More triathlon gear tests than any other website. EXPERT REVIEWS of the latest and best tri kit, including bikes, running shoes, wetsuits and clothing.
Fusion may not be the first brand that springs to the minds of the masses, but boutique companies such as these are really driving the quality of tri products forward. The Multisport is primarily focused on the long-distance athlete and has clearly been designed for comfort. A superb base fabric covers and supports the legs […]
This light (259g), responsive shoe is speedy and track-spike like, and will be best suited for sprint triathlons or short, sharp workouts. The track-spike feel makes the Avi-Bolt minimalistic (although there are lighter shoes) and, as a result, you’ll get a real feel for the road. Our test team was impressed with the snug fit […]
If you want to be self-sufficient on your long runs, but don’t fancy carrying a rucksack, then a bumbag including a water reservoir could be the best option. But, annoyingly, many hydration packs bounce and slosh around and, once you’ve filled the bladder, leave little room for kit. Fortunately, the Hydrapak Bantam was a pleasant […]
This women’s tri-suit from swimwear experts TYR features compression panels to balance surface pressure and boost blood flow, as well as increase muscle fibre activity while reducing muscle vibrations. TYR also say the fabric has “calenderisation” properties, that allow it to warm the muscles quickly, and wicking effects to avoid overheating. But the real selling […]
It’s over 10 years since the first edition of Friel’s bible was published and, third time around, it’s just as good, if not better. Completely revised, the third edition includes more information on intensity of training, skills, strength and nutrition, plus brand new sections on ageing athletes, novices and Ironman training. It now also includes […]
It seems that Skins is gradually stretching its brand away from simply providing a squeeze to your muscles. These Bib Knicks are a great, albeit expensive, example. The compression heritage clearly shows with an offering of super premium fabrics with good levels of power that really hug your legs. There’s good length in the leg, […]
This attack on the lower-priced end of the market by Adidas is a roaring success. The mud-conquering Kanadia is excellent value for money for anyone looking to venture off the beaten track for the first time. They have an aggressive outsole that can cope with most terrains, a generous slab of cushioning and minimal weight. […]
SIS is among the leaders in nutritional supplementation, with credible clients including the all-conquering GB cycle team. SIS’s Go Electrolyte has a carb content in line with the literature recommendations, a healthy dose of sodium to balance high sweat losses and, most notably, a new organic status – the first sports nutrition product to meet […]
This is über-bling: a light (120g), all-carbon, functional (because of the inherent stiffness of the material) rear derailleur – all for a penny… under 800 quid! Not cheap, but things of great beauty very rarely are. We had it working perfectly with Campagnolo’s Chorus 10 drivetrain, even if it made our test bike look like […]
The Scorpion is a new design from Bloc and incorporates harder-edged sculpturing for a streamlined look; perhaps a bit large for women’s faces but ideal for chaps’. They’re ideal for tri training or racing; super-light yet grippy, you’ll hardly notice they’re there. They don’t move an inch, even when you’re head-down, stretching your hamstrings. But […]
The Zenith is Zoot’s top-of-the-range suit, updated for 2009. BIOwrap balance technology makes the suit stand out in a crowd, giving it the look of a super-hero’s outfit, with padded panels mimicking the body’s musculature. But does it deliver a super-powered performance? 2mm Yamamoto neoprene exterior and 3mm balance panels on the interior allow the […]
The most powerful rear view light here, but let down by sideways visibility and switch issues. The 0.5 watt red LED sitting at the top of the keyhole-shaped unit is certainly an attention grabber. Not only will cars clock you from miles away, it’s also enough of a mind melter in random flash mode to […]
Costing a mere tenner, Niterider’s little safety scarab is a decent if delicate basic unit. We say delicate because it exploded first drop during our simulated, off-bike fall phase of testing. The good news is that once we’d found and re-assembled all the bits and batteries, it still worked fine and didn’t spill its guts […]
Cateye was the first company to build a rear LED and reflector that met British Safety standards and effectively made bulbed rear lights extinct overnight. Their latest multi-LED grenade blows the opposition away. While each LED might not be the brightest, the effect of all eight rear diodes going off in sequence is hypnotically noticeable. […]
Sanyo’s Eaglefly matched its name with a soaring performance to start with… but it didn’t take long to admit that we’d been a tad too hasty with our initial praise. The semi-reflector design looks basic but the LEDs are seriously bright. They even eclipsed the mighty Cateye in the Space Invader/flapping wings flashing mode that […]
Twenty pounds for this tiny dot of a light seems a lot, but then it’s got some typically cunning Blackburn features. While it’s not big or dazzling enough to be a main light, it’s small and light enough to sit on the back of your helmet, bag loop or even overshoe top without wobbling. This […]
Hed’s Vantage 8 name comes from its eight-axis positional adjustment, making this bar a smart option for riders with ‘princess and pea’ tendencies. Boasting a broad profile, the wings are joined with a conventional single-tube, oversized centre-stem clamp section. Longer, dead straight tubular horns sit on the tips ready to plug in whatever brakes you […]
These caused some positive murmurings from our support crew thanks to the flexible forefoot. Trail shoes can often be a little too sturdy for those of us looking for a bit of pace, but the cut of these shoes and their responsiveness, thanks to a dual-density midsole, is very good. The aggressive outsole is also […]
This is the pinnacle piece of race apparel from American tri experts Zoot, and delivers a good balance of comfort and performance. The fabric provides a fine level of compression, but the short (seven-inch) inseam means this manifests mid-thigh. For more muscular athletes this could be a source of discomfort. That said, the hem is […]
As a long-established author of several running titles, Sam Murphy has transferred that great authority to the multisport arena, while the tri expertise here is provided by none other than Richard Allen, one of the country’s finest-ever triathletes. Sam’s understanding of basic training principles – what you should eat and what gear you need – […]
This is a very cushioned shoe – ‘plush’ is the word Brooks use – so it was no surprise to find it was a pleasure to run in from the first wear. And even better was the fact that the quicker you run, the better they perform. But note: these are for lighter runners looking […]
Wicking base layers are a godsend and Camelbak bladders make hydration on the move simple. Combine the two and you should have a winner, right? Well… almost. The first problem was getting it on with the full bladder in place. It wasn’t easy without assistance – not great if you train on your own. Out […]
The ‘Green Monstrosity’, as this top soon became known, is another of Nike’s iconic Dri-FIT range, which will no doubt become a staple part of many a triathlete’s wardrobe in some shape or form. The quick-wicking fabric (a polyester, in this case, that can wick moisture away from the body), combined with a flat-seam construction […]
From the Germans at Abus you’d expect a very good quality, functional product… and the S-Force delivers just that. This lid is extremely lightweight, has 24 vents to maximise cooling and is available in plain white, which makes sense for summer riding. The medium size tested was one of the most comfortable helmets we’ve ever […]
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