I recently completed the Outlaw - an Ironman distance triathlon in the UK, and thought it would be worth listing all the kit I used for the day, what I found worthwhile and what I think is unnecessary for a first timer. This is by no means a definitive guide, and you could certainly complete the race with less than I used.
For anyone who's even dabbled in triathlon, this won't be news: there is a lot of equipment involved in the sport. As the distances get longer, it becomes even more pronounced and the pressure to just buy stuff increases massively. It's really easy to waste hours pouring over reviews, reading magazines, browsing sport shops and being sucked in to buying all sorts of paraphernalia, partly out of fear that you're never going to make it.
But... I don't believe that you need the latest, brand new gear to take on this epic challenge. Getting things from ebay, borrowing from friends and otherwise getting creative will certainly pay off. (I used the foam from a Nerf gun bullet to silence a cable rattling against my aerobars- worked a treat!). Remember that people have been racing these distances for over 40 years and often without specialist kit.
A wetsuit, specifically a triathlon wetsuit. Mine is made by 2XU and is firmly mid-range. I bought it on ebay a couple of years ago, after the summer season (when everyone is offloading the stuff they realise they don't use any more). Its worth trying some on first and checking the size guides of the different brands. It should be tight, but not impossible to put on. It will be a squeeze but it is worth it to be nice and streamlined and comfortable.
Tinted open-water goggles. I've actually tried a bunch of different types since my face is rather narrow, and finally found a pair which fits. There's loads of choice - go try some on mine are Zoggs Predator Flex. Make sure they have a tint and polarisation, invaluable in the early morning sun. You don't need to spend more than £20 for a good pair.
A tri-suit or swim shorts. Wear this under your wetsuit tri-suits are ideal as they stay in place when you remove your wetsuit. Tri-suits will range massively in price but you're often paying a lot for very marginal gains or pretty patterns. Make sure its comfy if you are going to wear it for the whole race.
A bike! There will be hundreds of bikes at the event- many worth well over £5000. Really, you don't need to spend much at all to compete, even at this level/distance. In fact, any road bike which you feel comfortable on will do the job- it doesn't need to be super light or super aerodynamic (unless you're compensating for something). I completed the ride in under 6 hours on a Specialized Allez Sport - the 2013 model. It has the following bits added to it:
Sunglasses - keep the wind and sun out of your eyes. Ideally something lightweight and grippy as you'll probably wear them running too. I ordered some from Eyekit since I need prescription lenses clipped in beneath the visor.
More comfy, decent socks! Its worth changing them over if you have time. You don't want blisters.
A ridiculous aero helmet, unless of course you're going for the course record, which, I doubt is the case if this is your first time. They're heavy, not well ventilated and won't do what they're meant to do unless you hold your head in the perfect position all day.
For anyone who's even dabbled in triathlon, this won't be news: there is a lot of equipment involved in the sport. As the distances get longer, it becomes even more pronounced and the pressure to just buy stuff increases massively. It's really easy to waste hours pouring over reviews, reading magazines, browsing sport shops and being sucked in to buying all sorts of paraphernalia, partly out of fear that you're never going to make it.
But... I don't believe that you need the latest, brand new gear to take on this epic challenge. Getting things from ebay, borrowing from friends and otherwise getting creative will certainly pay off. (I used the foam from a Nerf gun bullet to silence a cable rattling against my aerobars- worked a treat!). Remember that people have been racing these distances for over 40 years and often without specialist kit.
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| The second (1979) Ironman race: speedos and foamy goggles. |
Race Day Kit
Pre-race
Some old flipflops you don't mind losing, for while you're wandering around, dazed, in the pre-dawn light before the swim.
A track pump to make sure your tyres are the right pressure (around 100-110psi if you're me).
Chamois cream! Like this one which is trying to look like a cow. It works really well for him and her. Put some on before you dress for the swim and maybe stick a little pot of it in your swim-bike transition bag, for extra smoothness...
Chamois cream! Like this one which is trying to look like a cow. It works really well for him and her. Put some on before you dress for the swim and maybe stick a little pot of it in your swim-bike transition bag, for extra smoothness...
Swim
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| My trusty 2XU wetsuit on the left hand side |
Baby oil - to stop chafing around the neck and to make it easier to slip the suit off (put some on your calves and ankles!). Others use a product called Body Glide which is designed for this purpose but neither my wife or I have had any problems with normal Johnson's baby oil.
Tinted open-water goggles. I've actually tried a bunch of different types since my face is rather narrow, and finally found a pair which fits. There's loads of choice - go try some on mine are Zoggs Predator Flex. Make sure they have a tint and polarisation, invaluable in the early morning sun. You don't need to spend more than £20 for a good pair.
A swim hat will be given to you, but bring a spare and you can double up if its really cold! It doesn't matter what it looks like. Its a stretchy bit of rubber.
A multisport watch. This is a pretty important bit of kit. I use a Suunto Ambit3 Sport - not the latest model but its brilliantly capable and customisable at all the sports I need. I set it up to save battery by lowering GPS accuracy on the cycle in order to guarantee the battery for the iron distance and still had 50% remaining at the end of the day. It has a heart rate monitor which I wear all day since it works in the water too.
A multisport watch. This is a pretty important bit of kit. I use a Suunto Ambit3 Sport - not the latest model but its brilliantly capable and customisable at all the sports I need. I set it up to save battery by lowering GPS accuracy on the cycle in order to guarantee the battery for the iron distance and still had 50% remaining at the end of the day. It has a heart rate monitor which I wear all day since it works in the water too.
Bike
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| My bike set up the day before Outlaw- with seat cover in case of overnight rain! |
- Look Keo pedals- nothing special but solid and reliable
- Two bottle cages
- a Fabric saddle which is designed for triathlon - water drains off in a central channel which also makes it more comfortable when sitting forward in aero position.
- Profile design clip on aerobars (borrowed from a kind friend!)
- A saddlebag- for tools (see below)
- A Topeak bento box for putting food in (borrowed from an all round legend and parkrun ambassador!)
- One of my biggest recommendations is to replace stock tyres with faster, lighter folding tyres. I use Continental GP4000s ii in 25mm. Its amazing how much of a difference new tyres make.
A road cycling helmet - make sure it is comfortable, relatively lightweight and has some vents for keeping your head cool. Mine is from Decathlon and doesn't seem to have any drawbacks against much more expensive branded models and I really like it. Ok its not the most "aero" it could be, but that is unlikely to save much more than a few seconds over the 180km.
Bike shoes - get some and fit some cleats to match your pedals. Wear them for a few months and over long distances. Triathlon specific ones like mine from dhb have a single velcro fastener.
Comfy, decent socks! I like merino ones but use whatever feels best over a long day.
Bike shoes - get some and fit some cleats to match your pedals. Wear them for a few months and over long distances. Triathlon specific ones like mine from dhb have a single velcro fastener.
Comfy, decent socks! I like merino ones but use whatever feels best over a long day.
Sunglasses - keep the wind and sun out of your eyes. Ideally something lightweight and grippy as you'll probably wear them running too. I ordered some from Eyekit since I need prescription lenses clipped in beneath the visor.
Optional cycling jersey (to go over the tri-suit). Its a really long way so its nice to have decent pockets for stashing food, banana skins etc. Also feels more comfortable and better in unpredictable UK weather as most tri suits will not cover the shoulders.
Also optional (I didn't bother): cycling bib shorts. If you want to get changed out of wet clothes, its unlikely to make a massive time difference in your 9+ hour day, and if you're worried about being uncomfortable - stick a pair in your transition bag.
I like to use a race number belt like this from Zone 3 since they're pretty easy to attach a number to, and you can just rotate it when you go running later. They usually have really handy elastic bits which can be used to store an isogel if you pick one up.
Saddle bag kit: one inner tube, a puncture repair kit, topeak multi tool which includes tyre levers, two C02 cartridges for quick inflating and a regulator valve.
In the bento box (or stem bag), I put a couple of SIS energy gels I've used in training, some tasty Tribe bars (the best one is the beetroot energy bar- brilliant real food energy) and finally, a packet of questionable chicken snacks! (seriously worth having some real solid, salty, savoury food to keep you going). I filled my two water bottles and added electrolyte tablets which keep me hydrated, full of sodium and other minerals, and not needing to the toilet straight away!
Also optional (I didn't bother): cycling bib shorts. If you want to get changed out of wet clothes, its unlikely to make a massive time difference in your 9+ hour day, and if you're worried about being uncomfortable - stick a pair in your transition bag.
I like to use a race number belt like this from Zone 3 since they're pretty easy to attach a number to, and you can just rotate it when you go running later. They usually have really handy elastic bits which can be used to store an isogel if you pick one up.
Saddle bag kit: one inner tube, a puncture repair kit, topeak multi tool which includes tyre levers, two C02 cartridges for quick inflating and a regulator valve.In the bento box (or stem bag), I put a couple of SIS energy gels I've used in training, some tasty Tribe bars (the best one is the beetroot energy bar- brilliant real food energy) and finally, a packet of questionable chicken snacks! (seriously worth having some real solid, salty, savoury food to keep you going). I filled my two water bottles and added electrolyte tablets which keep me hydrated, full of sodium and other minerals, and not needing to the toilet straight away!
Run
Its a long way, especially after that ride so I chose to get out of my tri suit this time and put on some standard running kit (t-shirt and shorts). My wife and I had our names printed on some Adidas Runners tee shirts so spectators would know who we were (its hard to read a name off a race number unless its really big).
More comfy, decent socks! Its worth changing them over if you have time. You don't want blisters.
Running shoes - obvious essential. Make sure you've worn them in a bit first. I use adidas energy boost 3s which were discounted since they are actually the women's model and are larger than most ladies need! They're not as light as I usually choose but have squishy foam which makes the long distance more comfy. I've replaced the laces with elastic ones from Zone 3 for shorter races but left them in because I'm too lazy to tie laces.
Things you don't need
A ridiculous aero helmet, unless of course you're going for the course record, which, I doubt is the case if this is your first time. They're heavy, not well ventilated and won't do what they're meant to do unless you hold your head in the perfect position all day.
I've said it before: an over-priced bike.
Too many sugary gels. Most races will provide them at fuel stations on the bike and run.
The latest triathlon smart-watch. They're cool! But with many now costing over £500, I don't think its worth it.
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