Participating in a triathlon can require various types of clothing and accessories, and no matter what your budget, there are affordable options. The event itself consists of three different sports---a swim, bike and run---and each requires different gear. Triathlon accessories and clothing can be bought at sporting goods stores, specialty stores and special Web sites that cater to triathletes and triathlon.
History
The triathlon emerged in 1974 in Southern California out of a training group of friends who were either swimmers, cyclists or runners. Practices turned into impromptu, informal competitions, and the first triathlon, the Mission Bay Triathlon, was held in September 1974, according to beginnertriathlete.com. Four years later, the famed Ironman Triathlon developed out of an argument about which race was more athletic: the Waikiki Rough Water Swim, which was 2.4 miles; the Oahu Bike Race, which was 112 miles; or the Honolulu Marathon, which was 26.2 miles. The events were combined into one continuous event, the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon. Today, there are considerably shorter sprint distance triathlons, Olympic distance triathlons, half-Ironman distances and various Ironman-length distance events.
Function
Triathlon-specific gear and clothing is similar to clothing used for each individual sport, but the demands of triathlon must be taken into consideration. Clothing is typically made of material that dries quickly and does not retain water, and accessories all serve specific functions, whether they cut down on wind resistance or make for easier transitions between race legs.
Swim Gear
For swimming, appropriate attire generally depends on whether the swim is in open water or a pool and the expected temperature of the water. There are triathlon suits, tri shorts and tanks and wetsuits. In the book "Slow Fat Triathlete," Jayne Williams describes triathlon shorts and suits as similar to bike shorts, but the material is made of material that dries quickly and has thin padding for comfort on the bike. These outfits are made to be worn throughout the whole event. Swim caps help reduce drag in the water, and goggles aid with visibility; both are typically worn in both open water triathlons and pool triathlons.
Bike Gear
For a beginner triathlete, a tri bike is not necessary; a road, mountain or hybrid bike is just fine. For those who want to enter longer distance triathlons, a specific triathlon bike might be a sound investment. These bikes are made of lighter material and have special bars called aero bars on them, enabling a cyclist to become more aerodynamic and cut down on wind resistance. A helmet that fits snugly is important when riding any bike; many races will not let riders ride without a helmet. During training, biking shorts have padding on them to make long bike rides more comfortable; in races, wearing a tighter shirt helps to cut the wind resistance on the bike, triathanewbie.com says. Some people wear bike gloves on their hands; there are also several different types of pedals that enable shoes to clip into them or have straps on the pedals to hold in your feet.
Run Gear
The run portion is the last part of a triathlon. Some people wear socks with their shoes, and others don't. It is a matter of preference, but if you wear socks, the best option is a pair that fits well to prevent blisters and wicks away moisture to keep your feet cooler and less sweaty, triathanewbie.com says. A pair of well-fitted running shoes is important to avoid injuries; a specialty running store can analyze your running gait and help you pick the best shoe for your foot type. Some people choose to wear racing flats, which are lighter than regular training shoes, and some running shoes made specifically for triathlon have holes in the bottom to allow for water drainage if they are worn after the swim for the bike leg. Lastly, if you are not wearing a tri suit or tri shorts, choosing clothes that are moisture-wicking and weather-appropriate.
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