Gear Guide

Ballin on a Budget

Triathlon can be a very expensive sport and nothing is quite as intimidating as showing up to your first race and seeing all the swag and gear other athletes have dropped hundreds to thousands on. While some financial investment is needed, My First Tri can help you find reasonably priced gear, gently used gear and answer the question, do I actually need this?

Your Triathlon Gear Checklist

There is a lot out there that will tell you you need a wet suit, a time trial bike or aero helmet. While those items are beneficial as you begin to race more competitively, they are absolutely not necessary to start the sport. You may want to first want to train and do your first race to make sure you even like triathlon. That’s where My First Tri can help!

Items in bold is necessary gear, all other items are nice to have.

Swim

  • Swimsuit

  • Swim cap

  • Goggles

  • Wetsuit

  • Pull Buoy

  • Open water swim buoy

  • Kick board

Bike

  • Bike

  • Helmet

  • Sunglasses

  • Flat Kit

  • Clip-in pedals

  • Cycling shorts/bib

  • Indoor trainer

  • Aero bars

  • Bike computer

  • Triathlon bike

Run

  • Running Shoes

  • Performance Watch

  • Hat/visor

  • Hydration bottle

  • Race shoes

Necessary Triathlon Gear Checklist

Swim

  • Swimsuit

  • Cap

  • Goggles

Bike

  • Bike

  • Helmet

  • Sunglasses

Run

  • Running shoes

That is it!

While this is the necessary gear, we’ll dive into other useful gear for each sport below.

Swim Gear

Swimming is the sport we all tend to avoid, but need the most. Invest in a few pieces of gear and it should last you years to come.

Besides swimsuit, goggles and a swimming cap you can benefit from utilizing these other low cost items:

  • Pull Buoy

  • Open water swim buoy

  • Kick board

  • Wetsuit

Bike Gear

Do I need a tri-bike? The most frequent question when starting the sport.

Quick answer - No! We’ll dive into how to decide which bike is right for you on the Cycling Breakdown.

While a bike, helmet and sunglasses are necessary to compete in the sport, these following items can help you improve your performance and compete.

  • Clip-in pedals

  • Cycling shorts/bib

  • Aero bars

  • Bike computer

  • Triathlon bike

Run Gear

Simplest sport of them all…running. A pair of shoes and you’re ready to compete.

The additional of these few items can help you take your running up a notch and monitor

  • Performance Watch

  • Hydration bottle

  • Race shoes