More triathlon gear tests than any other website. EXPERT REVIEWS of the latest and best tri kit, including bikes, running shoes, wetsuits and clothing.
A respected cycling brand, smoked and clear lenses, hard carrying case and soft pouch, all for well under £40? There has to be a catch. Well, even if the bright blue colour we had on test isn’t to your taste, there are more understated white and black frame options available, so you should be able […]
Brand-conscious posers should look away now. Like the Bloc Stealths, you’re not going to don the Madison D’Arcs as a fashion statement. But the fashionistas would be missing out as you can’t fault what Madison has thrown into the package. To kick things off you get four lenses: clear, dark, rose-coloured and a persimmon light-enhancing […]
If you can overlook the slightly clumsy 1980s feel to their styling, the Blocs offer great value for money (our tester owned a pair at the beginning of his triathlon career and they served him well). For £45 you get the three must-have lenses and a soft carrying pouch-come-lens cleaner. The only thing that’s missing […]
Rather than the Trevisos having changeable lenses, Ryders have opted for photochromatic lenses. These become darker as the sunlight gets brighter and then, as if by magic, lighten up as the sky clouds over. In all conditions, the lenses provide 100% UV protection. The system worked reasonably well, but in lower light conditions we’d still […]
Coming in some extremely stylish packaging – including a denim-covered hard case – the Australian YoYos opened their account well. Along with the lightweight and minimalist frame, you get the three key lenses (dark, yellow light enhancing and clear). Slipping them on, the fit is excellent but immediately the small lens size raised concerns. Although […]
The oversized lenses and neon green and black styling won’t be to everyone’s taste but the Evil Eyes will certainly get you noticed. They come with dark lenses and light-enhancing orange ones, with both giving 100% UV protection (you can also add to your lens choice from the extensive Adidas range, including prescription options). The […]
With sponsored athletes including Chrissie Wellington, Miranda Carfrae, Javier Gomez and Craig Alexander, Oakley should know what triathletes want in a pair of shades. The Fast Jackets certainly look the part, combining mean and moody styling with plenty of functional features. For your considerable cash outlay you get polished black ‘Iridium’ lenses for bright days […]
Top-end Swiss brand Tag Heuer label the Squadra as ‘avant-garde eyewear’ and the look is certainly cool, contemporary and minimalist. From the frameless one-piece lens to the flexible arms, they ooze quality. They’re incredibly lightweight but probably not as light as your wallet will be after buying them. Sure, you get a hard case and […]
At £1.85 per serving, the USN Endurosport is more than twice the price of many competitors. So they’d better be offering something pretty special to justify the cost that’s comparable with the convenience of a pre-mixed drink. The large recommended dose of 75g, which is focused on carb loading, is the prime reason for this […]
Viper Active is Maxifuel’s all-in-one sports drink for “anyone who takes part in vigorous exercise”. It has various guises depending on how it’s mixed up, allowing you to use it before, during and after exercise. It contains around 7% protein, 88% carbs and a host of electrolytes, so just about caters for every situation. The […]
Most of us have used the celebrated SiS Go Electrolyte drinks in the past, and this latest offering is a simple electrolyte and carb affair to drink during exercise. Its 95% carb content comes from maltodextrin and fructose that, when mixed, hits around the 9% concentration level (again, add more water if looking to dilute […]
ZipVit present some rather strong claims with their Extreme energy drink. And there’s no denying that each serving packs a punch, with 26.2g of carbohydrate (a little shy of the 6% optimal level), 3.4g of protein, and seven different minerals and electrolytes. This orange flavour mix makes a milky-looking liquid that, by comparison to the […]
Proving the classic idiom that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover is this tiny tub from Clif that packs 21 servings into its petite pot. Each 43g serving contains an 8% carbohydrate concentration, plus 20% of your recommended daily sodium and 5% of your daily potassium intakes, supporting its electrolyte bias. Clif claim […]
The Mafate are built like any other run shoe, with one main difference – an incredibly thick and soft midsole. The idea is to give a ‘full suspension’ experience to trail running by creating a highly-cushioned, rolling feel to assist fast downhills. The first wear of these is certainly an experience. You feel disconnected with […]
The Thin-Pro is a 1mm ultra-light wetsuit from Speedo, designed to give ultimate freedom of movement. The upside of making the whole suit from 1mm neoprene is that it’s ultra flexible, easy to slip on and off, and packs down to a tiny size. The downside is that it’s nothing like as warm as a […]
Northwave’s Evolution bibs are a contradictory affair: they somehow manage to feel loose despite being skintight. They’re not baggy and they don’t sag anywhere, yet they seem roomier than a typical pair of bike shorts. As such, they don’t offer the same support you’d get from a tighter pair but they’ll feel less like a […]
When it comes to the caffeine stakes, the ZipVit ZV7C energy gel stands alongside the USN Vooma gel at 160mg per sachet and boasts 2.5 times more caffeine than a can of Red Bull. Masking any caffeine taste is the Cherry Cola flavour tested here (Blackcurrant is also available), which is surprisingly appetising during a […]
What do Barbra Streisand, Barry Manilow and the Selle Italia SLR Tri Gel have in common? They all boast an uncommonly large nose. But while Streisand and Manilow are big successes despite their beaks, the SLR Tri Gel is a triumph because of it. Big noses are common in tri-specific saddles, as more padding can […]
While the physical and mental demands of training for a long-distance triathlon can be excruciating, it is, of course, completely eclipsed by the reward of crossing the finish line. Paul Moore and Richard Hoad’s Ultimate Triathlon sets out to take you through the highs and lows with advice on training, nutrition, mental preparation, equipment and […]
This latest version of the 860 is a no-nonsense stability shoe for mild to mid overpronators who are looking for a generous slab of cushioning. The initial feel is great thanks to the plush, sumptuous lining, high-quality upper materials and solid overall construction. The styling is fairly classic with technical features that, although hardly at […]
Nalini’s Chiese jersey looks like something you’d expect to find in an S&M club. It’s black, skin-tight, has a front that looks like it’s made from PVC and a back made from mesh. It’s designed to keep you comfortable when you get hot under the collar so, although meant for cycling, it may be useful […]
They may be quite expensive, but for your money you get a smoke tint on the lenses, a carrycase and a selection of nose bridges for a precise fit. But the key sell for the brand is the option for full optical lenses with a prescription of up to -10 plus different left/right options. The […]
Aqua Sphere’s Kayenne goggle is rather large and retains and unusual shape with a low profile below the eye. Because of this sizing it’s not the most streamlined goggle here, and we could feel the water buffering the goggle when diving, making it too big for races with a dive start or fast swimmers. But […]
New Zealand brand Blueseventy’s Hydra-Vision may be larger than your average pool swimming goggle yet they remain streamlined enough to be drag-efficient. They come with a variety of lens options to suit all types of light conditions, with our preference being to opt for a transparent or slightly tinted lens to prevent glare from the […]
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