feet against blisters
Equipment tips
- Wear your google straps under a cap to hold them securely on your head in a crowded swim
- Put baby powder inside your running shoes to make them easier to pull onto damp feet
- Use vaseline or specialist anti-chaffe products on areas which may rub
- Always use a speciast anti-chaffe around your neck if wearing a wetsuit
- A 4:1 ratio mix of water and baby shampoo makes a good anti-fog. Or spit as second best!