Author Dr Patrick Hagerman has been a professor of exercise and sports science, a university-level strength and conditioning coach, and an experienced personal trainer and athlete, so he’s a good man to consult on the subject of strength work. His book begins by introducing the concept of strength training, and follows a logical progression through […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 good-looking bra from Shock Absorber will keep everything in place during biking, running or gym sessions. A level three (of a possible four) bra, it offers fantastic support, although the manufacturers don’t claim it will offer optimal levels of support for anyone over a C-cup. It dries quickly and is smart enough to wear […]
Body Glide is of a waxy consistency rather than liquid/gel and comes in a handy stick-type dispenser (like some antiperspirants). The obvious advantage of this is the cleanliness of application and zero risk of it leaking in your car/kit bag and ruining all your clothes or carpets. The downside of the stick is that liberal […]
Brave Soldier is the official skincare supplier to Carmichael training systems in the US, so they should know a thing or two about athletes’ needs. Friction Zone (we tested the £2 sample version but we’d recommend the 180ml product) is their multipurpose skin lubricant and, like all those tested here, is wetsuit friendly; in other […]
The age-old triathlete’s favourite. On the plus side, Baby Oil is widely available, cheap and leaves your skin lovely and smooth. Unfortunately, though, its watery consistency means it inevitably goes everywhere when you’re trying to apply it. It also absorbs too well into your skin and, as a result, offers less protection than the specifically […]
Made on the Isle of Man, Sal Clear Tri Lube has been designed specifically to get triathletes in and out of wetsuits in a hurry. The ingredients are tested so that they won’t affect the neoprene, and consistency is quite thin but not too watery, making precise and localised application easy. In terms of protection […]
Suit Juice would clearly be Captain Planet’s choice of lubricant: biodegradeable, fragrance free, hypoallergenic and containing no animal by-products. It’s even approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Consistency is quite thin but it comes in a neat pump-action bottle, which makes application much less messy than daubing it on by hand, and is the […]
Activate (90g) is a soy bean oil with noticeable additions of peppermint, menthol, lemon rosemary and lemongrass. It’s rather more lotion-like and doesn’t feel quite as luxurious when you’re applying it as some warm-up oils can. But the plus side is that this makes it easier to identify and isolate problem areas, as they can […]
This 100ml bottle is made by the same guys who build turbo trainers, so we assume it’s aimed at cyclists and triathletes. (The instructions aren’t exactly in the Queen’s English, but if you can read Italian perhaps that part makes more sense.) We particularly liked the dispenser system Elite has used: the oil sprays out […]
This 100ml product is marketed specifically as a warming massage oil for use prior to sporting activity in cold and wet weather, and the ‘lively’ smell adds weight to the claim that it’s good to get you in the mood for racing. For an oil it absorbs remarkably well, is cleaner than some and is […]
This oil, which comes in a swishy 500ml pump dispenser, has a really high quality feel to it. It comes out of the dispenser as thin as the other oils on test, but gets thicker as you work with it. The smell was a definite winner with us – it’s reminiscent of a rugby changing […]
Despite the ‘gel’ claim, we were more inclined to call this a lotion. Having said that, it was one of the thinnest lotions we’ve ever come across, and in use it behaves more like an oil, spreading out more quickly than you might expect. Perskindol seems to be aimed at the muscle and joint rub […]
The Specialized Miura glasses have a distinct aesthetic that proved popular with our testers. The use of optical hinges meant the arms felt solid and robust. The ear grippers and nose piece were particularly comfortable, and the glasses felt exceptionally stable both on the bike and while running. The lens shape was also excellent, and […]
The Tracks from Sundog represent a good value choice with split interchangeable lenses (three supplied) and a sturdy case and bag for storage. The finish, however, is befitting of the low price, leading to a certain amount of distrust with regards to any rough usage. They don’t provide a particularly positive feel on the face […]
Spiuk’s latest offering is a female-specific tri-suit based on their respected swimsuit. First up, the lightweight and slick fabric of the Evolution 2 gives it a fast feel in the water, thanks primarily to little absorption. The open-back design is unique to the women’s tri-suits tested here and we really like the look. Not only […]
The first thing we noticed about the Craft Elite suit was the colour: while it may appeal to some tastes, we think it’s decidedly dull. But that negative vibe didn’t transcend to its feel – it’s comfortable and doesn’t restrict movement in any of the disciplines. A good chamois provides sufficient padding on the bike, […]
TriGirl is one of the few women-specific triathlon brands on the market, and prides itself on design and development ‘by women for women’. We like the colours and design of this suit, which are far brighter than most competitors’ offerings. It has an inner support around the chest, which performs well on the run, making […]
Traditionally a runner’s brand, ?Saucony has spread its wings and moved into the tri market. The Elite suit is its female-specific tri-suit, which is new in name but not in construction, as it’s simply the renamed Athena tri-suit. Like the Athena, the first thing you notice is the overly large size. On the plus side, […]
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