More triathlon gear tests than any other website. EXPERT REVIEWS of the latest and best tri kit, including bikes, running shoes, wetsuits and clothing.
Typically for Cannondale, these gloves aren’t cheap, but the extra money isn’t wasted. The water and windproof fabric shrugs off serious showers and properly arctic, frosty morning descents before cold or wet creeps through. There’s very little sweat build-up and the long cuffs give a good wrist sealing. There’s useful reflectivity on your little finger, […]
The Fastwitch has a very light, fast feel to it from the highly flexible outsole and midsole through to the snug and highly breathable upper. The shoe shows it’s possible to build a minimal racer to give overpronators some support while maintaining all the properties needed for fast running. The ride is soft so some […]
The Makani has a similar weight and target audience to Asics’s DS Trainer. Those who suffer with sore Achilles heels in lighter shoes that have a lower profile midsole will welcome the Makani’s claims that it has more depth to the midsole at the heel. The cushioning is good in the heel but feels too […]
This shoe has good protection for its weight (approx 200g). The upper and layout of the lacing allow you to secure a good fit and feel your foot is locked in position for fast running. The Hyper Speed 2 is primarily suited for shorter race distances but it packs a surprising amount of cushioning and […]
At £45 it’s hard to fault the Brooks T5 Racer. It’s certainly a light one (at less than 200g) and the fit is adequate – perhaps not as adjustable as we would like to see but it raised no issues. There’s never going to be a stack of cushioning at this weight, but the ride […]
The Elite is a lightweight offering rather than an out-and-out racer. It has good guidance and support for overpronators with a softer strike zone at the heel, flex grooves, medial post and midfoot shank, which work well to guide your foot without giving harshness to the ride. ‘Crash pads’ offer adequate cushioning whether you’re landing […]
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 […]
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