Every triathlete will know that three sports in one equals lots of gear. But this doesn't always have to cost a fortune.
While we might find ourselves reaching for the latest must-have items from big-name brands, stocking up on new triathlon gear can come at a hefty price. That's why we're always on the lookout for fantastic budget-friendly options; those practical, durable and smart pieces you can rely on without breaking the bank.
We've rounded up some of our favourite pieces of kit and brands to help you stay within budget this tri season.
The best budget triathlon gear to buy this year
Giro Jagg Mitts
- £19.99
Pick up an affordable option for cycling gloves in the shape of these fingerless Giro Jagg Mitts. They're lightly padded along the palms over key pressure points, the top part being made out of a smooth, four-way stretch Lycra for comfort and fit, which is further aided by the slim Velcro top closure.
Gloves are especially useful to aid grip during hilly rides and to prevent sores from pressure-points, as well as providing a little extra warmth. For less than £20, these Giro mitts are handy for shorter journeys, though may feel a little big for extra small hands due to the unisex sizing.
Huub Commit Long Course Tri Suit
Buy men's suit from RunnerInn (£87.99)
Buy women's suit from RunnerInn (£87.99)
- £119.99
A classic in the HUUB range and for sub-£120, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better quality suit for your money. This long-distance primed tri suit feels silky smooth on and has just the right amount of tri-specific chammy padding to cushion you on the bike, while not getting in the way when running.
The stylish ombre design's a big tick in our books, too (women's design's blue, see top image). Comfort extends to the neat zip garage and medium-sized leg grippers. Angled pockets make grabbing a gel super easy, plus the lightweight fabric's quick-drying on the move.
Boardman SLR 8.6
- £550
Half the price of the carbon version, this entry-level bike boasts great value with a triple-butted aluminium frame, full-carbon fork, and 8-speed Claris gears. It feels agile and smooth on the road and impressively responsive for a £550 steed.
Check out our Gear section for more bike reviews and news.
Coros Pace 2 Multisport Watch
- £179.99
The Pace 2 is the most lightweight and practical watch we've come across and with a sub-£180 price tag, it's a steal. The watch has two-hundred sport profiles to choose from including swim, bike, run metrics, solid GPS and optical HR sensor.
Click here to read our full review of the Coros Pace 2, or check out our full review round-up of the best triathlon watches to buy.
Endura FS260-Pro Helmet
- £89.99
Versatile and durable with 14 sizeable ventilation channels, we were suitably impressed with the Endura when we tested the best road bike helmets for triathlon. The helmet feels light and durable, plus the green helps with visibility on the road. Take a look at our full review of the Endura FS260 Pro.
Dhb Aeron 2.0 Wetsuit
- £180
This quality, entry-level wetsuit from Dhb has everything you need to get started with open-water swimming. Yamamoto neoprene provides buoyancy and flexibility, with extra stretch nylon backing for flexibility.
Lomo Vista Goggles
- £10
Mirrored goggles with UV-protection and a split headband for comfort. Designed for both open water and pool, full review coming soon.
Pinnacle Radium Road Cycling Shoes
£99.99£69.99
Quick to fasten with a useful dial-closure system, these budget bike shoes from Evans Cycles offer affordable shoes with all the specs you need to compete and train the bike leg. They've got a comfy, padded heel collar and aeriated upper for airflow, along with a stiff sole to enable adequate power transfer through the pedals.
Topeak Toploader Top Tube Bag
- £32.99
This large, padded top tube bag fits all the essentials and more for your long rides. It's also a great option to stash bike peg nutrition during a race, the pocket having ample space for four or five gels, spare inner and more.
Fastening system is via adjustable Velcro straps, and the zip is smooth to pull up on down when grabbing gels on the move. There's also a waterproof cover hiding in a side compartment which can be whipped on in adverse weather. The only thing we found was that our legs rubbed slightly against the bag during standing climbs.
Under Armour Charged Pursuit 3 Run Shoe
- £55
These affordable, padded, lightweight kicks from Under Armour just prove that you don't need to splash hundred on your next pair of road running shoes. They're designed with comfy sock liner and ‘compression moulded foam’ midsole for impact absorption, but it's the supreme level of cushioning throughout that stands out to us.
Camelbak Podium Bottle
- £11
This 620ml bottle option from Camelbak fits into a standard bottle cage and has a self-sealing valve with a twist-locking top, a great quality, budget option for storing your bike hydration.
High5 Energy Gel
- £1.26
Made with real fruit juice plus vitamin B6, one gel provides 23g of fast-releasing carbs and weighs only 40g. Choose from a variety of flavour options and stock up on gels for training and racing.
Looking for budget-friendly running shoes? Sports footwear can be expensive, so we've found the best budget options to buy; read our guide to find great choices for your next triathlon event.
