More triathlon gear tests than any other website. EXPERT REVIEWS of the latest and best tri kit, including bikes, running shoes, wetsuits and clothing.
Coming in as the second cheapest shoe on test, the New Balance opens its account well by tipping the scalesat an impressively light 347g. Along with its Gore-Tex outer, this puts it in the same lightweight ballpark as the far more expensive shoes from Inov-8 and Salomon. Unfortunately, that’s where the similarity ends and, on […]
At exactly half the price of the most expensive shoes and £20 less than its nearest competitor, the Kanadias are firmly in the bargain basement. For weight, though, less being less is a good thing and they weigh in at a test-winning 342g. On towpath and hardpack trails, they feel light, flexible, fast and in […]
At 396g, the Mizuno is one of the heavyweights on test and, as well as the weight, the whole feel of the shoe is on the bulky and clumpy side. This is confirmed when you start running – although perfectly comfortable, they’re unresponsive and inflexible. There’s no sense of connectivity with the trail, and the […]
Slipping on the 379g Cascadias, they instantly feel comfortable. Setting off down the road, they’re light, responsive and encourage you to run with good technique. There’s enough cushioning to satisfy runners coming from a road background and to take the sting out of hard surfaces, but not an excessive amount. They’re spot on for non-technical […]
With a slightly bulky appearance, the 347g weight is quite a surprise and certainly impressive for a shoe that’s designed with winter trail conditions in mind. They perform well on non-technical terrain but you can feel a bit of squirm from the lugged sole on the road. The ultra-aggressive outsole shines once off the tarmac, […]
Weighing 356g and offering a low-slung fit and feel is a good start for a trail shoe, and right from the first couple of strides the Single Tracks feel stable and responsive. They don’t feel at all out of place on the road, and on non-technical and hardpack trails they don’t miss a beat. They’re […]
The ‘312’ refers to the weight of a UK size 8 and, although our UK 10 weighs 348g, that’s still light for a trail shoe. From a company that specialises in off-road shoes, the Roclites have a more off-roader feel and look than the other contenders. Despite employing Inov-8’s highest level of cushioning, the shoe […]
The Merrells look, feel and, tipping our scales at 397g, weigh more like a trekking approach shoe rather than a trail racer. They’re comfortable for loafing about in but just don’t give you any inspiration to run. The chunky toe bumper, cushioned heel and inflexible sole screams fast and light walking shoe and, with a […]
At 400g this is the heaviest shoe on test. When getting a feel for them out of the box, this weighty stack manifests itself in a highly inflexible shoe. On flat and non-technical trails this isn’t a problem, and they cope well with moderate, gently undulating off-road terrain. They also perform proficiently on hardpack terrain, […]
If you’re used to Asics road shoes then these trail offerings will feel familiar. Sadly, like several of their higher-end road shoes, we can’t help conclude that they’re over-engineered. The 396g weight is at the heavier end, and do you really need gel cushioning on the rear and forefoot and a ‘Rock Protection Plate’ in […]
A striking design from the UK brand and one that divided opinion in the 220 office. Aesthetics aside, though, it was by far the best-fitting suit on test, with perfect coverage for the 34 tested. The only fiddly bit being the crossover straps at the back, which took a few minutes to adjust. Pleasingly, Maru […]
On first look at Zoggs’ offering we weren’t convinced; the pattern a little too garish for our muted palette. But at least it was a single-layer suit in the old-school style. In fact, we’d been so used to testing the double-layer suits that we felt quite exposed stepping poolside. But this is a traditional swim […]
We had high hopes for this one: a well-respected swim brand, a stylish design and a quality finish. Unfortunately, the sizing let it down. A 34 was almost big enough for two people to fit in to and, again, the double layer – which this time was used across almost the entire suit, even the […]
First impressions? Buy the size up. The 10 made us feel like we were slowing being squeezed in a vice, rendering us almost hunchback in the water. Once in the 12… well it was still too tight, most noticeably across the shoulders. Like the Aqua Sphere the Orca has two layers on the front panel, […]
A simple yet striking design from the swimwear behemoths Aqua Sphere. Although we were a little worried that it would be too small – as there didn’t seem to be much give getting it on, it fitted like a second skin; testing a 34 (a UK10), the sizing was spot on. With the yellow flatlock-stitched […]
Getting the Compressport guards on was a battle but, unless you’re trying it in transition, this tends to be a good sign. The material felt durable and the cuffs and one-piece tube construction of the actual guard should mean no fraying or split seams. Neither the ankle or below-the-knee cuff were excessively tight, and the […]
The Giro Selector is one mean-looking helmet, one that wouldn’t look out of place at a Star Wars convention! The most innovative feature is an interchangeable lower section. The idea is to increase the aero advantage to a wider range of users by closing the gap between the bottom of the helmet and the top […]
TYR produce a range of six paddle sizes for use by everyone from beginners to elite swimmers. The paddles tested here are medium sized, and, according to TYR, are suitable for ‘older secondary school males, senior national females, mid-level masters and triathletes’. The paddle design has two major features to aid technique. The first – […]
The urban-sounding Pro Combat Hypercool utilises Nike’s Dri-Fit technology to create a multi-use and versatile addition to your training wardrobe. The top is ultra comfortable as the compression makes for a snug fit that leaves no baggy material to chafe or collect moisture as you train. But it’s the ventilated panels that ensure the Hypercool […]
We’ve been fans of Northwave’s mountain bike shoes for off-season training for a while and were looking forward to seeing if their latest tri-specific shoes would deliver too. All the must-have features for a top-end shoe are present, inclusing out-to-in straps, oversized heel loops, soft and barefoot-friendly inners, rubber heels and toe bumpers, and plenty […]
The Hydrolite is the perfect jacket to stuff in your pocket on those unpredictable spring rides. You’ll hardly notice it’s there but, come the inevitable downpour, you can smugly whip it out to stay dry and warm. It’s no old style boil in the bag primitive race cape, though. The ‘intelligent fabric’ which activates when […]
With a definite retro feel to the simple black and white styling, Swiss brand Suplest’s S3 tr shoe certainly delivers in the looks department. Fit was good and, in bare feet, a half size smaller than normal fitted perfectly with plenty of room in the toe box. All of the key tri-race-shoe-specific features are there […]
When it comes to aero bang for your buck, one of the most prudent purchases you can make is an aero helmet. But sticking an aero lid on won’t instantly make you faster. If you’re not comfortable holding your tuck, tend to bob your head or suffer from overheating on long, hot rides, an aero […]
At the Gore-Tex Active Shell launch last year, we were given a prototype jacket to test – and were very impressed. So seeing this breathable waterproof laminate on the market in garments like the Oxygen is exciting indeed. Gore Bike Wear consistently produces superior products from its sister company’s laminates, and this is no exception. […]
Receive a FREE copy of 'The Ultimate Triathlon Training Manual' when you subscribe and get everything you need to perform at your optimum.
