More triathlon gear tests than any other website. EXPERT REVIEWS of the latest and best tri kit, including bikes, running shoes, wetsuits and clothing.
The Type A is an out-and-out racing shoe. Starting with the upper, it has a degree of stretch in the materials, allowing for a snug fit without feeling restrictive. And given the weight of the shoe – just under 200g – the cushioning is fairly effective with a soft feel. Of course, as the shoe […]
It’s easy to see why the Precision has so many fans. It’s a lightweight shoe rather than a racer. The midsole depth is close to that of a standard training shoe, making it easier on your Achilles tendons than a lower-profile midsole. But the weight is kept down and it’s easy to raise the pace […]
Buying racers really is a case of horses for courses. The Racer ST 3 caters for the runner who has given up hope that there’s a racer to suit him. It offers good support for overpronators and a firmer ride, making it suited to heavier runners. But it also has something to offer lighter runners, […]
Here we are at the minimal end of the scale. These weigh in at around 170g so, if you’re worried about protection, look elsewhere. These shoes are all about converting every scrap of fitness into speed. The midsole is low profile and very flexible at the forefoot, and the upper fits like a glove. Adidas’ […]
The DS Trainer straddles that line between racer and lightweight. It offers cushioning and support while feeling as responsive as some pure racers. While this isn’t as substantial as on some shoes, you do get a springy feeling from heel to toe-off from the Gel and Solyte midsole. Good midfoot stability and guidance for overpronators […]
The Octane XC contains a 2L bladder in a semi-insulated sac with waist belt and horizontal chest strap. Shaped to fit the curve of your back, it’s highly adjustable and comfortable with virtually no bounce when full. Storage-wise it has a phone-type zip pocket in the upper back, generous stash pockets in the waist belt […]
A running-specific product, the Nathan uses an interesting vest-type system to distribute the weight of the contents more evenly across your back, chest and shoulders than the usual rucksack design. Developed specifically for some nutcase called ‘Mud and Guts Miller’ who runs ultra-distance races in extreme heat, the Nathan has a 2L bladder and a […]
This is Maru’s latest thin strap, aqua sport suit. And, as with the Tyr Hurricane, it hasn’t been designed for those who like subtle colour schemes. Its bright, funky kaleidoscope pattern might not be to everyone’s liking, but if you love your swimsuits loud, then this is definitely a suit to take a closer look […]
You could be quite easily mistaken for a character from Baywatch wearing this eye-catching red number, but don’t let that put you off. This is a good suit at a competitive price, which looks the part and performs well in the water. However, it might be worth trying it for size before deciding if it’s […]
This suit is not for those swimmers who like to blend in by the poolside. Its bright-green Hurricane design is ‘lively’, and in its packaging you’ll be inclined to keep it there… but once on it might actually surprise you. It looks particularly good in sunny conditions. It’s aimed at the performance swimmer, with a […]
The Boomerang, which is part of Zoggs’ performance swimwear range, is a simple, but stylish-looking suit. Like the Zoggs Sonic Back it’s fully lined through the front of the suit, so feels soft against the skin and is comfortable to wear. And it’s made from Dow XLA technology, which means it has both a high […]
Nike has never been a major player when it comes to swimwear, so it’s hardly surprising that when it does take the plunge, it does so by bringing some swanky, new technology to the pool. Although Nike has had swimsuits on the market for some time now, this latest one features their Dow XLA fibre, […]
Tyr says this is one of its best-selling suits – and it’s not hard to see why. It has a simple yet elegant and stylish look, which always makes for a good start. The ‘H-Back’-style straps have been designed to come wider up the chest and over the shoulders, which translates to extra support and […]
The Speedo Endurance Pulseback is a tried and tested favourite. Its resistance to chlorine is simply remarkable, and one of these suits could possibly last longer than your tri career. It’s quick drying and fits well, although doesn’t have as much stretch as other suits of the same size, so trying before you buy might […]
It’s hard to get excited about this suit: it looks a little dowdy and there’s no denying it’s just a plain and simple cossie. It’s part of Zoggs’ fitness range, so isn’t aimed at the top-level performance swimmer; rather it’s for those who enjoy going for a swim every now and then. Hence, it isn’t […]
North Face products are generally stylish and desirable, and the Thresher is no exception. The mesh panels and rip-stop material make it very lightweight and the waist/chest straps ensure a snug fit, virtually eliminating movement. The real winner on this product, though, is the use of a Nalgene pipe and bite valve system that employs […]
Hydrapak supplies the bladders for many manufacturers’ bladder packs and its own own Chute bag is one of the smallest and lightest around. Containing a 1.5L bladder and weighing in at 228g dry, there really is very little to it. With one simple zip pocket on the back and no waist or horizontal chest straps, […]
Karrimor’s philosophy is clearly to create a very minimalist and lightweight pack. Cue the mesh straps, thin insulation and limited storage. Unfortunately, the sleeve doesn’t hold the bladder in place tightly, and on downhill rides we found it kept riding up and hitting us on the back of the head. Continuing the negative theme, the […]
Nobody has a better reputation for computer reliability than Cateye, but visibility and versatility could be better. While the rack-and-pinion thumbwheel attachment strip is very clever, it’s a lot bulkier than zip ties and can’t cope with flat wing-style bars. The combined cadence and speed sensor makes for easy set-up and rear-wheel turbo compatibility. The […]
Sigma has always had a solid reputation for decent easy-to-use computers and this full-function squarehead is no exception. Paying nearly £100 gets you chrome sidestripes and crisp detailing all round, as well as a massive book of instructions. ‘O’ ring installation is easy and repeatable on different bikes without the need for extra zip ties. […]
This is a sleek, stylish and well-designed suit that could be worn for both training and racing a triathlon. It has been designed to mould to the athlete’s body in all three disciplines, and it does so brilliantly. It’s an extremely comfortable suit with low-profile seams throughout, to avoid chafing to the skin, and offers […]
The Pro range is basically Shimano’s set of accessories, and this computer was a joy to use. The head-unit twist locks into a thin, but perfectly secure stem- or bar-mount cradle that’ll flatten to fit onto wing bars. HR belt is a bit broad, stiff and basic, but it registered reliably from the first lick […]
Ciclosport has a big European presence and Lance Armstrong was a long-time user, but this computer needs several add-ons to compete on functions. Having to pay £32.99 extra for the heart-rate belt and £24.99 for the cadence sensor is the sting, especially as the software and USB stick that you need to work with the […]
If you want cutting-edge computing power then you have to look at Garmin’s latest GPS-enabled baby. First thing you’ll realise is that this is a big piece of kit even compared to the old 305. However, while it definitely takes up a lot of space on the bars, it sits on top of a stem […]
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